Church bells echoed their symphony from high above the main ceremonial hall of ‘Special Moment Weddings’ or SM wedding as the staff preferred to call it. Seated inside are patient guests lined up along the pews dressed in shades similar to those decorating the walls in gentle pastel. Floral arrangements progress with the red carpet running along the aisle (defined by some males out there as the pathway to doom). The piano begins its solo of the bridal march, signalling an end to the bustling conversations.

With a double door entry, the tiny ring carrying tot walks in holding his mother’s hand. He toddles along, earning little ‘awws’ from here and there among the guests. The flower girls follow, gripping onto their baskets tightly both nervously and protectively.    Completely unaware, the double doors close, leaving them with no other way out. They were on their own now, and their little beating hearts know it. Here, they stay lingering at the entrance. Their initial excited smiles disappear as the crowd waiting for them lend their gaze to them with adoring beams. But to these two girls, it does no less than worsen their nerves. At the back of the hall, an unseen presence encourages them to continue on.

“Hana, Yoorim ah, just pretend it’s the practice we did yesterday alright? Go on” she gives them reassuring smiles and gestures. “Time to be a princess everyone will love” 

Luckily, the encounter passes by unheard and barely noticed. The girls nod, turning towards their designated route, lift their chins and begin walking. Slowly their smile return to their place on their cheek as they spot their mothers in the ceremonial crowd.  Once again, the double doors open, letting some sunlight seep through. It is the bride’s maids entering one by one – three of them – some with more stiffened smiles than intended. They stride along in their floor-length one shoulder peach gowns following the tune in a rhythm they had learnt – graceful but proud steps. ‘Step, align feet and continue.’ The maids repeat this chant in their heads. At the front of the chapel, the groom’s mates are grinning at the look on the groom’s face and playfully bumping each other’s shoulders until the entrance of the maid of honour.

The guests crane their necks to catch a glimpse, but relax a little seeing another peach gown with a halter neck. Unfazed from sensing the lingering disappointment in the air, the maid of honour continues her job, with her brightest smile – her way of congratulating the bride and groom. And the long awaited final reopening of the double doors bring tears of joy to the parents waiting in the front row. At this point, the groom is in a tangle of emotions – excitement, anticipation, anxiousness. Silent cheers of congratulatory messages are passed to their directions – it is all on their faces – with a flamboyant display of smiles as the doors reveals the awaiting silhouette against brilliant sunlight of her the female lead of the day. Breaths are stolen seeing the image almost representing an angel’s descending to their world. She soon steps away from the natural light, revealing her graceful smile her arm wrapped around her father’s – one of her guardians since birth. It is a moment when unarticulated awe fill the room as everybody watches her float along effortlessly in her white gown with a long train and long tulle veil following her movement.

At this point, her eyes are fixed on one point – in the eyes of her husband to be. It is as if there is a beckoning power, guiding her along the aisle with the gaze. It was nothing other than … love.

Yoona carefully steps onto the velvet carpet, smile matching those of the soon to be in laws. She adorns her gaze upon those guests happily watching as the veil trailed on with the train of the wedding gown. Her smile is prideful, like one of a lily in full bloom. She gleams at the photographer, who is contently snapping away from as many angles as he can access. Glancing at the corsage, tied around her wrist, roses… she thinks. She is about to take a closer sniff but realises her situation… if only… she dazes. Her gaze tracks from the bride’s to the groom’s, and back. She wants to join the band of silent weeping guests up the front.
With the last steps, the bride joins the rest of the bridal party at the front of the aisle stepping up to the altar. A bouquet of peonies is (passed) into her hands. She recognises by the binding ribbon colour as the maid of honour’s. It is more than enough to pull her out of daze. She shakes her head ‘that was unprofessional’ she mentally scolds herself, finding a smiling Sooyoung beside her- her best friend and team partner who has known her since the years they were still their thumbs. It is because of this fact that she knows that the expression on this lean tall model figured girl’s face is not a scolding but teasing expression.

