I hurried to my spot in line along with scores of other bridesmaids.
“This has to set some sort of record,” Kate Holbrook joked. “There are almost a hundred groomsmen!”
I looked over.
The kids were hopping up and down with excitement.
Sebastian rushed over to me. “They’re lost,” he whispered.
“Who?”
“Not who—what. The rings are gone!”
“How did you lose them?”
“Me?” Sebastian asked. “I’m not the ring bearer.”
“Ooh, rookie mistake,” I told him and followed him over to where three of the smallest Svensson brothers were wailing. “You’re supposed to give him the ring right before he starts walking and not a moment before.”
Sebastian looked around frantically. “What am I going to do?”
I reached up and kissed him then smirked. “Fortunately, I am a wedding planner, and I think ahead.” I pulled out a mesh bag from a hidden pocket in my bridesmaid’s dress and winked. “I gave you fake rings. I had the real ones!”
“Oh, for the love of—” He leaned down and kissed me then took the rings.
“Crisis averted,” he told the toddlers.
He herded them all back in line just in time for the music to start.
I loved weddings. Even though I did up to four a week sometimes during our busiest season, I never grew tired of them. I loved watching a new family being formed and two people declaring their love for each other.
The smallest Svensson sisters came out as the music changed to throw handfuls of flower petals on the grass. Then Meg walked out to gasps and cheers. You could see the love on Hunter’s face when Meg walked down the aisle.
“You did an awesome job on that dress,” I whispered to Brea as Meg practically floated down the aisle, a slight breeze sending the gauzy, shimmery layers of her skirt and the delicate hand-embroidered veil fluttering in the breeze.
“The flowers look amazing,” she whispered back. The crown of white flowers on Meg’s head had transformed her into a regal fairy queen. She grinned broadly as the Svensson sisters solemnly dumped out their baskets of remaining flower petals in a pile at her feet.
Meg leaned up to kiss Hunter.
“You’re supposed to wait for my go-ahead,” Judge Edna said.
“Get your man, girl!” Ida hollered to cheers from the crowd.
I started crying when they recited their vows.
Hunter waxed poetic about how Meg inspired him to be a better man. He described how she was an excellent mayor, a great role model, a wonderful friend, and someone who didn’t let him get away with acting like a brat. He told her how much he loved her, and how much he wanted to build a life and a family with her. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
“There are tissues under your seats,” Edna said after Hunter slipped the ring onto Meg’s finger.
“Mayor,” Edna said, “your turn.”
“Hunter, you’ve always had a gift with words. That’s why you’re such a good lawyer. I’m also a good lawyer because I know how to seal a deal without dilly-dallying. Honestly, I’ve waited long enough, so I love you, you’re hot, I want to have your babies, I’m hungry, and let’s do this!”
His brothers roared, and the rest of us cheered.
“By the power vested in me by the state of New York,” Edna said, “I now pronounce you husband and wife.” She raised an eyebrow as Hunter and Meg kissed passionately.
“I was going to say you can kiss your bride, but it seems like we already have that covered. So go forth and be married!”
