the coffee counter and filled mugs for both of them. She sat, laid down her own file, opened her own notebook.
Parker sat back, smiled, and picked up her mug. “It’s going to be a good one.”
“No doubt.”
“Roads are clear, weather’s good. The bride’s up, had breakfast and a massage. The groom’s had a workout and a swim. Caterers are on schedule. All attendants are accounted for.” She checked her watch. “Where are Emma and Laurel?”
“Laurel’s putting the finishing touches on the cake, which is stupendous. I haven’t seen Emma, but she’s started dressing the event areas. Pretty. I want some outdoor shots. Before and after.”
“Don’t keep the bride outside for too long before. We don’t want her red-nosed and sniffling.”
“You may have to keep the MOB off my back.”
“Already noted.”
Emma rushed in, a Diet Coke in one hand, a file in the other. “Tink’s hungover and a no-show, so I’m one short. Let’s keep this brief, okay?” She dropped down at the table. Her curling black hair bounced over the shoulders of her sweatshirt. “The Bride’s Suite and the Drawing Room are dressed. Foyer and stairway, nearly finished. The bouquets, corsages, and boutonnieres checked. We’ve started on the Grand Hall and the Ballroom. I need to get back to that.”
“Flower girl?”
“White rose pomander, silver and gold ribbon. I have her halo—roses and baby’s breath—ready for the hairdresser. It’s adorable. Mac, I need some pictures of the arrangements if you can fit it in. If not, I’ll get them.”
“I’ll take care of it.”
“Thanks. The MOB—”
“I’m on it,” Parker said.
“I need to—” Emma broke off as Laurel walked in.
“I’m not late,” Laurel announced.
“Tink’s a no-show,” Parker told her. “Emma’s short.”
“I can fill in. I’ll need to set the centerpiece of the cake and arrange the desserts, but I’ve got time now.”
“Let’s go over the timetable.”
“Wait.” Emma lifted her can of Diet Coke. “Toast first. Happy New Year to us, to four amazing, stupendous, and very hot women. Best pals ever.”
“Also smart and kick-ass.” Laurel raised her bottle of water. “To pals and partners.”
“To us. Friendship and brains in four parts,” Mac added, “and the sheer coolness of the whole we’ve made with Vows.”
“And to 2009.” Parker lifted her coffee mug. “The amazing, stupendous, hot, smart, kick-ass best pals are going to have their best year ever.”
“Damn right.” Mac clinked her mug to the rest. “To Wedding Day, then, now, and always.”
“Then, now, and always,” Parker repeated. “And now. Timetable?”
“I’m on the bride,” Mac began, “from her arrival, switch to groom at his. Candids during dressing event, posed as applies. Formal portraits in and out. I’ll get the shots of the cake, the arrangements now, do my setup. All family and wedding party shots separate prior to the ceremony. Post-ceremony I should only need forty-five minutes for the family shots, full wedding party, and the bride and groom.”
“Floral dressing in bride and groom suites complete by three. Floral dressing in foyer, Parlor, staircase, Grand Hall, and Ballroom by five.” Parker glanced at Emma.
“We’ll be done.”
“Videographer arrives at five thirty. Guest arrivals from five thirty to six. Wedding musicians—string quartet—to begin at five forty. The band will be set up in the Ballroom by six thirty. MOG, attended by son, escorted at five fifty, MOB, escorted by son-in-law, directly after. Groom and groomsmen in place at six.” Parker read off the schedule. “FOB, bride, and party in place at six. Descent and procession. Ceremony duration twenty-three minutes, recession, family moments. Guests escorted to Grand Hall at six twenty-five.”
“Bar opens,” Laurel said, “music, passed food.”
“Six twenty-five to seven ten, photographs. Announcement of family, wedding party, and the new Mr. and Mrs. seven fifteen.”
“Dinner, toasts,” Emma continued. “We’ve got it, Parks.”
“I want to make sure we move to the Ballroom and have the first dance by eight fifteen,” Parker continued. “The bride especially wants her grandmother there for the first dance, and after the father-daughter, mother-son dance, for her father and his mother to dance. She’s ninety, and may fade early. If we can have the cake cutting at nine thirty, the grandmother should make that, too.”
“She’s a sweetheart,” Mac put in. “I got some nice shots of her and Alison at the rehearsal. I’ve got it in my notes to get some of them today. Personally, I think she’ll stay for the whole deal.”
“I hope she does. Cake and desserts served while dancing continues. Bouquet toss at ten fifteen.”
“Tossing bouquet is set,” Emma added.
“Garter toss, dancing continues. Last dance at ten fifty, bubble blowing, bride