Work Text:
“Groom, standby.”
The day is finally here— the wedding day .
I smile, looking around, seeing my family, friends, and colleagues. It reminded me of our humble beginnings. It was overwhelming, but it felt great.
“Yoon!” I turned around to see Chwe. He smiled and patted my back.
“Congrats, dude. I still can’t believe you got this far. I’m so proud of you.” I laughed and hit Chwe’s arm playfully. I still cannot believe that we got this far, too. This is a dream come true. We talked for a bit until the organizers called us to go to our places outside.
“Mr. Yoon, we called the other groom, and he is on his way already. We’ll start in about five minutes.” I nodded and stood nearby a shade. “How are you feeling?” From the voice, I knew it was Kyeom.
“Nervous. My palms are sweaty,” He laughed and handed me a handkerchief. “It will be great, believe me,” He looked at me intently. I know this look. Whenever he looks me right in the eye, I know he’s reading my thoughts. Although some might say I am hard to read, two people can; one of them is Kyeom.
“Thank you, Kyeom,” I smiled and nodded, signaling I am okay. Everything is okay . He squinted his eyes and opened his arms, urging for a hug. I went into his arms and closed my eyes. It was silent, yet it almost brought me to tears.
“The groom has arrived. Everyone, in your places!” The ever trustworthy organizer, Karina shouted. Kyeom and I broke our hugs, patted my back, and went to his place. Karina approached me and told me that the groom had arrived and we’ll be starting the ceremony.
I looked at the white limo, smiling like a fool. He’s there. He must be nervous right now. Did he take his nervous pill? I laughed. I’m a fool for this guy.
The ceremony started. I walked inside the church and waited for the groom. Flower girls and boys walked down the aisle, then my family and friends. Kwon, Chwe, and Kyeom all warmly smiled at me, and I nodded back.
The last guest came in, the groom’s parents were waiting in the middle of the aisle, and Canon in D by Pachelbel was nearing its end. The organizers closed the door, and the lights went towards the door, waiting for the groom. It’s time.
“Mr. Yoon, the groom is ready. We’ll close the doors when after this song finishes and will cue the next one.” I nodded and smiled at Karina.
The next song cued.
Baby, I will be your happiness.
The church became silent when the first note of the song played. We rehearsed this yesterday, and we urged everyone to stay quiet when the groom arrived.
Dreaming the same dream and feeling the same way, we spend the same night together.
The door opened as the choir sang the line. There he is, the love of my life.
The lights followed him as he walked through the aisle. His eyes were glistening, and he looked like he was about to cry. Don’t cry, my love. It’s your wedding day.
No matter what happens, don't worry. I'm by your side.
Our eyes met, and he smiled. That’s it, baby, smile. I nodded as he approached his parents. His mom was crying, and his dad was holding back his tears. He hugged and bowed to his parents and linked their arms. He continued walking to the altar.
Promise me eternity, if you feel the same way as I do
The song is nearing its end, and he is almost near.
No matter what happens. Don't worry, and I'm by your side. It’s a promise.
“Wonwoo,” I breathlessly said his name.
As the last line was sung, I said his name with utmost love for the last time.
“Hyung,” He smiled. Oh, how precious his smile is. I could have countless problems, and I get through them with a flick of his smile.
“Congratulations, Wonwoo and Mingyu.” Be happy.
“Thank you, Hyung.” They both hugged me, and I was close to crying, but I held it and smiled at them.
After Mingyu got his blessings from Wonwoo’s parents, they held their hands and proceeded to the altar.
Karina and I went to the side. Karina handed me back the headphones.
“Mr. Yoon, it’s time to go back to our place and become our head organizer. It was hard for me earlier” Karina laughed because she knew. She was with Kyeom when I struggled back then, and seeing the two of them here eased my mind. I nodded and laughed.
The ceremony went by smoothly. The team worked extremely hard for this grand wedding of Kim and Jeon. Countless nights were spent thinking about how to decorate and create a simple-looking wedding yet grand as requested by the grooms.
“Ms. Yu, please cue to dim the lights at the back and light up the two biggest ones on the grooms. They will tell their vows next.” Karina nodded and spoke to her walkie-talkie.
