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

[eversohungry]

[While Vastra wasn't designated specifically as the head of the reception, she's pleased when Pepper seems to let others handle the progression of the party so she can enjoy the day. This was mainly what Vastra had been referring to during the planning stages of the wedding, and now she's stepping fully into the 'logistics' half of the reception. Mainly, she's making sure there's still plenty of food and drink, and clearing exhausted plates and platters so as to keep the mess to a minimum. It's a beautiful set up, after all, no sense in letting everything pile up and spoil the ambiance.]

[It may look odd though, a woman dressed as she is bussing tables, but she's taking her job very seriously. Sometimes she has a moment to enjoy a glass of wine and watch the party go by, but she's watching those tables like a hawk.]

[all7seas]

"Oi -- I'm not done with those grapes yet, woman!"

She was the most beautiful green womanthing that Jack had ever seen, but that did not excuse her from trying to bus a plate that still had like five grapes on it.

"Give 'em back!"

[eversohungry]

Vastra blinks and turns around with the plate still in hand, eyes wide.

"Ah, apologies... Reverend...?" Such a fuss for five grapes but, well, the man did marry Tony and Pepper. Vastra extends the plate back to him.

[all7seas]

"Captain Reverend, darling. 'Salright. I won't sign you over to damnation for it." He accepts the plate. "Has anyone ever told you that you have a shockingly fine figure, miss...?"

[eversohungry]

'Captain Reverend', that's a new one on her. She tries to stifle a smile. "Well I appreciate that, I'd rather not be damned over a few grapes, if it's all the same to you."

Vastra's smile turns a little inquisitive and confused by the comment on her figure. "Madame Vastra. And I can't say I've had a Captain Reverend comment on my figure before."

[250mhzwabl]

Mum!

[Yes, that's Jack, calling over the first chance we has when Vastra has swung near enough by his stand on her rounds. Grinning broadly, he waves her over, headphones half pushed off his head.]

Where's the fire, hey?

[eversohungry]

[This time, she has a tray full of empty glasses when she gets close to Jack. And of course he picks that moment to call her over--but it's probably more telling that she's actually responding to 'Mum'.]

No fires on my watch, Jack.

[250mhzwabl]

So I can see.

[The song that's playing still has another few minutes, and he leans far over the table, arms crossed atop a speaker and head resting on them as he grins.]

Aren't you going to enjoy the party?

[eversohungry]

Of course I am. I'm enjoying the fact that Pepper and Tony can enjoy themselves while someone else takes care of the details. [She grins back at him.] But I don't think you can point fingers, Jack, you haven't moved from the table in a while.

[widows_kiss]

Vastra!

[It's been a while since she's bumped into the other woman and she's happy to see her here at the reception, even if looking after Pepper has kept her busy for the beginning parts of it. She comes up to the other woman with a warm smile.]

It was a beautiful wedding, wasn't it? Do you need any help?

[eversohungry]

Natasha! [It has been a while. Between the invasion and the injury she sustained during it, it feels as though it's been ages since she's seen her favorite redhead don't tell Pepper.]

Yes, it was. Weddings have certainly become a very grand thing in your time, haven't they? Please, enjoy the party though, I'm barely doing anything. Is the sergeant somewhere?

[widows_kiss]

They have, a bit. But like most things, they come in lots of types in our time. For Tony and Pepper, though? This was just about perfect.

[Her gaze drifts to the happy couple for a moment before turning back to Vastra.]

How have you been? I've been... [Eight.] ...out of touch for a bit.

[eversohungry]

I confess, I have as well. I sustained a... rather significant injury during the invasion, I've been resting for a few weeks. I didn't want to bother anyone with it, though, Jack has been looking in on me quite frequently.

[abjurer]

[This is the kind of social situation that Max is used to. It's like slipping into a familiar role and one that he's well practiced at. The fact that it's a happy occasion certainly helps.

He's dressed up in a cream suit, far different to his usual casual manner, and he approaches Vastra with a warm smile, draping an arm around her shoulder. He can't forget the affection they'd shared during the last shift and he's happy that that still lingers.]

Mother. Good to see you.

