June roses wake on the morning of Meg's wedding, and Meg insists on looking like herself, not a fashion plate. She sews her own gown, wears lilies John loves, and asks for hugs that may crumple the fabric because she wants the day warm rather than ceremonious. Marmee feels the first bird leaving the nest even while she smiles.
There is no grand procession. Mr. March leads the service under a green arch while Meg says "I will" with steady trust, Jo fights tears under Laurie's stare, and Beth hides on Marmee's shoulder. Laurie upsets the cake, cousins flood in, and Meg declares the first kiss for Marmee. Gifts already live in the Dovecote; the feast is cake, fruit, and flowers, with water and lemonade instead of wine by Mr. March's rule.
Meg wins Laurie's promise to refuse wine when a pretty hostess offers it, and Jo baptises him with lemonade. The day ends with dancing, tender leave-taking, and Meg driven away to the little house that love, not fortune, built. Sisterhood remains, but the household rhythm has already shifted.
Aunt March is scandalised by the bride running to welcome guests and the groom hammering garlands, yet the home wedding stays stubbornly natural. Cousins crowd in after Laurie's cake disaster; the service is brief, tearful, and without wine, and Meg wins Laurie's pledge to refuse drink when hosts press it on him. Jo baptises him with lemonade, Beth beams from a distance, and Amy stands like a graceful statue. When Meg drives away to the Dovecote, the nest feels larger and quieter at once.
Coming Up in Chapter 26
As Meg settles into married life, Amy decides to pursue her artistic ambitions more seriously. But her grand plans for becoming a great artist will face some humbling realities about talent, effort, and finding your true calling..
