BECAUSE I'M THE BRIDE!

What a weekend! My Mom flew in from San Jose because a few weeks ago I had major panic that I wasn't crossing all my t's and dotting all my i's. So, after a call and maybe a tear or two she immediately bought a ticket to come help do "all things wedding" for the weekend. This was huge because a) it is summer in Atlanta. My Mom doesn't do heat and she certainly doesn't do humidity - nor does her hair b) I really wanted her to see everything we had chosen and c) she hadn't met Tad's Mom Judy yet! So, we made a serious weekend of it. I had it all planned out -- morning noon and night. There would be NO time for rest. She could do that on the plane. We had STUFF to do and hit the ground running. First things first: girl stuff. Hair cuts, undergarment fittings (for the big gig) and shopping for the 3rd Mother of the Bride dress. We were hoping to find THE PERFECT gown for the big gig. She had already purchased 2 others. The first she loathed (internet purchase) and the second is currently being made but it isn't "the right gown". So, Judy recommended a few places in Atlanta and off we went. After much searching, we found THE ONE. Sort of. The designer doesn't make it in her size. No big deal. The seamstress in the shop could make it work. Except the designer can't get it to her until December 1. Big problem. Sort of. In walks Rodica. She is amazing. A custom couture seamstress who will be duplicating the PERFECT gown for my mom. Best of all, it will be ready in time for the wedding. YEAH! Watch on E-Bay for things being sold by my Dad (Big Bait may be his E-Bay ID?) - no he is not a cross dresser but my Mom has a few dresses that would otherwise never leave her closet. We had dinner with our Moms at the 191 Club so they could get to know one another and taste our amazing menu.

Saturday morning we were off for a second round of cake tasting. Fortunately, they were both up to the task and the flavors have been chosen. Mark, our cake artisan, sent us home with even more samples. Apparently he hasn't gotten the memo about wearing white in two months -- nor did he hear my Mom tell me that I couldn't leave the house sans Spanx.

Momma P, Mark and Momma H

enjoying cake

Mark, THE CAKE FAIRY

says he will wave his magic wand and it will be perfect!

The biggest event of the weekend, after undergarments, finding a dress for Mom, haircuts, lunch at Neiman Marcus and searching for the perfect everything was our engagement party hosted by Kathy and Ken Bernhardt. Kathy and Ken had been planning this for quite some time and hosted the PERFECT pre-cursor to "The Big Gig". We walked in and Kathy gave me the ultimate accessory, which everyone will see from now until October 24. It is a sash with hot pink trim and embroidery that says "BECAUSE I'M THE BRIDE". Pretty succinct. I am pretty sure I squealed when I opened it and figured out how to put it on. We had an AMAZING night with so many wonderful friends. I was amazed -- and now understand why brides say there just isn't time to eat or drink at your own wedding. I didn't even have time at our engagement party. Maybe this is part of the diet plan. Should have had more partys -- would have kept me away from the buffet and out of the Spanx. At any rate, during all of this, I came down with a terrible cold. At the end of the night, Tad quietly asked me how much I had had to drink that night and when I said "a glass and a half of wine" he raised his eyebrows. That's when I figured it out: in my blood was floating 4 Sudafed, 1 Allegra, 1 Singulair, 1 Mucinex DM and a glass and a half of wine. Self medicating to hopefully clear the ears, stop the cough and dry the nose has led my future husband to believe I drank too much at our party. I can only imagine the slurry impression I left on our guests.

Still vertical even after all the cold medicine


With Kathy and Ken Bernhardt

We had an incredible weekend with our Moms and owe Kathy and Ken more thanks than we will ever be able to express. Keep an eye out for a rogue blonde who stifles her cough and is running around Atlanta with a hot pink sash on. She is likely doing "All things wedding" and will try to get away with murder, "BECAUSE I'M THE BRIDE".

Christmas In August!

We got a very important phone call this evening from the concierge of Tad's building. We had received (well, they were all addressed to ME but as Tad says - gifts for me make him the beneficiary) five boxes that were delivered from UPS. We got on the elevator and went to go collect the loot ASAP! We were overwhelmed. Though we did register for gifts as our wedding is quickly approaching, we didn't expect them to come rolling in just yet. It was SO much fun opening them. We savored each and every box and laughed and thanked everyone though no one else was there and then started imagining where we would put everything. We did get one item set up immediately. The Haak's sent us a 16 bottle wine refrigerator that I just knew we would put to good use. SO, come on over. The wine is chilled. We now own the most beautiful Reidel wine glasses (thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Chapman), fun martini glasses for those of you who prefer it a little stronger (thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Blinde), and a professional waffle maker for breakfast for those who have to stay over after indulging (thank you Dougherty's!). While you are enjoying a cocktail and breakfast with all the above mentioned paraphernalia, be sure to take note of some pretty cool vases and decanters (thank you Vikki Carpel-Miller!). We are overwhelmed to say the least.

