The ceremony was short and sweet, just as both the Bride and Groom wanted. No cheesy poems, no gushy personalized vows, exactly how Luke hoped.
After the ceremony the guests were treated to a wonderful cocktail hour while the wedding party and some other family and friends took pictures with the Bride and Groom.
When it was time to start the party Luke and Lorelai had a moment to themselves outside the doors.
Luke wrapped his arms around his Bride's waist and flashed her his devilishly handsome smile. "I can't believe you're my wife. How did I get this lucky?"
"You're lucky?" She smiled. "What about me? I found the sexiest man on the planet who cooks, makes the best coffee I've ever tasted, loves my daughter and puts up with my craziness!"
"You're not as crazy as you think," he said lovingly.
"And you're not as grumpy and cold as you try to pretend to be," she retorted.
They leaned in and kissed softly. Just as Luke started to deepen the kiss they heard, "Ladies and Gentlemen please welcome the Bride and Groom, Lorelai Gilmore and Luke Danes!"
The doors whooshed open and an even more fabulous and magical Winter Wonderland was revealed. White and light coloured flowers, twinkle lights, tree branches sprayed white and silver decorated the room. Along with tulle, candles and glass ornaments adding sparkle. Lorelai loved it and was still in awe that she didn't think of this herself. But leave it to Emily Gilmore to create an entire Winter scene in the middle of the Summer.
The crowd cheered as Luke led his wife to the middle of the dance floor. The band leader hushed the crowd and began to speak, "I was told that the couple does not have a song they call their own just yet, so a friend Lane is dedicating this one for their first dance." He then nodded to the band and they began to play Bob Dylan's 'Make you Feel My Love'.
Luke took Lorelai in his arms and began a slow waltz surprising everyone, including his Bride.
She smiled at him and raised her eyebrows causing him to chuckle.
"You can waltz," she said in a voice filled with amazement.
"I can waltz," he confirmed.
"Well did you know that I could sing?"
A cautious smirk crossed his face, "Can you?"
She pulled herself closer to him, pressing their bodies close, her lips inches from his ear and then softly she sang to him, "I know you haven't made your mind up yet
But I will never do you wrong
I've known it from the moment that we met
No doubt in my mind where you belong
I'd go hungry, I'd go black and blue
I'd go crawling down the avenue
No, there's nothing that I wouldn't do
To make you feel my love"
Her voice was beautiful, her breath softly tickling his ear sending shivers down his spine. He squeezed her in his arms.
"Wow, I may start making you sing for your supper," he teased.
Soon, the dance floor was filled with couples swaying and smiling.
The evening seemed to be going by quicker than the day and Lorelai was trying to take it all in. She had fun dancing with her friends. She made sure her and Luke made the rounds to each table, thanking them for coming just as her mother would want her to. She cried a little during the few speeches and all the time was pinching herself that she was lucky enough to marry Luke Danes. After they cut the stunning cake that Sookie made them (a traditional four tier wedding cake with ice blue and purple flowers, each layer a different flavour), Lorelai whispered something to the band leader and made her way to the middle of the dance floor.
"Would the Father of the Bride please come to the dance floor?" the band leader asked.
Trying to hide his shock, Richard handed Emily his drink and made his way to Lorelai.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the band leader continued. "It is now time for the Father Daughter dance".
Lorelai smiled at her Dad, watching him doing his best to remain the stoic Gilmore as the band began to play 'You Raise Me Up' by Josh Groban.
As they danced they both avoided eye contact to ensure they didn't start crying.
"Thank you for this beautiful wedding, Daddy. I know it must have cost a fortune."
"Your Mother did it all," he insisted.
"You paid. You okayed her going all out. You walked me down the aisle like I always dreamed even though I haven't always been the best daughter."
Richard pulled away slightly so he could look her square in the eyes, "None of us are perfect, but you must know that I have always loved you. Wild horses couldn't have kept me from walking you down that aisle. I just hope he makes you happy."
"He does," Lorelai assured him. "We will spend the rest of our lives making sure the other is incredibly happy."
"Good."
"I love you too, Dad," she whispered as they continued to dance.
Rory was looking on happily as her Mother and Grandfather danced. Then it hit her that this was the Father Daughter dance as rushed over to Luke. "Could I have this dance?" she asked her new Step-Father.
Luke smiled brightly at the young woman whom he's loved like she was his own for longer than he wanted to admit. He took her hand and led her to the dance floor. They laughed as he began to lead her across the floor.
