Laura
Standing in the middle of the bridal studio, I felt a giddy excitement mixed with nerves as I browsed through rows upon rows of wedding dresses. Arlene was beside me, flipping through the gowns with just as much energy and enthusiasm as I felt. Each dress was beautiful, but somehow, none of them felt like "the one."
"Too much lace?" I held up a gown with intricate lace sleeves.
Arlene scrunched her nose. "Maybe a bit too much. But the train is amazing!"
I let out a soft laugh, running my fingers along the delicate fabric. "Yeah, but I want something... I don't know, something that's completely me."
Arlene nodded in understanding, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "You're right. This is your wedding day, Laura. It has to be perfect."
We spent the next hour trying on dresses, Arlene helping me in and out of elaborate gowns that seemed to get heavier and more ornate with each fitting. Each dress was stunning in its own right, but none of them quite captured the vision I had in my head.
"Maybe I'm just too picky," I sighed, feeling a little defeated as I glanced at my reflection in yet another mirror.
Arlene shook her head, smiling. "No way. This is your dream dress we're talking about. It's not just any gown, Laura. We'll keep looking until you find it."
Just as she finished speaking, my phone rang. I smiled when I saw Jake's name flashing across the screen. Arlene grinned and waved me to answer it, mouthing, "Maybe he has a suggestion?"
"Hey, Jake," I said, a warm feeling settling over me at the sound of his voice.
"Hey, beautiful," he replied, his voice filled with that familiar warmth that always made me feel like the luckiest person alive. "How's the dress shopping going?"
I glanced around at the racks of dresses with a sigh. "Honestly? I haven't found anything that feels right yet."
There was a pause on the other end of the line, and I could almost picture the thoughtful look on his face. "I think I can help with that," he said after a moment.
I furrowed my brows, curious. "What do you mean?"
"Just wait a few minutes," he replied, a hint of mystery in his voice. "Trust me."
Before I could ask anything else, he hung up, leaving me both curious and a little nervous about whatever he had planned.
True to his word, within minutes, the head stylist of the boutique walked in, her presence commanding yet warm. She made her way over to us, her eyes sparkling as she looked at me.
"Miss Laura?" she asked, her voice elegant and professional.
"Yes, that's me," I replied, still unsure what was happening.
She smiled, extending her hand. "My name is Sylvie, and I'm the head stylist here. Mr. Alexander has just booked a session for you... with me. He specifically requested that we design a gown from scratch, starting with whatever vision you have in mind."
My eyes widened, and I felt my heart skip a beat. "From scratch?" I repeated, almost unable to believe it. "You mean... a couture gown?"
Sylvie nodded, her expression warm and reassuring. "Yes, a one-of-a-kind piece designed just for you. We'll be working together every step of the way, from fabric selection to hand-sewn details."
I turned to Arlene, whose jaw had dropped in amazement. "Jake did this?" she asked, her eyes flickering between me and Sylvie.
"Yes," Sylvie replied, chuckling at our astonishment. "It's a gift from him, I believe. And a generous one, I might add."
Arlene let out a low whistle, clearly impressed. "Laura, do you realize what this means? You're getting your dream dress. From a top designer. This is incredible!"
My hands flew to my mouth in shock. "This is... wow. I can't believe he did this. It's almost too much."
Arlene shot me a look and shook her head. "Too much? Jake adores you, Laura. He's giving you the best because you deserve the best. And don't even think about calling him to turn it down," she teased, catching the look in my eyes. "You're worth every bit of it."
I felt my eyes well up with tears, the gesture touching me in a way I hadn't expected. "I just can't believe he did this," I murmured, still in awe.
Sylvie stepped forward with a kind smile. "Shall we begin? I'd love to hear about your vision."
Just as we were getting ready to discuss ideas, Arlene glanced at her watch and gasped. "Oh no, I have to pick up my mom from the airport!" She turned to me, looking a bit torn. "I don't want to leave you, but if I'm late, she'll never let me hear the end of it." She exclaimed.
I smiled, giving her a quick hug. "Go, I'll be fine. This is your mom, my aunt, we're talking about, don't keep her waiting!" I let out.
She hugged me back, laughing. "You're right. Good luck! I can't wait to see what you and Sylvie come up with!"
