Chapitre 18: Chapter 18
My pen travels up and down the page for what feels like the millionth time. Notes are scribbled all over it. I've made such a mess that I might as well print out another checklist.
"Everything's been done, right?" Gabe asks.
"Come on, babe. You've been so good this whole time. Don't freak out on me now," I say calmly, trying to encourage him along.
He sighs and nods. "Alright, sorry. I know it's just the rehearsal today, but as far as I know everything has been booked that I know of."
Good. I trust Gabe completely and if he says it's been taken care of, I know he means it. I keep my eyes on the page, going back up to the top. "Okay, the officiant will be attending today. Just confirmed with her and I got her to arrive ten minutes early just to double check things."
"Brill. What about the musicians?"
"The orchestra won't be coming early as it will incur a costly fee, but the DJ will be attending so we'll just get him to play the ceremony music on his decks. He will be arriving thirty-minutes early," I tick step two on my checklist.
"And you're okay with introductions right?" He asks, whipping out his phone to check something.
"Yep, just the wedding party will be here tonight so I'll get them to walk down the aisle and send them down for the processional."
"Shall I trust you to ask them to rehearse the processional at least a hundred times?"
I've developed a bit of a reputation in the industry as a rehearsal tyrant. I would rather be over prepared than under-prepared and even though I have borne the brunt of many clients, they always end up praising me by the end of their wedding day.
"Yes, if it takes that many times, I'm not afraid to go there. Is that it?"
Gabe snaps his fingers. "Ooh rings! Have you spoken to the ring bearer?"
"Got it covered. Kieran's best man, Greg, has them."
"And what about the photographer? You know who I'm talking about," he says suggestively.
Matteo, the guy I had an incredibly intimate evening with last night?
"Yep, he has been taken care of," I brush off. "Anyway, let's head to the venue now. The decorators will be arriving in twenty and I wanted to see the space again. And then we should have the night to ourselves. Why do you look so happy, mister?" I notice Gabe's coy smile as we stand up.
"Oh nothing. I've already made plans with Rodrigo. There's just something in the water over here with the men, Laylay."
There sure is! "Wow, and you usually dump a guy after a few dates if you're not keen."
He scoffs, "A few days? Twenty minutes more like!"
I roll my eyes. "Oh yes, I forgot who I was talking to." I smile at him. "Come on, let's go down. This rehearsal better go well."
"Best man and maid of honour, go now!" I bark through my headset microphone, which echoes in the room. Immediately, Amelia's sister Yvonne and Kieran's best friend, Greg, walk down the aisle
"Okay, bridesmaids and groomsmen, go! Go!"
Everyone follows my orders, probably because my voice is so shrill and nagging. All but the last bridesmaid and groomsman. Emily flicks her hair in a coquettish manner, giggling with the groomsman as they walk slowly behind everyone else.
I put my hands on my hips."Hey! Emily, I know you have a great story to tell Richard, but can you tell him in the janitor's closet later?"
Amelia and Kieran crack up and Emily glares at me. Richard keeps his eyes on Emily. Shaking my head, I look at my run sheet again. We've done the processional six times, and judging by the weary looking faces in the room, I think we can call it a day for the ceremony rehearsal. If the wedding party isn't sick of me and my pesky high-pitched 'boss mode' voice by now, then there must be something seriously wrong with them. I walk up to Amelia at the end of the hall, who looks pretty as a petal in a white lace top andjeans.
Putting the clipboard between us, I push the microphone away from my mouth. "Do you think we've rehearsed enough?"
Amelia stares at me funnily. "You think? I think even Kieran's mother is falling asleep, and she's actually had to watch paint dry as an interior decorator."
The corners of my mouth twitch up. "Okay, I get your point! So I've allowed concessions for the orchestra to arrive and get setup. After you and Kieran walk out, you guys have an hour to get your photographs. And then you'll make your way to the reception"
Amelia puts her hands on my shoulder. "Yep, you've told me already. An hour should be plenty sufficient, as long as the weather is good right?"
