Garcia immediately appointed herself chief wedding planner and spent the next few weeks arranging everything to her satisfaction.
"Nothing fancy, Penelope!" Emma protested again and again. "And, stand forewarned, if I think things are getting out of hand Spencer and I will just grab his parents and take a trip to the Las Vegas City Hall."
"Not to worry!" was the constant reassurance. "Mr. Reid is working with me and everything is coming together nicely."
Finally, early one Saturday afternoon, a festive-looking group of people gathered in the nondenominational chapel at Bennington. The usually staid interior of the chapel was bursting with color, thanks to what Garcia's florist had termed 'Bohemian Bouquets', which decorated the alter, the lectern, and the ends of the pews.
Emma's instructions to the women had been quite specific. "Since I'm not having a processional, there won't be any bridesmaids," she had told them. "So, instead of purchasing useless dresses that will only be worn once, I want you all to go into your closets, pull out any bridesmaid's dress you have worn in the past, and wear it again. Any color – Any style – And if you want to go funky – Go for it!"
The results were that JJ was now wearing a light lavender taffeta dress left over from a cousin's wedding, while Blake complemented her nicely in a burgundy colored velvet dress from an old friend's wedding. Garcia, meanwhile, was attired in a cotton, flower print, prairie dress she had worn in a wedding with a Country theme. Everyone, however, agreed that the prize went to Emma's girlfriend (and roommate) Laurel, who showed up wearing a yellow, hoop-skirted, southern belle dress, complete with matching straw hat and parasol.
"Just don't expect me to sit down in this thing," she had announced with a grimace after everyone had complimented her on her outfit. "Because I know from experience that that is not going to happen!"
Emma's instructions to the man had been equally as specific. She had announced that dark suits were acceptable – As were light colored suits and casual wear. Sandals and cummerbunds were optional. Rossi had immediately unearthed a light green cummerbund which he swore was left over from one of his own weddings – but, he admitted, he wasn't sure which one. Surprisingly, it beautifully complimented Garcia's dress and the two of them made a stunning couple.
James donned a burgundy cummerbund which matched Blake's dress, and a smiling Blake had admitted that they had both stood up in the same wedding.
Derek and Will had both declared that they refused to look like waiters and chose to wear their dark suits plain, while Hotch looked his usual dignified self in one of his dark colored, custom made suits, sans cummerbund.
Will Reid and his very nervous son both chose to wear charcoal grey suits with light blue cummerbunds which, not surprisingly, perfectly matched Dr. Diana's dress.
As for the bride, Emma had initially rebelled against wearing a traditional wedding dress. However, when forced by Garcia to visit a bridal shop (ostensibly to help Dr. Diana choose a dress), she had immediately fallen in love with a strapless ivory colored sheath that was prominently displayed on a mannequin at the front of the store.
"I don't know how I will ever get into this by myself," was her comment as she modeled it for Garcia and Dr. Diana.
"Don't worry!" Garcia hastened to assure her. "I'll be right there to help you!"
"And, Spencer will love seeing you in it," her mother-in-law assured her with a smile.