The first step is the one you believe in

[handing]

Who: Pepper Potts, Tony Stark, and everyone who has gathered there today.
What: A wedding and reception
When: Sept 14, All Day
Where: Cherry Blossom Hill / The Battle Dome
Summary: Pepper and Tony are getting married finally officially finally.
Rating: PG/PG-13 max? There's at least one kid here.
The decorations on the hill are simple ones; they've chosen this spot because it's naturally beautiful without the need for embellishments. Chairs have been set up for the expected guests, with a clear path laid out for the wedding party. And of course up front there is a place for those people to stand, in sight of everyone gathered so Tony won't be able to tell Pepper "I told you so" as color commentary won't be necessary.

After the ceremony everyone will be invited to go to the Battle Dome for the reception. There Tony's programmed an expansive hall with tables and seating enough for everyone. There's also a dance floor, which everyone is encouraged to take advantage of. The atmosphere is warm and vibrant, clearly intended to help all in attendance have a good time. Dinner will be served, and there's an open bar, with rum by request of the officiant.

Just don't get too rowdy, okay kids?

{{ooc: Visual references and details can be found here. Link is very image heavy. There will be separate threads for before the ceremony, during, and the reception.

EDIT: Now with a sign up to catch the bouquet!}}

Comments

[widows_kiss]

"Lucky for you, I have impeccable aim."

She's still laughing as she says it, grinning down at the other woman when Pepper squeezes her arm. Although she looks bemused at the thanks. "And where else would I be? Just because I find your taste in men a little insane doesn't mean I'm not thrilled for you."

[handing]

"Of course you do. Don't you think I took that into consideration when I asked you to be the maid of honor?"

No, that had actually not been a factor. But joking this way helps Pepper breathe a little easier; the distraction is very welcome, even if Natasha doesn't understand why Pepper is so thankful for it.

"I don't know if it's better or worse to say I've never been with anyone like Tony before after that." She laughs at the obvious conclusion to be drawn from that: that it takes someone like Tony to make her this happy. Maybe her taste has gone a little crazy over the years, but Pepper is just as thrilled with where it takes her.

[widows_kiss]

"Clever woman," she teased, but the banter had served its purpose and some of the tension had bled out of the other woman in the aftermath, which was what Natasha had been after. She pulled away, moved to the table across the room and poured them both a half-glass of champagne. Just enough to take a little of the edge off before the ceremony started, since they had some time to wait. Coming back, she held one out, sinking down across from the bride.

"Here. Cheers to the fact that there is no one else out there like Tony. One's plenty, thanks."

[handing]

"So I've been told. I try to prepare for all the possibilities." Although that task so often proved to be utterly impossible where Tony was involved. But Natasha was right; Pepper had relaxed, the nervousness under her skin tapering off. She didn't feel a constant urge to move or to do, even if the butterflies hadn't flown off completely.

The offered flute was taken without hesitation, though Pepper did wait for Natasha to sit and make her toast. "More than enough on most days," Pepper laughed as she readily agreed, raising her glass before taking a sip. "Although you've got a handful of your own to deal with. And I'm sure he'll be very eager for that once he sees you in that dress."

[widows_kiss]

"Which is why we get along so well," Natasha teased her, taking a sip of her champagne as they toasted. "Even if Tony makes that a rather impossible task. I fear he may only get worse."

She grinned at the mention of Bucky, a hint of mischief entering her gaze. "Bucky rarely has a problem being eager. And yes, I expect he will. Even if he wouldn't let me talk him into a tux rather than his uniform."

[handing]

"Good thing we're both up to the challenge." Pepper with Tony, and Natasha with Bucky. She didn't miss the way her friend's eyes lit up, and Pepper took another careful sip before she commented.

"There's still a lot to be said for service uniforms. If I'm remembering right, he wears his pretty well."

[widows_kiss]

"You would remember right. And he wears most things well." Or nothing at all, for that matter, as the smirk that accompanied those words said plainly.

[handing]

Now that grin had a clear meaning, and Pepper was glad to see it. Natasha and Bucky were two of her closest friends, and she wanted both of them to be happy together. “Maybe it’s a shame he didn’t end up at the flower girl after all. I’m sure I could’ve found a very flattering dress for him.”

[widows_kiss]

Natasha just laughed at that, delighted amusement in the sound. "Oh no. No one wants that. I think we can deal without a display like that at the wedding of the year," she teased fondly.

[handing]

"Maybe not. Especially since Tony might feel compelled to beat it." They were already taking a risk with their officiant; better to not push things too far. "Oh well. I'm sure there will be other opportunities to put him in a skirt."

Although it wasn't a goal Pepper pushed for, but rather a running joke between Bucky and her. She was more than happy to get Natasha involved though. "Has he showed you the one I got him for Christmas?"

[widows_kiss]

"You got him a skirt?" Natasha laughed at that, surprised and a little horrified and incredibly amused. "Oh god. No, he didn't. I'll ask him about it."

[handing]

“And a scarf; I made sure they complimented each other.”  Because Pepper was nothing if not tasteful.  She fought off a smile, keeping a mostly-straight face even as Natasha laughed.  “Please make sure you do.  And tell him I’m very hurt that he hasn’t shown it off to you.  Today.”
 
What better way to take advantage of the fact that it was her wedding day than that?

[widows_kiss]

"I will make sure your displeasure and my disappointment is adequately expressed," Natasha answers, her lips twitching with a subdued grin. "And if we get enough champagne in him before the end of the night, we might be able to remedy this."

[handing]

“Now that sounds like a goal worth aiming for.” And with that in mind, Pepper finished off the last of her own champagne. It wouldn’t be long now before she had to head out to the hill for the ceremony, a thought which renewed some of her earlier nerves.

“I almost can’t believe this is really happening.”

[widows_kiss]

"Well it is," Natasha answered with a warm smile as she finished off her own champagne and pushed herself to her feet and held out a hand to Pepper to help her up. "And everything will be perfect."

[handing]

She takes the offered hand, although the reassurance isn’t so easy to grasp.  “It’s been awhile since you’ve been to a Stark event, hasn’t it?”
 
Still, Pepper’s thankful.  She gives Natasha’s hand a squeeze, smiling slowly as excitement interweaves its way through the anxiety.  “I guess it’s about time.”

[widows_kiss]

"Yes, well, nothing's exploded yet. And if we get attacked by aliens or evil robots or flying monkeys, I still have my gun," she pointed out with a smirk, squeezing Pepper's hand in return.

[handing]

“I knew I could count on you.” In more ways than the humor might lead one to believe. Pepper laughed, then huffed out a breath as her gaze fell to the door.

“Okay. Let’s get going.”

[widows_kiss]

"Always," Natasha grinned, impulsively leaning in to drop a kiss on Pepper's cheek. "Take a deep breath. It will be fine. I'll let them know you're ready."