All hands on deck for the big day.

Daniel changed into a pair of denim jeans with a simple white t-shirt and tracksuit jacket for the rehearsal dinner. The groomsman had been instructed to dress comfortably. No need to for a suit and tie until tomorrow. The dinner was a low-key event, a chance for the bridal party to meet and get to know each other better as well as be introduced to the parents of Alexa and Daniel.

The Hotel Bar was just off the lobby downstairs and was made available to guests 24 hours a day. Daniel and Alexa had chosen a beautifully renovated heritage build for their wedding. It had originally served as the Treasury building for the provincial government, back when the French had controlled the country.

The rest of the groom’s side of the bridal party was already there by the time Vinny reached them. Time had really gotten away from him and Alexa during their clandestine romp and being delayed by Gillian and Bernice hadn’t helped. The four of them were relaxed around the bar, drinks in hand when they say Vinny coming. Besides Daniel, there was his older brother Kyall, Daniel’s boss at his engineering firm Aaron, as well Daniels old college roommate Christopher. Vinny knew that Chris had been a bit of a star athlete back in his college days which created a small rivalry between them. The fact the Afro-American had come out as gay in recent years helped to lessen the tension.

“Good! You’re here,” Daniel stated the obvious as he grasped Vinny on the shoulder.

“Sorry! I’m a bit bushed from the drive up here. I just saw Bernice to get your message to come here,” Vinny said, the barman moving closer to take the new arrivals drink order when necessary.

“Not to worry. My parents are just getting checked in and I haven’t found Alexa yet so we’ve some time,” Daniel told the group. Vinny knew exact where Alexa had been and where she was now.

Vinny ordered himself a whiskey and water as Daniel outlined the reason for the summons.

“So, the ceremony isn’t until 3pm tomorrow but I’ve got a few jobs that need doing before then. Our family priest Father Tobias is coming up by train tomorrow to officiate and I need someone to collect him. Secondly, I’ve had the company we’ve hired the wedding car through ring me and say their driver has unfortunately fallen ill but they’ve offered us a heavy discount if someone will pick up the vehicle and drive it tomorrow. The wedding cake needs to be picked up from the bakery in the morning and brought to the hotel for the reception. The someone will be at the bakery until nine so whoever does that will have to leave early. Lastly, I’m going to be helping to set up the seating for the ceremony out on the lawn so any help with that would be appreciated.”

Vinny quickly considered the tasks required and knew which he’d want to do.

“I ain’t going anywhere near the cake! I’ve seen way too many movies to see what can go wrong with that and the last priest I went anywhere near I broke the nose of so Christopher might like to do that,” Vinny said, getting a little dig in at Chris regarding the Church and their liking for altar boys.

“Very funny asshole,” Christopher jibbed back with a grin.

“Father Tobias isn’t gay but Chris if you could pick him up that would be great,” Daniel said allocating one of his tasks, “Vinny anything you’d like to do then?”

“Cars are my thing. All day, every day,” he said, the chance to drive any sort of classic car the exact thing that appealed to Vinny.

“Done. That just leaves the cake and the setup.”

The groomsman party enjoyed another round of drinks before resolving that Aaron would help Daniel set up and Kyall would make his way to the bakery for the many-tiered cake. Just as they were draining the last of the liquor in their glasses they were joined in the bar by Alexa and both sets of parents. Alexa glancing quickly to Vinny as she kissed her future husband on the cheek in greeting. Introductions were made and the collective group relocated to the hotel’s restaurant for dinner. A private room given over for the intimate rehearsal meal.

Vinny was sat between Alexa’s bridesmaid Bernice and Daniel’s brother Kyall. Bernice, no doubts, having strategically planned for herself and Vinny to be seated together.