“Unnie, don’t start” 

“I wasn’t going to”   

“All the more reason to warn you”

“Just one more time?” Yoona shoots a tired warning look at her but Sooyoung ignores it. “If you want this…” she her head to the couple at the front and continues “so badly, you should find a groom of your own. Your ‘the one” she adds in the quotation marks. Yoona is about to use the bouquet in her hands but refrains from ruining it. She opens but closes it again.

“The thing with fate again?” the taller one continues her monologue. Yoona’s responding expression zips Sooyoung up. The two girls stationed at the back of the hall focus on the whole scene during their whole exchange. She replies after a while

“he’ll turn up when the time is right” They continue monitoring seeing their other close friend Yuri retreating from her position on the piano and making her way to them. Their videographer Leeteuk has everything under control from the wings and so do their photographers Minho who is taking shots of the couple listening to the pastor and Kyu… Kyuhyun (who is supposed to be responsible of the shots of the bridal party and guest reactions) feels the two pairs of eyes on him, and at that moment he turns back and winks in Sooyoung’s direction. Yoona nudges Sooyoung

“like that?” Sooyoung narrows her eyes at him and in a rather threatening whisper

“It’s the moment he wants to die.” Before Yoona can laugh, something catches her eye, and Yoona reaches for her microphone and ear piece.

“Naeun ah, can you please bring Yoorim and Hana to me?” she whispers ensuring that the ceremony is not disrupted.

Sooyoung asks questioningly with her eyes. “Yoorim can’t stand still, better not leave the other up there alone”

“that’s why I need you to help me spot things I can’t” Sooyoung makes an aegyo face for a split second. It’s their way of saying ‘I’m so glad I have you’.

“I already tried talking to them outside, but they still hesitated. Don’t think that event would have run as smoothly without you” Sooyoung praises Yoona who just gives her unnie a ‘drop it’ look.

Yoona bends down, and whispers something into Yoorim’s ear, receiving a shy nod in reply. She stands back up and passes the bouquet back to Sooyoung while turning again to offer the girls her hands.

“Unnie, restroom trip, will you be fine?” Sooyoung nods. “Naeun, let’s go”

Outside the restrooms, Yoona crouches down.

“You two have been extra prim princesses, everybody is proud of you” she reaches into her blazer pocket and hands them each a lollipop. “Now, Yoorim, you can use the toilet yourself?”

“Yes” she smiles proudly,

“Good girl. Now Naeun unnie here will be waiting for you out here alright?” Yoona pats their cheeks gently and leaves them.

Yoona rejoins Sooyoung’s side.

“Cho Kyuhyun, get up to this end of the aisle, they’re about to walk back down. Make sure you get the close-up shot they requested on their linked hands” She checks for his ‘ok’ response. Yoona picks up the situation immediately

***

With another professional smile, Tiffany stops in her steps and turns in her heels to face her two following guests once again. She follows their gaze towards the majestic chapel ahead of them, a smile forming on her own.

“This is the chapel, the main wedding hall that we offer to our guests to use for the ceremony. We also have a dining hall and bar available for receptions and other functions. But of course, we cater to our clients’ needs, so half of our projects are off site.”

“This place is pretty” the female holds onto her accompanying partner’s arm.  Her partner however, remains rather impassive, surveying it with his eyes, and the words

“rather impressive” merely leave his lips, nodding once but he remains pretty emotionless, as he looks down at Tiffany even she with her usual bubbly personality is a little taken aback. She decides to go on, explaining patiently (more to the female guest).

“We are the largest wedding service provider in South Korea with over a hundred employees. We have a bridal salon, with a makeup and hair department, floral department, photography department with our videographers and technical department for the particulars. Then there are the internal departments such as our design department with our two main renowned designers, venue display designers, accessories and dress department.” She explains as Mr Jung, their CEO asked for her to do for these special guests.

“that’s like the full package” the female guest exclaims excitedly

“Yes, it is basically almost everything you need.” Tiffany replies enthusiastically “Oh and there is also a very special service we offer. You might not have thought of it”

“What is it?” the tall guy asks surprising Tiffany a little.

