Sprinkling the colorful flower petals along the carpeted aisle had been one of the best parts of Scootaloo's day, along with the hugs, and seeing the best wonderbolts in existence seal their bond in a vow of marriage. There was that feeling knowing Dash was right behind her, that she was the one to lead the way. Even so, when her job was done, she knew that wouldn't be the end of it and that the day would still be full of surprises for all.
After the ceremony the bride and groom warmly embraced their party, gratitude for everything they’d done pouring from their lips. The feelings they carried were simply indescribable.
The ceremony had been followed by pictures. Lots of pictures.
And Scootaloo… well, she actually didn't mind that much. Sure it was a lot of posing and smiling, this group then that group, but, at one point Rainbow Dash insisted she take a few pictures with just her and Scootaloo. Those were her favorites as they were full of silly poses and smiling faces of their own invention.
The couple was delighted to have the photos as memories of each pony that had been a part of that day: friends, family, bridesmaids, groom’s stallions, the best mare and matron of honour, the flower girl and ring bearer. Every pony.
They’d always be a part of those memories.
“Alright, alright,” the photographer called, “Soarin’, Rainbow, take a break. Lets do some photos with the ring bearer and flower filly,”
The happy couple sighed in relief at the opportunity for a break as the two requested ponies stepped forward. Yes, they were going to love the pictures, but it was exhausting.
Scootaloo the flower filly, of course, and the ring bearer, (her old sort-of-friend) Rumble, stepped forward.
As it turned out, Soarin and Thunderlane had been really close friends growing up and when Soarin became a wonderbolt, they constantly kept in touch till Thunderlane eventually got on the team as well. When he’d heard Soarin was looking for a ring bearer he was more than happy to volunteer his little brother for the position. The same little brother who had tried to destroy the cutie mark crusaders because he feared what pathe he may get stuck with. The incident, thankfully, hadn't ended in disaster, and really created somewhat of a friendship between the colt and the CMC.
And now they were taking pictures together.
The two awkwardly shuffled into place where the photographer had set up for staging as she readied the camera, but as she looked through the lense she glanced back up at them with a raised brow.
“What is this? You two are standing six feet apart like you don't like each other. What are your names?”
“Scootaloo,” The filly waved awkwardly.
“And I’m Rumble,”
“Alright Rumble, let me tell you a little secret,” The photographer leaned towards him, “Girls don't bite, that’s just a myth,” She smiled when she earned a light chuckle from the two foals and nudged him jokingly and lowering her voice, “That Scootaloo over there, she’s a cute filly, no?”
“Ah- I” The grey colt glanced between the two mares stammering and blushing.
“You don't have to answer that,” She said straightening up and returning to the camera, “Just smile you two, pretend like you like each other,”
It sort of worked as they were at least five and a half feet closer, and giving real smiles. She snapped a couple of shots before urging them to get more comfortable, mess around with it.
“Oh come on, just pretend I’m not here,” She called, preparing to take pictures of anything that would be fun and memorable, “The best pictures come when you’re having fun,”
“Alright, alright,” Scootaloo rolled her eyes playfully, nudging Rumble in the side, “Let’s have some fun then,”
He nodded with a smirk, “Lets,”
The two ended up with some pretty cute shots much to the photographer’s delight. There were some sweet one’s where they’d just been talking and getting lost in the moment, others where they were messing around and displaying quite a bit of sass. At one point Rumble, for fun, had tossed the ring pillow at her resulting in a play fight that nearly had Rarity passing out for fear of them ruining their outfits. There was even a moment where Rumble had tossed Scootaloo over his shoulders, much to her surprise.
That was Dash’s favorite, that and the super cheesy shot she and Soarin had jumped in for. The two stallions stood parallel to each other and with their mares. The two had then kissed their mare’s hoof. Dash loved it because it showed that older generation with a newer one, and judging by their cherry red faces, there was bound to be something between them. If there ever was- a really big if, she knew- that would definitely be one to hold on to.
“They have such great chemistry, don't they?”
Dash smiled, glancing at her new husband and back at the two foals, “Yeah they do. They just… i don't know… work together,”
“They make sense,” He added slyly, “I think, just like us,”
“Of course we do,” She chortled, “I wouldn't have married you if we didn't,”
“Aw, but what fun is there in making sense?”
Dash rolled her eyes looking to the source of the voice to see Discord up in the tree above them perched on a branch, a smiling Fluttershy right beside him.
“Don't let Rarity catch you up there,” She warned
“Oh I know, we’d never hear the end of it,” Discord grinned flicking at a leaf that had fallen from one of the higher branches.
Finally, pictures were done and groups had been dismissed as the photographer had finished with them though Scotaloo had stayed out in the gardens watching as she wrapped up with some last minute, sweet, kissing shots.
At long last the bride and groom could relax until reception time. Twilight had been sure to plan time for that in the schedule of the day, informing them when they’d need to be back and in their party outfits.
For the reception, scotaloo had opted to stay in her greek dress-she really loved that dress- and save Rarity some work. Meanwhile the other mares changed into outfits more suitable for a night of dancing.
