Ok, it’s your turn,” I whispered to the groomsman and the bridesmaid. I opened the curtain, careful not to be seen by the one hundred and fifty guests looking back, waiting for the bride to walk down, arm in her fathers, walking to begin a whole new chapter of her life with her fiancé.
Let me explain. My name is Gabriella. I was recently named the number one wedding planner in New York City. I was in second place of the best in the country. I’ve known I wanted to be a wedding planner since my sophomore year of high school. Luckily, my plan worked out. My parents never thought I could succeed as one. But I never stopped dreaming. I skipped my junior year of high school, because I was sort of smart. So I graduated a year early. That was good for me because, now, I’m the youngest wedding planner ever to be number one in New York City. I’m now twenty five.
The music for the bride started, and her and her father slipped out down the aisle. I closed the curtain and smiled. I was living my dream. Making others people dreams come true. That’s what I was best at. I waited a couple minutes, waiting to hear the preacher get the crowds full attention, before slipping out and standing in the back to make sure everything was going as planned.
The ceremony last for about thirty minutes, then the preacher said his famous words, “You may now kiss your bride…” I smiled as the groom slowly leaned in to kiss his bride. The crowd burst into applause. The bride and groom looked at each other and smiled. This part always brought me to tears. I go through this every other day. It always brings me to tears. Love is powerful. It can break someone’s heart, or fix it, or lead you to the happiest place on earth. In this case, it was the third option.
As soon the newlywed couple had left, followed by the bridal party, I started leading guests to the room where the cocktail hour was to be held. My assistants took over, and I went to the room where the pictures were being taken. The couple seemed so happy. All of them did. It never got old to see two people fall in love like this.
The rest of the wedding went by very quickly. The reception last for about four hours, until eleven o’clock. When it was all over, and everything was cleaned up, I went home. It had been a long day, as usual. Tomorrow, I would have to wake up and repeat it. Brides- to-be stressing over their wedding, calling every five minutes to make sure all of the details were being worked out, raging brides-to-be storming in the office, telling me how their fiancé did this, and their mother did that, and expecting me to make everything better. Therapy was a big part of wedding planning. Every bride gets stressed out, and it’s my job to assure them that their wedding day would be perfect, and that it was worth it in the end. I was lost in thought, tired beyond belief, when my phone rang.
“Gabriella speaking.” I answered.
“Hey Gab. It’s me, Talia.” I smiled. Talia was my best friend. We met in college, and moved to New York together. She wanted to be on Broadway. Right now, she was working in a small café during the day, and performing at night. We lived together in a small apartment in downtown NYC. I could live in a much grander apartment, but she wouldn’t be able to afford half the rent, so I just stayed here with her. It was also better because we could talk when we were both home at the same time. It would be too lonely without her.
“Hey, Talia how was your performance tonight?”
“It was good. There was only one showing tonight, so I’m coming home early. Will you be there?”
“The wedding just ended, so I’m on my way now. We haven’t been able to talk for awhile.”
“I know. It’s funny how roommates never see each other. Ha.”
“I just got to the apartment building, so I’ll see you when you get home, kay?”
“Ok. I’ll be home in about fifteen minutes.” I hung up and walked in the building. I walked over to the elevator and waited for it to open. It dinged, and opened. Thankfully, it was empty. I didn’t want to talk to anybody right now.
Just as it was getting ready to close, a hand appeared between the doors, making them open. “Sorry, I didn’t want to wait for it to come back down,” A man, about my age, said.
“Oh, no worries.” I lied. I really did want to be alone, but I didn’t own this elevator, so I had to deal with it.
“ Hey, your that famous wedding planner, right?” I sighed quietly.
“Yes. Gabriella Hera.” I smiled at him.
“My sister was going on and on about how cool it would be for you to plan her wedding. She just got engaged.”
“Here. Give her this card. Tell her to call. I’d love to plan it.”
“Whoa. Seriously? You’d do that?”
“Well, I am a wedding planner, and she needs someone to plan her wedding, so yeah. Just tell her to call tomorrow. Spring is a huge season for weddings, and-“
“You do realize its only October right?”
I sighed. “It takes about six months to plan a perfect wedding.”
“My name’s Will.” I swear this guy is ADD.
“Um, nice to meet you.” Just then the elevator dinged. It was my floor. “Well, this is me. Make sure to give your sister my card, okay? I want her to have the perfect wedding.” He smiled and waved as I walked out of the elevator to my apartment.
About ten minutes later, Talia walked in. For about three hours, we talked and caught up. It was nice, just two friends talking again. Like I said before, I loved my life. I was living the dream.
