* Please note:All line items are able to be shifted in accordance with the wishes of the bride and groom, however, the day has been carefully thought-out already, taking into account any and all variables. Any requested changes will likely cause a domino effect, making it difficult to manage the event. Please carefully review this schedule and put forth any requests in writing so as to avoid any miscommunication. We have a very narrow window in which to make changes, and once it closes, it shall not reopen.
5 a.m.: Princess Arabella begins preparations for the day, starting with a light breakfast and a shower prior to the hair and makeup stylists’ arrivals.
6:30 a.m.: Princess’s hair to be styled.
8 a.m.: Makeup application.
9:12 a.m.: Refreshment break, including herbal tea, a selection of fresh fruits, and yogurt.
10:06 a.m.: Arrival of photographer and photos of dressing, as well as other family photographs. (Please see Appendix B for full details on traditional photos.)
10:40 a.m.: Bridal party (save bride and King Winston) departs for church.
10:52 a.m.: Princess Arabella departs in Rolls Royce with King Winston for St. Stephen's Church.
11:04 a.m.: Arrival at church.
11:05 a.m.: King Winston walks bride down the aisle to begin wedding ceremony. (Please see Appendix C for minute-by-minute ceremony itinerary.)
12:10 p.m.: Bride and groom exit church for photos on steps and traditional greeting of the crowd as a married couple.
12:32 p.m.: Couple departs church via horse-drawn carriage to return to palace for outdoor luncheon, weather permitting.
12:45 p.m.: Bride and groom will be given twelve minutes to freshen up and have a small snack to maintain energy levels during receiving line.
12:57 p.m.: Wedding party forms receiving line to greet guests.
2:03 p.m.: Luncheon, including speeches and performances by various musical/dance artists (line up to be determined).
4:06 p.m.: Bride and groom retire to Princess Arabella's apartment for rest and to change into eveningwear for second meal and reception including dancing.
7:06 p.m.: Bride and groom leave apartment and walk to grand dining hall for intimate dinner of two hundred guests.
9:12 p.m.: Bride and groom exit grand dining hall and make their way to the ballroom for reception where they will greet guests.
10:18 p.m.: First dance as married couple, followed by father-daughter dance, wedding party, then dance floor will be open to all guests.
10:55 p.m.: Cutting of the cake and ceremonial offering of slices to honoured guests, including reigning monarchs, prime ministers, presidents, as well as Oprah and Stedman.
12:42 a.m.: Bride and groom retire to apartment.
“Urgh, this must sound positively awful to you," Arabella says, looking up from the wedding handbook with a worried expression.
Giving her an easy smile, I say, "I don’t know, it's nice that they have a very well-laid-out itinerary for us. Keep everything on track and all that."
"Be honest," she says, raising one eyebrow. "That is your version of wedding hell."
"At one time in my life, yes, but I'm much more mature now, and, to be honest, I've come to enjoy wearing a monkey suit.”
Arabella sighs, her face screwing up with worry. “We really should have spent the better part of the morning discussing all of this instead of… well, you know."
My lips quirk up into a smile. "I regret nothing."
Actually, that's not entirely true because, at the moment, we are ever so slightly screwed. We're on our way to the palace to face Arabella's family and the team of senior royal advisors to start the wedding plans. Then, we’re zipping over to the Avonian Nature Network studios where we’re to have a meeting with Dylan Sinclair to find out what insane (yet epic) idea she’s got cooking these days, at which point, we’re going to drop the hammer on the network falling in line with royal protocol in order to secure a future with me after my contract is up (i.e., No more shirtless anything).
As fun as this morning was, in hindsight, it may have been better for us to have actually had a lengthy conversation about what it is we each want out of our wedding day. I haven't even had a chance to tell her that my family is hoping we’ll hold the event at the resort. I'm not even sure if I should bother mentioning it, since there's absolutely no way it's going to happen. "Okay, we've got exactly four minutes to learn everything we need to about each other as far as weddings go so we can present a united front. Difficult, but not impossible."
Arabella gives me one firm nod. "Okay, what's your dream wedding?"