Rainbow Dash’s dress had been a glimmering white gown with a thin gracian t-neckline, sheer midriff, and open back for ease of movement. The skirt hugged her curves emphasising her sleek muscular figure before loosening into a mermaid style ruffle at the bottom. It was perfect for the athletic mare, the type of outfit any Wonderbolt would wear to a black tie event-only better. Made to outshine everypony on the dance floor that night. Her mane was let down and braided over her shoulder while Fluttershy attempted something similar for the flower filly.
In the end each mare had changed from the sweet ceremony outfits to stunning gowns fit for celebrities, chattering away all the while. Even Twilight, who hadn't been able to join them earlier due to her role as head planner and officiator of the ceremony, was there now. Happy to pass the planning torch to Pinkie Pie for the night, Twilight could enjoy the evening with her friends.
“Ladies, ladies,” Dash raised a hoof to gain the attention of her excitedly chattering group of friends, “I just wanted to say you guys are the best. Thank you for standing by me today, for your love, your support," She glanced at Fluttershy, then Scootaloo, "For your kind words…" Looking back over each beautiful mare in the room, "You have all become my sisters, and I hope I can repay the favor for each of you on your big day whenever it may be,"
The mares whooped cheered lightly and Rainbow Dash continued, "We don't have champagne or cider or anything like that, but if I did I'd make a toast." She raised her hoof in a triumphant gesture, the power of her words echoed in her stance, "To us, to the future, to wherever our wings, our hooves, or our hearts lead us."
"Hear hear," Rarity called, the other five mares added their own agreements lifting their hooves in turn
"Ladies, we own the night!"
They cheered again and ran to embrace the bride, their best friend, their sister.
"Alright," Twilight said, hesitant to break the embrace, "The party has technically begun, all they're waiting on is the appearance of the bride and groom. There's going to be a lot of cameras, but that can't be helped. Just pretend they're not there. Let's get out there and have some fun,"
While the ceremony and everything that went into it was meticulously planned by Twilight, it was Pinkie Pie who was given free reign over the entirety of the reception. Enlisting the help of her fellow party planner, Cheese Sandwich, they threw a party like no other. Spitfire had even mentioned wanting to hire them for some future wonderbolt events as the two were quickly making a name for themselves.
The music was spectacular, the wedding games a huge hit and quite hilarious to watch and participate in. And the food? Even better! The party planning couple had overlooked no detail and had even surprised her during the toasts with a cool glass of her favorite Apple Cider from Sweet Apple Acres. They had been so delighted and stunned that the only words she could utter were these: "If I died tonight, I would have zero regrets…"
The girls and her husband had laughed knowing they had loved every moment of the day.
Nevertheless Soarin teased, "I hope you don't, I only just married the mare of my dreams, and I hope to spend many more years with her."
"Alright," she laughed slinging her arm around his shoulder and pulling him in tight, "come here you goofball!"
Then there were the dances, when Soarin could have one last dance with his mother and Dash with her father before handing their beautiful children off to their new spouse for their first dance as husband and wife. That was a heartwarming moment, one Dash sure hoped had been captured for the book Rarity had offered to make. After that everypony was invited to dance as the music alternated between upbeat party music and a few slow romantic ballads that had been sprinkled in for any couples who had wished to join.
While many of her friends danced with their chosen some ponies, they were asked many times by other enthusiastic partygoers, leaving others to fill the time.
At one point Spike had playfully asked Applewood for a dance and by the end of the night had danced with each of the Cutie Mark Crusaders several times
One of her favorite dances to watch was the four of them doing the chicken dance whilst throwing all cares to the wind and looking absolutely ridiculous.
Honestly, the inclusion of that song had been genius for getting ponies to loosen up and have fun, no matter who they were or what social standing they came from.
Only Pinkie could do something as ridiculous as that and have it work.
After hours, the party was winding down as ponies became worn out and tired. Dash had paused to take a moment, sitting on the outskirts of the party, watching contently the smiling ponies.
Then came little Scootaloo, more tired than she'd been last time Dash saw her but still smiling.
"Enjoying the party, squirt?"
"Yeah, I've never been to one quite like this before,"
"Heh, me neither," She chuckled wrapping a hoof around the filly, "I've been to weddings, I've been to Wonderbolt events, but this one takes the cake,"
"A little bit of both, right?"
"Yep," She nodded lazily, pulling the filly to her shoulder.
The filly relaxed into her embrace, leaning against the mare. They watched the ponies, the stars, the light, whatever drew their attention on that night as they sat contentedly on the beautiful, clear night.
"Dash?"
"Yeah Scoots?"
"I’m glad that you found the one,"
“Thank you, Scoots,” She beamed, pulling her closer in for a tender hug, "You and the girls have made this day one I'll never forget,"
If she ever did, Celestia help her… That day, which had been full of love and family, could not have ended up better. She had honestly expected some sort of catastrophe to occur, but it hadn't. Everything had been up to par and it was all thanks to her friends.
There was something about this night, too, that she simply couldn't express. Beyond the love, joy, and hope, there was something wonderful and inexplicable.
Come what may, she knew she'd always have her friends and her family by her side. No matter what.