I thought by this stage in my life that I was beyond all this.

Getting involved.

Crying for goodness sake.

I've been marrying people for too many years for this to be happening. There's just something about this couple that has gotten to me. I can't put a name to it, it's just a feeling in the air - I can feel the emotion in the room and that wasn't even true for my own wedding I don't think. Probably shouldn't have this conversation with my husband when I get home tonight!

She looks beautiful, I think I might know her - she looks familiar, maybe like all the other beautiful women in Vegas. But there is something about her, she seems fragile in that spaghetti strapped dress but I can tell it's an illusion. I know this because of the way the guy (the groom !) is clinging on to her. He is gathering all his strength from her - it doesn't look like he would be able to stand if he wasn't leaning on her. She's just whispered something in his ear, I tried to hear but it was beyond even my prying. From the smile on his face ,which is reflected in his eyes, it must have been words of love. And I can tell he knows them to be true in his heart.

You would think that would be the norm here, but I must confess that it's not always true. We're called the 'Chapel of Happy Hearts', not my choice by any standards, but the money is good and it's Vegas - I could do a lot worse. The point is most of my clients have enjoyed a night at the casinos and come in here reeking of tequila and too much new money - there isn't always a lot of love in the room. Chemistry certainly, the promise of a passion fuelled evening definately - but it's not very often about love. That is what's getting to me tonight. It's what's getting to everyone in the room.

There's a young girl, she must be their daughter I suppose and maybe they are doing this for her. Mummy and daddy getting married - though I'm not completely sure if I've got that right. The intensity between the couple seems such that they would not have been able to keep themselves from getting married if they'd been together that long. Can't pick which one of them is her natural parent if she indeed doesn't belong to both of them - she looks like a perfect mix of them both. The way she fastened herself in the arms of the guy, Gilbert Grissom according to my script, was so sweet - a hug from her dad on the most exciting weekend of her life. She's practically dancing with excitement.

Next to her is a woman who looks just like a slightly older version of the bride, well her smile is not quite as infectious. Must be her sister, certainly a relative. She just looks, how can I describe it? Relieved, I guess. It feels like it must have been a long road to get them to this point and I think she can't quite believe they are here. There are tears streaming down her face, but she makes no attempt to brush them away - too caught up in the moment and happy to be experiencing the palpable emotion in the room.

The other witness in the room is a very good looking young man, Warwick I think I heard them call him. He obviously thinks a lot of this couple, he is just as emotional as the other guests, he has tears shining in his eyes but is not bothered in any way by this. I wonder how he knows them? I wonder a lot of things about this couple, I want to ask them so many questions. But my part in their story is destined only to be brief.

But they are having such an unusual affect on me. I want to take them to a bar and buy them champagne and wish them love and luck for their future. Not that they need my good wishes, I can tell this one will last. I've gotten good at giving marriages a lifespan after all these years in the business. These two I know are here for keeps, it's what is making me want to hold on to today - to try and keep a little of their happiness for myself.

We are getting towards the part of the day when I will say the words they have come here to hear. I am trying to prolong the script so that I can experience a little more of their joy. But they are ready. He is holding her with such passion and yet such gentleness - it is so obvious he worships her. I wonder what it is like to be worshipped? I sound envious of her, of Catherine. That might be true if she did not gaze back at him with such wonder and adoration.

It's time.

"Gilbert Grissom, do you take Catherine Willows to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do." He says in a whisper, looking in his brides eyes with absolute happiness.

"Do you Catherine Willows take Gilbert Grissom to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

"I do." She says the words almost before I have finished my lines. Her tears are falling unabashedly now, but there is joy behind them. She is a beautiful woman, but today she is luminous in the way only movie stars are supposed to be.

It's my line now, I am suddenly aware of the power that I wield. That I am making lives complete today.

" I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride."vHe leans in, and for a few precious seconds they are the only two people in the room. This time it is his turn to whisper words of love. I am more practised and I hear what he has to say, and I am only a little guilty about it.

"Sweetheart, let's go home. I need to start my wonderful life with my wife right now." He is rewarded with a smile of such joy that I yearn to ask them to tell me their story. But it's not to be, perhaps my imaginings will be better.

They embrace their friends and daughter before turning to me and thanking me for my part in the day. The tears are threatening to fall now, the ones I have no right to shed. I am almost glad when they leave, I don't want to spoil their day. I need to get ready for the next couple that I hear about to come in.

I know they won't touch me in the same way, but today I have served a wonderful purpose and for that I am thankful.

THE END