"Exactly. You want to dazzle Nick, then you want a celebration. One that reflects who you are, who he is, and how happy you are together."
Sherry beamed at Parker. "I really do."
"We've got the date down for next October. Have you got a ballpark number on the guest list?"
"We're going to try to top it off at about two hundred."
"Okay." Parker made notes. "Outdoors, you said. The garden wedding."
As Parker discussed some of the potential details with Sherry, Mac observed. Animated would be the first word that came to her mind to describe the bride. Bubbly, cheerful, pretty. Streaky blond hair, summer blue eyes, curvy, casual. Some of the photos, the strategy, would depend on the dress, on the colors, but much centered on who was in the wedding gown.
She keyed in to some of the details. Six attendants. Bride's colors pink-pale and candy. And when Sherry pulled out a photograph of the dress, Mac gestured for it. Studied it. Smiled.
"I bet it looks amazing on you. It's perfect for you."
"You think? It felt perfect, and I bought it in like two minutes, then-"
"No, sometimes that impulse is right. This is one of those." The dress boasted a belling acre of sparkly white skirt, an off-the-shoulder bodice and a glittery river of train. "Sexy princess." Since she had Sherry's attention for the moment, she pushed her own agenda. "Will you want an engagement portrait?"
"Ah . . . well, I would, but I just don't like those formal pictures you see so much. You know, he's standing behind her, and they're just smiling at the camera. I don't mean to tell you about your job or anything."
"That's okay. My job's to make you happy. Why don't you tell me what you and Nick like to do." When Sherry gave her a slow, sly grin, Mac laughed and watched Carter flush again.
Pretty cute.
"Besides that."
"We like to eat popcorn and watch really bad movies on DVD. He's trying to teach me to ski, but the Maguires have a major klutz gene. Carter got the lion's share, but I'm right behind him. We like to hang out with friends, that kind of thing. He's a surgical resident, so free time for him's pretty precious. We don't plan a lot of stuff. I guess we're more spontaneous?"
"Got it. If you want, I could come to you. We'd go for casual, relaxed, and at home instead of formal studio."
"Really? I like the idea. Can it be soon?"
Mac dug out her PDA, keyed in her calendar. "I've got a couple of openings this week, a clearer road next. Why don't you check with Nick, give me some dates and times that work for you. We'll juggle it in."
"This is just awesome."
"You'll want to look at sample wedding photos," Mac began.
"I looked at them on the website, like Parker said I should.
And the pictures of the flowers, the cakes and stuff. I want it all."
"Why don't we take a look at the different packages," Parker suggested. "To see what might suit you. We can always tailor one of them for you."
"This is where I need Carter. Nick said I should go with whatever I want, but that doesn't help."
Damn it again, Carter thought. "Sherry, I don't know anything about this sort of thing. I just-"
"It's scary to decide by myself." She gave him the big-eyed, helpless look that had worked on him since she'd been two. "I don't want to make a mistake."
"You don't have to decide now." Parker kept her tone light and easy. "And even if you do, then change your mind later, it's no problem. You'll have specific consults, with each of us individually. That'll help. And we can just hold the date for now, and you can sign the contract later."
"I'd really like to sign today, just to get that checked off the list. There's so much. Just an opinion, Carter, that's all."
"Why don't you take a look at the options?" Smiling, Parker handed him a binder, opened to the section on packages. "Meanwhile, Sherry, have you decided between a band or a DJ?"
"DJ. We thought it'd be looser, and we could work with him or her, I guess, on the playlist. Do you know anybody good?"
"I do." Out of another folder, Parker pulled a business card.
"He's done a lot of events here, and I think he'll suit you. Give him a call. Videographer?"
On the sofa, Carter pulled out his reading glasses, frowned down at the packages.
So serious, Mac thought. And the nerd sex quotient telescoped up with the wire-rim glasses. He actually looked like a guy studying for an exam. Since Parker and Sherry had their heads together, she decided to give him a break.
"Hey, Carter, maybe you can help me get some more coffee." He blinked up at her, blue eyes framed in dull silver wire. "Bring the binder, okay?"