Princess Celestia stood alone on the edge of the gazebo in the middle of Cloudsdale Gardens. Sitting in front of her was a large group of ponies, mostly pegasi, here to witness the wedding of two long-time friends. On Celestia's left were the friends and family of Soarin, his parents sitting in the front row. On her right were the friends and family of Rainbow Dash, consisting of Firefly, Fleetfoot, Luna, Shining Armor, Cadance, Flurry Heart, Starlight, Sunburst, and many residents of Ponyville and Cloudsdale who knew Rainbow Dash all too well. Discord was there, as well; he was seated in the furthest left chair in the front row so as not to obstruct anyone else's view of the ceremony.

The Weather Patrol had made sure to keep the weather as perfect as possible for the soon-to-be-married couple and their guests. The sky above the crowd was completely clear, except for two heart-shaped clouds that were directly above the gazebo, about 100 feet in the air. Other than that, Celestia's sun was shining as brightly as it always was.

Celestia looked to her left and noticed Soarin walking around the crowd and toward her, eventually standing in front of her, bowing, and then moving off to the side to welcome the rest of the wedding party. He was looking as handsome as he'd ever been in his Wonderbolts business attire, the sleeves of his blue jacket extended all the way to keep with the formal looks that everypony else was presenting.

Soon, a pegasus pianist started playing, and the procession officially began. Everypony that was sitting down was now standing up and facing the aisle, eagerly waiting for everypony to pass through. The Cutie Mark Crusaders led the way, swinging their baskets of flower petals from side to side, much like they did at the royal wedding, except this time, they wouldn't have to do it twice. Up next was Spike, clad in his black tuxedo and top hat, carrying a red pillow with two gold rings, each one including a fabric string that would allow them to hang over the bride and groom's necks.

Up next were the ponies of the actual wedding party. Since Rainbow Dash had two more bridesmaids than Soarin did groomstallions, adjustments were made to keep everything looking even. Twilight and Spitfire entered side by side, turning to their lefts after bowing to Celestia. Once they were in position, the next pair entered the gardens, this one being Braeburn and Pinkie Pie. The party pony was doing her best to contain her excitement, trying not to run down the aisle in front of Braeburn and scream at the top of her lungs about how ecstatic she was. Up next were Caramel and Rarity, and they were followed by Big Mac and Applejack. After they were in position, Thunderlane and Fluttershy, best stallion and maid of honor, made their way down the aisle. After bowing to Celestia like the others had done, they parted ways and went to their respective positions.

Finally, the big moment arrived. The pianist began playing an all-too-familiar tune that was customary with weddings throughout Equestria. Everypony in the crowd turned to the archway at the back of the aisle, delighted by the beautiful sight before them. There was Rainbow Dash, beautifully clad in her extravagant wedding gown and crown of daisies. Almost immediately, she, along with her father, made their way down the aisle and toward Princess Celestia. As they walked, multiple OOOO's and AHHH's could be heard, most likely because of how Rainbow looked.

As Dash and her father neared the edge of the gazebo, Soarin's heart began beating faster and faster. He was blown away at how his soon-to-be-wife looked. True, she looked amazing in her flight suit, but her in her wedding dress was a different story. "This is it..." he thought to himself. Right in front of him was the mare he would be spending the rest of his life with, flying with her in the Wonderbolts, raising two foals together, everything. All he could do was smile and try not to look as nervous as he was.

At last, Rainbow Dash and Rainbow Blaze stood in front of Celestia and bowed, and then the pianist ceased playing. After the audience sat back down, there was a brief silence before Celestia greeted the crowd. "Dearly beloved," she began, "We are gathered here today to join these two ponies, Rainbow Dash and Soarin, in matrimony. Today is the day that one chapter in each of their lives will end, and another one will begin, one that they will have the honor of enjoying together." She then glanced down at Rainbow Blaze. "Who here gives this mare to be wed?"

