Chapter Eight

November 2024

A month into wedding planning, Paris was feeling overwhelmed. What had seemed like a simple decision—getting married—had evolved into an exhausting whirlwind of tasks, deadlines, and choices.

Her initial excitement was now coupled with a lingering sense of dread every time she thought about the endless to-do lists. She couldn't believe it.

All she'd wanted was to marry Phil, but somewhere along the way, the process had snowballed into a full-scale production. If it were up to her, she would have walked straight into a courthouse, signed some papers, and called it a day. But of course, there was a wedding to plan—one that was fast approaching.

Sitting on their bed with a stack of papers spread out before her, Paris glanced at the list of wedding planners. This wasn't how she'd envisioned it. A wedding planner was supposed to make this easy, right? But the overwhelming task of selecting one felt just as daunting as the wedding itself. She glanced over at Phil, who was flipping through the pages, trying to make sense of the options.

"Pick the one that best fits our vibe," she said, trying to sound more confident than she felt.

Phil gave a short nod but didn't look up from the list. He was trying to process the enormity of it all, just as she was. His mind was already in a million places—both of them knew that they had to work with what they had.

"Do we have a date set?" Phil asked, glancing up at her briefly before turning his attention back to the list. "Or are you still going back and forth between November 27, December 1, or 17?"

Paris exhaled, the stress of juggling options weighing on her shoulders. She had been going back and forth between those three dates for weeks now. November 27 seemed too close—almost two weeks, in fact—and December was just as packed with commitments.

The holiday season was notorious for being busy, and the last thing she wanted was a rushed wedding or to deal with a difficult schedule.

"November 27 is damn near next week," Paris replied, trying to sound composed despite the tension in her voice. "We would have to hire a planner today to get that done quickly, but I feel like December is very busy too."

Phil rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Okay, let's pick a planner, then let her figure it out with those three dates." He set the list down, as if to signal that the decision had been made.

Paris nodded, relieved that at least one part of the decision-making was behind them. She was too tired to think about the specifics anymore. The process was so far removed from the dream wedding she'd once imagined—a simple, intimate ceremony with just close family and friends. But as soon as the engagement ring had sparkled on her finger, she realized that expectations and reality often didn't align in the world of weddings. This was going to be big. Very big.

After going through the options, they finally made their choice. They had picked a wedding planner—a woman who had been highly recommended by several of their mutual friends. Mindy Weiss was one of the most sought-after event planners, especially for weddings. She was known for handling high-profile clients and making extravagant dreams come true, no matter how chaotic the process might be.

The next step was setting up a meeting with Mindy to go over details. It was a matter of timing, and they needed to get moving. Phil had a demanding schedule with WWE, and they didn't have the luxury of dragging this out.

Two days later, they sat in Mindy's office, a stylish space that screamed professional elegance. Mindy was just as Paris had expected—sharp, efficient, and full of energy. Her personality exuded confidence, and it immediately put Paris at ease.

"So, what's the plan? When do you want this to happen?" Mindy asked after some pleasantries.

Paris hesitated before answering. "We were thinking either November 27, December 1, or December 17," she explained. "But November 27 is close, and we're not sure if it's feasible. December might be better, but it's busy."

Mindy leaned back in her chair, tapping her pen against the desk thoughtfully. "Of course, we can make that happen," she said after a brief moment of contemplation. "I can handle that. What you need is someone to coordinate, so you can focus on the details. We'll make it work. Now let's talk venue."

And just like that, the chaos began to take shape.

They picked La Casa Toscana, an exclusive Tuscan-style wedding venue in South Florida. Paris had always dreamed of a European-style wedding, and this location seemed to embody everything she wanted—a Mediterranean-inspired space with lush greenery, intricate stonework, and the feeling of being transported to Italy.

The moment she saw it, she knew it was perfect. It wasn't just a venue; it was an experience. Phil, too, agreed—it had a vibe that matched what they both envisioned for their big day.

Mindy quickly went into action, coordinating the logistics, while Paris and Phil were left with the more personal details. The next steps were a whirlwind of decisions, starting with the dress.

Mindy sent Paris to New York to meet with a renowned designer, where Paris was able to try on a collection of stunning gowns. After what seemed like an eternity of fittings, styles, and second-guessing, she finally found the perfect dress—a classic, timeless design that complimented both her figure and her vision of elegance. It was beautiful and simple, with delicate lace and intricate beading. Nothing too flashy, but everything just right.

Next on the list was the flowers. Paris wanted something that felt luxurious but not overly extravagant. She chose a soft color palette of ivory, blush, and deep greens to complement the venue's natural beauty. The flowers would be a statement, but they would never overshadow the intimate, romantic atmosphere of the day.

The wedding cake was another decision that took careful consideration. She wanted it to be both an artistic centerpiece and a delicious treat. Mindy recommended an artisan bakery that specialized in ornate designs, and Paris was quick to approve a three-tier cake with gold accents, fresh flowers, and soft white frosting. It was sophisticated but not too over-the-top—just like everything else they were planning.

As the days flew by, Paris found herself juggling between decisions—sometimes feeling like she was drowning in details, other times marveling at how everything was falling into place. The big day was getting closer, and she was beginning to see it all come together.

Yet, despite the stress, she never once doubted her decision to marry Phil. They had been through so much together, and this wedding was just one more step in their shared journey. No matter how chaotic the planning process became, Paris knew that the end result would be perfect. They would be married. And that was all that mattered.

In the end, it wasn't about the details or the pressure to make everything flawless. It was about the commitment, the love, and the promise they were making to each other. And that was worth every bit of the effort.