Fret. Fix. Fuss. Finagle. Finesse. Just so you—the bride—can glide down the aisle in a dream-come-true gown without a worry in the world. But as you revel in love-sweet-love on this most important day of your life, just what is your wedding planner fussing with behind the scenes to ensure that everything proceeds as smoothly as peau de soie?

To find out, we trailed Tina La Morte of Oh So Fabulous Divine Wedding Design (201-981-7280; www.ohsofab.com) as she coordinated a February wedding for Suzette Fabré and T.J. Hart in Ridgewood. Suzette was originally planning to elope. She simply didn’t have the time or expertise to pull off a wedding in just five months. But then she met Tina, who bubbles over as she chats a mile a minute about what’s so special about this particular wedding, just one of dozens she will expertly usher from engagement to reception over the next year. She takes each and every one personally: “Each wedding becomes my baby. I just want it all to go perfectly.” And it’s this passion and desire for excellence that Tina infuses into Suzette and T.J.’s wedding, transforming it from an event into a night to remember. Let’s fast-forward to the wedding day, and follow along in our high heels.

• 9 a.m. – Tina and her crew of three arrive at the scene, wearing jogging suits and armed with coffee, donuts, and a stereo. They had toured the venue and mapped out a game plan the night before.
The Woman’s Club in Ridgewood offers a blank palette and logistical challenge, with all furniture and services brought in. Tina and crew first arrange the ceremony chairs and candle stands in the living room, facing an antique fireplace. Tina rolls out a hand-painted aisle runner she purchased for the bride.

• 10 a.m. – Tina turns her attention to the ballroom. Round tables with sage-green tablecloths surround a dance floor, with buffet tables around the edges. Tina and her staff open carton upon carton of favors and programs, candles and candy, ready to turn this party into an extravaganza. Every piece hews to a green/white color scheme, and most are monogrammed “H” for Hart. Out come table signs, ribbons, hundreds of votives, and individual champagne bottles.

• 11 a.m. – It’s time to assemble the candy bar, one of the extras that Tina purchased with a last-minute $5,000 allowance from the bride. Twenty different kinds of green and white candy are poured into glass canisters.

• noon – The florist carries in all-white arrangements with green foliage and hundreds of green pears and apples. Conferring with Tina, she places them on tables, candle stands, and the stage—and the setting takes on an elegant texture.

• 1 p.m. – Tina dashes out to buy more candy containers, candles, and vases.

• 3 p.m. – The catering staff arrives to set up appetizer tables, bars, buffet stations, and dining tables. Tina works closely with the caterer throughout the event.

A camera crew from E! Entertainment and the Style Network arrives to film a segment of “Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?” airing this summer. In Tina’s face all night long, the cameras add to
the hubbub.

• 4 p.m. – Suzette calls with a mini-meltdown, complaining about wilted bouquets. Tina quickly responds: “What’s important is you and T.J. Don’t ruin your big night.” The bride calms down, the camera crew applauds, and Tina leaves to dress for the evening.

• 5:30 p.m. - Tina and staff return, dolled up in black dresses and heels. Tina organizes the groom and family for pictures. The house buzzes with workers, all under Tina’s direction. Tina briefs the harpist for the ceremony, then hands the parking valets “lucky in love” drive-away favors to be placed in the guests’ cars.

• 6:30 p.m. – Tina is a bit jittery about the ceremony; with just one attendant, there was no rehearsal. Wiring her assistants with earphones, Tina directs them via walky-talky. As guests arrive, the assistants seat them for the ceremony. Tina greets and briefs the officiant.

• 7 p.m. – Tina welcomes the deejay, then instructs the family for their entrance and the groom for the ceremony.

• 7:15 p.m. – After her limo misses a turn and drives around the block, the bride enters the dressing room through a rear door. Tina instructs her to stay put.

• 7:30 p.m. – The harpist plays the prelude as the family enters. Tina—part confidante, part commandant, part mother hen—escorts Suzette to the doorway, saying, “Focus. Remember every second of this,” and then opens the door.

The jazz combo arrives late and must hurriedly set up in the balcony without disturbing the wedding ceremony taking place directly below. Tina tells the combo that she’s not pleased. As the ceremony ends and the cocktail party starts upstairs, the newlywed photo shoot proceeds below.

• 8:30 p.m. – Tina and the caterer agree to pull plug on the cocktail party early. Tina cues the jazz combo to stop while the deejay starts; guests enter ballroom.

• 9 p.m. – Tina fixes Suzette’s bustle and cues the deejay to introduce the couple for their entrance and first dance, as Tina watches with tears in her eyes. Buffet tables and the dance floor open to guests. Tina and crew sip champagne and dance, leaving party in capable hands of caterer and deejay.

• 11 p.m. – It’s late; Tina dismisses her staff. After cutting the wedding cake, Suzette announces the “love sweet love” candy bar, which Tina unveils. The hit of the evening, delighted guests scoop up favorite candies to take home.

• 12:30 p.m. – The party winds down, and the limo pulls up to take the couple to their hotel. Tina sends flowers, favors, a basket of food, and other mementos with them. And thus ends another successful wedding.