“The first dance is just as important as anything to the married couple, but not everybody knows how to dance. SO we offer our very own dancing lessons” she proudly introduces as she leads them indoors, leading them to a particular door. The two nod slowly, exchanging a glance as Tiffany in front of them pushes the door open. She turns back to them,

“Oh and how could I forget? Welcome to SM weddings. Special moment weddings. There is a wedding on today, and you can have a peek at our team who are busy inside.”

She holds the door open, nobody noticing them as they are working their heads off. It is like a war zone inside, people rushing from here to there, focused and keeping busy on their own tasks.

“The wedding ceremony just finished and the couple wanted on the day photos in the studio as well. Couples can opt for this or outdoor photography at selected sites. This is discussed during the planning of course, or both. So, as you can see, there over in the corner are our photography team. Eunhyuk and Yixing are setting up the lighting and background.” They spot the two boys doing a final check on the camera. “And that’s one of our professional photographers, Donghae.” She points at the gentleman that joins the two.

“Over there at the dress rack, is one of our members Hyoyeon of the dress and accessories department with the dress’ designer, Miss Jessica Jung.”

“SO you have your own fashion lines?”

“Precisely, with our dresses and gowns designers, and accessories etc.” She explains and continues, pointing to another corner of the room “over there is our florist, Sunny” where a petite girl is arranging a few bouquets and boutonnieres. 

“and over there, huddled in the corner working on the bride our hair stylist Taeyeon and makeup artist Victoria. Working on the groom are Key and Ryeowook also makeup and hair.” Tiffany continues to introduce, still confused as to why that Yunho wanted his friends/special guests to know in such detail. Seeing the concentration on the male’s face, she continues on,

“and our most important people to put it all together, our professional wedding planners, Yoona and Sooyoung” they are pointed towards the two girls in full-fledged discussion, pointing at each other’s’ clipboards here and there.

“Let me show you to our bridal salon”  

***

Perhaps it is not a rare occasion, but there is usually this moment after the reception, after the guests leave, after the remaining tension (of potential hazards to ruin the perfect moment) has left the venue where the team can finally let their hair down. Not only this, on some occassions, the newlywed couple stay behind with the bridal party to have some extra time of their own before wrapping up entirely and invite the crew to join in on the fun. Once again, Yuri dims the lights and adjusts the lighting on the dance floor as she plays the song of the couple’s first dance once again.

It is surprising, the effect of comparing the atmosphere of the dance which all eyes were on and one of private relaxed celebration. Yoona sighs thinking about this as she steps up to the dj platform next to where Yuri is, watching dazedly at the movement below them. She catches her eye, and they just smile knowingly at each other. Not one out of tired relief but a genuine glad smile that it all ended perfectly.

“You know, just after Minho and Sungmin take the last shots of this scene, he will be available to step onto the dance floor?” Yoona asks Yuri (not so) casually. They purposely discount Leeteuk from the conversation, who is filming intently. He who is about to get married to their other beloved colleague. But Yuri catches on and smiles forcedly, narrowing her eyes to silently tell her best friend ‘I know what you’re up to’.

“Too bad Sunny had to leave early, otherwise Sungmin would have had a dance partner.”

“Oooh Sunny unnie won’t like it when she hears that. She’ll kill you”

“Hey, nobody in SM wedding other than the two, are delusional enough to convince themselves that what they have is pure friendship. Especially trying to cover it up by going on blind dates that don’t work” the dark beauty reasons.

“You’re right” Yoona accepts while giggling. “They’ll realise one day when they turn around and look at each oth….” She pauses suddenly remembering “Yah you changed the topic unnie!” she elbows her unnie disapprovingly. But before Yoona can protest anymore, they feel Sooyoung and Hyoyeon join them at the side.

“Everything’s packed and ready to go in the bridal room” Sooyoung tells Yoona with Hyoyeon nodding by her side.

“Ok” Yoona sighs, “only need to get Chanyeol and Naeun to drop off the cupcake stand back to Red Velvet, and the floral arrangements we brought.” they nod but looking at the expressions on their faces, Sooyoung decides to ask on what they have disrupted

“What were you two talking about?”

“Oh just…” Yoona her head not so subtly and rolls her eyes to Minho’s direction. The two just laugh.