"I do, your highness," Blaze responded. It was at this moment that he faced his daughter, gave her a hug and a kiss, and then looked her in the eyes one more time before he let her join Soarin up on the edge of the gazebo. Blaze then went and sat in his reserved seat, next to his wife.

Celestia then glanced down at Rainbow and Soarin and asked, "I understand that you each have prepared your own vows to read to each other, correct?"

"I've got mine right here, princess," Soarin replied.

"So do I," Rainbow responded.

"Perfect," Celestia continued, "Soarin, you may read your vows to Rainbow Dash first."

"Thank you," the stallion replied. He then reached into his left breast pocket, pulled out a small piece of parchment, and unfolded it. On it contained his true feelings for the pegasus mare in front of him.

Soarin took a deep breath and said, "Rainbow Dash, when I first laid my eyes on you, I instantly saw a picture of heavenly beauty. Your rainbow mane caught my eye immediately, and that, to me, made you unique, and you seemed to be the one mare I had been searching for all my life. It wasn't until later that we first became acquainted in a very unusual way, with you saving Spitfire, Fleetfoot, Rarity, and I, but when I finally got to spend time with you after the Best Young Flyers' Competition, I knew that you and I would become something someday. And now, my wish has come true. Right now, I'm standing in front of the greatest, most amazing, most awesome pony Equestria. You've filled my life with indescribable joy throughout the time we've been together. Now, the day has arrived where will finally start our life together." Soarin's smile faded slightly as he started reading what was next on the parchment. "I know that we're here because of circumstances we never saw coming, but to me, that doesn't matter. All that matters is that you and me are here right now, and that I am expressing my deepest and most honest feelings for you. Plus, with two foals on the way and Wonderbolts careers in hoof, I know that our marriage will be the best that has ever existed in the history of time." Soarin then looked Dash straight in the eye as he gave her a heartfelt smile. "Rainbow Dash, I love you with all my heart, and I wouldn't trade this day for anything in the world. I know deep down that you are the mare I'm meant to be with until I die. I promise that I will be the most faithful and supportive husband a pony could ask for, and I will continue being that husband until death do us part." At that moment, Soarin folded his parchment back up and put it back in his pocket.

Very few eyes were dry as Soarin finished reading his heartfelt vows to Rainbow Dash. Rainbow herself hadn't shed any tears yet, but she very close to doing so. Rarity was noticeably sobbing, but she was trying her best not to cry hysterically in front of everypony. Luckily, Spike was standing nearby, so, with one claw still holding the red pillow, he reached into his tuxedo pocket and pulled out a small handkerchief, holding it in front of the white unicorn. Rarity smiled at the young dragon, taking the white cloth in her magic and gently wiping her tears away.

"And now, Rainbow Dash," Celestia said, "You may read your vows to Soarin."

"Thanks," the cyan mare replied. She had hidden her vows in her left wing, so she unfurled it and brought the note to her awaiting left hoof. Once the parchment was unfolded, she breathed deeply and said, "Soarin, there was a time in my life when I felt that I was so busy with flying and trying to get into the Wonderbolts that I felt I wouldn't have time to be in a relationship. It seemed like I would live my life alone, just me and my other friends, until I achieved my dream. That's when you came along. You and I shared a deep passion for flying and being Wonderbolts, and that's what I believe drew us together." At this point, Rainbow was starting to sniffle as expressing her true feelings to Soarin tugged at her heartstrings. "You...hnnnf...have such an awesome attitude and personality that...hnnnf...from the moment I first experienced it...hnnnf...I knew that we were...hnnnf...that we were...hnnnf...sorry..." she finished in a whisper while closing her eyes, sniffling a few more times as a lone tear ran down her right cheek. Soarin noticed this and pulled a tissue out of his other pocket and handed it over to Rainbow, the mare smiling as she took it from him and wiped her eyes. "Thanks," she whispered to her stallion. Soarin only nodded as he was handed the tissue back, putting it back into his pocket. "Anyway," Rainbow continued, "I knew that we were perfect for each other. We each seemed to have the same outlook on life, the same love for the open air, and eventually, the same feelings for each other, and I feel honored to express those exact feelings to you right now on this special day, in front of all our friends and family. I never dreamed that Hearts and Hooves Day would be this important to both you and me, but now it is, and it'll stay that way for the rest of our lives. Soarin, I wholeheartedly promise from this day forth that I will be the greatest wife you could ask for, supporting you however I can and not have eyes for any other stallion in existence. I love you, Soarin, and I'll keep loving you until the end of time, even after we die." With that, Rainbow folded her parchment and stored it in her left wing once again.

