The wedding started late, but after being delayed by a year because of the pandemic and then another six months because of the Delta variant, no one noticed a few minutes. Besides, most of the guests were already misty-eyed when the bride started down the aisle in the same simple cream shift dress her grandmother had married her grandfather in so many years ago. Even her groom was resplendent in a black tux; if a tear escaped his eye seeing his soon-to-bride no one noticed – they were staring at her.

The guests sat as the bride reached the front and took her place next to her groom.

“We are gathered here together..,” the priest started the official part of the ceremony.

Everything was going as planned until the priest said, “If anyone can show just cause why they may not be lawfully wed, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

The lights in went out.

All the candles went out wish a hiss.

The heavy wooden doors blew open in a thunderous crash and all eyes turned towards the back of the room where a dark figure stood silhouetted against the waning light outside.

“I object!” the figure bellowed in a voice that shook the room.

It started inside gliding down the aisle slowly. “Five years ago,” it spoke as it moved, “I promised my love to you and you agreed to marry me! And now you are here to be betrothed to another?” It raised a skeletal hand and pointed at the bride. “You promised me an eternity of love in exchange for your soul and you shall pay up, Amanda.”

“Wait, who?” the bride asked.

The ghost stopped midway down the aisle “Amanda!”

“Uh, I’m Elizabeth.”

“You’re… not Amanda?”

She shook her head.

“But…” the ghost sputtered, “the invitation… it says 6:30pm October 9, 2021, Rolling Hills Country Club, Regency Room…”

“Oh!” the wedding coordinator moved in from the back. “This is the Garden Room,” she explained, brandishing a map of the country club. “See, you’re here – the Garden Room. And here,” she pointed across the map, “Is the Regency Room.”

“Ah, I see!” The ghost said with genuine understanding. “Well, then, uh… if you will excuse me…” it started back down the aisle. “I’m really sorry. That’s a beautiful dress… you make a beautiful couple, really!” He reached the door and floated out of sight, the doors closing quietly as he left.

Lights came back on.

The priest looked at the groom and the bride and said, “Well, I’ll take that as no on objects…”

A scream could be heard somewhere across the complex.