The Rowle Wedding (tagged, invite)

On the rolling grounds of the Rowle estate, a large marquee had been assembled to contain the wedding ceremony, the wedding breakfast and the reception. While the exterior had been decorated with elaborate garlands, water features and ribbon bunting, the interior was where everything came alive: large flower displays that touched the top of the canopy, ice sculptures, reupholstered seating, centre pieces, chandeliers; it was very clear that this couple was rich and they had no modesty about it.

The guests were already arriving for the ceremony, welcomed in with a live band playing tasteful, classical music. Ptolemy greeted each and every guest as they came through, shook hands, excelled in his pleasantries, smiled so much that his cheeks hurt. In just under an hour's time, Alayna and her bridesmaids would be ready. They were all currently inside the house doing finishing touches, he assumed. Ptolemy hadn't seen her since the night before.

"So lovely to see you, Mrs Selwyn. Mr Selwyn - a pleasure..."

As he gushed and fawned over the guests, his best man stood very stiffly next to him, murmuring at best. When Mr and Mrs Selwyn had passed through and there was a gap in the arrivals, Ptolemy turned to him in annoyance: "You could at least try to be less like a board, Burke," he hissed at him, out of the corner of his mouth. "People will think they're coming to a bloody funeral."

@Melanthius Burke  @Carina Malfoy @Alayna Nott @Millicent Bulstrode Burke  @Minnie Bulstrode  @Astrid Eriksson  @Aquila Malfoy  @Orion Black  @Andrea Herrera  @Idina Herrera  @Scorpius Malfoy  @Cecelia Burke  @Mackenzie Riddle  @Persephone Rowle  @Meredith Riddle  @Pandora Carrow  @Medea Riddle  @Katherine Riddle  @Gabriella Riddle  @Doran Riddle  @Dahlia Travers  @Mason Riddle  @Jeneva Avery  @Vidar Eriksson

Hector muttered something back to him that didn't make much sense. Of course he was glad to be there for Ptolemy, but he wasn't in the best of moods lately. He just wanted to get through this wedding without any theatrics from any member of his family, and lately he felt like that was too much to ask!

Of the Bulstrode-Burkes that weren't in the wedding party, Minnie ended up being the first to enter explicitly so eyes were on her. With the amount of people around, it would be much simpler for everyone else to keep Cece in check. This was a test to see how quickly she'd trying to smuggle something out of the estate before the ceremony commenced.

She reached Ptolemy and Hector, and she smiled at them excitedly. "Oh, oh oh, hiya, Ptolly! You're lookin' sharp, lookey at my dress, ain't it purdy?!" It was tacky, it was surprising she was allowed to go out in public looking like that. Leopard print with a leather jacket? That was Minnie's idea of formal.

"Cousin Hectyyy! Come give your aunt-cousin a big huuuuug!"

Minnie was already jumping at him for one.

@Ptolemy Rowle @Hector Burke

Atticus wished he was with Alayna. He wished that James was there with him. He wished he wasn't ambling around checking his seven-tier cake for evidence of non-existant blemishes. It turned out very well: covered delicately in a blanket of white frosting, with accents of piped flowers in purple and lilac. Now it was sat on a white spread atop a table, with a silver platter and an ivory-handled knife sat precisely to the right of it. Ptolemy hadn't praised him much on it, he'd just said 'yes, that will do fine' and barged past him impatiently during preparation this morning.

Not that he expected a lot more from him.

Amaryllis was thrilled to be invited to the wedding. She had taken the entire day off so that she could enjoy the event fully and even enjoy the reception afterward if all went well! It seemed like so long since she had attended a social event and maybe she didn't fully follow the views of many who would be in attendance there being that most were probably much more ingrained in the pureblood ways than she was but she found that she could get along with just about anyone most of the time and she knew that she could manage to have a good time and just enjoy the beauty of the event. She was thrilled for the young couple, after all. She had been a bit worried when Alayna had talked about Ptolemy refusing to ask her to marry him early in her pregnancy but he had eventually gotten to it and that was what mattered.