By now, every single being in the crowd had at least one tear in their eye. Both the bride's and groom's words were some of the most heartfelt they had ever heard in their lives. They were happy that Celestia didn't have to read from and old book and have them repeat pre-written vows from ancient times. These words were straight from the heart, and they were better than any words that came out of a book.

"Thank you, Rainbow Dash," Celestia continued, "And now, it is time for me to ask each of you a very important question." She turned her head to face Soarin, and the stallion glanced at her briefly as she asked, "Soarin, do you take Rainbow Dash to be your lawfully wedded wife, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poor, through good times and bad, for as long as you both shall live?"

Soarin closed his eyes, lowered his head for one second, then looked Rainbow in the eyes and said, "I do."

"And Rainbow Dash, do you take Soarin to be your lawfully wedded husband, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poor, through good times and bad, for as long as you both shall live?"

Rainbow faced Soarin and, almost in a whisper, said, "I do."

"Spike?" Celestia said as she turned to the baby dragon near the bridesmaids. Immediately, he walked over to where she and the couple were standing, pillow in hand as he held it in front of Rainbow and Soarin. At that moment, Celestia whispered instructions into both pegasus' ears.

Next, Soarin took one of the strings and, balancing himself with both wings, used both his forehooves to hang the golden ring over Rainbow's neck, and then he said, "Rainbow Dash, with this ring, I thee wed."

After looking at the ring around her neck, Rainbow did exactly what Soarin did, taking his ring by the strings that it was attached to and placing it over his neck. She then said, "Soarin, with this ring, I thee wed." She then reached out her left forehoof, which Soarin took eagerly in his right, both pegasi bracing themselves for what Celestia was about to say.

With her loud and proud voice, Celestia announced, "I now pronounce you mare and colt! You may kiss the bride!" Not wasting any time, both pegasi dove forward and locked their lips together while everyone in the crowd cheered and clapped for the newly married couple. Over on the side, Pinkie Pie shot off a party cannon that she'd brought with her, sending confetti of all colors, primarily the ones on Rainbow and Soarin, into the air. Also, above everyone, the two heart-shaped clouds were pushed together by two flying pegasi to form one large, white heart.

Rainbow and Soarin eventually broke the kiss, giving each other a warm hug before turning to face their audience. Soarin took Rainbow's hoof in his once again and raised them both up, signifying his excitement of finally having Rainbow Dash all to himself. Soon, the now-husband-and-wife pair eagerly walked down the aisle past their family and friends, more colorful bits of confetti continuing to rain down as they were cheered on by everyone there. The rest of the wedding party followed them out, and soon, the crowd slowly exited the ceremony and went over to another area of the gardens, where the reception would take place.

As Rainbow and Soarin led the pack, Soarin looked over to his new wife, giving her a genuine smile as he whispered, "I love you."

Rainbow copied his look and replied, "I love you, too," before the two of them shared another loving kiss.

Author's Note

Well, there you have it. The moment (or at least one moment) you've all been waiting for. I apologize if the wedding ceremony itself seemed a bit short, but I've only been to three weddings before in my life, and the rest I've either seen on TV or on some stage production. Needless to say, I don't think I know too much about proper wedding ceremonies.

I'm letting you know in advance that I'll be skipping any "after-wedding activities" that Rainbow Dash and Soarin may partake in, because I'm saving the sweet stuff for the next chapter.

Also, since this story has been taking a while to write, I've decided I'm going to skip the majority of the wedding reception, though a few important bits will be included in the next chapter.