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How thoughtful.
“You’re a great boss,” I note.
“Thanks. I strive to be.”
I take a seat at my makeshift workstation and face her. “So, let’s jump right in, shall we? Where are you with the planning so far?” I ask.
She hands me a file folder. I open it to find a highlighted spreadsheet and an envelope, holding various receipts.
“The items in yellow have been purchased or reserved,” she says.
“Let’s see … you have flowers, thanks to Norah’s business. Sound equipment being shipped. And you’ve put a deposit down on a DJ’s services for the evening,” I state.
“Yes,” she says.
I look from the paper to her. “That’s it?” I ask.
“Well, yeah, so far. That, and the guys have begun installing the atrium.”
We have a lot of work to do.
I tuck the spreadsheet back into the folder and place it on the corner of her desk.
“Event planning is all about relationships between you and the businesses you need to have on speed dial. You want to build a rapport with the absolute best professionals around. A fabulous florist, which you have covered. A local photographer and videographer. A dress boutique that offers tux rentals. A jeweler. A salon that can provide on-location hair and makeup services. Avenues for live music to include a pianist, harpist, ceremony vocalist, reception bands, and disc jockeys. A bakery that can handle a hundred specialty pastries for a baby shower as well as a gorgeous five-tier wedding cake that is both delicious and a work of art. You’ll need a reliable supplier for linens. A catering company that will be able to handle any dietary requirements a client can throw at you. So, they need to be able to create amazing traditional, vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, lactose-free, sugar-free, kosher, pescatarian, raw, and ketogenic menus and or any combination of those options in a variety of cuisine styles. You might need a full gluten-free Italian feast one night and a perfect tree-nut-free Asian buffet the next. If I were you, I’d invest in your own folding chairs and tables and store those somewhere on-site. It’s just easier than renting those staples and waiting for delivery each time. Some clients might even require transportation services to and from the other inns and the local airports,” I say.
“Won’t they handle some of those things themselves? Sammy and Norah brought their own photographer to Vegas,” she says.
“Yeah, but some will drop all their requests in your lap and expect you to provide options for them. And as the planner, it’s part of your job. You have to be able to create a magical day that comes off without a hitch. Brides dream about their wedding day from the time they can walk, and they count on you to help bring that dream to life.”
I watch as the color drains from her face.
I reach over and take her hand.
“Maybe I’ve bitten off more than I can chew. Am I crazy, thinking I can do this?”
“Not at all. I’ll be here to help through the entire process for the Holly Ball. It’s your first foray into event planning, and whether it’s a wedding or a garden party, every event requires the same things, just a different vibe—that’s all. Each time, you’ll build on your portfolio, and before you know it, you’ll have all the weapons you need in your arsenal.
“We’ll begin by making a list of services we’ll need for the ball, and then we’ll make appointments to discuss your needs with other business owners, starting in Lake Mistletoe. And what we don’t find here in town, we’ll move forward reaching out to vendors in nearby towns. So as not to overwhelm ourselves, we’ll start with the two biggest budget needs for any event—food and beverage service. Do you know of any caterers in town?”
“Yes. Naomi Dixon caters out of her home kitchen. She’s excellent and fully licensed and insured.”
“All right, we can start there. Let’s contact her and see if we can meet at her home tomorrow.”
She takes a deep breath and nods. “I can arrange that.”
“Perfect,” I say as I stand. “Now, I need to go and get ready for my date.”
“Date? You have a date? Here, in Lake Mistletoe?” she asks, the worry in her expression instantly turning to curiosity.
“Oh, yes. My mother decided to play matchmaker this afternoon and railroaded me into agreeing to go to dinner with Bran this evening.”
Her mouth falls open. “Bran, as in Keller’s Bran?”
“The one and only,” I reply.
She bursts into a fit of laughter.
“I know. Shoot me now.”