I must put in one very important disclaimer - formal thank you notes will be written as soon as my stationery arrives -- my mother and future mother-in-law would be mortified if they thought for a second I was thanking everyone via blog. At any rate, THANK YOU!

The Ballots Are Being Tallied.

It is Thursday. We mailed out round one of our invitations Monday. We recieved 4 response cards in the mail today. All have accepted our invitation. That is 8 guests so far who are FOR SURE (fo sho) coming to "The Big Gig". Well, we also know that our families are coming (mostly because they don't have a choice and who DOESN'T like cake?!). So, with our 8 guests and our families, we have about 150 left that we can seat. Hurry and get yours back to us today before we run out of room.!! Besides, Tad just LOVES getting the "tacky response cards" in the mail.

Do NOT Feed Or Water The Invitation Assembler

We (meaning Tad) have a new rule with regard to "All Things Wedding". I was SO proud. We completed our guest list (FINALLY). Our printer got all the envelopes done and inserts printed in time for the invitations to go out on time. We spent a dowry on postage. Judy (Tad's mom) found the most beautiful stamps to use on the invitation itself. Friday night, I plopped myself down and stuffed invitations into the inner envelopes (which are not the envelopes I had ordered, but that is beside the point - no one will judge me on that, right?!). I had a beer while I did it. Gluten free beer is such a treat and SO tasty while doing manual labor. I managed to get all the inner envelopes matched with the outer envelopes. Saturday morning, Tad and I sorted the invitations by mailing group. I then set to the task of stuffing each invitation with all of the inserts and response cards. I had to sit at the dining room table this time, as the floor has proven to be hard on my back. I grabbed a glass of fuzzy water. I turned on some good music. Tad started the process of cleaning his desk (LOVE having company come over -- desk gets cleared!) I am jamming. Stuffing my heart out. I am not really sure how it happened, but I knocked my glass of water over in my stuffing frenzy. The whole thing was a goner. Tad heard the calamity and came running. There were 3 invitations that were swimming atop the lake that was now on the dining room table. Oops. We cleaned up the mess and then Tad immediately implemented the new rule. "NO FOOD OR DRINK WHILE WORKING ON INVITATIONS". Not fair. This kind of labor makes a girl thirsty. I was even using a coaster as to not leave a ring on the table. Every time I needed a drink of water, I had to go to the kitchen. We may have to invest in sippy cups before this whole thing is over so that I once again am allowed to drink outside the confines of the the counter tops.

Check Ride

A little nervous for the check ride? You got a lot nervous for the check ride. In fact, I think after all that studying of the manuals, the books, the flash cards, I could have passed the check ride and the orals. Thank God it is over for another year. Tad

Sit Back, Relax and PLAN A WEDDING!

Welcome To My Office.

Once a year, I am required to take a check ride. This entails a written examination administered by my employer, AirTran Airways. It also includes an oral examination and a flight check administered by a person designated by my employer and approved by the FAA. It is all encompassing. Lots of my fellow aviators believe they become less stressful as the years go by. I have not found that to be the case. I fear failure. I have never failed a portion of a check ride and always fear that the next one could be it. I study. I study. I study some more. I get a little nervous. I hope I don't say something wrong. I hope I understand the way the question was posed. I don't want to come across as unprepared. I study some more. I am in the middle of planning a wedding. No time. I study. I hope that when my examiner asks me about the engines on my jet I don't talk about the bead work on my gown. I fear that when he asks me about the landing gear and brakes I don't spill off our menu. Did I mention that Dr. Youssef, the Rector presiding over our ceremony has only preformed 5 weddings in the last 10 years and 4 of those were for family members? I study. Today, I took my annual check ride. I got to talk about all kinds of airplane stuff like: EECs, VIAs, ECUs, PCDUs, GENs, BATTS, MDA, VDP, MAP, DH, DA, RNAV, ZFW, MGW, TOW, CG, FARs, JEPs, APUs. No one asked me about the most important aspect about my life right now, the big gig that is quickly approaching. I had to spit out limitations. Immediate action items. Procedures. The good news is that I passed. It is over. I remembered the most important thing of all when it comes to check rides, "pull up, houses get smaller. Push forward, houses get bigger". I am done for a year. I can flush all of the above acronyms. I can now focus on the most important acronym of all, losing LBs because my parents are making me wear white in October.

Three Months and Counting Down!

Some of you may not realize this, but Tad and I are getting HITCHED! We are going to be heading down the aisle three months from today and I couldn't be more excited. There is SO much to do between now and then, I have lists for the lists and will be double and triple checking everything to make sure everything is in order - but not until next Thursday. I am not allowing myself to obsess over our "big gig" until after my checkride (oral and practical flight tests) is over next Wednesday. So until then, good-bye blogging buddies. I have some cramming to do.

