HITCHED
It's never wise to become emotionally involved with a client. This has always been my mantra and one that has served me well since starting my consultancy as a wedding planner.
Eleven years ago I made a pact with myself never to tie the knot. After a disastrous love affair, I decided that the single life was for me. I have a well-ordered existence, a smart apartment that overlooks the Thames and enough friends of both sexes to offer me a pleasant social life. I love my job but at times it can be stressful. But I'm never happier than when I am holding a clipboard and wearing an earpiece.
My staff call me Miss Cool and I take it as a compliment. It seems that a type of hysteria overcomes my clients the nearer they get to the big day, so I need to remain calm and in control. Although my organisational skills border on OCD, I take pride in the fact that I always remain professional and never allow myself to become emotionally involved with my clients.
The richer the clients and the more elaborate the event, the more madness seems to overtake them. I offer a calm but detached service right up to the last minute when vows have been exchanged and champagne is flowing at the reception. My company, Hitched, started in a small way ten years ago but has grown to a substantial business of which I am proud. Nothing phases me, although I was close to being a little off balance when my previous client decided that she wanted two chimpanzees to accompany her bridesmaids. All, except the bride, wore dresses in turquoise satin.
When a well-known reality star phoned, my receptionist rushed into my office looking flushed and wide-eyed.
"It's Courtney Sprout on the line," she gabbled. "Thought I'd better warn you. Shall I put her through?"
"Of course. Don't keep her waiting."
Although she couldn't see me, I automatically ran a hand through my hair and sat up straight before answering, "Rosella speaking. How may I help, Miss Sprout?"
"I'd like you to arrange my wedding. I'm getting married in three months and want the ceremony to be held in a castle in Scotland."
"How wonderful," I enthused. "Let's make an appointment for you to come and see me. Are you in London?"
"Yeah. I'm staying at the Ritz. Can I see you later on today?"
Although I had a heavy schedule, I arranged an appointment for 3 o'clock that afternoon. I straightened the cushions on my cream leather sofa, neatened my already tidy desk and made sure that the aromatherapy burner was topped up with jasmine and lavender oil.
At 4 o'clock she arrived, looking the worse for wear. I had only seen her on television looking groomed, if a little overdone, so it was a shock to see her without makeup and with her roots needing a touch up. After a coffee she started to perk up and we discussed her wedding requirements.
"Yeah, I want a castle in Scotland overlooking water. And bagpipes - yeah gotta be bagpipes."
"So, I'll see if I can find a suitable place overlooking a loch."
"What's a loch?" Courtney started to bite her fingernails.
This client was going to be a challenge but I was undaunted as I explained.
She laughed, "Yeah, like the Loch Ness monster."
"Are you or your fiancée Scottish?" I enquired.
"No - Essex. But Bradley might be from Wales maybe - or Cornwall. No, it's Cornwall I think."
Two days later I flew to Glasgow and viewed the perfect location. A room was booked provisionally for the ceremony and a marquee ordered for the reception. There would be five hundred guests so this would be one of my larger weddings to organise. I relished the challenge and sent a video of the venue to Courtney.
She arrived at my office upon my return with her fiancée, Bradley. They looked somehow mismatched but who am I to judge? He seemed bright and had a thoughtful manner. He was also gorgeous. But who am I to make comparisons?
"Did you like what you saw of the castle?" I asked them.
Bradley shrugged and looked embarrassed.
Courtney announced, "Nah. I've changed my mind. We want to get married in France in one of them castles instead."
I endeavoured a smile, "A chateau?"
"Nah - a castle. What's a chateau?" she whispered to her long-suffering fiancée.
With a fixed smile I told her that I would arrange everything.
I worked hard that weekend and, after much research, found an ideal location. The chateau had a fairytale quality; beautiful grounds and the weather would be more reliable in the south of France. I would be kept busy organizing flights for the guests - but that was my job. I would rise to the task.
I was hurrying to work the following Monday and sipping my Starbucks cappuccino when who should I bump into but Bradley.
"Oh hi! What a nice surprise. Maybe I can run a few things past you about the new venue?" I asked.
"Er, hi Rosella. I was going to call you later. I have some news."
I hoped that the happy couple had not changed their minds about the venue again and braced myself for another challenge. In my imagination I had already taken a flight to Barcelona to view a castle in Spain.
Bradley joined me in the office and sat opposite me looking as if he had been given a life sentence. It seemed that he was not one for small talk, so I chatted away to help break the ice.
"I'm sorry," he began. "It's off."
Embarrassed that I should feel so pleased, I enquired as to what had happened.
"I came home from the gym only to find Courtney in bed with her ex from the Love is in the Air series. When I challenged her, she attacked me with her hairbrush and now it's all off," he announced.
I cleared my throat, "Are you all right?"
"Yes, thanks. I managed to duck and then made a hasty retreat. I've had a lucky escape - we were not really compatible..." he trailed off.
Looking into his hazel eyes I felt myself drowning but did not want to be rescued. He seemed so miserable that I forgot all about my professionalism, got up from my desk, and gave him a sympathetic hug, which went on for quite a long time.
Things progressed fairly quickly after that and detachment became a thing of the past.
I decided to keep the booking of the French chateau for our wedding. It will be a much smaller affair than Courtney's but I'm delighted that I have changed my policy and will soon be getting hitched.