I quickly flick a few pages to look at the weather forecast I printed off. "Yes, tomorrow will be perfect clear sunny skies. It's supposed to be twenty-four degrees so you shouldn't get over-heated. And yes you and Kieran have plenty of time to walk in between the terrace to the garden."
She rolls her eyes heavenward, and I know she's just teasing me. "Relax, I'm kidding! No, I'm ecstatic with everything. I love how the venue is looking already. I just can't wait for tomorrow."
We both look over to the aisle, which is mostly completed at this stage. The arch is complete with white lace and dotted with pink rosebuds, and all the wooden benches have a soft white ribbon tied to each end.
"It will look spectacular tomorrow," I reassure her, not as a client but as a friend. "I bet you can't wait to just go to the honeymoon right?"
"I think I've gotten off lucky, I feel like I'm already on my honeymoon. But then again, I've got the best wedding planner so I haven't had to worry about anything." She grabs my hand and squeezes it softly.
I beam at her and quickly return to my steely gaze. "Okay, so give an hour for you and Kieran to take photos. Then your dinner. Now, you just wanted a simple dinner and speeches, and then the dance floor at the end. I know you said already but are you sure you don't want any games? No taking the garter? No shoe games? Nothing?"
She shakes her cute button nose at me. "No, I'm sure. Kieran's crowd isn't into that kind of thing, and to be honest I want it short, simple and sweet. I will throw the bouquet at the end and we'll just have a dance with everyone. No fuss, no muss."
"Okay. In that case, I'll double check with the technician that everything checks out and call the caterer to make sure they know where to setup tomorrow. I'll also check with the florist to make sure the white roses will be delivered in pink wrapping, not blue."
I whip out my phone and start making some calls. I can't let her carefree kindness distract me.
Pushing the dial button, I press the receiver to my ear and walk furiously down the hallway, my nude pumps clacking loudly. God knows I will be making phone calls all day today, and half of the day tomorrow. But this is where I'm in my element putting it all together. And for someone like Amelia, I'll go the extra mile to make sure she gets the day she deserves.
"Great thanks, I'll show you to the kitchen at 10:30 tomorrow morning. Ciao!"
I hang up, updating the details on my phone. I think by now everyone in this town knows me as the shrill and overly organised wedding planner. They must have heard my voice ringing through the halls at least once. But hey, if I'm not annoying people three times over to do what they have been paid to do, I'm not doing my job.
I think I'll call it a day. Clipping my biro pen to my clipboard, I start walking out from the church, through the fire exit to walk into the private section of the gardens. The whole wedding is at the hotel, which is not only convenient for me and the guests, but it makes the experience all encompassing. As I start walking I can hear a female giggling, followed by a male's murmuring around the corner where the sandstone gazebo is. It sounds just like Emily, Amelia's bridesmaid that I just told off in the rehearsal earlier. After hearing it all day, I can recognise that nasally giggle anywhere. She has flirted with every eligible guy since I met her. She even flirted with Gabe before he told her he likes his women like he likes his coffee, followed by his affirmation that he hates coffee.
I hear the male speak.
"Let's take another la fotografia. Si, stand there."
It's Matteo. He's with the giggling girl? Suddenly curious, I walk quietly and turn the corner, hiding behind a giant shrub. Pressing a hand over my mouth, I giggle at the sight in front of me.
It is Matteo, and he's taking photos of Emily in a variety of silly poses inside the gazebo. He's pressing the button in rapid succession and she's pretending to pose like a supermodel:flicking her hair and pulling up her long skirt to reveal her leg. And the constant pouting and pursing of her lips, cringe!
Suddenly my phone rings loudly. "Crap!"
Matteo looks over in my direction but I turn around and run back, opening the door and back into the hall. Wow, he sure acts quick, total player that he is. Is this guy desperate for action or something? Because judging by the way Emily is looking at him, he will definitely score.
Answering the phone, I quickly forget about what I saw before. I had a lot of fun last night and I'm going to leave it at that. I'm here to do one thing and one thing only - making tomorrow the best day of Amelia's life.
Cadeaux
-- Cadeau
reçu État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone