Chapter 105: Introducing Mr. & Mrs. Patrick!

It came and went so fast - but the wedding day was absolutely amazing! I had been very nervous on Thursday and Friday leading up to the wedding, but on Saturday I felt very calm and relaxed! In the morning I went for a jog with Suzi and Katie then we showered and got ready to go to Sognatore (the salon) at 11:30. We had a great time at the salon. Everyone we worked with was very nice and did a great job! My mom set up a nice spread of bagels, fruit, veggies and mimosas! Afterwards, we rushed back to the hotel to get ready so we could leave for Phipps at 5:00. The bridesmaids got dressed and then helped me get into my gown. We started down to the limo shortly after that. When I got to the limo with my sisters - my three other bridesmaids were not in sight! After a couple minutes I started to get anxious and slightly freak out. I sent Katie to go find the missing bridesmaids. We were supposed to leave at 5:00 so that Joe could take the limo at 5:15 and then the limo could be back at the hotel to take guests at 5:30. It was 5:15 and I was pretty upset. I found out later that they had been decorating our room and in the end it all worked out fine.
Throughout the day the weather had been very on and off. It was sunny and then it would be overcast and rainy. I had accepted and we had rehearsed our Plan B option on Friday since we expected it to rain. However, the glimpses of good weather got my hopes up! At 4:30, our floor manager for the event called us to say she thought the radar looked good and we could hold the ceremony in our original spot! We were elated!However, shortly after arriving at Phipps and getting situated in the windowless bridal room, we were informed that there was a downpour going on outside. I took the news well and wasn't at all upset. We were planning to have people stand in the tropical forest for the ceremony (not at all ideal) when someone said they spoke to someone on the otherside of Pittsburgh who said the storm passed through quickly and it was dry. We had hope! Luckily, the rain stopped and just to top it off, as the bridesmaids began the processional, the sun peaked through the clouds!
Everything fell into place and was perfect! The ceremony and the reception were great - we had a wonderful time and it was so nice to spend it with our friends and family! WE ARE...MARRIED!

Pictures provided by Suzi Siwinski - the link to [the brand studio] should have pictures posted sometime next week or so!