The Stars Hollow crowd watched on with pride and joy in their eyes. They were whispering to each other and waving when either Rory or Lorelai would look over in their direction. Lorelai got a little choked up when she saw Luke and Rory dancing. Emily watched on as her two girls danced with their fathers. She had to admit from getting to know Luke and hearing all the stories from the townies that Luke had been more of a Father figure to Rory than Chris ever was. She was still in shock that Lorelai let her plan this event. From the time Lorelai started Kindergarten she didn't want Emily choosing her clothes, and with those horrible years of distance she wasn't sure if Lorelai would even invite her to any wedding she might have. She was sad to know that the night was almost over.
Two hours later the room was emptying out and the party was coming to a close. The Stars Hollow gang piled onto their bus all hugging Luke and Lorelai before they boarded.
"Suga, this was the best wedding I've ever seen." Babette said as she hugged Lorelai.
"Yeah," Morey agreed as he shook Luke's hand.
"But Patty and I talked and we still want to throw you two a proper Stars Hollow shindig."
"One wedding is fine," Luke insisted.
"Come on, you party pooper!" Babette squawked.
"I'll work on him," Lorelai smiled.
"Lucky girl!" Patty smiled
"Goodbye Patty! Thanks for coming," Luke smiled as he shook his head.
Lorelai was shocked to see Rory in line to get on the Stars Hollow bus. "What are you doing kid?"
"As much as I respect that you and Luke want to spend your first night as Husband and Wife in the house you remodelled together, I'm not excited to be in the same house as you on your wedding night."
"I'm not that loud," Lorelai scoffed.
"Yes, you are!" Luke and Rory said in unison.
"I'm spending the night at Lane's. I'll see you guys sometime tomorrow." She hugged both Luke and Lorelai and then boarded the bus, waving to them from the window, rolling her eyes as Taylor stood at the front of the bus with a clipboard.
"Are you ready to start the honeymoon?" Luke asked as he wrapped his arms around her waist.
She pulled herself further into his hug and smiled, "Mom, got us a limo to take us home."
"I think I'm going to need to go camping and live with nature for a while after all this opulence," he chuckled.
"Have I thanked you enough for agreeing to let my Mom plan our wedding?"
"You have the rest of our lives to do that."
"Well then, let's go get started. I'll let Mom know we're leaving so she can help us gather our things."
"I'll come with you. I should thank her for all of this."
"Look at you," she teased. "Already trying to score points with your Mother-in-law." She giggled at his eye roll before leading him back into the ballroom to find Emily.
"Another exceptional party my dear, this one might be your best ever?" Richard smiled at his beaming wife.
"I don't know," Emily muttered, shaking her head. "Lorelai seemed happy, but do you really think she loved it as much as a party she would have planned for herself?"
"Are you kidding?" Lorelai's voice chimed in. "The minute I saw it I was kicking myself for not thinking of a Winter Wonderland. How did you think this up?"
Emily was surprised at Lorelai's genuine awe of Emily's ideas, "Are you kidding me? You've said silly things like snow was a gift just for you or that you could smell it. You were the only person I knew who preferred Winter to Summer. You wanted to go on our skiing trips but never wanted to ski. From the time you were little I pictured your wedding this way. I thought maybe we would do it in Aspen but it wasn't long before I knew you would never go for that much extravagance."
"Well Mom, I told Luke, and I'll tell you - this was the wedding I never knew I always wanted. Thank you so much! I don't know how I'll ever thank you enough." Lorelai smiled genuinely and wrapped her arms around Emily.
Richard and Luke shared a smile as they saw Emily's shocked reaction to being hugged by her daughter. Luke extended his hand to Richard, "Thank you Sir, for the wedding and for raising such a remarkable woman. You have my word that I'll spend the rest of my life making sure she and Rory are happy and taken care of."
Richard beamed, "I'm sure they'll take care of you too. Tonight was my absolute pleasure."
Lorelai pulled away from Emily and cuddled into her father for a hug with him, "Thanks for everything, Daddy."
"Alright, alright. Now go off and enjoy being Newlyweds," Emily instructed. "All of your stuff is in your limo or will be delivered to your house tomorrow. When do you leave on your Honeymoon?"
"Monday morning," Lorelai answered. "And Sookie is staying with Rory so you guys have nothing to worry about."
With that Luke and Lorelai headed back outside and he helped her into the limo. Once they were settled and the car started to drive, Luke put up the divider between them and the driver.
"Come here, Hubby!" Lorelai purred then wrapped her hand around his neck and pulled him into a kiss.
"I'm going to like married life," Luke said against her lips.
"Oh I'll make sure you will!"