"Tell her I can't wait to hug her." I let out loud so she could hear as she was already running out.
After Arlene left, I turned back to Sylvie, ready to start. Just then, a familiar voice called out my name.
"Laura!" I turned and saw a woman walking in, her eyes lighting up when she spotted me. It took a brief moment before I placed her face. She was the woman who I ran into at the store a while back. She did introduce herself as Jake's client and even asked that I tell him but… I forgot. I never got to ask him before all the chaos happened.
"Chloe!" I greeted her with a warm hug. "What brings you here?" I quizzed.
She smiled, glancing around at the bridal gowns. "I'm here with a client, helping her choose her wedding dress. But I didn't know you were here too! How's the search going?"
I laughed, shaking my head. "Let's just say Jake surprised me with something... unexpected. I'm actually designing a custom gown now."
Chloe's eyes widened in what I chose to believe was delight. Her expression seemed to be saying otherwise and if I didn't know better, I would say she wasn't happy for me. But then, she had no reason not so…
"That's amazing! Lucky you! But wait," she said, her gaze shifting thoughtfully. "If you're going for a custom gown, I'd love to help with the planning for the rest of the wedding. I know your friends will be helping, but if you'd like, I can take over as your wedding planner. That way, you can relax a bit."
My eyes lit up at her suggestion. Arlene and I have been doing a lot of the work. Jake wanted to hire an event planner but I kicked against the idea since we wouldn't be having a loud wedding. Just something cozy, but it hadn't been easy. Having Chloe on board would be so great.
"Chloe, that would be wonderful! My friend, Arlene's been incredible, but I know she's a bit overwhelmed being both the maid of honor and handling the planning. Are you sure you have the time?"
She grinned, nodding. "Absolutely. I'd be honored to help you plan your big day."
I gave her another grateful hug. "Thank you, Chloe. That means the world to me."
With Chloe by my side, we joined Sylvie, who was already setting up sketchpads, fabric swatches, and samples of lace and beading.
"Now, Miss Laura," Sylvie began, her pencil poised over a blank sketchpad. "Tell me about your dream dress."
I took a deep breath, trying to put my vision into words. "I want something classic, but with a modern twist. I love lace and delicate details, but I also want it to feel elegant and timeless."
Sylvie nodded, sketching swiftly as I spoke, her movements graceful and assured. Chloe offered her input, suggesting little touches like a soft off-the-shoulder neckline and a subtle shimmer to the fabric.
As Sylvie sketched, the dress began to take shape, a fitted bodice with delicate lace details, flowing into a full, billowing skirt. The neckline was elegant, with lace cascading down the shoulders, and the back was a stunning open design that added a hint of romance.
Chloe glanced at me with a grin. "Laura, this is gorgeous! It's so you."
I felt a surge of excitement, watching as my dream dress became a reality right before my eyes. "It's perfect," I whispered, feeling my heart swell with gratitude.
Sylvie looked up, smiling. "We'll add some finishing touches, maybe a little bit of hand-stitched beading along the bodice. And of course, everything will be crafted with the finest fabrics."
Just then, she pulled out a few samples of fabric for me to touch, each one softer and more luxurious than the last. I could barely believe this was happening, this dress, this experience, it felt like a fairytale.
Chloe leaned in, looking at the lace Sylvie had chosen. "This is amazing work, Sylvie. It's going to be stunning."
Sylvie gave a modest smile. "Thank you, Chloe. And Laura, thank your fiancé, he wanted only the best for you."
I couldn't help but smile, imagining Jake's face when he saw me in the finished gown. "I'll definitely have to thank him for this. He's making all my dreams come true."
Chloe gave me an encouraging nudge. "And you deserve every bit of it."
We spent the next few hours refining the design, adding little details here and there. Chloe, with her experience in fashion, was able to give invaluable advice, helping to refine the style to make it uniquely mine. When we were finally done, Sylvie showed me the finished sketch, a masterpiece that captured everything I wanted.
"I can't believe this is real," I murmured, feeling a bit emotional as I looked at the sketch. "It's... perfect."
Sylvie and Chloe both smiled, and Chloe gave my hand a gentle squeeze. "It's going to be magical, Laura. You're going to be a vision."