Alexa’s blood pressure started to creep up as Penny preached. She finished by saying, “What Chase and I want is simplicity. No gimmicks. Do you understand?”

Alexa nodded without a word, hoping her daughter had ordered decaf. “Let me take a look at this list while you . . .” She wanted to say “relax” but sensed that word choice would not be well received. “Enjoy a moment of quiet.” Then Alexa bowed down to the tablet and flipped through the deck.

The Wedding of Penelope and Chase: A Love Odyssey

• Last Week of December in Montecito (or Santa Barbara if necessary)
• Thursday evening rehearsal dinner at casual location with all invited
• Friday evening ceremony followed by dinner and dancing
• Saturday morning coffee and breakfast burritos at beach
• Seventy-five guests max
• One attendant each for Penny and Chase
• Penny: Sarah (Chase’s sister)
• Chase: Lloyd (college friend)
• Bridesmaid gifts: monogrammed paper pads and notebooks
• Groomsman gift: TBD

For Wedding

• Eco-friendly a MUST
• Natural, Natural, Natural
• Simple, Simple, Simple
• Intentional, Intentional, Intentional
• Environmentally Responsible! No extra printed materials, no dress-up booth or wedding tchotchkes. Absolutely no superfluous signage, paper goods, or stuff that gets thrown in the landfill the next day.
• Service at venue
• Buffet okay, served dinner preferred
• DJ afterward. No cheesy songs. No chicken dance.
• Hotel or club preferred if space
• Rented private estate also fine
• Vibe: Sophisticated Beach
• Colors: White, Cream, Silver, Blue
• Lighting: Essential! Look: Grecian sunset that fades into a cityscape
• Dance floor: investigate smoke for first dance
• Food: Mediterranean
• Bar: Open
• Dress code: California Chic, blue encouraged!
• Officiant: Surprise

Alexa absorbed the enormity of the task at hand, from renting a private estate to securing lighting that mimicked a Grecian sunset. How were either of those tasks in the “simple” category? A few days ago, she didn’t even want Penny to have a wedding; now she appeared to be overseeing the whole thing. She studied the list for a minute longer than she needed, mainly to let Penny decompress, and then she said, “You need me to plan the entire wedding? This wedding? Where the dress code is ‘blue encouraged’?”

“Mom, of course not. What would you know about wedding planning?” Penny snapped, and already Alexa felt hurt. But Penny continued with her tone. “I hired a professional in Montecito. She’s a Kappa from UCSB named Madison Meadows. You’ll work with her to be my eyes and ears on the ground. But understand that Madison and I will be in constant communication and I’ll be making all decisions. You’ll visit venues, meet with the caterer—that kind of thing. And you’ll need to find me the best florist that we can afford, so ask the Widows. Maybe somebody who doesn’t have a full-time business but loves to do weddings. I wish I had paid more attention to centerpieces when I was in high school.”

Alexa smiled, mainly with relief. Her daughter hadn’t lost her sense of humor yet.