Narrator-
After that calming moment with her mother, Liliana finally felt ready to head to the church, where Frantz and their wedding guests were already waiting.
"Oh darling, you're looking like an angel. You go out there, and you be the best bride you can be." Sandra pepped, and Lili embraced her while saying, "thank you Sandra, for everything."
"It has been a pleasure darling, I'll see you at the wedding."
After that exchange, Liliana and her wedding party headed downstairs. While Lili was in her gown, Chamille wore a peach coral A-line gown, with a split at the left leg. The Flower girls wore white dresses with coral flower petals. The Moms both wore coral gowns, each with their respective styles. The men all wore navy blue suits with coral bow ties.
On the drive to the church, Liliana kept playing with the ivory and coral bouquet in her hands. Though small conversations were made around her, her mind was solely focused on the wedding, and making it through the day without a hitch. It didn't occur to Lili that she had not prepared her vows until the car arrived at the church.
When Liliana stepped out of the limousine, her father was waiting to greet her. When Mr. Chavez saw his daughter, his eyes swelled, his round cheeks blushed rosy as he smiled proudly with teary eyes.
"My, my, you're an absolute wonder." He whispered as he pulled her in and kissed her cheeks.
Liliana giggled, her eyes already watering, and her mother hopped in, "oh stop it you two, or else you're going to make me cry. Come on, it's already past 3:00 PM." She urged, and Lili's father looped his elbow with hers, and Chamille helped carry the bride's train.
Once the party was standing at the door which led to the inside of the cathedral, Chamille hugged Liliana once again, followed by Mariella, then finally her mom. Then they all took their respective places, with Chamille leading the formation.
The doors swung open, and both Lili and Frantz felt their hearts jump simultaneously. Chamille began the parade, followed by the moms, then the flower girls, and ring bearer who was also Liliana's little cousin.
When it was time for Liliana to be led into the church, she squeezed her father's arms, who in turned tapped his hand above her and said, "you look absolutely stunning Lili, you've always made me proud."
"Thank you dad." Liliana whispered before kissing her father's cheek.
Frantz had watched the parade with a smile on his face, but his heart trembled when the doors opened to reveal Liliana at the door with her father. Admiring gasps could be heard throughout the room, and Frantz felt himself fill with glee, wonder, and amazement. Without realizing it, Frantz ran hand above his mouth, and tears began to spill from his eyes. He couldn't take his eyes off his bride, and his father, placed an encouraging hand on his shoulder, squeezing it proudly.
Liliana looked absolutely amazing. Her father escorted her with pride, but as upon seeing Frantz's tears, Liliana released a teary chuckle of her own, squeezing her father's arm even more. Lili felt her chest swell with unspoken emotions, and it all reflected in Frantz's shining eyes as he gazed her way, while Liliana was being led down the aisle. The crowd was in awe of the couple's emotional show of affection, and when Liliana and her father almost reached the altar, Frantz made his way down in haste. Mr. Chavez kissed Liliana's cheek, and shook Frantz's hand, before handing Lili over into Frantz's embrace.
Frantz eagerly grabbed on to Lili's elbow with his own, kissing her cheek as he whispered, "I am falling in love with you all over again." Liliana felt herself flush red, her heart fluttering as Frantz simply smiled and led her to the altar, where they stood side to side.
Priest John smiled down at Frantz then looked over at Liliana before looking out onto the crowd.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the sight of God to join this man, and this woman in holy matrimony. Not to be entered into lightly, holy matrimony should be entered into solemnly and with reverence and honor. If any person here can show cause why these two people should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace." Upon saying this, the Priest took a pause, allowing a respectable amount of time for anyone to speak, if they wished to do so, but no such disturbance was made, and so the Priest breathed with a pleased smile, while the couple breathed in relief.
"Marriage is a sacred union between husband and wife and shall remain unbroken. It is the basis of a stable and loving relationship and is a joining of two hearts, bodies and souls. The husband and wife are there to support one another and provide love and care in times of joy and times of adversity. We are all here today to witness the joining of Frantz Cavalier and Liliana Chavez. This joyous day celebrates the commitment and love with which these two have decided to start their lives together. Through God, you are joined together in the most holy of bonds. Who gives this woman in holy matrimony to this man?" The Priest asked, and Mr. and Mrs. Chavez replied, in harmony, "we do."
The Priest nodded in a humble manner towards the parents, then he spoke, "before we continue the ceremony, do the bride or groom have personal vows to share?"
Frantz spoke, "I do."
"Go ahead." The Priest prompted, and Frantz turned and faced Liliana, holding her hands as he smiled at her, and she smiled in return, and after taking another breath, Frantz began, "Liliana Chavez, from the day you walked into my life you began shaping me into the man I am today. I never expected to fall so hard for a woman who speaks her mind and has such strong will as you do. You taught me the meaning of patience, you taught me to appreciate what I have and what I have earned. With you, I feel like I can reach the stars and go beyond. Only you could have made me switch from a bachelor to a married man. You mean the world to me and if it wasn't for you my love, I don't know where I would be today. I love you with every cell in my body, and it is an honor to call myself your husband. You are my blessing. I love you." Frantz concluded, and Liliana smiled as she reached up and wiped his tears away.
The crowd laughed and cheered on Lili's actions but her shining eyes were solely glued on Frantz's eyes, and the priest, taken by their exchange, cleared his throat as he said, "and Liliana?"
Liliana looking up at the priest for a quick second, and back at Frantz also took a deep breath as she spoke, "Frantz, as I said, before, you are the most persistent and stubborn man I have ever met, and yet that's exactly what drew me to you. When we first met, I never thought we'd be standing here, happy and in love, but you and your stubborn persistent ways won me over, and now, I don't want to imagine life without you. I love you, with all my heart, you are my blessing, and knowing that you'll be by my side from now on, I'm not afraid of tomorrow. I love you."
Liliana's vow caused the crowd to gush and make adoring comments. The priest smiled with pride down at the young couple, then looked back at the crowd, before turning to Frantz.
"Do you, Frantz Cavalier take Liliana Chavez to be your lawfully wedded wife and live together forever in the estate of holy matrimony? To love, comfort, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, for better or for worse for as long as you both shall live?"
"I do." Frantz replied, without wasting a breath. His hastiness earned a few chuckles around the room, and he smiled.
"Do you, Liliana Chavez take Frantz Cavalier to be your lawfully wedded husband and live together forever in the estate of holy matrimony? To love, comfort, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, for better or for worse for as long as you both shall live?"
"I do." Liliana replied, with a confident smile, earning another round of chuckles from the crowd.
The Priest nodded and beckoned the ring bearer forward. Holding the rings in his hand, the Priest blessed the bands, then followed through the ring exchange ceremony.
"The wedding ring is an unbroken symbol of the everlasting love and commitment between man and wife," then he handed the ring to Frantz while prompting, "Repeat after me: With this ring, I thee wed."
"With this ring, I thee wed." Frantz repeated as he slipped the ring onto Lili's ring finger, causing a chill to run over Liliana's spine as she smiled and blushed, then the Priest prompted her to do the same thing, and Liliana performed a similar action by slipping the ring on Frantz's finger and saying, "With this ring, I thee wed."
As she did this, Frantz felt a sudden relief wash over him, and he smiled in absolute joy.
Priest John lifted his hands and declared, "What God has joined together, let no man put asunder. With the power vested in me by God and the state of Florida, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."