Page 70 of Love, Take Two

"Ladies and gentlemen," I call out as we break apart, both of us glowing in the golden light, "welcome to our celebration!"

The reception flows seamlessly from the ceremony, transforming the beach into an elegant party under the stars. String lights and floating lanterns create ambiance while a live band plays acoustic versions of love songs. Tables are arranged on the sand with centerpieces that incorporate more of our fluorescent sand in elegant glass hurricanes.

"This is incredible," Maya says, appearing at my side with a tropical cocktail. "Seriously, this wedding is going to be legendary."

"I'm so happy," I say, watching our guests collect sand samples and take selfies with their etched vials.

"Speaking of happy," Maya continues with a grin, "Derek's been telling everyone who'll listen that he predicted this romance from day one."

"Of course he has," I laugh, spotting Derek holding court near the UV light station with a glowing vial, gesturing dramatically. Derek somehow talked his way onto our guest list because he 'called our romance from day one'.

"And I called it!" Derek's voice carries across the beach. "From the moment these two collided at Paradise Cove, I knew we were witnessing destiny in action!"

Emory appears beside us, having loosened his tie and looking gorgeously disheveled in the tropical heat. "How are we doing?"

"Everyone's completely enchanted," Maya reports. "Your parents look genuinely emotional, the photographer's getting incredible shots, and social media is already exploding with guest posts."

"Perfect," I say, watching our friends and family celebrate under the stars. "This is exactly what we dreamed it would be."

"That's because the happiness is real," Emory points out, sliding his arm around my waist.

The evening continues with toasts, dancing, and the kind of magical celebration that will generate content for months. Our videographer captures every perfect detail while guests share photos of their glowing vials and rave about the most unique wedding ceremony they've ever witnessed.

"Time for the final shot," our photographer calls out as the evening winds down. "Bride and groom on the beach with the cenote in the background."

We pose on the white sand with the still-shimmering cenote behind us, my dress flowing in the ocean breeze while Emory dips me dramatically for the camera. It's the kind of picture thatwill become iconic, representing everything people dream about when they imagine a perfect destination wedding.

"And that's a wrap on the most romantic wedding in paradise history!" the videographer announces as the crew packs up their equipment.

As our guests begin to say their goodbyes and collect their glowing vials as keepsakes, Emory and I find ourselves alone on the beach, watching the last traces of colored sand settle in the cenote.

"So," he says, pulling me close in the moonlight, "how does it feel to be married?"

"Like the most natural thing in the world," I say, settling against his chest. "Like this is exactly where I'm supposed to be."

"Good answer," he says, leaning down to kiss me under the stars.

"Though I have to say," I whisper against his lips, the memory making me glow with secret joy, "if they only knew about our real marriage ceremony..."

His answering smile is radiant with the same beautiful secret, and we hold each other closer, surrounded by the magic we've created and the even more precious magic we share alone.

27

EMORY

Six Months Later

"The Costa Rica couple just confirmed," Vada calls from her desk, pulling off her headset with the grin she gets when we land a big client. "Anniversary celebration for fifty people, full destination coordination, and they specifically want the 'Tulum experience' for their vow renewal."

"Translation?" I ask, though I already know the answer will involve more travel to beautiful places with my wife, which is basically the best job description ever.

"We're booked solid through spring," she says, rolling her chair over to where I'm editing footage from our latest client wedding in Santorini. "And they're willing to pay premium rates because they saw our wedding content and want exactly that energy for their celebration."

I love that our own wedding turned into the best marketing material we could have asked for. The Tulum content went viral in the best way—millions of views, thousands of inquiries, and awaiting list of clients who want us to create the same magic for their celebrations.

"Speaking of energy," I say, saving my edit and turning to face her, "I just locked down three more venue partnerships, including that place in Tuscany we scouted last month."

"The one with the vineyard ceremony space?" Vada's eyes light up with the expression she gets when she's mentally planning logistics.

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