The research begins:
I made a list of about ten DJ companies that had been recommended to me by some ibride friends, through magazines, and through Boston.sidewalk.com's wedding section. There are tons of large DJ companies - 10 or more DJs - and I'd heard horror stories about them sending the wrong DJ to the wedding, showing up late, not playing the right tunes, etc... I really wanted a more personal touch. But I did call one company, Music Co., which was recommended to me. They were very helpful and said they would send me a demo tape. It arrived a few days later - a good sign. Then I read a fabulous review of Bob Katzen - so I called him. He called me back that night but horrors - he was booked already for our date! But he was so nice, he spoke with me for about 15 minutes, talking about what to look for and what to ask DJs so I get what I want. He recommended another DJ as well. Called that DJ's agent on 7/8/99 and she said the other DJ, Ron Bartell was free and she would have him call me. As of 7/14 I hadn't heard from anyone so I called her back, she said she'd have him call me. It's 7/17 and still no call...hmmmm....is this the reliability factor I am looking for? I don't think so.

Starting to panic. Yes the wedding is still 9 months away - but obviously people are booking up! Stress, stress...then I remember that one of the photographers we looked at had included a list of other recommended vendors in their package. While we hadn't chosen this photographer, we had really liked them and the only problem was they couldn't accommodate our schedule. So I felt ok calling someone they recommended. Left a message for Bruce Shannon on 7/16, he called me at home Saturday morning the 17th. In the first five minutes we established that he was from near the same area as I was in PA - what more recommendation do I need? Just kidding - we had a wonderful conversation, he made me feel comfortable an there was no pressure. He is sending me the info in the mail and then we'll go up to Rockport (fun!) and meet with him. So the bottomline - no decision yet, but I have a good feeling. This is good because I was staring to have DJ nightmares!

Last night (7/17) we went to Borders in Downtown Crossing to hear a musician who we are interested in playing at the cocktail reception. I don't want to give away what type of musician she is so that the guests will be pleasantly surprised at the reception, but suffice to say we really liked her :-) Could be another musical booking in the making...will keep you posted! One other musical booking to make though...but I think I'd like it to be a surprise as well...sorry!

Bridesmaids Dress Shopping Night:
Because there are 5 women in the wedding party, I thought it would be easier if Trang (my maid of honor) and I went shopping together alone first and then chose 3-4 styles and have the other ladies vote. It sounded so simple, so easy, like finding a wedding dress! But no....we made an appointment at Yolanda's where I got my wedding dress. My mother and I loved our bridal consultant Lucia, but unfortunately she was not available that night. We were assigned to Debbie. Ok, so the appointment is at 6:30 in Waltham. Trang is supposed to pick me up at home at 6 so I boogey out of work early at 5:30 (20-30 minute commute). As I come in the door I can hear Michael saying, where are you? Ok she'll pick you up at the nursery. Odd, I think. So when he sees me he says Trang has a flat and needs you to come get her. Oh dear. Luckily it happened while she was on Massachusetts Ave and not on the highway. At 6 p.m. on Mass Ave no one is going anywhere fast. So, of course not being prepared to drive tonight, I have to beg Michael to help me and pour 2 gallons of oil in my car - I seemed to be out! Finally I get to her at about 6:15. Amazing. We leave her car on the street and boogey through Cambridge, up Rt. 2, over Rt. 60 and slam into Yolanda's parking lot right at 6:30. Amazing but true. Even more amazing because my car doesn't really go above 60 these days... Anyway, so there we are. We go in and upstairs to the bridal salon. While we wait for Debbie we view some absolutely horrible dresses being tried on. Very interesting. Debbie takes us to the bridesmaids section which is about the size of my bathroom. Quite a contrast from the expansive private rooms allotted to each individual bride. And some other bride is also there with her whole wedding party. Needless to say we are a little smooshed. Debbie is not very helpful, offers no real suggestions, so Trang and I browse the 4 racks. Hmmm...they don't have any dresses we saw in the magazines. But we manage to find about 6 to try on. One is just so-so, one has a velvet top (we loved it but out of season), one is almost $400, one buttoned in the front when we thought the buttons should go in the back, one we decided was too cutesy, and one was actually close to perfect but didn't come in a color we liked! Ok that's it - thank you Debbie. I felt bad because my mom and I truly had a great wedding dress shopping experience there but our blah experience with Debbie kind of soured it. Oh well. But she did let me try on the sample of the wedding dress I bought. I had felt so bad that my mom and I forgot to take a picture of me in the dress, so now was my chance! Trang was an excellent photographer and got me from all angles - can't wait to get the film developed!

Because Trang travels a lot for work we decided we better take advantage of this time so we drove over to Chestnut Hill to go to Bloomindales. I thought it might be nice to get the dresses at a department store, both for sizing and practicality - there would be a better chance the girls could wear the dresses again and the prices are less and the quality is better. My friend Becky did this and it worked out great. Plus Bloomies has fantastic evening wear....but alas not tonight. There was some great stuff, but too much black, not quite the right style, too clingy, too strappy, too fuddy duddy...etc. Oh well! So we went to Jae's (a fantastic pan-Asian restaurant) for dinner. A treat! Then after dinner we went back to Cambridge and called AAA to come change her tire (no one really thought we changed it did they?). So that was the first bridesmaids dress foray - hopefully the next one will be more successful and less eventful!

July 19th:
Just a little update, but first Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

The DJ, Ron Bartell finally called today, a week and a half later...he kind of sounded like a wet noodle. Unfortunately he called while I was in the middle of some research at work so my mind was totally not able to focus on wedding stuff so I asked to call him back. We'll see how it goes tomorrow. Hmmph.

Yet another update, we still haven't heard from Tufts almost six months later. I guess its time to call and bug them again. And actually as I type this I realize it is six months to the day that we got engaged! I can't believe how time is flying - but we're definitely trying to enjoy every minute :-)

July 27th:
Not too much to report unfortunately. The DJs are really just dragging their feet which is so incredibly frustrating to me! "Oh I'll call you...Call me and we'll set something up...I'll send you a tape in the mail..." Can I please meet with someone!? Please? I've been calling DJs for a month and have yet to meet anyone face to face. Why is this so difficult? So, moving away from DJs, we are also shopping around for limos and/or vintage cars for the big day. That seems to be going much better, and I think we're going to see some vintage cars next week.

On the bridesmaids dress front - no new developments either. My cousin Bonny and I went to see Rent Sunday and while we were downtown we went into Neiman Marcus, Saks and the Jessica McClintock store. Neimans and Saks were good for a laugh, and while Jessica's had some nice dresses, nothing screamed to me. The search continues.

However, two promising things did happen yesterday - we received word that the title for my car is actually close to arriving in my possession! Can't wait! What a nightmare this has been. And for wedding news, we finally heard from Tufts that there is a VERY GOOD POSSIBILITY that we will be able to use the chapel on the 8th. We won't know definitely until September, as they are waiting for the Kids Day organizers to set a date, but even if Kids Day is on the 8th, if the ceremony is in the late afternoon there should be no conflict. Everyone keep your fingers crossed!