Penelope narrates:

As Prince drives us to Paisley Park for the reception, I wave from the car at the crowd that has gathered in front of the church. Prince laughs and honks the horn.

We pose for newlywed pictures at Paisley Park. Prince looks extra handsome to me. Jeff Katz eventually stops trying to give us directions because we don't need guidance on how to pose like a couple in love. Pretty good at depicting that on our own today.

Prince grins and insists, "Don't fight me, I'm carrying you over the threshold."

He swoops me up in his arms in proper bridal fashion. Never have I seen him beam like this. His expression is not for the perfect photo of the moment that Jeff is taking. It's a real show of his love for me.

Our DJ announces us when we make our entrance "Presenting Mr. and Mrs. Prince and Penelope Nelson!"

Long and thunderous applause ensues. Prince takes me in his arms and kisses me passionately in front of everyone. My bouquet toss is the first event of the evening. A cousin of Prince's is delighted to catch it.

After the food and drinks are served and the toasts are said, Prince and I have our first dance. He composed something special for us. The music started with an intro of gypsy style music played on guitar followed by something perhaps more expected of him. An excellent tribute to both of our backgrounds. I can't feel my feet touch the ground. Our guests LOVE it.

I have my father-daughter dance and Dad is on the verge of crying. We dance to one of his favorite songs.

"Excuse me a sec, Dear." Prince says when I return to him. He gets on the microphone and tells everyone. "Some of you may not have known Derek Smith, Penelope's brother, who sadly, is no longer with us. I'd wish I'd met him, but I met Rochelle, the lovely singer of his band Sedgewick who gave me access to their achieves so I choose these next songs to bring him here tonight."

Then Mom has a hard time keeping her composure when the songs come on. That took me by surprise too because I had no clue Prince was going to do that! He wanted most of the music be a surprise. The level of thoughtfulness! Prince and I join the other guests on the dance floor. As he gazes at me, his eyes speak volumes: he loves me so much. Tonight is the night is the night he has been waiting for. For the longest time I wondered what Prince saw in little old me, but who am I to question his judgement? My man knows what he wants, and now we're married!
Gary gets to perform after Derek's music with a set of covers that Gary and Prince chose. Despite any nervousness Gary might have had, he showcased is voice in the best way possible. As good as it is nothing compares to Prince's original material that plays throughout the night from the DJ booth. Special instrumentals, dreamy ballads, songs to make you grab someone to hit the dance floor with, Prince didn't leave anything out! The perfect track list to what has been Chanhassen's most talked about wedding this year so far.

We are very amorous, but try to be tasteful. Today is the best day, I feel adored and have made my best friend my partner for life. All is right with the world, I think as I squeeze my husband's hand.

Prince narrates:

Could life be better? Our friends and family celebrating our love. Okay, Mom is reluctantly celebrating.  Marrying Penelope has made me feel more like a real man than anything I've ever done before. Done with bachelor life. Time to grow up.

Penelope couldn't look lovelier. She could have anyone and choose to stay with me! Damn, I lucked out! Some women would've used me as a stepping stone and said "Good riddance, Sucker!" But, at the end of the day, our personalities are too compatible to be with anyone else. We exchange kisses yet again.

Mr. And Mrs. Smith approach us. Grinning,  Mr. Smith says,  "Welcome to the family, Son"

"Thank you, Sir" I respond.  

"Sugar, this wedding is even more magical than my dreams" Penelope whispers.

"My pleasure, Mrs. Nelson" I reply.

"It is official, now" she smiles and giggles.

The night goes on and on. Guests keep enjoying themselves. Who are we to break up a great party? Oh, no! I realize that I'm running out of already chosen music! I underestimated how many tracks I'd need! Not enough time to get to the vault or a studio and get more that are just right! The remaining guests would be waiting quite a while for me. Quickly, I explain my predicament to my wife.

Thinking fast, she suggests since there's instruments and some talented guests in the room, to let them have an open mike night. They might have fun with that. Why not? No, it wouldn't be how I imagined my reception, but it could be enjoyable to the guests and that is important too.

Dion, aka drag queen Dee Dee Desire gets on the keyboard and belts out a soulful rendition of Al Green's Let's Stay to Together.

https://youtu.be/COiIC3A0ROM

Various other guests perform: Andre, Annette my backup singer, Sabrina who does an incredible operatic aria while Penelope rolls her eyes, Rochelle and the rest of Derek's band performed too. 

"Sweetheart, my feet hurt, I think I danced too much." Penelope admits.

"Tonight you can put them up" I smirk. 

Penelope tries to hide her amusement at that remark. She knows damn well what I mean.  

While one of Penelope's cousins sings, her great aunt Enid sits down at our table with us. Enid does a palm reading for each of us, declaring our palms show good things.

Well, Penelope doesn't need me to read her palm to show her a great wedding night is in her future!