Unspoken Love

51: WEDDING BELLS

July 6th

The manor was truly a sight to behold on this particular July day in the late afternoon. The sun, still blazing against the aqua colored sky, cast a warm light onto the fruitful orchard trees adjacent to the grand house.

Today, every door and window in the manor had been flung open to welcome the friendly breeze as well as many eager wedding guests. The sunlit, fluffy clouds that stayed high in the sky promised a gorgeous sunset later on, the weather couldn't be more perfect for this most joyous occasion.

It was 4:00pm, one hour before the wedding ceremony would begin. Harry, George and Ron were busying themselves in the backyard where most of the reception festivities, including dinner, would take place. They had been tasked to set up the rather long table that would host members of the wedding party, as well as the secondary tables for the rest of the guests that were to be meticulously spaced around the yard, per Hermione's detailed instructions.

The caterer's had been busy in the manor's kitchen for hours, perfecting the three-course dinner that Draco and Ginny had planned together. The two of them had been running the show all day, fussing about the preparations and nearly pulling out chunks of their hair in distress. Everything had to be perfect.

This was one of the most organized events Hermione had ever assisted in planning so she outlined very specific zones for everybody to be in. Centerpiece and flower preparations had been staged out front, that's what Rose and Lily were working on. The ceremony itself was also being held on the front lawns so Julia and Parker were put to work with setting up the flower-covered archway.

Reception setup was in the backyard and most of the strongest members of the Weasley-Potter family had been assigned there to carry tables and to hang up string lights across the entire backyard. Caterer's and hired servers were filing in and out of the kitchen as they brought out the various types of lemonades and fresh fruit juices that they had concocted for the drinks table.

Molly and Fleur were straightening tablecloths over the tables the boys were setting up and setting out folded napkins and cutlery while Rose carried the finished centerpiece arrangements from the front lawn to the reception area.

The smell of delicious food wafted out of the windows and through the house to the huge living room as well as the entryway where the ceremony guests were gathered. Freshly made mimosa's had been set beside the double front doors for every newcomer and Hermione was there to greet and lead them all to the sitting room, checking their names off one by one, on the clipboard in her hands.

Albus and Scorpius had been strictly instructed to stay upstairs and out of the way but the rest of the wedding party was to join them and finish getting ready at precisely 4:30pm.

"Has the bar been set up yet?" Draco asked as he and Ginny fell into stride together on the front lawn of the manor so they could confirm that the many upcycled, vintage sofas and chairs they had gotten were set up in their precise spots on either side of the aisle. They figured the boys would like a more unique ceremony setup, versus the traditional rows of hard foldout chairs. 

"I-I-" Ginny spluttered, running her well manicured fingernail down the checklist in her hands, "Yes," she exhaled in relief, "Yes it's been set up, the bartender is arriving at 5:15 so it'll be all ready when the ceremony is over.

"Great, and guests?" Draco asked Hermione as she popped her head outside for a moment to catch up with their progress.

"Coming in a timely fashion, nearly everybody's here already. And the hats these ladies are wearing are just fantastic." The brunette reported with a tinkling laugh before ducking back inside. Ginny giggled to herself, wondering if Hermione had enjoyed a mimosa or two already. She scanned her checklist again, seemingly satisfied as everything looked to be going to plan.