Page 45 of Just Joshing
"So far so good," Josh whispered from the side of his mouth. I hid a giggle in my coffee cup.
"We've finally decided on the venue and date and wanted you to be the first to know." Bess announced, practically shimmering with excitement.
They exchanged a look then together shouted, "May eighteen!"
We all clapped and I rapidly calculated if that would clash with any events next year. Hopefully we'd be breaking ground on the new center by then, but other than that, I didn't think so.
"That's good. It'll give us enough time to work out what to get them for-"
"Wait, this year?" Candy asked, her face paling.
"Of course not," I replied, laughing. "That's less than two months away. They'd be-"
"Oh, not next year. This year." Bess called, her voice carrying over the noise of the table. We all shut up, staring in horror at the happy couple.
She shrugged, arm still around Pete. "The venue had two options, May this year or December three years from now, and the dress just won't work for a December wedding."
"And we don't want to wait that long." Pete pressed a kiss to Bess' cheek. "I've kept her waiting long enough."
"Fuck," Josh muttered.
I did some rapid calculations. It was March twenty-third today, that meant we had exactly eight weeks to pull off the wedding Bess had dreamed of. I'd seen her Pinterest board – a wedding that big and grand and (if I was honest) over the top would be next to impossible.
Unless you threw a shit-ton of manpower and money at the problem.
My stomach sank. She was going to want the bachelorette parties and kitchen teas and everything that went before the wedding. Which left me next to no time to plan it. As maid of honor I would be responsible for the planning and execution.
Bess picked up a stack of booklets, handing them out. "As you can see, we've delegated tasks to everyone. We've also included all of our event dates – including tastings, fittings, and, of course, the parties." She bounced on her feet, shooting a big grin at the table. "I've set up a website and group chat. I'll send the calendar invitations shortly. The videographer will be capturing every part of this journey so enjoy brunch and we'll get started shortly."
"Get started?" I asked, staring at the booklet in my hand. Dear god, it even had bios and photos along with all our contact details and measurements.
This is some next level bridezilla shit.
"Page three," Candy muttered, flicking through the perfectly bound schedule. "We're attending the engagement photos." She looked over at me, flicking hair out of her face with an impatient hand. "I'm never going to be able to make even half of this. She's going to freak. I should pull out."
"Bess, how many people are you inviting?" I called, setting down the booklet.
Bess and Pete exchanged a glance. "The venue can fit eight hundred but our guest list is sitting at about five."
I blinked, then blinked again. "F-f-five hundred people?"
Bess smiled, laying a hand on Pete's arm. "It's a great opportunity for Petey to invite all his business contacts. They’ll feel special and we’ll get some networking opportunities."
"Jesucristo," Josh muttered beside me, reaching for the mimosa jug. "I wasn't planning to drink today but this is…." He poured, immediately downing the glass.
Breakfast arrived, the waiters handing me a beautiful plate of perfectly cooked waffles and bacon. I shoveled a mouthful in, drowning my anxiety with carbs. Beside me, Candy violently forked up her pancakes, muttering curses between mouthfuls.
The videographer arrived, tailed by an official photographer, three – THREE – make-up artists and a stylist.
Oh yes, a stylist. She came complete with back-up outfits for everyone in the bridal party.
"You know how I said the speed dating was hell?" Josh whispered three hours later from between smiling teeth. We were facing the photographer, all of us in different "casual" poses.
"Mm?"
"I take it back. This is hell."
I laughed, immediately causing the photographer to drop his camera. "I said don't move."