She dressed formally but made sure she wouldn't draw too much attention to herself. She was a mere guest and it wouldn't do to try to compete with the wedding party or anything. Though, as she approached the manor it seemed that not everyone shared her theory since Minnie was currently standing at the front door in an outfit that would probably draw every eye in the room just from its outrageousness alone. She made a point not to stare as she instead glanced around the front walkway instead. Even the outside of the manor looked stunning. She waited until Minnie had launched herself at Hector then spoke to Ptolemy. "Everything is so lovely, Ptolemy. Alayna is very lucky her big day will be one to remember." She said with a smile as she greeted the groom and nodded a greeting to his best man even if he probably wouldn't notice as he was occupied with Minnie. "Hello, Minnie." She said, maybe she could save the poor boy at least momentarily.

@Ptolemy Rowle @Hector Burke @Minnie Bulstrode

"Merlin, I am so bloody hungry," Comarth complained under his breath, once he was out of earshot of his parents. While they had taken their seats and were speaking with other adults, Comarth was eyeing the tableware on the circular tables, anxious for that part of the wedding to begin. But first they had to get bloody married. Then there would be drinks. Perhaps he'd be lucky to get some kind of canape before the actual meal came around four o'clock in the bloody afternoon. Argh.

As she wanted to take some photos before the ceremony, Aquila was already inside taking a few shots of the music and all of the decorations that greeted her and the other guests. Did her sissy see all this yet??? She hoped so! These photos were going to turn out so well, and she was going to make sure they were given to Alayna and, er, Ptolemy by the end of the occasion.

"Are these seats brand new?" Aquila asked herself as she bent down to take a few shots of the upholstery. It was a good thing the dress she wore at the formal worked just fine for the wedding the way she was bending down.

Memphis had been speaking to Matilda Riddle and her Father before he was distracted by who had next entered the marquee. With her long, shiny golden hair and fresh, classy style of dress; there was no mistaking his wonderful school-time girlfriend being greeted by his younger brother. Excusing himself quickly, he weaved through the lines of chairs and limbs before he was stood just to the other side of Ptolemy, smiling wistfully at her.

"Amaryllis," he sang, lifting her hand to press his lips gently to the back of it. "You look sensational: a true spectacle. Thank you so much for coming, my darling."

But something was clashing horribly with Amaryllis and just about everything else inside there: was he seeing leopard print? Glancing to the side of her, his eyes met with Minnie Bulstrode. Ah. That explained it.

"And Miss Bulstrode! How lucky am I to get to escort you both!" Coming in between them, he offered both arms for either woman to grasp. "Come, come! Let us all catch up!"

@Minnie Bulstrode @Amaryllis Macmillan

Ptolemy stared back at Minnie Bulstrode, flabbergasted.

"Erm. It's --"

Fortunately for him at least (Hector was being forced to hug his eccentric relative), Amaryllis arrived shortly after and was as sweet as always. Ptolemy smiled at her. "Thank you, Amaryllis. You're very welcome he--"

Then Memphis came along and started re-enacting a scene from Shakespeare. Ptolemy tried not to roll his eyes.

@Minnie Bulstrode @Amaryllis Macmillan

Matilda watched as Memphis left to greet - ah - Miss Head Girl. Of course it was.

"If only she knew about all the naughty places he's been in America!" she giggled.

Acheflow was the next to follow after Minnie after realizing that she was already making a fool of herself before going inside. Cringing visibly, she joined Minnie, and to her pleasant surprise, Amaryllis in getting greeted.

"Congratulations on your wedding, Ptolemy," Acheflow stated sincerely, although the circumstances were distasteful. "I wish you and Alayna many years together,"

Smiling at them with pursed lips, Acheflow was relieved when Memphis came along to escort that thing and Amaryllis. She was going to have to catch up with the blonde Macmillan before or after the ceremony, whichever came first.

Then she glared at Hector as if she was telling him to not look disinterested in the festivities, even if he was currently being suffocated by Minnie.

@Ptolemy Rowle @Hector Burke

She hugged him tightly and pinched his cheek a little. Well, she pinched whatever cheek he had. Awww, her cousin was Best Man, and he looked so adorable!

Then Minnie noticed a familiar tall friend of hers join.

"Memphy!"

She let go of Hector and smiled up at Memphis, so happy that he invited her so she could attend with her relatives! "IS THAT AMYLLIS???"

It was her!

"We workey at the Ministry, and I never see you!"

@Hector Burke @Memphis Rowle @Amaryllis Macmillan

Elsewhere in the marquee was Medea twirling one of her plaits as she watched the band perform. There were a few cute members, but which one did she like most? Hmm....

