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WEDDING SEASON

KATIE FFORDE

Acknowledgements

 Weddings always involve lots of people and in doing the research for my book, I met a lot of them and I hope I haven't left anyone out of my thank yous. However, a couple of people are responsible for me writing the book in the first place. And yes, you are going to be named and shamed!

Firstly, Jema Hewitt for inspiring the whole idea and nearly teaching my daughter and me to make a corset. It was so much fun.

Secondly, Debbie Evans, friend, neighbour and hairdresser. Not only does she do my hair at a moment's notice, at all hours of the day or night, but she made me realise that no book about weddings was complete without a hairdresser.

These are the two responsible for the whole idea but others had a hand in it too.

Sue Trevaskis from Colour Me Beautiful who wasn't bossy but has inspired in me a desire to bounce up to people and say, 'You really need to have your colours done. ' Most of us do, actually!

To Kate Cobb, wedding planner for real. Major respect to you!

Amanda Grange, author of Mr Darcy's Diary and others, for her advice with regard to costume. Very generously, she didn't say, 'Do your own research. ’

To Christine Gaunt, artist and dressmaker who shared her knowledge in the Curves changing room with great generosity.

To Cassie Winters-Pilcher, personal trainer and cake expert. Without her, that cake would never have been made.

 To my personal trainer David 'Mac' McKinnon who not only knows everything there is to know about diet and exercise, he also has an encyclopaedic (and worrying?) knowledge of hen nights.

A book, like a wedding, is the product of many people. Without a wedding there would be no bride, and without an author there would be no book. But the bride would look a bit lonely standing at the altar without very many other people.

My publishers are the bridegroom to my bride. They are inspiring, inspired, hard working, patient, and incredibly supportive.

When I despair they tell me the answers and are so nice about it. They never say, 'That's your job, Katie. ' They are nearly too numerous to mention but here goes.

In editorial there are Kate Elton, Georgina HawtreyWoore, and others who work so hard but never get to go out to lunch with The Author. Charlotte Bush and Amelia Harvell, who spoil me so shamelessly and keep me smiling through thick and thin. (Mostly thick, sadly. ) Mike Morgan, who takes me on road trips every year. Rob Waddington, Oliver Malcolm, Jay Cochrane and Trish Slattery who force my books on the public so successfully. Claire Round and Louisa Gibbs in marketing. And Richard Ogle and the art department who produce such lovely covers.

To patient, long suffering Richenda Todd, without whom the egg on my face would be truly awful.

To all at AM Heath, Sara Fisher, lovely Sarah Molloy, Bill Hamilton and the rest of the team. Thank you!

Time for confetti now!

Chapter One

 Sarah stood by the lych-gate and surveyed the perfection of the summer morning. It was June and the sun was shining with the promise of a perfect day. The church was an early English gem, surrounded by closely mown, dew-spangled grass, ancient lichen-covered gravestones and clipped yews. She'd already seen Sukie, the florist, who'd been there since dawn, and now some of her anxiety left her. Two years of work had come to fruition. It was all going to be all right.