[eversohungry]

Max. [He isn't the only one who's happy that there's still some connection between them. Vastra had felt most awkward regarding Max, given the two of them hadn't exactly known one another very well. Not well enough for Vastra to be using his full name and lecturing him, at least. She gives him a very motherly half-kiss on his cheek in greeting.]

Hoping you'll be next then? I never did put the screws to your sweetheart, is he here? Oh I do hope so...

[abjurer]

[Max grins at her and kisses her cheek in return and it's kind of easy. Probably easier than it should be but he's just going to go with it for now. It can't hurt. better than being paranoid and having a breakdown over everything.]

Hah, no. I am not ready for marriage quite yet. Besides, where I'm from, I think there would be issues if I tried to marry another man.

Helios is... he's not in the best condition right now. Bad anniversary of something from home.

[z_jay]

[As productive as ever, Eugene hadn't been able to miss out on Vastra's presence, still feeling an odd sort of attachment to her-- of the parent-to-child variety, even if after all was said and done and they were back to their own minds and roles. So he'd taken efforts to help her, likely been scolded off by her if he gets in the way or tries to be too helpful.]

See, now this is what you meant by dressing up nice? You look great.

[And, since the cake had been cut into, Eugene was taking the initiative in making sure Vastra got a piece. Or at least, to offer it to her in case she couldn't eat dairy goods]

Kind of sad this isn't my wedding, heh.

[eversohungry]

[Vastra's glad to see Eugene enjoying the party now, she had to shoo him off of plate-duty and make him dance with Jack. But she'll accept the cake at least.]

And why is that? You've had a few wonderful months with Jack, haven't you?

[z_jay]

You can't say you wouldn't have enjoyed planning mine and Jack's wedding.

[He had plans to dance with Jack, it had been too long, and he'd make sure Vastra knew when they'd be doing it. There was a moment he wondered about Vastra, if she were perhaps living vicariously through them or attempting to cover up her own sadness at being here alone without... Being alone here would certainly make him a bitter person, and he wouldn't wish that on anyone.]

We should... have tea sometime. I'll come round to yours.

[jamesbarnes]

[And this is exactly what Bucky sees her doing when he saunters over, dressed to the nines in his service uniform. He removes his hat of course, and spreads his arms in a what's-all-this-about gesture.]

Mrs. Vastra, you look like you're workin' way too hard for a party.

[eversohungry]

[Vastra, plates in hand, turns around and locates Pepper. Then she jerks her head slightly towards the happy couple receiving congratulations from another guest--most importantly, Pepper isn't looking around and checking on the status of the tables.]

The result outweighs the effort, trust me. Of course if you wanted to carry some of this, I wouldn't say no...

[jamesbarnes]

[He hangs his hat on the back of a chair and comes to take the plates from her.]

Point taken. I'll help out the rest of the night if you want, but there's a favor I've gotta ask.

[handing]

[As the woman of the day, Pepper has of course been occupied during nearly every moment of the reception. In turn Pepper is all the more thankful for how Vastra's stepped up, taking charge of those details and allowing Pepper the freedom to spend time with guests and of course, her husband. So when she has a moment, Pepper heads over to the woman, who has kept herself just as busy but with more menial tasks but now seems unoccupied.]

Vastra, I cannot thank you enough. [Pepper beams at the woman; hopefully she won't mind a very happy bride offering a warm hug.]

[eversohungry]

[Vastra looks a little surprised by it, but she accepts it just as warmly. It isn't a terribly huggy world she comes from, but she likes to think Jenny would be proud of her for helping on someone else's wedding day.]

It's my pleasure dear. You appear to be glowing, so I suppose asking if you are enjoying yourself is redundant?

[handing]

[To be fair, the spirit of the day has Pepper being more affectionate than she might normally be. But she owes Vastra so much for this, and the woman did it simply to be kind. There aren't enough ways she can thank her, or any of the other people who have made the day possible.]

Maybe a little. [Enjoyment doesn't seem to truly describe what she's feeling, either. But a lack of words won't damper the enduring joy and bliss of the day for her.] I'm glad you're taking a break. Every time I've seen you, you've been bustling about.