Font Size:

“What we want our guests to know,” Tessa started, “is that Lumière isn’t just a store. It’s an experience. Everything about it radiates beauty, elegance, and celebration. And what better way to showcase that than a fashion show that replicates a wedding?”

“I like it.” Akari leaned in with curiosity.

“We want to create a wedding-inspired runway show, set outdoors in the most picturesque location possible. The runway will be a long, elegant boardwalk from a gorgeous beach house, over the dunes of Destin, right to the sands as white as a wedding dress!”

“Oh!” Akari gasped. “A beach event! I’m intrigued. I do so many weddings on the beach, and it truly captures the spirit of this area.”

Buoyed with confidence, Tessa continued. “Think golden-hour light, soft sea breezes, and a stunning backdrop of the Gulf. Guests can mingle on the dune-side seating or watch from the deck of a beachfront mansion that will give them a place to socialize and gather before and after the fashion show.”

Lacey tapped on her tablet, ready to show Akari their mock-up of the venue and event.

“And it won’t just be the wedding gowns,” Tessa assured Akari. “The runway will feature models in your choice of collections, but it will unfold like an actual walk down the aisle, with bridesmaids, groomsmen, key attendants, parents, and, of course, flower girls. Each collection will be showcased, ending with the multiple brides in an array of stunning dresses. Afterwards, we’ll have music, dancing, cake, and opportunities for you to meet one on one with guests and arrange private showings at Lumière.”

Akari pressed a hand to her chest. “I absolutely love it. Not only can we showcase the clothes, but wedding themes, colors, décor.” Then her smile faded. “But, oh, models and a venue—a wedding, if you will—will cost a fortune.”

“Not necessarily,” Tessa said. “Instead of paid models, who are quite pricey, we suggest you use real people. You may have some customers willing to model, but we also have friends of both sexes and a wide age range who’ll do it for free.”

“Music to my ears,” she said. “And…the venue? Rentals are insane this time of year, even if you could find an empty beach house.”

“We have the house—brand new, massive, on the water, and it has a forty-foot boardwalk that was finished last month. If you want, we can identify some rental companies, florists, and food vendors for light snacks, cake, and décor who are willing to work for cost to showcase their wedding offerings, too.”

“Brilliant!” Akari cooed.

“It will be a very reasonable budget, but feel high-end, elegant, and festive,” Tessa said.

“And we have pictures of the Summer House that will be our venue,” Lacey added, clicking to one. “We used AI to show you what the seating and décor could look like. We have multiple ‘wedding themes’ for you to consider.”

Akari leaned in and gazed at the screen, pressing her hands together happily as Lacey switched through various options.

The three women spent the next hour going over details—logistics, music, floral arrangements, and seating, and, of course, budget—until Akari finally let out a satisfied sigh. “Well, in case it isn’t obvious, you have the job.”

Lacey and Tessa smiled at each other and thanked her for the vote of confidence.

“I’d love if you both promise to be a bride—I’d love to see you two beauties in one of my gowns.”

“Oh…” Lacey gave a laugh. “That would be fun.”

“But impossible,” Tessa said quickly. “I’m going to be fifty this year—not bride material—and we’ll be quietly and furiously working the event.”

“I understand, but I have a glorious line just for older brides—a little less youthful and more forgiving, not that you need either one. I would very much like to see someone in your age range.”

“Whatever you like, Akari,” she said, knowing they’d figure something out. “You’re the boss.”

“Good. That’s settled. Let’s make this wedding fashion show happen!”

* * *

When the meeting was over,Tessa and Lacey practically floated out to Grand Boulevard and back to the parking lot.

“You were awesome in there,” Tessa said when they got into the car. “I feel like a proud Mama bear.”

“You ran the show and were amazing.”

“Please,” Tessa scoffed. “I could never have worked that tablet with such ease. Thank you for being such a great member of my team. You made us look totally together.”

“Thank you,” Lacey said, turning to look at Tessa. “Most people don’t share credit the way you do, Tessa. It’s so nice to work for someone who isn’t all ‘me, me, me’ about things. And I say that fully acknowledging that my last boss was my very own father, who loved nothing more than stealing credit.”

“He even credited another designer with your mother’s work,” Tessa noted. “But thank you for saying that. I think it’s more fun to spread the cheer than try to keep it all for myself. And speaking of credit—I am so glad she agreed to just one flower girl, aren’t you?”