Everything Happens In Threes - Even Good Stuff!

Fortunately, after returning from vacation, I had a few days to "get 'er done!" - as our dear friend Paul would say. That being said, three significant things happened in the planning world of our wedding.

1) Our contract with the hotel (Ritz-Carlton downtown Atlanta) has been finalized and our guests can now book rooms effective immediately at a rate of $149/night for a standard room or $209/night for club level. That can be accomplished either via the Internet at:

www.ritzcarlton.com/atlanta

then imputing PHWPHWA in the group code or by calling 1-800-542-8680 and citing the Petrick/Hutcheson Wedding

Rooms are guaranteed for Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24 but the Ritz Carlton has assured me that those who may need the rooms earlier will be accommodated at the group rate for the duration of their stay.

2) TIFFANY CALLED! Tad's ring is IN! Wow. We can go pick it up at any time.

3) Our invitations have been printed and are in my grubby hands. They are even more beautiful than the proofs eluded they would be. I love, love, love them! Our printer (the greatest EVER) is going to address all of the envelopes for us, which will not only make them look beautiful but saves my poor mother from massive hand cramping. YEAH!

You Are Invited But You May Not Bring A Guest

We have returned from an amazing week in Saint Maarten. That is what the Dutch call the Island. We were on the French side, known as Saint Martin. In either case, we have returned. We had a wonderful time, caught a lot of sun, had amazing food, great massages and even found some time to do a little shopping. The only thing we didn't do is worry about the "big gig" that is sneaking up on us.

When we returned, we hunkered down and made some serious progress on our guest list. As I have said before, we can sit 180 for dinner. Sounds like a lot, doesn't it? You aren't marrying Tad Hutcheson. I was so afraid that I would only be able to invite my parents. After sitting down and having an "A-HA!!" moment, I realized I could also invite my wedding party, who assumed they would be invited for dinner. I even have space for some of my friends! And some of my parents friends! WOOT! 180 sure does add up quickly. That being said, after triple checking our list I made a command decision. For those singletons being invited who are not seriously involved with another person, I have decided that we are not going to do "and guest" invitations. It enables us to include more of our friends and maybe those friends will make some new ones! Everyone wins!

This is the most difficult task either one of us has ever undertaken. But it is mostly done and now we can put it behind us....

A Whole Lot Of Progress!

I was never a list maker by nature until I got engaged. Now, I have lists for the lists I have made. I find this to be a kin to holding a sister down. There is always a list that needs to be attended to. Just when I think I have made a little headway, someone either brilliantly gives me advice or an idea that is worthy of a list or I see something along the way that conjures "Add THAT to the list". Frustrating even to myself.

Tad has noticed the change in his once happy go lucky, free spirited girlfriend who has become maniacal over having the perfect wedding. This is evidenced by the numerous lists in both his home and mine. He suggested hiring a wedding coordinator. He went so far as to interview a couple of them for me. I added that to the list of things to consider.

We decided that we needed to get away from hectic offices, busy flight schedules and lists so we are off tomorrow to have a week away from everything. In the mean time, I took full advantage of all day light hours today tackling lists. Some of the items accomplished included:

1) securing a block rate of rooms for our guests. We scored BIG TIME. Ritz-Carlton, downtown Atlanta has offered us rooms at a rate of $149/night or $209/night for Club Level. Contract signed and placed in the mail.

2) Invitations and wording finally chosen. Once the proof of the RSVP card (ha!) is shared, invitations will be printed.

3) Photographer contract signed. Erika is amazing!

4) Cake deposit placed and contract signed. Our cake guy is the most talented baker I have ever seen and I know that our guests will be blown away by his creations.

5) I begged (well, okay only had to ask nicely) for my mom to come for a weekend. She jumped at the chance and I SO look forward to her coming to share in the "joy" of planning our wedding.

6) We secured our wedding coordinator. WHEW! Tad was right (score one for groom) he found Liz and I just adore her. She reminds me a lot of me. Well, at least in the way that we both have blonde hair. She is smart, organized, detail oriented and really fun. I am so glad that we decided to have her coordinate all things lapis and apple on October 24.

Now, we are getting away from all this. Lists included. However, I DO plan to have the MOST IMPORTANT list done by the time we return. That is is our GUEST LIST. Daunting. Limiting. Ugly. Probably a lot of cigars smoked and wine drunk during this list making. Everyone tells me it is the hardest part. I agree. If you happen to see larges plumes of smoke emerging from the Caribbean, please send for help. That means I have drown and Tad has smoked himself out finishing our most important list of all, who we get to invite........