Chapter 62
After watching the morning news while simultaneously unloading the dishwasher, Suzy’s phone vibrated. She glanced at the screen. Her Halloween bride, Priscilla, had texted three times. She read the text.
Can we meet at Rosa’s Mexican Restaurant? I’m worried about our wedding.
Suzy squinted at the clock before responding: Sure. My treat since I’m starving.
Priscilla texted back: Rodney and I will both be there, okay?
As it should be. See you in thirty minutes.
Suzy was glad she had already researched spooky wedding themes. I hope she isn’t getting cold feet. This Halloween theme is actually going to be fun. I can’t wait to give them my suggestions.
Suzy gathered her purse and drove across town. The couple pulled up to the restaurant at the same time. She climbed out of her Murano, switched her iPad to her left hand, and hugged her clients. “Let’s get a booth. I have some fun ideas for you.”
After they got seated, Priscilla’s face clouded. “I’m wondering if this Halloween theme is a good idea. Everyone might think we’re freaks, just like the rest of our family.”
“Who cares what they think? Our friends won’t throw shade.” Rodney took his fiancée’s hand as the server placed chips and salsa on the table. “I hope whatever you found is in our budget, Suzy. Remember, it’s ti—”
“I understand. You can pick and choose from several of my ideas. We can add or take away as your budget dictates.”
Rodney bit into a chip. “Hit us. What did you find?”
Suzy pressed a button and waited for her iPad to come to life. “It’s better if you see what I found.” She scooped salsa with a chip as the screen flickered. Scrolling until she found the Halloween-themed cakes, she said, “Take a look at these.” She pointed toward a black and white cake that was covered in skulls then clicked on a layered chocolate cake with red icing dripping down the sides. A large knife was plunged into the top.
“Those are lit,” Rodney said.
Priscilla’s face brightened. “Legit, for sure.”
“There’s more.” Suzy enlarged a layered cake covered in black, leafless trees with black birds sitting on the limbs. The cake topper featured two black birds on a branch.
“I think that’s my favorite.” Priscilla looked at her fiancé. The Birds by Alfred Hitchcock is one of our favorite movies. Don’t you think this is perfect?”
“I like all of them. You pick.”
Suzy beamed. “Spoken like a loving, future husband. I also found a cake topper with a zombie bride and groom.”
The bride doubled over laughing. “I never dreamed other people were as weird as us. That’s a relief.” She scratched her head. “This is so hard. Maybe instead of the bird cake, let’s go with the chocolate cake and red dripping icing, but instead of the butcher knife on top, can we get the zombie bride and groom?” She glanced at Rodney.
With a mouth full of chips, he said, “That cake’s dope.”
Suzy scratched through her previous notes. “Consider it done. Let’s order before we go any further.”
They studied the menus and ordered. After the server refilled their sodas and chips, she soon delivered their food. Suzy wolfed down a taco salad while her clients enjoyed beef enchiladas with beans and rice.
When they were half finished eating, Suzy’s phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen and scolded herself for not turning it off. It was Ken. She decided to ignore the call and polished off her taco salad. Picking at the edible bowl, she said, “I’m afraid I’ll eat the entire plate if they don’t take it away.”
Priscilla giggled. “I was hungry, too. What other ideas do you have for us?”
“Think you can get your hands on a real skeleton?”
Priscilla’s eyes bulged. “From where?”
Suzy shrugged. “Maybe from your high school biology teacher.”
“What would we do with a skeleton?” Rodney asked.
“Plunk him on a park bench, of course. To ‘greet’ your guests and set the mood—or he could sit beside the gift table. If you can’t get your hands on one, I’ll call my friend who works at a local high school.”
Priscilla made notes. “I loved biology. I think my former teacher will let us borrow one from class.”
Suzy cleared her throat. “Good. It’s also nice for the couple to provide little mementos for the guests.”
The bride’s face dropped. “I don’t think we can afford gifts for guests.”
“Think Dollar Store or check online budget sites. If you could get your hands on some plastic fangs for people to take out of a basket by the guest book, it would immediately get them into a festive mood even if they aren’t wearing a costume.”
“I like it,” Rodney said. “And we won’t have that many guests. I’ll work on that.” He typed a reminder into his phone.
Suzy scanned her notes. “Since the park board won’t allow a band—”
Priscilla’s face fell. “You told me that earlier but we’ll need some type of music. It doesn’t have to be loud.”
Suzy nodded. “I’m sure music that won’t disturb neighbors is fine. Why don’t you listen to Halloween wedding songs on iTunes and download them? Do you have a MP3 player? As long as we have power, we can play it when you walk down the aisle and maybe a couple more songs throughout the ceremony.”
“I’ll handle that too,” Rodney said.
Priscilla beamed. “You’re being extra helpful.”
“I love you.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek.
Suzy watched as his horn nearly poked his bride-to-be in the eye. She bit her lip to keep from laughing and reminded herself there’s someone for everyone. “I have a couple of song recommendations but you’re probably more versed than I am on music.”
“Like what?” Rodney asked.
“‘Call of the Zombie’ and ‘Living Dead Girl’ by White Zombie.” Suzy couldn’t believe she was suggesting these crazy musical selections to a bridal client.
“Those are rad songs,” Priscilla said. “I’m impressed.”
“’Rad?’ Have you been listening to Gwen Stefani?” Suzy asked.
Priscilla shrugged. “Maybe. Surprised?”
“Nothing surprises me anymore.” Suzy’s phone rang again but she ignored it. “Let me see. I know you want black roses. Did you go to Artistic Blooms?”
