Cold Feet

VIOLA

Cold feet.

No, I don’t mean cold feet as in the kind you get from being out in the cold or swimming in water that’s too cold or simply not dressing warm enough.

I mean the other kind of cold feet.

The worst kind.

The kind that some women, and to a lesser extent, some men get just before their wedding. Yes, that kind.

My biggest pet hate. Why? Because in my line of work, they can ruin everything.

What is my line of work?

I’m a wedding planner. Any wedding planner hates and fears cold feet. They can derail everything. The whole day. Ruin you financially and possibly your reputation too.

I’ve been in this game a long time though and I’ve learned the hard way. When you’ve had enough cancellations because of cold feet you become hard. It becomes a matter of survival as well as doing what you love.

I now insist on non-refundable deposits from clients. They sign a contract when they hire me and they accept that they will lose their hard-earned money if they dare cancel. The deposit covers the location rental, decorations, cakes, caterers, furniture and marquee, photographer, band, and absolutely everything I need to cover.

I’ve gone a step further with my service. I include a counselor who provides last-minute counseling if the bride or the groom gets cold feet. They don’t know the person they’re speaking to is a counselor if I send them in. The counselor works the magic they need to, to keep the show on the road.

I’m the best. Not just as far as clients are concerned but also as far as my suppliers are concerned. They know they’ll get paid even if the show doesn’t go on.

I’m inundated with clients and they even delay their weddings just so I can be the wedding planner. I’m not boasting, just saying how it is.

For me, it’s not about the business aspect. There’s something about seeing a couple walk down the aisle to that moment in time when they will commit to each other before God and everyone present. Seeing the love and caring in their eyes and their kiss and the celebrations that follow. I love it. I love to see a couple in love and happy. That’s why I do it. I help couples make a dream come true with their wedding day.

But right now, I’m waiting with bated breath. It’s early Saturday afternoon.

the bride hasn’t even left her home yet.

wedding I’ve lost in ages. I am seeing my record run of talking brides and grooms out of cold feet threatening to end here

for the

pings. The bride is on

say a silent prayer of thanks and heave a sigh of relief. I key the walkie-talkie and speak to my team.

I give them. The bride, or groom, whichever one of them had cold feet is always told what to say beforehand. As far as possible, no-one wants to admit

out and the organ starts playing as she enters the church with

the bride is giving none of her fear away. My counselor climbed

still at this stage back out but thankfully she doesn’t.

and smile as the couple walks down the church steps and climbs into the

hitch. The couple will do their photos just before the reception so

reenter the church, I notice him for

and muscular. Not too muscular but he clearly spends time in the gym. His hair is jet black and short but not military style. His blue eyes sparkle and his strong jaw is perfectly proportioned. White teeth sparkle with his smile and everything about him says ‘I am in

take him in. He’s looking at the newly married couple but must feel my eyes on him because he turns and our eyes meet for the briefest of moments. I blush and look away quickly as

wonder where his partner is. Surely, he

the couple is heading down the road in the wedding carriage and then I key my walkie-talkie and call the team together for a

is always good. They also know what food is needed for every team

We can focus

The photographer is the only one who is absent since he has a full day with the

they are ready with their equipment and will head to

items one by one as the team members confirm that their part in

Check. MC. Check. The list goes on and each

the checklist

approaches me. She’s the counselor I use when the bride or groom get’s cold feet. I never expect her to

smile and embrace her. We have worked together for a long time and are good friends

when we end our

at the team quickly and then back at me. “Can we