Akari beamed. “Thank you so much. It’s my dream after working in other salons for way too many years. I am connected with private dress designers and carrying one-of-a-kind collections. And I’m so excited to be opening. A little nervous, but excited.”
“Nothing to worry about,” Tessa assured her. “Weddings are a huge business down here. I’ve done them for years as the event coordinator for the Ritz-Carlton, and I can imagine you’ll have no problem attracting the most discerning brides.”
“That’s what I’m hoping. If they know about it.” Akari exhaled. “That’s my biggest concern—getting the word out. The launch is so important to get the ball rolling.”
Tessa nodded. “That’s where we come in. Tell us your vision for the event.”
She made a face, wrinkling her delicate nose. “Well, I don’t want a party here, since I’d actually prefer not to have food or drink near the dresses, so that’s the complication. I want to show off the dresses, set up private appointments, but keep the masses out of this place.”
“Of course,” Tessa said, looking around and knowing it wouldn’t be the right venue at all for a large party.
“But I do want an event with style and drama and fun.”
Tessa grinned. “You are speaking my language, Akari. And, I’m sure, exactly what your brides want when they plan their big day.”
“I want them to feel the whole wedding just by looking at the dresses, but that’s a tall order.”
As they talked, Lacey’s fingers flew across the keyboard of her tablet. “A first impression is everything,” she said. “And it makes sense that you want the brides to associate Lumière with a great event—like their wedding will be.”
Akari’s eyes lit up. “Yes and yes. But…how?”
Tessa smiled as ideas started ticking in her head. “We can definitely come up with something spectacular to launch the new salon. Do you have any thoughts on a venue if it isn’t here? When you close your eyes and imagine walking in, what does it look like?”
“Available in less than a month,” she cracked. “I really want to hold this event no later than the end of April, preferably on a Saturday.”
Tessa glanced at her phone and touched the calendar. “That will take some fancy magic. But let us worry about that. What would be the perfect atmosphere?”
Akari looked away, narrowing her eyes as she considered the question. “Bright. Sunny. Warm. Very Florida. It doesn’t have to be super bougie, but upscale is important. A place that might be a venue for a wedding, if something like that is possible.”
In a few weeks? But Tessa didn’t want to throw cold water on anything yet. “What do you want guests to come away knowing about Lumière?” she asked.
“Oh, great question. I want to showcase everything—not just the wedding gowns, although they are the bread and butter of this business. But Lumière is more than a wedding dress shop. In the back, there’s a separate store for bridesmaid dresses, mother-of-the-bride attire, flower girl dresses, and my secret weapon? Tuxedos and men’s formal suits. We’re a one-stop shop, and I want to showcase that.”
“Beautiful,” Lacey said, madly taking notes. “That gives us a lot to work with.”
Akari leaned forward. “Do you have any initial ideas?"
Tessa hesitated. She did have a few ideas—a faux wedding, a champagne brunch, a bridal beauty bar, maybe a big giveaway. But this one would take some thought and a more professional presentation.
“I’d like to tour the entire salon, solidify budget parameters, and take a few days to brainstorm. Then we’ll come back to you with an idea that will knock your…veil off.”
Akari laughed. “I love that. Let’s look around, show you some of our collections, and let your ideas marinate. But be warned—my budget is tight. Probably not what you’re used to, so you’ll have to get creative.”
“I love a challenge,” Tessa replied without a moment’s hesitation.
The tour and ensuing discussion took almost an hour, but it was spent inspiring Tessa to think big and out of the box.
By the time they said goodbye and set up their next meeting to present their plans, Tessa was humming with excitement.
“So, any ideas?” Lacey asked as they walked down the street back to the parking lot.
“A million of them, but we’ll have to do some research and digging. It isn’t going to be easy to find the right venue for an event that soon. You?”
Lacey shook her head. “No, but that store made me want to get married.”
Tessa laughed and put her arm around the younger woman. “We should work on that, too, faux daughter. Let’s find you a husband.”
Lacey laughed. “One big idea at a time there, faux momma.”
