My wedding day. This should be the happiest day of my life. I’m getting married to Liam, the man I love so much.

But there was one person who wasn’t happy for me—my older sister Vanessa. When we were young, Vanessa was always jealous of me. She wanted me to be the star. She was always the prettiest. So when she found out I was getting married to Liam (her high school crush), her blood ran hotter.

It was only 30 minutes before the ceremony started. I was in the church’s dressing room. I was excited to put on my Dream Wedding Gown—a custom-made lace gown that I had been saving for a long time.

I entered the room where the gown was hanging.

But when I entered… I screamed in shock.

“AHHH! MY GOWN!”

Vanessa was leaning against the wall, holding a large pair of scissors. She was grinning.

My gown… was in a mess. She had cut the hem, cut a hole in the chest, and even sprinkled it with black permanent marker. It looked like a rag. It was unwearable.

“Oops,” Vanessa said sarcastically. “Sorry, sis. My hand slipped. There you go, it looks like trash. That’s your thing.”

“Sister! Why did you do this?!” I cried, holding the torn fabric. “I’m getting married now! How am I going to face the altar?!”

Vanessa came over and whispered in my ear.

“Don’t go on. Go home. It’s embarrassing to face Liam like that. Look at yourself, Mia. You will never be beautiful enough for him. Cancel the wedding before everyone laughs at you.”

Vanessa laughed and left the room, leaving me crying.

I wanted to give up. I wanted to run home. I didn’t have an extra dress. All I had on was what I was wearing to get here—a simple White T-Shirt and Faded Jeans and sneakers.

I looked in the mirror. My eyes were puffy. My hair was messy.

But I thought of Liam. I loved him. And I knew he loved me.

I wiped away my tears. I wasn’t going to let Vanessa win. My clothes weren’t going to dictate my worth.

I fixed my hair. I picked up the bouquet of flowers. And I took a deep breath.

“I’m going out,” I told myself.

The big church doors opened.

The Wedding March played.

All the guests turned, waiting for the “blushing bride” in her gown.

But when they saw me, THE WHOLE CHURCH GOT SILENT.

I walked down the middle of the aisle. Wearing a white t-shirt, jeans, and rubber shoes. I don’t have a veil. I don’t have any jewelry.

I heard the whisper.

“Hello! What happened?”

“Why is she dressed like that?”

“Is she crazy?”

Ahead, I saw Vanessa sitting in the front row. She was grinning. She was waiting for Liam to run away in shame. She was waiting for the wedding to be a disaster.

But I walked with my head held high. My knees were shaking, but I looked straight at Liam.

When I reached the altar, I took the microphone from the priest.

I faced all the guests.

“Excuse my appearance,” I began, my voice raspy but brave. “Just now, someone close to me ruined my gown. He wanted to embarrass me. He wanted me to think I was worthless if I didn’t have a nice dress.”

I looked at Vanessa. Her grin disappeared.

“But I realized,” I continued. “A wedding is not about a gown. It’s not about a photoshoot. It’s not about what other people say. A wedding is about two people in love. And love… can’t be seen in fabric.”

I turned to Liam. I was crying.

“Liam, I can’t give you a beautiful bride right now. This is all I am. A T-shirt and jeans. But my heart, it’s all yours. Will you still accept me?”

Everyone fell silent. I was nervous. Liam might get angry. He might be embarrassed.

But Liam slowly approached me.

He wasn’t angry. In fact, he was crying with joy and admiration.

He didn’t say anything right away.

He took off his expensive suit jacket.

In front of everyone, he wrapped it around my shoulders. He covered me to protect me from the cold and the judgmental gaze of others.

He held my face and wiped my tears.

“Mia,” Liam said softly into the microphone. “Look at me.”

I stared at him.

“Even though you’re wearing a sack… even though it’s a rag… you’re still the most beautiful woman in my eyes. I didn’t love your gown. I loved your courage. I loved your heart.”

He kissed me on the forehead.

“You are perfect to me. Let’s get married.”

“WOOHOO!” All the guests applauded! They screamed with excitement! Some stood up and shouted “Long live the wedding!”

We looked at Vanessa.

His face was red. Not because of shame for me, but because of envy. His plan to ruin my day made our love even greater.

The Best Man approached her.

“Miss,” the Best Man said to Vanessa. “I think you need to leave. You’re giving me bad vibes. This wedding is for people who know how to love.”

Vanessa was forced to leave as people glared at her.

We went ahead with the wedding. Even though I was wearing a t-shirt and jeans, I felt like the most beautiful princess in the world because I was with a prince who didn’t look at appearances.

That day, I learned that true love is not measured by the cost of clothes, but by the ability to accept and defend each other, no matter what.