The big day of their wedding had finally arrived, and Canterlot Castle was lit up as though the Grand Galloping Gala were coming tonight, but something just as spectacular was in the works. After over a long week of preparations, everything was set up for the royal wedding of Princess Twilight Sparkle and Applejack, her wife-to-be.

The throngs of ponies that had come for the wedding were mind-boggling; everypony from cart-pullers, to well-known celebrities, to nobles mingled together in the crowds. The settings were just as lavish, everything golden or otherwise ornate; something that made Applejack somewhat uncomfortable.

"Rares, do Ah really gotta wear this fru-fru dress?" Applejack huffed as she looked over the rather poofy white wedding dress that Rarity had made for her, all the frills and lace and gold making her nearly gag at how gaudy it looked to her. Her mane was also all tussied up in a fashion that she'd usually see on the front cover of Prance magazine, not on her own head. "This ain't exactly my style, ya dig?"

"Oh Applejack, hush. This is the traditional style of Royal Canterlot wedding gown and coffiure that every royal pony since Olden Pony Times has worn to be married in, and it is what the royal seamstresses and hairstylist assisted me in accenting and making. I simply could not imagine anypony not wanting to meet their amore at the altar with this on."

"Well, y'met her." Applejack huffed.

"Oh hush up and hold still Miss Squirmy, I wouldn't want to prick you by accident as I sew this seam." Rarity warned, her magic carefully weaving the needle through the fabric. "Come to think of it, I thought I just sewed this seam not two weeks ago and it fit you perfectly..."

Applejack chuckled. "Well, Ah have been eatin' a bit more as of late so maybe that's why. Must be th' stress, givin' me a bit'a an appetite..."

Rarity looked at her with a small frown. "Well don't get too carried away with it; habitual over-eating is not only uncouth but unhealthy for a mare too," she warned, before continuing her work.

Before long Applejack's alterations were finished, and her dress once more form-fit. It was a large, very stylish gown of Olden-Pony fashion, an old but classic design that showed the regality of its wearer with plenty of gold sewed into the seams. Carets of amber and emeralds both were subtly included in the dress to accentuate and contrast Applejack's natural coat and eye colors, making for quite a beautiful display.

"C'est tres magnifique!" Rarity exclaimed, turning the mirror so Applejack could see herself. "My best work yet, even among the other gals' and my own wedding dresses!"

Applejack was a bit more withheld with Rarity's statement but kept it to herself; knowing that on almost any other mare the dress would look great, but on her it simply looked excessive. "Yeah Rares it's...beautiful..."

~

Twilight was squirming around in her nervousness and excitement as she had her own simpler, but still fancy, wedding dress hemmed by Rarity, it having a traditionally long train, which would be carried by a pony as she walked down the aisle. Reading over the list of proceedings for what must have been the tenth time, she read them aloud; "OK, I'll be announced, walk down the aisle with Dad and with Celestia leading, Applejack will be waiting at the alter and Dad will 'give me away', and we will then join up there. We exchange vows and wedding trinkets....then Applejack kisses me...and we're married! Simple, right?" Twilight summarized, before going back and re-re-rereading it.

"Darling, it really is not that complex of a ceremony. You're going to put a hole through that paper if you stare at it any harder!" Rarity quipped as she hemmed the dress again, finding it was tighter on Twilight too! "Dear, not to offend you right before your wedding, but you and Applejack should really consider more salads. She said she's been stress-eating a bit, and it seems you are too...if a bit more."

Twilight smiled self-consciously, before giving a sigh. "Yeah, I know. Sometimes I just get really hungry for something, and I've just gotta have it...have you ever tried cucumbers in chocolate ice-cream? It's to die for!" she said, getting a chuckle from Rarity.

"Oh, I know that feeling dear. When I go into estrus and my stallion Orange Sky isn't there to 'help me out with it', nopony better get between myself and my double-chocolate-truffle ice-cream and my watercress-cucumber sandwiches!" Rarity said, with she and Twilight sharing a hearty laugh at that. "Now do hold still dear, the ceremony is in just over an hour. Just remember what we practiced, and you'll be fine."

Twilight took a deep breath then exhaled. "I'm going to do OK..." she assured herself as she looked in the mirror at her reflection, meeting its eyes; assuring herself even if she wasn't sure at all.

~

Twilight waited in her room, and soon heard another knock on her door. "Yes? Come in." she called out, the door opening and her quickly seeing the head of her old foalsitter, long- time friend, fellow Princess, and recently sister-in-law Cadence pop in. "Hi Cadence!" she called out, smiling and trotting up to her. Cadance smiled in kind, wrapping Twilight in a hug as she approached.

"There's my little all-grown-up mare. I still can't believe you're getting married, even if it's going to happen in a few minutes!" Cadence cooed, wrapping Twilight in a hug.

