Page 69 of Love, Take Two

The countdown can't go fast enough.

26

VADA

"Thirty seconds until we're live!" the videographer calls out, adjusting his camera angle to catch the stunning Tulum sunset behind us. I'm standing next to Emory beside the most gorgeous natural pool I've ever seen, wearing a flowing white dress that photographs like a dream, and my heart is racing with excitement for what we've created.

The cenote—a sacred natural sinkhole filled with crystal-clear water—reflects the golden light like nature's own mirror. Ancient limestone walls rise around us, draped with hanging vines and tropical flowers, while Mayan ruins peek through the jungle canopy above. It's the kind of magical setting that makes people believe in fairy tales.

"You nervous?" Emory asks, straightening his linen shirt that looks incredible against his tan skin.

"About the most important day of our lives? Never," I say with a grin, squeezing his hand. "This is going to be perfect."

The resort we've chosen is absolutely stunning. Ancient Mayan ruins overlook turquoise cenotes, white sand beaches stretchendlessly, and everything has been decorated with cascading orchids and flowing white fabric that catches the jungle breeze perfectly. Every detail has been designed to showcase exactly what we can create for our clients.

"Okay, everyone ready?" I call out to our gathered friends and family. Maya and Stella are here, of course, along with both sets of our parents who flew in for this incredible celebration. Derek even made the trip from Portland, already three drinks in and providing commentary to anyone who'll listen.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we're about to witness the most romantic wedding in paradise history!" Derek announces loudly. "These two lovebirds are finally making it official!"

"Rolling in three, two, one..." the videographer signals, and suddenly we're performing the most elaborate celebration of our lives.

The ceremony we've designed is everything our followers could want in a destination wedding. A string quartet plays as our wedding party walks down an aisle lined with floating candles on the cenote's surface. Tropical birds fly overhead as if on cue. The water reflects the golden hour light like nature's own spotlight.

"Welcome, friends and family," our officiant begins, "to this sacred celebration of love in one of the most magical places on earth. We gather today at this cenote, which the ancient Maya believed was a gateway between our world and the realm of the gods—a fitting place for two souls to unite for eternity."

I catch Emory's eye and feel my heart skip. Even surrounded by all this elaborate production, the way he's looking at me makes everything else fade away.

"Vada and Emory have chosen to celebrate their union in this sacred place where heaven touches earth," the officiant continues, gesturing toward the cenote with reverent appreciation.

The vows we've written are beautiful and heartfelt, crafted to capture exactly what we want to share with the world about our love story.

"Emory," I say, reading from a scroll tied with silk ribbon, "you've shown me that home isn't a place, it's a person. Today, in this paradise, I promise to adventure with you, to build dreams with you, and to love you through every sunrise and sunset for the rest of our lives."

The crowd makes appreciative sounds, and I can see several people wiping away tears. My own parents look genuinely moved, smiling through happy tears at seeing their daughter so radiant.

"Vada," Emory responds, his voice carrying perfectly across the cenote, "you've taught me that the best journeys aren't about the destinations I reach, but about having the right person beside me. I promise to support your dreams, to celebrate every success, and to love you more each day until the stars stop shining."

It's beautiful and romantic, and something about the way he's looking at me makes my heart race anyway. Even planned vows from the man I love make me feel like the luckiest woman alive.

"Now," the officiant announces with obvious excitement, "Vada and Emory have chosen to celebrate their union with a very special ceremony that represents the blending of their lives together."

This is the moment I'm most proud of. Instead of traditional rice or flower petals, we've created something completely unique. Emory and I each hold elegant crystal vessels filled with different colors of fluorescent sand—his is deep ocean blue, mine is sunset coral.

"Love, like light, becomes more radiant when it's shared," the officiant explains to our audience. "We invite you to witness as Vada and Emory combine their individual lights into something brighter together."

We pour our sand simultaneously into a large crystal vessel positioned over the cenote. The colors swirl together in the glass, creating patterns that shift and flow like living art. The mixed sand cascades into the sacred water below, creating swirls of coral and blue that dance across the cenote's surface.

The effect is absolutely breathtaking. Our guests gasp and pull out their phones, capturing the colorful display that makes the entire cenote shimmer with ethereal beauty. It's the kind of moment that will break the internet when we post it.

"And now," the officiant continues as resort staff appear with small hourglass-shaped vials etched with 'Vada & Emory,' "we invite each of you to take some of this mixed light as a keepsake of this extraordinary celebration. Throughout the reception, there will be a special light station where you can see your vials glow, reminding you that love multiplies when it's shared."

The vial station is genius—throughout the reception, guests can collect some of our mixed sand to take home. Under UV light, each etched vial will glow brilliantly, giving everyone a magical reminder of today. It's the perfect combination of interactive, memorable, and completely shareable on social media.

"By the power vested in me," the officiant declares as the cenote continues to shimmer with colorful sand, "and in the presence of this sacred place and your loving witnesses, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride."

Emory's hands frame my face as he leans down to kiss me, and for a moment I forget about cameras and audiences and business showcases. The kiss tastes like tropical air and shared dreams, and my heart soars when his lips meet mine.

The crowd erupts in applause and cheers as flower petals gracefully drift around us like magical confetti. Drones capture aerial footage of the shimmering cenote while our photographer documents every romantic detail.

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