He didn't think he'd ever be as pleased to see Memphis Rowle as he was now. After being half-strangled and struggling to stay upright whilst being pulled and squeezed and pinched, Hector got away, dishevelled and fuming, with only his Grandmother's look of disapproval to be had.

Humiliating.

Straightening his jacket and breathing out in exasperation, he rearranged his pomade to stick his hair back into place and took the hint at last. It was time to put on a smile.

Amaryllis was smiling brilliantly at Ptolemy when he greeted her. That is until her attention was stolen away by none other than Memphis Rowle. She turned her smile to him as he took her hand and placed a kiss to the back of it. ”oh Memphis, ever the charmer. I was thrilled to be invited to such a lovely event.” she said, as cheerful as ever. Then Memphis held his arm out to her and Minnie as well and she took his arm like it was old times. She smiled over to Minnie when she spoke to her. ”it is amazing how big of a place the ministry is. Good to see you.” she said, not letting her thoughts of Minnie’s eccentricities come out in her cheerful greeting.

@Memphis Rowle @Minnie Bulstrode

Daphne knocked gently on the door where Alayna was dressing and entered the room. The bridesmaids all looked very pretty in their matching violet dresses, with their hair all pinned and preened to the style they preferred. Looking beyond them, however, she saw the hint of white. She instantly started to well up as she looked at the back of her daughter, reminded of herself all those years ago when she had married her Father. He wasn't to be spoken of today, but the memory of bittersweet happiness had moved her.

Her daughter was all grown up...

"Alayna..." she wept, coming to her side and gently cupping her cheek. "You are so beautiful, so very blessed. I couldn't be prouder of you today, sweetheart." Gently kissing her cheek, she stepped back and took a handkerchief from her clutch bag, dabbing the roll of tears that streaked through her makeup. She had a feeling she'd have to touch up a fair few times during the course of the day.

@Alayna Nott

Alayna felt her chin tremble a bit when she saw her mother, "Oh mother don't cry. If you cry, I'm going to cry." She smiled at her and leaned into the palm of her hand a bit, "Have you seen Atti yet? I know he's probably panicking about tthe cake." She tried to think of something else so she wouldn't start crying and ruin her makeup. 

@Daphne Nott

"You shan't be punching anyone I hope, Miss Malfoy. Especially not my Ptolemy."

A sniffy, yet delicate-looking woman entered into the room and weaved through all the various boxes and cases and beauty stations as though they were steps to a dance. She had the same mousy brown hair as Ptolemy and the same strong jawline, except it became her well with her wide-set, deeply slanted, pale grey eyes.

Aphra Rowle looked at Alayna's reflection and exhaled to a smile.

"Oh yes - you look very pretty indeed, Alayna," she said.

@Carina Malfoy @Alayna Nott

Millicent was still ways away from greeting the groom and her son when she pulled her daughter aside to establish some guidelines for her conduct.

"Cecelia, the last thing you'll do today is make a fool of us once more. Do you comprehend?"

@Cecelia Burke

"No, no! You can't cry, Alayna, you'll ruin all your beautiful make-up!"

Sniffing, she cleared herself up, though still very blotchy red under the eyes.

"He's fussing over it, I saw," she confessed, chuckling shakily, "But wait until you see it! I didn't realise he had such a talent." She smiled at her. "He can't wait to see you. Draco, too."

The tears started up again...

@Alayna Nott

Alayna smiled when she saw Aphra enter the room. Her future mother in law was quite the woman to hold your standards too. "Thank you, Aphra." She giggled a bit at the thought of her brother running around to make the cake perfect for her big day. He really was the best. She sighed a bit at the mention of her uncle. She loved him dearly. Which is why she asked him to walk her down the aisle, but she was still upset, "Am I horrible to wish he wasn't such a dick so he could be here?" She looked at her mother, knowing she would know exactly who she was referring to. 

@Daphne Nott

Cece grunted a bit as she was pulled to the side. She yanked her arm free of her mothers grasp and sighed, "I don't plan to cause any form of drama mother. Can't we just enjoy the wedding?" 

@Millicent Bulstrode Burke

A little boy wearing a smart, navy blue sailor suit was pulling up his socks over his knobbly knees. For the most part he was being ignored as he was the youngest there, but every so often he'd get the attention of the older girls who were tugging at his cheeks mercilessly. He just wanted another little boy to play with!

Taking his toy dragon from his pocket, he sat at the foot of a table and pretended it was flying up above his head.