"Yeah, I know. I just...I can't help but feel that something bad's going to happen today, like it did at your wedding..." Twilight said, looking away. "I mean, the Changelings are still out there. Chrysalis is still alive..."

"Twilight, you have nothing to worry about, especially not about changelings. Not only is the party being guarded by two dozen royal guards and the grounds being patrolled by another thirty, all of the unicorn guards, and Celestia herself, are scanning guests with a changeling-specific spell. If the scanned pony is a changeling in disguise, it'll dissipate their magic and they'll be revealed. Celestia had heavy research done on Changeling shapeshifting magic after what happened at Shiny and my wedding, and that spell is the result." Cadence comforted, giving Twilight a small nuzzle.

"I know, but even if it's not something like a major invasion, what about if I forget my lines, or if I trip. What about if I—" Twilight said, her voice rising, before Cadence magically closed her muzzle, her next words coming out as muffled mumbles.

"Twilight, calm down! Nothing bad is going to happen unless you panic. You've practiced this countless time and have the proceedings memorized, remember? Breathe in... breathe out..." Cadence said, giving her a smile as Twilight did the breathing exercises she'd taught her; "Besides, being all stressed out isn't good for the fo—"

Just then, she was interrupted by a loud series of knocks on the door, as well as the voice of Night Light, Twilight's father, calling in for them to hurry up; that the ceremony was in five minutes.

"Well, that's my cue!" Twilight said, getting up as the dress-train carrier came in and gave the princesses a bow. "I'll see you at the altar and B.B.B.F.F at the reception Cadence!"

"Remember, stay calm, face forward, and try not to bite too hard on the flower stems of the bouquet; I learned the hard way that the stem fluid is really bitter. Most importantly STAY CALM and remember the proceedings." Cadence reminded her, and with that they all headed out to the wedding chapel. "Good luck!"

~

Twilight waited outside of the main chapel's door minutes later, waiting for her cue to enter when the doors were opened for her. She kept taking deep, calming breaths as Cadence had taught her; kept telling herself that she was going to do this properly. That they'd practiced it a dozen times, and she had it down pat. Celestia was also with her as the officiant of the ceremony, and her father to 'give her away' to Applejack.

As the time came and the doors opened, Celestia stepped inside. "Mares and gentlecolts, I present to you the bride, Princess Twilight Sparkle!"

As she heard the wedding theme start and her cue from Celestia, Twilight bit down on nervous reflex, nearly gagging at the sudden bitter flavor invading her mouth from the crushed flower stems. <Cadence was right, this is bitter!> she thought, trying not to wince and hold her composure as she stepped onto the red carpet lining the aisle, walking slowly alongside her father; Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle took the lead of Twilight, sprinkling the floor with rose petals, her dress's long train pushing them aside as she passed them by.

She walked the aisle cordially, looking around to the huge crowd watching her every step, concentrating hard on making each hoof-fall graceful; on making each one bring her that much closer to her goal. She saw a large assortment of ponies she knew; from celebrities, to ponies from Ponyville, ponies she grew up around in Canterlot, and of course all of her and most of Applejack's extensive family sitting near the front. She saw her mother in the front row crying happily, along with her brother crying alongside her, both sharing a box of tissues as together they spilled 'liquid pride' for her. As her mother and she met eyes, she smiled brightly, her eyes showing happiness that her daughter had finally found her true love.

As she approached the altar, Celestia quickly took her place behind it, with the main leaders of the land the only ones authorized to perform a royal wedding. Despite any of the Princesses or Princes being permitted to perform it, Celestia had taken the right for herself to both announce her and perform the marriage and Twilight couldn't be happier to have her oldest friend, the mare indeed responsible for this even being possible, to join them together. To the right of the altar was, from bottom to top, Cadence, Rarity and Fluttershy; the last of them with a hotly-glowing blush burning on her face, her wings clenched to her side as she shifted in place with her mane covering her face. To her left was Big Mac, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie, with Rainbow surprisingly staying grounded whilst Pinkie bounced only slightly, trying to contain her excitement as well as she could at being part of such a momentous occasion.

Finally, standing in front of the altar and awaiting her was the love of her life, and the pony whose hoof she was going to take in marriage. The mare she loved beyond anypony else in the universe. As she approached the altar the song ended, her father releasing her with a proud smile, she then stepped up and stood face-to-face with Applejack.

Inside, Twilight was an emotional wreck, high-strung as her mind raced through all of the things that could have gone wrong, and those that still could; trying now to remember the odds of a meteor striking during the ceremony. However, as she met Applejack's eyes and saw that small, calming smile in response to her own panicked expression, Twilight felt herself calming down as her near-hysterical breaths slowed, all of her concerns seeming to fade by the wayside as she swam in those deep vistas that were her mare's eyes; that small smile letting her know everything would be alright. Twilight could only look up into her mare-to-be's eyes through the veil, looking deeply into the emerald pools she'd many times before bathed in, almost consumed by them once more before she brought herself back to the surface, letting out a held-in breath of nervousness in a quiet woosh. They would be married and nothing would stop it. Twilight wouldn't let it.

