Ashley & Michael

By early December, Aria was already dressed for the holidays, with garland wound up the curved banister and silver-ornamented trees standing in the halls. Ashley got ready in a white robe with her bridesmaids piled onto a gray sofa beside her. Across the building, Michael fixed his bow tie at a tall window and shared a quiet laugh with a woman in black. The invitations were deep green and gold, and the rings sat in a cream velvet box.

Before Michael ever saw her, Ashley came down the staircase for her father and grandfather. The two of them stood at the bottom looking up while she walked toward them through the garland and white roses. Then came the chapel, all white arches and tall arrangements of white flowers, with a flower girl in blush tulle at the front. Guests stood and clapped as the couple walked back up the aisle between white pews.

Afterward the couple stood by one of the big decorated trees, the tall windows going blue outside. I framed them later as dark silhouettes in the chapel doorway, a small moment of quiet in a very full day. The ballroom filled with family, and Ashley danced with her father while guests leaned in from their tables. By the last hour, the marble floor was crowded and nobody was sitting down.