Chapter 55: THE TRIPLE WEDDING

Audrey woke up on the morning of their wedding day to find the sunshine winking in at the window of the little porch gable and a cool breeze frolicking with the curtains.
When the car pulled up to take Audrey to her wedding ceremony, it was far from what she was expecting! And it was just the start of a gorgeous day filled with family, friends and so much laughter.
Upon arrival for the wedding weekend, guests were each greeted with a personalized welcome favor - tropical fruity scent sunscreen, a palm leaf printed hand fan, sunglasses, shell shaped soap, candle with hints of gardenia and delicate musk fragrance, packed into beachy starfish gift bags with name and wedding date for a truly bespoke touch.
Family, friends, and most importantly, the husband(s)-to-be stood in silence, peeking over the shoulders of the guests behind them, to get that first glimpse of the bride.
Everyone was impatiently waiting for the brides to make their entrance, under applauses, awes and some very emotional tears!
Bride's 'walk down the aisle' towards emotional groom was a walk to remember, so it was carefully curated considering and selecting the best wedding entrance music, wedding aisle decor, and of course the bouquet and the dress.
Ultimately, each bride pulled off the perfect ensemble—and their first look was fittingly emotional.
While each bride had her own unique wedding dress, they all exuded a sort of tropical, romantic and yet classic feeling as they held a beautiful silk and natural flower bouquet adorned with pearls, rhinestone starfish and seashells.
A truly lovely keepsake bouquet of their special day which they didn't want to toss!
Dmitri was spellbound as he looked at Audrey who looked like the spitting image of class and sophistication in her lace gown that was as effortless as it was regal.
The silhouette set out to define her figure with matte lace and silky crepe with floating straps meeting in the back as the illusion lace formed a tattoo effect on the back. A long train featured signature laser-cut lace, which matched that of the bodice.
Beachy waves with braided bangs with a half-up hairdo gave a romantic, laid-back roman goddess vibe while channeling aurora tiara, adorned with an eclectic array of stars and sea urchins made from swarovski silver shade, jet hematite, crystal, rose gold, mother of pearl star, black diamond and a scattering of pearls.
As Leo's eyes befell on Rachel, he was stunned after seeing her. She was a sight to behold in her fairytale-esque heirloom serenely beautiful gown, crafted with the most free-spirited bride in mind who loved to bask in the sun.
Her gown featured a striking graphic lace pattern, embroidered all through the bodice and placed sparsely along the skirt for an elegantly cohesive look. The back was so sleek and sophisticated, with bold sheer cutouts highlighting the swirling patterns of the lace while tastefully showing some skin. The train ensured an utterly fabulous walk down the aisle, with scalloped edges and intricate lace patterns decorating the skirt all the way to the hem.
Instead of fighting her natural texture of curly hair, she embraced it by wearing it down and adding a sparkly tiara decorated with real seashells, pearls, swarovski crystals and czech glass beads in rose gold metal tones looking utterly romantic.
Calvin was awestruck looking at his bride.
Hazel wore an elegant gown inspired by the "untamed beauty of the ocean" and the city of Atlantis, an ultra-sleek dress rooted in modernity.
The plunging V-neckline was accented with organic edges from the graphic lace, with beaded straps providing breezy support. Sheer details in the bodice added an alluring but elegant touch.
The fit-and-flare embroidered lace silhouette beautifully highlighted her body"s natural curves; creating a cohesive look complete with scalloped edges at the hem of the train, with faux pearl embellishments.This stunner looked like the epitome of beachy sophistication.
She braided one side and added a floral hair vine into the other side for a creative, asymmetrical hairdo. Her seahorse tiara in a mermaid style duo of the Oceania crown and Calypso headpiece was plated in pale 18 carat gold, and topped with pearls and swarovski crystals really dazzled with a row of gold shell-shaped fans.
