A Promise From My Heart

51.

I had not expected choosing venues to be the least stressful thing on the list. It was the easiest decision to make because we agreed to make use of the event centre my father owned for the reception. The open spread behind the house with trimmed grasses and flowers lining its edges would be used for both the traditional wedding and nikkah. A marquee could be raised to shield us from the heat of the sun. An outdoor event was not even an option for me in Nigeria's hot weather.

The first event planner was not a good listener. There was something about her that was dictatorial. She tried to force her choices on me and in a rude manner shoved my suggestions aside. Worse, she was overpriced. She was charging a lot for many things of less quality. I had told her on the phone that my mother is late. This was to prevent her from bringing up my mother, how she would like something and might agree with a choice of hers because it was what most mothers loved. I did not want a constant reminder of my mother's absence when all I wanted was to feel the joy of planning my wedding. But it was like she kept forgetting. Or was it intentional? What sort of event planner does not remember such a minute detail?

Trust me! I had told her to her face I did not want to work with her. She had the audacity to be shocked.

"Pardon?" The event planner had said.

"I don't want you to plan my wedding. I don't like the way you handle this. My opinion does not matter to you. Your professionalism is poor. You are trying to force your choices on me. I don't want this but you don't mind. Even the way you speak is rude." I ranted in one breath.

"Noor!" Big Mummy had called out.

"Big Mummy, I don't want her to work on my wedding."

"Wow." The event planner was flabbergasted. It seemed no bride has ever cut her off that way.

"Noor, let's give her a chance. I am sure she will do better." My aunty tried to persuade me. The last thing I wanted was tears of a failed decoration and many more on my wedding day. I swear, I would forget I am a bride and yank her by her wig.

"I already know how this will turn out to be. The last thing I wanted on my wedding day is a poor job. I am sorry I have to refuse her. Besides, she is too expensive for what she's offering. She's charging so much for items that are of less value. I have seen the list of vendors she has here and many of them are too expensive. She is not my target artisan."

"You know money is not a problem."

I laughed in my head. See my aunt speaking as if my father can afford to throw a fifty-million-naira wedding.

"This amount here is ridiculous for me. I won't squander all this on a wedding when I have a life after marriage."

"You this child!"

"I am sorry." I apologised to my aunt.

Big Mummy found someone else. Before I spoke to the event planner, I visited their Instagram page. Nadia gave me an idea. She had told me to chat up some brides tagged on the wedding planner's page and ask about the woman's services, her attitude to work and what she had delivered. I did as Nadia had suggested with her volunteering to ask other brides for me. Well, nine out of ten had many good reviews about her and her job. About six women could not stop going on about her. They told me I was making a good decision by using her for my wedding.

The meeting with the woman took place in Big Mummy's house. Her name was Sheryl, the C.E.O of Bxnx Events. She was small with a rounded structure. The midi skirt paired with a white sleeveless top flattered her. A beige pointed-toe heel added more length to her figure. Her smile was welcoming and it relaxed me at once. I knew the moment I laid my eyes on her that she was going to do an excellent job. All my worries and doubts were carried away.