“Too bad Sunny left” Hyoyeon begins

“Hey that’s what we were saying!” and they begin again on how connected their minds are.

“Where’s Victoria?”

“She was packing up with us. Then her phone rang, and she left the room. Bet it was…” the four look at each other and just roll their eyes supressing their laughter.

“ZHoumi”

“They should start dating already, which reminds me… OH” Yoona gasps suddenly, breaking her sentence.

“What what what what what?” Hyoyeon pokes her head next to Yoona’s to see what she missed.

“He was just looking this way nervously”

“Oooh caught red-handed” Sooyoung teases and eyes Yuri who is currently scarlet. And just when you think she cannot go any redder.

“Let’s not crowd, he can’t approach her with us around” Yoona is shooing themselves. “Must let them have this one before we go on to the upbeat songs” Yoona waves Chanyeol in to take Yuri’s place.

Yuri’s cheeks are burning when she is left gaping, speechless and lost watching the party leave her behind. And they were correct, Minho does come her way (Chanyeol on standby). When he approaches, he covers his hand with a fist pretending to clear his throat.

“Hi Yuri” Yuri shoots a glare at the last spot she saw the girls in but of course they are nowhere to be seen. “Care for a…dance?” She hesitates and the only thing she can churn up from the cyclone of thoughts inside her mind is

“No, sorry, got to take care of this… you know” she gestures at her ‘entertainment control central’.

Chanyeol steps up onto the stage just in time.

“Hi!”

“Well?” he gives that irresistible smile which shows his dimple. She internally scolds herself for looking directly into his brightly shining eyes. There was no way she could reject again.

Yuri avoids looking at Minho at first when they begin, but as they pick up with the rhythm, she actually forgets where she was exactly, even when the song came to a fading end.

Leeteuk walks over to the girls huddled up behind the partition of the venue. They seem to be intrigued by whatever one of them are holding. When he addresses them, they seem startled.

“Oh it’s just you Leeteuk oppa” Hyoyeon clasps her hand to her chest tightly.

“We thought it was…” Sooyoung begins but catches Leeteuk’s curious expression peeking at the instrument they are holding. They look down then back at each other. ‘Explanation?’ Leeteuk seems to be asking with a raised eyebrow.

“Oh! Minho’s. Look what we found” Sooyoung holds it up, showing it to Leeteuk. When Leeteuk registers the playback image as Yuri, he nods in recognition in a slow and suspicious way.

“I know, totally professional” Sooyoung adds widening and rolling her eyes sarcastically

Yoona is biting her lip holding her laughter in after seeing the irony of the sentence her unnie just said. But she decides to appear impartial as she continues to watch the rally of conversation.

“Yes, very.” Leeteuk frowns with a lopsided smile seemingly finding that that statement was better suited with these girls. “which is why you told me to record their moment on the dance floor. I see~” Yoona cannot hold it anymore and lets off a chuckle while pushing her two unnies.    

“You hear that?” Hyoyeon asks indicating the change in tracks over the audio system “Time to get the party on the dance floor ladies” she starts by taking steps backwards, and before the others can even open their mouths, her high-heeled foot lands on something other than the marble floor, something rather soft. She almost falls but a pair of hands keep her from the mishap. Normally, it is a moment you would find charming and romantic, except, the suited groomsman yelps in pain with water coming out of his eyes.

“Oh, SORRY!” she turns too fast flicking her hair into his face. “Omo sorry sorry” she breathes embarrassedly. She looks into his eyes and forgets what she is meant to say next “…and oh um thank you” she straightens up.

The poor guy manages “any time” but cannot take it anymore and points at his foot. She jumps back and frees the offended foot.

“Oh I’m so sorry” Her embarrassment blooms on her face. They are so wrapped up in their own moment, they do not realise that their audience were slowly sneaking away.

“I really wanted that dance” he feigns disappointment. Hyoyeon picks up on his taunting. He smiles, having mercy on the poor blonde girl.

“Junho” he reaches out his hand.

“Hyoyeon” she smiles, taking the hand. 

***************

Here we go :) Hopefully not too boring for you

image from 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7452/12460675214_5fdf62034c_b.jpg