Moonlight spilled through the windows of the hotel ballroom, adding to the bright glow blazing from the small lanterns lining the perimeter of the room. Flowers filled the room, roses ranging in color from deep violet to pale pink. The scent from the blossoms was bordering on overpowering, but no one seemed to notice. Chairs filled the narrow hall, flanking a center aisle that was covered in a carpet of white rose petals.

The minister stood at the front of the room, his Bible clutched firmly in his left hand as he surveyed the scene before him. This was going to be one of the more interesting weddings he had ever officiated over; the couple being married was a bit eccentric, he thought. Both the bride and the groom had provided him and the hotel staff with an impressive list of what could not be present or included in the ceremony. When he had tried to explain that crosses and holy water were a fundamental part of the traditional ceremony, both blondes had been horrified. This was just one of the many strange requests that the hotel staff had heard since Miss Summers had called and booked the ballroom for her wedding. Everything about the wedding was tailored specifically to the bride and groom's requests; there was nothing traditional about this ceremony.

Shifting his weight from one foot to another, the minister looked over at the groom. Spike flashed a tight smile at the man before turning back to the double doors that separated the hall from the rest of the hotel. Taking a deep breath, he clenched his jaw tightly, trying to remember the last time he had been so nervous. Nothing in his past had prepared Spike for the anxiety he was feeling; he was hanging in limbo, waiting for the wedding to begin so he could show the entire world how much he loved Buffy.

At the entranceway to the hall, Xander Harris shifted uncomfortably in his tuxedo, straining against the tight bowtie. He looked down the aisle towards Spike, taking a grim satisfaction at the terrified look on the vampire's face. Xander tugged at his tie, he hadn't been this dressed up since his own wedding but he would wear blue polyester if that's what Buffy wanted for hers. Quickly, Xander patted the pocket of his tuxedo, reassuring himself that he still had the rings. Initially against being Spike's best man, he had slowly embraced the role and his duties; which included not losing Buffy and Spike's wedding rings. Spike had given him the rings minutes before the former Scourge of Europe took his place beside the minister. He wasn't taking any chances that the Whelp would somehow lose the platinum bands before the ceremony.

From his position at the head of the aisle, Spike looked out over the audience in amazement. He had never imagined himself getting married, much less in a hotel ballroom with over fifty guests and to the Slayer of all people. Chuckling, Spike forgot about his own discomfort as he watched Xander struggle against tight collar of his dress shirt. He smoothed the sleeves of his own jacket, brushing invisible pieces of lint off the ebony fabric. Spike felt like a fool, dressed up in a tuxedo jacket with a bunch of roses pinned to the lapels, an embroidered vest covering his impossibly white shirt and the God-awful uncomfortable shoes that Buffy had insisted he buy. Despite all of that, Spike had never been happier. A goofy grin spread across his face; he was getting married to the woman he loved, his golden goddess, his Slayer.

Willow appeared at his elbow and smiled cheerily, her red hair pulled up in a loose French twist with a few tendrils framing her face. "Almost ready," she asked, one hand smoothing the front of her lilac dress. Xander nodded, "just waiting for the okay to cue up the musician." Making a face, Willow giggled, "I don't think that you 'cue up' a five piece orchestra," she teased. Xander shrugged, ready to make a witty remark when Dawn appeared beside them. "Buffy's ready," she squealed, excitement radiating off her in waves. Xander nodded, trying to think of Dawn as Buffy's kid sister rather then the gorgeous long-legged brunette in a form-fitting purple dress who was oblivious to the effect her beauty had on men. "So are we ready," Willow asked, snapping Xander from his haze. Dawn bounced up and down on the balls of her feet, "yup," she said, sounding less like a graduate student and more like a giggly teenager.

Soft music wafted through the crowded room and Spike straightened his back, swallowing over the sudden lump in his throat. Xander extended his arm to Dawn and they slowly made their entrance, through the double doors and down the aisle towards the minister and Spike. At the altar, they separated, turning back to face the wide aisle as the music continued to swell. Willow waited until they were halfway down the aisle before beginning her trip over the carpet of rose petals. She smiled at Spike before taking her place beside Dawn, turning to wait for her best friend's entrance. The orchestra's music rose to a beautiful crescendo and an audible gasp spread throughout the room as the bride appeared in the doorway. Buffy smiled widely, taking Giles' arm as she prepared to walk down the aisle.

Giles smiled down at the woman he loved more than a daughter and patted her hand reassuringly. The bride was a vision in white; the strapless gown had a tight corset top embroidered with thousands of tiny rhinestones and beads that sparkled brightly. From the waist down, the bell skirt cascaded over her petite frame with several billowing yards of tulle and crinoline underneath. Her blonde hair was pulled back in a tight bun, a large coif of curls at the base of her neck. Buffy had forgone the traditional veil, not wanting to take away from her dress. She carried an enormous bouquet of purple and white roses and a simple diamond pendant hung around her neck. Buffy took a deep breath and smiled at Giles, "ready," she asked. He nodded as the orchestra began the opening notes of "Here Comes the Bride".

Buffy seemed to float down the aisle, her bright smile illuminating the hall, her eyes fixed on Spike. The peroxide blonde vampire smiled, love shining over his sharp features. From the pews their friends watched the passion sparkle between the two as Buffy drew closer. When they reached the end of the aisle, Giles turned to Buffy; his lips lightly grazed her cheek. "Congratulations," he said, squeezing her hand gently. Tears stung Buffy's eyes and she mouthed, "thank you," to Giles before he joined his wife in the pews. Spike extended his hand to Buffy and she stepped up beside to him. As the minister began the ceremony, Buffy tightened her grip on his arm, finally feeling like she was home.