Chapter Eleven #3
“You need a wedding. It will be something you’ll remember forever.
I’m living in a destination wedding town right now.
My next door neighbor knows people who put on weddings for a living.
I’m making a thousand little snowmen for a wedding that’s coming up soon.
Let me talk to Wynn and get her advice. Even if all I learn is just ways to have a fun reception, it will be good information. ”
“Thanks. I would like something more than a civil ceremony, but there isn’t much time.”
“Let me go talk to Wynn and I’ll get back to you later today. Then you can decide.”
“You’re a good friend.”
“I love you and I’m super happy for you. He proposed! Yay!”
They talked for a few more minutes, then Joylyn got in her car and drove to Wynn’s business. She and her mother had taken nearly a year to plan her wedding. She had no idea how to throw something together in a couple of weeks. It might not even be possible, but Joylyn wanted to find out for sure.
She walked into the printing and graphics company. There was a long counter on one side and several complicated-looking machines available for the public to use. Signs advertised different kinds of services: printing, shipping, design work, wedding invitations.
There were about six employees, all working away. Joylyn was about to ask one of them where Wynn was when she spotted the other woman in her office.
Joylyn walked over and knocked on the open door.
“Hi. Do you have a second?”
Wynn stared at her as if she’d never seen her before. Joylyn was about to take a step back when Wynn shook her head and smiled.
“Sorry. I was lost in thought. It’s been one of those mornings with a lot of unexpected disasters, but I’m good now. Come on in.”
Joylyn sat on the chair across from Wynn’s. “I need your advice. A girlfriend of mine just got engaged. She and her fiancé are both Marines. It’s really great—they’re perfect for each other.”
“That’s wonderful. Congratulations.”
“Thanks. Anyway, they want to get married before the end of the year. It’s a whole thing so they can be assigned together.
She was talking about going to city hall, but I know they would both hate that.
I wondered if I could get some advice about pulling a wedding together in a couple of weeks.
How do you do that? I want to help, but I don’t even know where to start.
I met Renee when my dad took me to The Boardroom a couple of weeks ago and again at your place on Thanksgiving.
Do you think it would be all right for me to get in touch with her and ask her thoughts? ”
Wynn picked up her phone. “I’m sure it would be, but let’s find out.”
She pushed a couple of buttons, then waited.
“Hi, Renee. It’s Wynn. Joylyn, Garrick’s daughter, is here with me. She needs some advice on putting together a wedding. Do you have some time to talk to us today?” She paused, nodding as she listened. “We can come right now,” she said, looking at Joylyn.
“I’m free.”
Wynn smiled and returned her attention to the phone. “We are on our way. See you in a few.”
She hung up. “Let’s go see what the miracle workers at Weddings Out of the Box have to say about all this.” She grabbed a pad of paper and a pen, passing both to Joylyn.
They walked to Wynn’s car and drove the short distance to Weddings Out of the Box. The large location had different facades on each side, ample parking and a big outdoor area. Wynn led the way inside.
Renee was waiting for them in the large foyer.
“A wedding,” she said, hugging them both. “I love a wedding. Tell me everything.”
Joylyn explained about the proposal and the quick time line.
Renee, perfectly dressed in a tailored navy suit, with her long red hair pulled back in a ponytail, pressed her hands to her chest.
“So romantic. I think we can work something out for two soldiers in love.”
“Oh, they’re not soldiers,” Joylyn said quickly. “They’re Marines. A Marine is a Marine.”
Renee laughed. “Lesson learned. Come on to the conference room and we’ll talk.”
Renee motioned for them to sit on either side of the table. She sat next to Joylyn and set a tablet in front of her. After she touched a few buttons, the screen on the wall lit up and a chart appeared.
“Weddings are all variations on a theme,” Renee said. “You have the wedding couple, the person marrying them and guests. There is a ceremony and a reception. What you do with those elements determines the personality and expense of the wedding.”
She pushed a button and another chart popped up. “Usually we like about a year to plan everything, but we can work a quicker time line.”
The chart was replaced by a calendar of the month of December. “No pressure, but we have a cancellation for the eighteenth of December.”
Joylyn looked from the screen to Renee. “I don’t understand. You’re saying Holly and Rex could get married here?”
“If they wanted to. Unless it’s too far.”
“They’re in San Diego. They could make the drive. What would be involved and what would it cost?” She hesitated. “Neither of them have any family or money. Just what they make from their jobs.”
“So here’s the thing,” Renee told her. “The wedding that was scheduled for that day didn’t cancel very long ago.
That means some items are already purchased and paid for.
If Holly doesn’t mind not having a lot of choices, we can use what’s been arranged.
I can pull together some numbers, if you’d like. ”
“Yes, please.”
“What’s the theme?” Wynn asked.
“Theme?”
Renee smiled. “We do theme weddings here. Luckily for your friend, this one isn’t space aliens or apples.
It was going to be a Christmas wedding. Very traditional.
I have all the decorations and linens already.
Tables and chairs are no problem. I’ll ask the caterer what’s been ordered and get her costs to move forward. Oh, I’ll need the number of guests.”
“It won’t be very many. Like I said, they don’t have family. But I’ll ask her.”
“Great, and I’ll get you my information by this time tomorrow.”
Joylyn felt the familiar burn of tears. “You’re being so nice. Thank you. This could be amazing for her and Rex.”
“I hope so. We don’t get many military weddings. This would be really fun for all of us to give them the wedding of their dreams.” She smiled. “In three weeks or less.”
“I’ll text her as soon as I get home.” She turned to Wynn. “Thank you so much for helping me.”
“I’m happy to be a part of it.”