Today is one of my favorite days in my wedding world. I am going wedding dress shopping with one of my spring brides. I love the magical moment when a woman looks in the mirror at her image in ‘the dress,’ and sees not herself, but a bride. I feel so lucky when I get to experience this with one of my clients.

I don’t get to go dress shopping with every client. Sometimes a bride will want to select her dress with just her mom and a bridesmaid or two, sometimes a sister. But today’s bride’s mother is in England, she’s an only child, and she isn’t having a wedding party (a good choice if you want drama free wedding planning and a relaxing wedding day. As fun as it is to have your crew around you, it comes with a price). So, today, I got the honor of helping my bride select a gown.

We were starting out at a small boutique in our own little town of Eastbury. ‘Dream Dress’ was located on Main Street and was by appointment only. I personally think the boutique owner thought a little too much of herself and her shop; but she had a decent inventory to try on, and her orders came in quickly. Plus, she was local. I always try to support our town’s shops.

My bride today was Sloan. She was older than many of my brides, mid-thirties, and so excited for this event her face glowed. I rang the bell outside the shop and the store owner, Rebecca, quickly opened the door and greeted us.

“Kate, Sloan, welcome!” Rebecca air-kissed us both. “Let me take your coats.” There had been a chill in the early fall air, and I was happy to break out my new, purchased on sale, trench coat. We handed our coats over to the waiting assistant, and she scampered off to hang them. A second young woman, dressed in all black like the first, held a tray of champagne filled flutes. Sloan grabbed one with a giggle, I think she was nervous. I declined.

Rebecca noticed my abstinence and offered, “Perrier, or tea perhaps, Kate?”

“Thank you, but no, Rebecca.” I smiled.

“Please, take a seat, Kate,” Rebecca offered, indicating a round settee of pale pink brocade. I sank onto the stiff brocade. “And Sloan, I’m taking you back to a dressing room so we can begin. I’ve taken the liberty of placing some gowns in your room that fit your wish list.”

Sloan drained the remining champagne in her glass, placed it on the coffee table in front of me, and almost skipped off she was so excited.

I scrolled through my phone, answered emails, looked at my social media. When I came up for air, I realized quite a lot of time had passed. Where were Sloan and Rebecca? I was ready to go in search of, when I saw Sloan appear from the dressing area with Rebecca carrying her train.

Sloan’s face was pink, she was shining. “I really love this one, Kate, but I there’s another that’s calling to me.”

I was a little hurt they hadn’t come out to show me all the dresses Sloan liked. But I guess I should be satisfied that Sloan and Rebecca were bonding, and that Sloan was pleased. Like I said, women can be challenging, me included.

Sloan did find her dress and veil on this trip, and all I can tell you, is that she looks amazing and she’s in love with the ensemble.

I adore a happy ending.

Save the Fate, A Wedding Planner Mystery Book 2
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release: September 2024
Format: Print, Digital
Amazon Kindle | Amazon Print

Wedding Planner Kate Ludlow is back with her fun circle of small-town New England friends.

Life is clipping along well for Kate. Her wedding season is off to a great start; she has reconnected with her former high school boyfriend, and her teen daughter is happy and looking forward to a fun summer. At the town’s traditional kick-off to summer party, “Strawberry Moon,” Jack Malone, the town’s parodical son, surprises the population with his appearance. He’s the best baseball player the whole of New England has ever produced, and he now plays professional baseball in Los Angeles. He hasn’t been home in years but has returned home to marry a local girl. He taps Kate to be his wedding planner, and she couldn’t be happier; what a boon this will be for her business!

Jack reconnects with old friends and apparently old enemies, too, as his body is found in the Connecticut River on his third day home. Jack’s high school girlfriend and Kate’s best friend, Jen, is the prime suspect. She can’t or won’t give an alibi for the time of Jack’s death. But she’s not the only person who looks guilty. A new business partner has come to Eastbury looking for Jack, claiming Jack cheated him in a business deal gone wrong. Then there’s the high school rival who lost everything in a decade’s old confrontation with Jack. The state police leading the investigation into Jack’s death feel certain Jen is their killer, so Kate has to act. If Jen won’t help herself, Kate will have to step in to save her, but this won’t help her fledgling relationship with her old/new love, Brian, who is Eastbury’s lead detective.

About the author
Mary Karnes, a college English major and former teacher, is the mother of four who raised her family though six corporate moves. She always dreamed of being an author and dabbled with writing throughout the years. Once the children were grown and out of the house, she started a wedding planning business, while simultaneously chasing her dream of being a traditionally published author. Her ‘Wedding Planner Mystery Series’ was born, with her business providing delicious subject matter for her books. She’s busy writing the Wedding Planner Mystery Series book number three, as well as a stand-alone domestic thriller.

Mary resides in New England with her husband, Ken, and her mini-dachshund, Lucky. Her door is a revolving one with her children and grandchildren visiting frequently.