“Yes, the owner, Marc, was great. When he spotted my forked tongue, he said it was so cool that he’d throw in the blood red ribbons.”
“And that’s why I use Artistic Blooms for all of my weddings. Marc does a fabulous job, plus he’s very nice and always reliable. I’ll check flowers off my list.” Suzy scanned her notes. “We’re almost done. Food is always one of the highest priced items in a wedding budget. If you don’t want to have a full meal, I’d suggest just the wedding cake. Also, red punch and possibly candy in jars.”
Priscilla’s brows furrowed. “Candy?”
“I know you have a small budget and candy is inexpensive. Instead of appetizers or a meal, you can buy big glass jars or vases at The Dollar Store. Print out labels on your computer that say ‘Poison,’ ‘Eat If You Dare,’ or whatever you want in a large, Transylvania-like font. Then fill them with candy corn, black gummy worms, and red hots. Candy is cheap, yet fun for guests, and will go with your theme.”
Priscilla clapped her hands together.” You’re so creative. I love that idea. I’ll get the containers, candy, and make the labels. You’re the best wedding planner in the world.”
Suzy smiled. “After your ceremony, I’d love it if you wrote a nice review on my website and Facebook page.”
“No problem. This will be the coolest wedding ever. Are we done?” Priscilla asked. “I can’t imagine what’s left.”
“We’ve got most of it covered. Your guests will need plates. Since it’s a park, I’d suggest black paper plates. Maybe the square ones will look classier. You can find them at any party store.”
Priscilla pulled out a tiny pad and wrote black paper plates.
Suzy made a note to bring her a bigger piece of paper. It was if she were writing everything on the back of a matchbook. “And don’t forget napkins. I’d recommend either black or red.”
“Black,” Priscilla said.
“If you want a touch of glamour, you could add gold or silver spiders as napkin rings. I saw some online.”
Rodney chuckled. “In case you hadn’t noticed, we aren’t the glamorous type.”
Suzy winked. “I thought that might be over the top.”
Rodney frowned. Priscilla turned to him. “What’s wrong? You hate everything, don’t you?”
His shoulders slumped. “What about the coffin? I was excited about that. We were going to use it for food, remember? But we can’t afford actual food.”
Suzy rubbed her temple. “I’ve got it.”
“What?” Priscilla and Rodney said in unison.
“We’ll use the coffin to hold the gifts. I’m sure some of your friends will bring gifts. We can set it near the skeleton.”
Priscilla clapped her hands. “That’s perfect.”
Rodney nodded. “You’re a damn good planner.”
She chuckled. “Thanks, but a casket at a wedding is a first for me. Do you know anyone who has a coffin handy?”
Rodney puffed out his chest. “Got it covered. My friend’s dad owns a funeral company. He said he’ll deliver it for free if I’ll mow his yard a few times this summer.”
Priscilla put her hand on Rodney’s leg. “I love you.”
Suzy scanned her notes. “Fantastic. We’re almost done. How about a few black candles to place along the aisle and the cake table?”
The bride clapped her hands together. “I want lots of candles—all different sizes. We can probably get those at the Dollar Store too.”
Suzy studied her list. “Did you finalize the invitations?”
Priscilla wrinkled her nose. “We went to that stationery store you told us about but most were cheesy with ghosts or black cats. There was one decent invitation with a creepy spider and cobweb. She’s trying to get the price down for us. I’m also going to check Etsy and Zazzle. Someone told me I can get a template from an Etsy shop and find a cheap printer in town. I think I’ll make my own or just send a text. Our friends won’t care.”
“Whatever you decide, list the date, time, venue, address, and the fact that you want your guests to come in costume.”
Priscilla nodded. “Will do. Thank you for the great ideas.”
Suzy shut off her iPad. “It’s my job. I’m glad I can help make your dreams come true.”
Suzy noticed Priscilla and Rodney were holding hands and was reminded she hadn’t talked to her husband all day. As if on cue, her phone buzzed. It was Ken. Again.
“I think we’re finished unless you have any questions. We should meet one more time before the big day.” Suzy reached for the lunch ticket. “Email or text with any questions. Let me know what you find, don’t find, and if I need to pick anything up. I’ll take care of setting up the venue on your big day.”
The couple stood. “You’ve gone above and beyond.” Priscilla awkwardly hugged Suzy while Rodney reached into his pocket. “At least let me get the tip.”
Suzy nearly teared up at his gesture. She waved her hand. “Spend it on the cake, candles, jars, and plates. Now, get on it, kids. I don’t like last-minute hiccups.” She winked. “I’m teasing. It’ll be perfect.”
As the couple left the restaurant, Suzy shouted at their backs, “Don’t forget about the skeleton and coffin.”
Several restaurant patrons who had already been staring at the unusual couple swiveled agog in Suzy’s direction. She chuckled, dialed Ken’s number, and held the phone to her ear as she signed the restaurant bill. “Hi, hon.”
“Where have you been? I feel like I’m single again.”
Suzy didn’t like Ken’s tone. He was never in a bad mood unless they were fighting about Izzy. “I run a business remember? I’ve been with clients all afternoon.”
He sighed. “Yeah, I remember. You don’t have to do that, you know. I make enough—”
“I want to do it. I built Weddings by Suzanne from the ground up and I love my career. What’s up?”
“I know you love your job and you’re very good at it but don’t forget about me. I miss you.”
Suzy smiled into the phone. “Nice save. I’m on my way.”