Never underestimate the organizational powers of Kurt Hummel. Within five days he had the entire wedding ceremony planned out, down to the wine colored napkins for the reception. He'd overnighted invitations, hired a band, and picked out every flower arrangement himself.
He'd been there when Rachel shopped for a wedding dress, and wiped away all of her (overly dramatic, in his opinion) tears. He'd saved Finn from dressing like a funeral parlor owner. He'd rented an entire ballroom, determined that Rachel get her dream wedding no matter how rushed and unplanned it was. She was going to look like a princess, and Finn would be her prince charming.
They'd discussed the various Jewish ceremonies, but decided to go with a basic (but lovely) civil one. Of course they'd wanted to write their own vows, and of course they'd both come to him crying when they were having trouble figuring out what they wanted to say. He'd also had to prepare his own best man toast, help Rachel pick out the bridesmaids dresses, help Blaine figure out which bow tie to wear…it was exhausting.
Luckily, he had plenty of energy. He'd called in favors from all of his friends from school and the show to keep the cost of the ceremony down, though Rachel's dads were paying for most of it, with Burt and Carol picking up what was left. Finn had wanted to pay for it…until Kurt showed him the first bill. Then he'd gotten a little sick, sat down heavily, and looked like he was going to pass out…which sent Rachel into a panic. Always a panic with that one.
Kurt had been amazed at the amount of R.S.V.P's for the ceremony; he'd thought that with the short notice and the amount of travel involved there would be more not able to make it. Luckily, he planned for more- and with the partitions available in the ballroom if the extra room hadn't been needed he could close off the unused parts of it. See? He thought of everything.
In the chapel the rows of pews were adorned with white lilies and ribbon, the alter covered with more of the same. Little Beth, the flower girl, was dressed in a beautiful gown just like the one Rachel was wearing. Everyone was standing in the back, ready to start the procession. They were, of course, waiting for Rachel. Kurt had also predicted this, and had told her that the wedding was to start thirty minutes before it actually was. Still, if she didn't come on, she'd be even later than that.
Kurt looked through the door at Finn, who looked so handsome in his black tux. Kurt had vetoed the idea of him getting dressed in one of his Air Force outfits…or whatever they were called. Though he looked very handsome in it, he figured that neither of them needed the reminder today that he was still in the service.
Puck was still recovering, but had managed to make the trip. There was nothing Kurt could do to make the man look less…sickly. He'd tried. Puck had actually threatened to shoot him, though, when he'd mentioned make up. That was fine; if he wanted to look like an extra on The Walking Dead set, who was Kurt to try to stop him?
Sam and Mike had both made it, as well as Finn and Puck's friend Terry. He frightened Kurt a little, but it was mostly because he was always barking orders at people. Blaine thought the man was hilarious, a fact that annoyed Kurt to no end. Blaine rounded out the men standing for Finn.
Tina, Quinn, Shelby, Santana, Brittany and Maria were bridesmaids for Rachel. Kurt had been so happy to see them he'd actually cried. Mercedes had been unable to make it, but she'd sent her love- as had Artie. Kurt looked out at the packed ballroom of people and wished that the whole group had been able to make it. This day was something special.
The music began and all the men straightened, holding their arms out for their female counter parts. With little Beth leading the way, they began the walk to their friend. Rachel still hadn't come out, but one of her dads must have signaled that it was time to start the music, so Kurt wasn't too worried about it.
Kurt looked over at Maria (Rachel's maid of honor), and smiled. Everything really was beautiful, and he gave himself a figurative pat on the back. He took his place beside his brother, smiling at the look of nervousness Finn wore. Kurt knew he wasn't nervous about marrying Rachel; he was terrified that he'd mess up his vows. He'd been practicing them all day, and they were starting to run together. He was also worried that he'd wince or grimace and Rachel would call a time out and force him to go lie down.
Kurt watched as the rest of their friends joined them, then as all the guests stood for Rachel's arrival. He heard Finn take a deep breath, then breathe "Rachel," as she appeared. Kurt understood, as Rachel truly was breathtakingly beautiful. With a father on each side, she had eyes only for Finn. Her white dress hugged her body until it hit her hips, where it flared out. Her long dark hair was worn down and wavy, framing her face. Kurt could see the sparkle in her eyes from the front of the chapel. Disney princesses had nothing on his girl.
After her fathers gave her hand to Finn, they joined Burt and Carol in the first pew. Carol was already a sobbing mess, but no one could really blame her. Finn and Rachel stared into each others eyes, smiling slightly. Kurt hoped the photographer got that.
When it was time to say their vows, Finn's smiled turned wistful. "Rachel, I've loved you since we were fifteen years old. In the beginning, I thought that maybe it would go away…maybe one day I would wake up and I wouldn't anymore. But that never happened; my feelings for you have only gotten stronger. Everything about you is perfect for me…you take my breath away." He took a breath and lowered his head, then looked back up at her. "You kept me alive, Rach. The thought of you is what kept me going, what kept me fighting. You're the reason I'm still standing here. Your love, it touches something in me. Right here," he said, putting his hand over his chest and smiling.
Rachel let out a small laugh, tears welling in her eyes. "Your heart is on this side," she said, moving his hand over to cover his heart.
"My heart is right here," he said, putting his hand over her heart. "I love you, and I'm so happy you're mine."
Rachel nodded, tears falling out of the corners of her eyes. "I love you so much," she told him. "And I have from the moment we met. You've always been my dream, Finn. Sometimes it seems too good to be true; I feel like I'm living in a fairy tale. But you're real," she said, touching his face with her hand. "And you're mine. It's all I've ever wanted. I promise that from now until forever, I will do everything I can to make you happy. I will always stand by you, and I will always stand up for you. I've been yours since we were kids. I'll be yours until we're old and gray, and then even longer. You're the one that I want, the one that I need, always and forever."
The preacher said something else, but Finn was already lowering his head. His lips captured hers tenderly, his hands cupping her face. She was finally, truly his…and he was hers. The audience stood and cheered as they kissed, happy to share in a moment of perfection.
Kurt sniffled a little, glad that he'd not forgotten to add a silk handkerchief to his suit. They'd both veered away from the vows they'd written, but they were perfect nonetheless. Watching their kiss, Kurt briefly thought about the conversation he and Rachel had had in the hallway at McKinley. He'd told her that neither of them had a chance with Finn. He had never been so glad to be wrong.
Finn and Rachel made their way down the aisle, smiling and waving to everyone. Kurt followed, along with his friends. It was time for the reception and all it entailed. The fairy tale was just beginning. He couldn't remember when he'd ever been happier.