Chapter One
Krys looked aroundat the gardens and green spaces, and she exhaled.With two days to go before the wedding, the landscaping had been completed, and a lot of enchantments went into making it look like it had always been there.Rose arbours, a wildflower maze, and a vine arch they were all lovely and sturdy.
Sable asked, “How much more to do?”
“Set up the tables, chairs, and food stations, but that is a task for the day of.The caterers are ready.Food is being delivered today so that prep can begin tomorrow for fresh cooking here on the day.”
“So, you own the catering company?”
“Yup.We have six full-time and about sixty part-time employees.The full-timers make the menus for different races, and the part-timers are called in to fulfill the needs of the event.If they aren’t available that night, we just keep calling.”
“How many do you need for an event this size?”
“With four different buffet styles, two bars, and a dessert table?Forty.Twelve of them are on prep, and twenty-eight are on service.”
“That’s a lot.”
“It is, but extranaturals are rather rambunctious at weddings, and the number of humans who are attending is less than two percent of the entire event.”
“Have you gotten the responses?”
“Yes.Currently, we are at one hundred and eighty-five respondents, and from there, you can estimate another twenty percent will just show up.If they have an invitation, they can come in.”She paused and smiled at Sable.“Or if they are on the list.”
“What do you do if they aren’t on the list?”
“Oh, then we get to bounce them, and call the police, and since there are over a dozen XIA officers coming, that would be very bad for the gate-crasher.”
“Why would someone crash a wedding?”
Krys smiled.“Free food, free booze.”
“Oh.Got it.”
“Right.I am going to have to get the favours for the guests.”
“What will it be?Do you have time?”
“There is always time.I have a supplier for special creations, and they keep tons of stuff ready for personalization.”
“Wow.So, to do this, you have to know a lot of people.”
“It really helps.You pay promptly and pay well.That helps, too.”
“So, if I work with you...”
“You will send me invoices and quotes, and I will authorize payment.I will never embarrass you in front of someone else, but we will have words if you get taken advantage of, and then, I will pay a visit to the vendor.”
Sable smiled.“I can hear your knuckles cracking in my mind.”
Krys smiled.“A girl needs her hobbies.Wedding pricing is ruthless, but I have a good team of vendors and entertainers.It’s a nice mix, and we are the touchstone for all of them.The vendors come to us first before the bride or groom.Usually, we know what they want, and they just get to stay in the happy haze of their big day.”
“So, they are to be protected?”
“Yes.They are full of hope and focused on each other, and that is the way things should be.We are paid a percentage for every vendor we wrangle.That is how I make my money, and I make a lot for each event.I provide guidance and planning help as my percentage of the venue rental.The couple needs to enjoy their day.”
“That is a weird structure.”
“You have to know the building, capabilities, and amenities in and out.I have learned all that this week in a cram session.This place even has event kitchens that just need to be activated.So, I had my waitstaff doing a power clean, and all the utilities were put back on while the city got the permits for the food preparation space up and legal.So, now that we have food, refrigeration, and ovens as well as grills, we can get here earlier on the day of or even do a midnight load-in.”