As Celestia looked to them, then to Spike their trinket bearer and got nods from them all, she started the proceedings.

"Fillies and gentlecolts, our esteemed guests, today on this most joyous day, we are gathered here together to join Princess Twilight Sparkle and her chosen bride Applejack in matrimony; two mares who have helped save Equestria countless times together, now to be eternally joined together as one. If anypony has a valid reason these two should not be wed, speak now." Celestia said, and after the resulting silence, she looked down to Spike, "Very well. Without further ado, Spike, the marriage trinkets please."

Spike rose the pillow with the necklace and bracelet on it up to the two brides, with each respective pony taking their trinket.

"Twilight Sparkle, do you take Applejack Apple to be your loving wife, to forever be yours in sickness and health, so long as you both shall live?"

"I do. Proudly." Twilight responded, then looking to her mare, her soulmate; her soon-to-be wife.

"Applejack Apple, do you take Twilight Sparkle to be your loving wife, to forever be yours in sickness and health, so long as you both shall live?"

"Ah do!" Applejack responded boldly, leaving no doubt she wanted this, to be forever joined with the mare she loved.

As Twilight accepted the bracelet upon her hoof and Applejack took the necklace over her neck, Celestia spoke. "With these trinkets, these two mares bind themselves to each other in wedlock. I now pronounce you mare and wife! You may now kiss!"

At that, Applejack lifted Twilight's vail to the stomping applause of the audience, with them gazing into each other's eyes for but a moment before she lowered her lips to her muzzle. Their lips met, to another round of hooves stomping the floor, whistles, and cheers. They held it for a short while as cameras flashed, showing all of Canterlot and their families just how much they loved each other.

As they parted lips, the post-wedding photographs were taken. After, Applejack then hoisted Twilight onto her back and easily carried her out of the chapel to near-deafening cheers, setting her down outside. As Twilight turned around and threw the bouquet behind her to all the unwed mares, it was unintentionally caught by Derpy Hooves of all ponies, with her generally-offset eyes going straight at the implications. Twilight simply giggled as she looked to the young mail-mare and gave her a wink, knowing Derpy had always had a sweet spot for Time Turner and indeed had been dating him for many months. Perhaps this was a sign.

The couple then went into their 'Just Married' carriage, seen off with the throwing of rice, and joined with cheers. Everypony then followed the carriage to the reception hall a short trot away, eager to get on with the celebration and reception.

~

The reception's decor was almost more grand than the wedding chapel had been, the tables covered in all of the most rich and expensive foods, crafted by only the most well-known chefs from all of Equestria and placed on only the finest Japonies porcelain – and, at the insistence of Applejack, a table was also covered in all sorts of home-style viddles from the recipes of the Apple clan. As the two newly-betrothed arrived by carriage, Applejack and Twilight were welcomed off by an entourage of their friends, family, and other ponies cheering and excited, congratulating them.

After the initial chaos of congratulations and even more pictures, the two proceeded to the cake-cutting area, the huge cake looking large enough to feed all of Equestria and then some – and indeed it may need to, with as many guests as there were. As they cut the cake and went to feed each other a piece as per standard, Twilight too late saw the mischevious grin on her mate's face and felt the smush of cake and frosting on her muzzle, followed by Applejack laughing.

After Twilight got some righteous revenge by returning the favor and with a larger piece, they laughed together as they cleaned each other up, using napkins instead of the tongues they so desired to use instead. Afterward, the sliced cake was distributed to all the guests, as was authentic Prench champaign. No expenses were spared, and that went for the food and drinks as well.

Big Mac took the stage alongside his sister and her bride, despite generally being soft-spoken and in the background. With his glass held in his hoof he turned to his sister and Twilight, raising the glass to them and smiling. "To mah sister an' Twilight. May ya always be happy t'gether. Congratulations!" he said, getting a hoof-stomping applause and both the toasted grinning from ear-to-ear. After a few more toasts in their honor and the cake and drink were finished, everypony was allowed to go back to feasting, with Twilight and Applejack filling their plates full and indulging – with Twilight especially liking to dip carrots in chocolate sauce...and bell peppers and radishes too.

After the feast was finished, the after-party started, with a certain white DJ with an electric-blue mane manning the turntables and others hosting the games and other events. Her group of friends was as always with Twilight and Applejack as they all ate together, but also with their own stallions whom they'd dedicated themselves to years prior; Rainbow Dash with Soarin, Fluttershy with Lightning Bolt, Pinkie with Boker Horizon, Rarity with Orange Sky, and of course Cadence with Shining Armor.

"Well L.S.B.F.F, looks like you finally did it huh? You finally got married!" Shining said, getting happy smiles from both. "Well, hope you're ready for the honeymoon...Cadence wouldn't let me out of her bedchamber for hours! I thought I was gonna die, but what a way to go!"

Cadence quickly clunked a hoof on Shining's head, earning a stifled chuckle from him as he rubbed the struck spot, seeing the blush burning on her face. "I was in a magically-concealed heat when we got married..." she mumbled in explanation, getting an understanding nod from all the mares at the table, Applejack looking especially flustered, "...but your brother's right; be sure to drink plenty of water before and during..." she finished, giving the two a sly wink.

"Yeah, but you gotta remember that marriage isn't all about just hot, sweaty sex, even though that's one of the best parts...it's about you and your partner being together forever, and overcoming everything together. Whether it be choosing how many foals you want, or the curtains for the front window, or even your jobs or anything else, remember: you choose it together from now on." Twilight looked up, surprised to see that it was Rainbow of all ponies who had dispensed that nugget of wisdom, seeing Rainbow and Soarin' exchanging a small kiss as they'd met each other's eyes, Twilight noting that Rainbow's distinct baby bump had grown since they'd last seen each other.

"It's about being there for each other when you're happy or sad; to be with your soulmate no matter if you're really happy with each other, or if you could nearly tear each other apart in anger..." Fluttershy said, getting a nuzzle from Lightning Bolt. Fluttershy's stallion gently rubbed her own foal-swollen midsection, getting a soft smile from her. "...just remember it'll all be OK in the end as long as you both truly do love each other, and try to work it out."

"Oh and darling, let me tell you, you WILL get into fights. I mean goodness, Orange Sky and myself once had the longest fight over whether our chosen carpets were royal blue or cobalt blue. It ended up in some of the best make-up sex we'd ever had upon said carpet, but that's beside the point: be ready to have at least some conflict. Everypony is different, and will want different things sometimes. It's only natural."

"It was cobalt...I asked the maker of the carpet himself and he told me." Orange Sky said, getting a glare from Rarity.

"...and I said it was ROYAL BLUE! As a twenty-year seamstress, I should know my shades!" Rarity exclaimed, before looking around the table and looking sheepish at her outburst, before glaring at Orange again. "Sometimes I think you only keep bringing this up so you can bend me over later to 'make up' and try to give me that foal you so want me to have..."

Orange only grinned.

"YEAH, SOMETIMES BEING TOGETHER WILL BE SUPER-DUPER GREAT, but then sometimes it'll be like a Pegasus rain-cloud came over and rained all over those decorations you spent a super long time setting up...All you gotta do is remember that the good times will outweigh the bad..." Pinkie said, somehow appearing right between Twilight and Applejack.

"...and that your partner will love you no matter what. After all, you married them for a reason: because you love them with all your heart, and want to be with them forever. ''Til death do us part' isn't a little commitment after all." Cadence said, before looking at the two.

"What we're all trying to say is being married won't be easy, but it'll be so worth it when you see your most loved pony in the whole world at the start or end of the day, and tell them how your day went or what you dreamed about; to have them listen to you and understand you like nopony else can. It's the best feeling in the world." Shining Armor finished, getting a peck on the cheek from Cadence. "Plus, like Rainbow said earlier, the sex is awesome!

Shining once more felt a hoof land roughly on his head with a thawnk.

~

After chatting and eating together, the newly-married couple went to the dance floor, with the DJ reluctantly putting on a slower-paced song for them instead of the heavy beats she was dropping before. As Applejack's chest pressed against Twilight, and their hooves started to move as one, their heads wrapped around each other so their chins rested on the other's crest. Slowly, the two shared their first dance together as sworn life-mates, nuzzling into each other as they slowly moved together smoothly. Their dance lessons had apparently paid off.

They slowly ground together as the calm rhythm played, relaxing for the first time in a week as nothing else was expected for their overly-complex wedding, a huge burden off of their minds. For now, they just held each other close, feeling their mate's chests rise with their own and each other's breaths, feeling as connected to each other as two ponies possibly could; feeling like they were one body, moving together.

"Yer is th' best thang that's ever happened to me..." Applejack said as they moved rhythmically to the slow tempo, her voice choking up, trying to keep her movements steady as she also tried to keep her happy tears in.

"You are to me too Applejack. I couldn't ask for somepony better to spend the rest of my life with than you..." Twilight responded, with the two stopping their motions as the music ended, sharing a short kiss before Night Light came along to receive Twilight from Applejack for his dance with the bride.

Author's Note

Well, this is the most massive undertaking I've ever taken on a wedding scene. Hope this is sufficient as the 'as long as possible' wedding chapter that you wanted it to be Corey!

As a side note, all of the chosen pairings for the other Mane 6 were chosen by the commissioner, not of my own choosing.