Shopping for groom's beach wedding attire wasn't a difficult task. But poor fellas, were so busy getting hyped over saying YES to the dress (and those wedding shoes !!) that deciding what the groom and groomsmen were going to wear fell behind !
Beach weddings are often relaxed and lighthearted affairs, so the drop dead gorgeous grooms didn't shy away from some fun with their looks while keeping it casual.
Dmitri opted for the tan colour to go with the whole beach vibe. With the sand between his toes and wind in his hair. It gave the perfect mix of casual and appealing !
Leo wanted an informal yet elegant look, so he wore a suit with no tie with a beige linen shirt ! Not only was it a clean, sensual look, it was absolutely chic !
Calvin opted for an open necked shirt and more casual jacket which allowed him to stay comfortable while still looking sharp. He wore a white shirt with the top two buttons unbuttoned in a classic look.
For a beach wedding, Isabelle and other bridesmaids wore bold mix-and-match gowns as they got to choose their own bridesmaid dress. The result was a cheerful, lively glam collection of pink and red outfits with a starfish headpiece made with pearls, sea shells and a gold flower.
The groomsmen beach-outfitted in Hawaiian-print shirts and flip flops.
Melody and Sarah served as flower girls, dressed in applique frocks with tons of flowers and lovely soft tulle. Both of them looked like perfect little tropical princesses. They were luxurious, delicate and whimsical and really left everyone just speechless !
They carried small nosegays of flowers and moss-covered baskets filled with flower petals as they walked down the aisle accessorized with a flower crown and holding the hands of the ring bearers.
Alex and Ethan were adorable traditional ring bearers who presented the rings in a decorative clamshell with a hollow space, arranged next to fresh flowers on top. They were dressed in a tuxedo shirt with suspenders and a striped bow tie.
The joy in such events of life is such that parents of both Audrey and Leo got teary eyed out of sheer joy of knowing that there was finally someone who could accompany their child through the walk of life and that they won"t be alone in their good and bad times.
For the seamless and elegant ceremony, guests sat in a circular format and a beach aisle was a beautiful thing to behold. Walk to the altar was decorated with shells, buoys, hung lanterns and a row of erect palm leaves.
For a natural fit for a seaside ceremony arch, a driftwood arch was a perfect blank slate !
They styled it with fresh florals, tropical foliage and decorative seashells. For the most part, their guests were their decor !
Happy and beautiful brides came down the aisle, shining-eyed, in the midst of their maiden veil, with arms full of flowers.
Dmitri, waiting for Audrey looked up at her with adoring eyes. She was his at last, this evasive, long-sought Audrey, won after years of patient waiting.
As she held out her hand, their eyes met and all doubt and fears swept away in a glad certainty. They belonged to each other; and, no matter what life might hold for them, it could never alter that. Their happiness was in each other's keeping and both were delighted."
Brides and grooms didn't only marry the right person, they also committed to being the right partner, the one with whom the other can stand and face the world. It was finally time to seal the glorious chapter with love that would lead them into the next chapter of their life.
They exchanged personal vows; among them Rachel said the emotion-evoking line, "I love you so much and for so many reasons. When this life is done, I vow to find you in the next."
Leo replied with a vow of his own, "we're one. I choose you, I chose you, and I'll continue choosing you over and over again."
"Please hold hands. And all of you who love each other, please take each other"s hands as well," the priest said.
They did as told.
"Taking the hand of the one who loves you is a powerful symbol of that unspoken bond. Take a good look at your partner"s hands, so you may see the gift that they are to you," the priest added.
Each couple smiled at their loved one.
"These are the hands of your best friend, that are holding yours on your wedding day. These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future. These are the hands that when wrinkled and aged will still be reaching for yours," priest remarked.
It was a promise from their hearts in the words of the priest.
There is a point in the ceremony when people usually talk about the wedding bands being a perfect circle, having no beginning and no end, but we all know that these rings have a beginning. Rock is dug up from the earth. Metals are liquefied in a furnace at a thousand degrees. The hot metal is forged, cooled, and then painstakingly polished.
