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.

left her home yet. The counselor is doing her best but this one is

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

bated breath for the message to update me.

phone pings. The bride is

and heave a sigh of relief. I

is always told what to say beforehand. As far as possible, no-one wants to admit they had cold feet on their wedding day.

isn’t far and thankfully the bride’s car arrives soon enough. The bride steps out and the organ starts playing as she enters

and his face lights up with joy. He can’t see her face that well because of the veil. I hope the bride is giving none of her fear away. My counselor climbed out of the car when they arrived. It must

she might still at this stage back out but thankfully she doesn’t. I say another prayer of thanks when she says ‘I do” and kisses her

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

think with relief. Now it’s on to the reception which I expect will go off without a hitch. The couple will do their photos just before the reception so there is time for me

to reenter the church, I notice him for the first time.

His hair is jet black and short but not military style. His blue eyes sparkle

any day, I think as I 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

someone and I 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

is always good. They also know what food is needed for every team member so I don’t have to worry that someone might get the order wrong. It just makes everything so much easier. One more part of

restaurant with no distractions. We can focus on

they are ready for the role they will play in the reception. The photographer is the only one who is absent since he has a full

are ready with their equipment and will head to the reception

the team members confirm that their part in the

Check. Decorations. Check. Flowers. Check. MC. Check. The list goes on and each item is

the checklist and everyone continues

when the bride or groom get’s cold feet. I never expect her

We have worked together for a

job as usual,” I smile when we end our embrace and I

looks at the team quickly and then back at me.