Three hours later, the girls and I finished getting ready. I looked in the mirror with a soft smile, running a hand over the silvery-blue fabric of my dress and admiring the delicate flowers that adorned it. The fitted bodice hugged my waist before flowing into a full skirt that swept around my feet.

The dress was elegant without being overly extravagant, which made me love it even more. My hair was gathered into a loose bun at the nape of my neck, with soft curls escaping around my face and exposing the line of my shoulders.

The Grand Hall had been transformed, and massive crystal chandeliers illuminated the room,...