As the priest says the words, they’ll be saying the vows. As if on cue, the backlights dimmed, and the most prominent lights were focused on the two grooms.
“I stand here today to be your lawfully wedded husband. Jeon Wonwoo, I met you back we were in law school. I admired you from the start, but you were busy. You couldn’t look in my way. I even thought you couldn’t look me back the same way, so looking from afar was enough- it wasn’t. Destiny was good to me. You came to me, you approached me, and I fell harder every time. We bonded by writing digests, reading cases, and teaching taxation. Finally, we are, marrying each other to promise that we’ll spend the rest of our lives together. As our favorite song goes, “I'm happy because it's you every day,” I will always choose you. I love you, Mr. Jeon.”
“I, Mingyu Kim, take you, Jeon Wonwoo, to be my husband. I promise to be true to you in good times and bad, sickness and health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life.” Mingyu smiles as he slides the ring on Wonwoo’s ring finger.
“Mr. Jeon,” the priest says, signaling Wonwoo’s turn to speak his vow.
“I, Wonwoo Jeon, take you, Kim Mingyu, to be my husband. I promise to be true to you in good times and bad, sickness and health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life.”
“Law School journey was rough, but thanks to you, it was bearable. I could smile and laugh because of you. I am happy that you accepted me as I am and brave enough to shout to the world that I am yours. Thank you, love. Another favorite song line is “I'm not afraid of tomorrow when I fall because we're together. Let's love each other always, even in our hidden sorrows,” I love you, Mr. Kim, and I am happy to spend this lifetime with you.” And when Wonwoo’s vow ended, Mingyu was close to tears and pouted Wonwoo laughed and slid the ring on Mingyu’s ring finger. They both faced the priest, and the priest said his last blessing.
Everyone clapped and cheered. “Ms. Yu, the lights.”
Mingyu and Wonwoo faced each other. “Ms. Yu, make sure the videographers are not in the way.” Karina talked to the walkie-talkie to deliver the message.
“By the power vested in me by God and man, I pronounce you husband and husband. What God has joined together, let no man put asunder. You may now kiss.”
“Ms. Winter, the choir, please,” I told the other organizer to cue the next song. I busily went to the visual and audio room to check what had been taken and see the venue fully.
When I entered, the grooms kissed, and I could hear the loud cheers outside. I’m happy for them. This has been Wonwoo’s dream - getting married to the love of his life, and it was mine too.
“Everything great, director?” I asked the man monitoring the whole ceremony.
“Yes, sir. You can go back to the ceremony and congratulate your friends.” He smiled at me, and I smiled back in gratitude, but I shook my head and stayed in the room to monitor.
Karina and other organizers ensured that the rest of the ceremony went smoothly. The exciting song was played until both of them exited the church. The attendees waited outside to congratulate their first walk as husbands. Flowers and confetti were thrown in the air, and everyone was urging the newlyweds for another kiss. Mingyu swiftly held Wonwoo’s waist and kissed him.
I was watching the newlyweds. Seeing him happy was enough. I can finally let these feelings of mine go. I can move forward in peace.
My friends, namely Karina and Kyeom, wondered why I accepted this project when there was a wedding of a high-profile couple that’ll be married around the same time as Mingyu and Wonwoo’s. They even joked the salary might be good there instead.
“Because we’re friends. I’d be honored to organize my friends’ wedding.” This is true, but I guess I just wanted to see it myself that he found the one - his greatest love.
“ Ang martyr mo beh ,” I laughed. Karina couldn’t hold back and spoke in our language. She said I was hurting my own heart by doing this.
“Yoon, you can reject it while it’s still far. You can give it to us. Karina and I are great event organizers! I am not saying this because of the money, but I’m worried about you.”
“I’m fine. I am. Let me do this, and I’ll stop whatever is on my heart.” They sighed in defeat, and here we are at the end of the church wedding. The next one will be the after-party, and honestly, I am not needed there because it was Kyeom’s team who will handle it.
Someone was knocking, snapping me from my thoughts, “Come in.”
“There you are.” I looked at the person behind the door.
“Wen.”