Something beautiful is made from raw elements. Love is like that. It comes from humble beginnings, made by imperfect beings. It is the process of making something beautiful where there was once nothing at all.
For declaration of intent, priest asked the brides if they were ready to take the grooms to be their lawfully wedded husband. "To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and not so good times, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto him for as long as you both shall live."
"I do," replied the emotional brides.
For declaration of intent, priest asked the grooms if they were ready to take the brides to be their lawfully wedded husband. "To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and not so good times, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto her for as long as you both shall live?"
"I do," grooms replied.
"A ring is an unbroken circle, with ends that have been joined together, and it represents your union. it's a symbol of infinity, and of your infinite love," the priest said. "When you look at these rings on your hands, be reminded of this moment, your commitment, and the love you now feel for each other," the priest added.
The brides and grooms placed the ring on each other"s finger as they said,"I give you this ring as a symbol of my love with the pledge: to love you today, tomorrow, always, and forever."
"My hope for you is this: May you have many long years to delight in each other"s company and may your life"s challenges be met together with courage and optimism, and may your days be filled with laughter, imagination, trust, friendship, and love," the priest blessed them all.
"It is now my honor and delight to declare you husband and wife—you may seal your vows with a kiss!" The officiant said.
The brides and grooms sealed their vows with a soft and sweet kiss which was followed by huge cheering and applause. Even the once opposed parents- the Blaydes and the Emersons, had tears in their eyes as they wordlessly blessed their children.
The brides and grooms were immediately embraced as couples and were finally able to begin our new family. Newly married, they recessed down the aisle to "Love Me Like You Do" by Ellie Goulding.
Long guest tables were adorned with custom white linens with some pretty sea life added to tropical fruits and florals. Centerpieces of corals, starfish, sea urchins and sea shells were used for décor.
Place cards were calligraphed and the tongue-in-cheek menu was meant to be read like "me n you."
They used seashells, engraved coconut cups, oyster shells to showcase escort cards and place cards.
The menu itself was a major part, so they were drawn to the use of local chefs and bartenders. They appreciated how they liked to source and cook with ingredients from the Chesapeake area, so everything on the menu was seasonal and fresh.
Wedding cake showcased fun pops of color, with a stunning hand-painted palm leaf paired with a cascade of punchy florals mixed with edible treasures of the ocean like shells, pearls and sea grass.
The "very informal" ceremony involved a short toast thanking everyone, the cutting of the cake and a beautifully simple evening of "good appetizers, drinks and socializing."
Kenji's photography team was roped in for capturing the lovely wedding.
They had a keen eye for details. Their candid photography was the highlight of the event !
Brides changed up their glam for the reception, going from shiny Hollywood waves to a chic ponytail. They changed their dresses to make it easier to dance the night away.
The wedding went off without a hitch ! It was exciting and amazing !!
They were thrilled with the many compliments they received for being so loving and sharing the day with each other. Each of them felt special.
The newlyweds" first dance was one of their most cherished memories of the day. The entire evening"s playlist was curated by the brides. They thought a lot about music and found the perfect songs that fit who they were.
The dance grew livelier and livelier. Taking her hand in his, Dmitri swept Audrey gracefully into a dance. Letting herself get pulled into the tune, she held him close, letting his warmth heat her. All the scenery and people around them dissolved as their bodies twined in a different kind of dance, bending and swaying in time to the rhythm of their breaths.
Leo gazed down at Rachel with a warm, solemn expression. She stepped onto the floor and awed him. Uncontrollable feelings surged through his body and his fingers tingle in delight as they danced the song away.
Calvin took Hazel's hand and twirled her into his arms. As the thrumming rhythm of classical music whispered into her ears, she began to dance. They fell in step, letting the rhythm control their movements as they glided together in perfect harmony.
There were no more chains to hold them back from this pure paradise !