I’m desperate for a DJ.

We’ve chosen a jazz quartet for our ceremony, cocktail hour and dinner, but I’m looking for a fantastic DJ for our reception. I’ve sent out numerous emails with very little success trying to track down one. Come on Buffalo! Help me out here! I know my criteria is a little… we’ll say… strict, but I can’t help it. I have a firm policy of “no crap” at our wedding. I want plenty of fun- I just don’t want that fun to include synchronized dancing a la “YMCA” or “Macarena.” Is it so much to ask for a little originality in wedding music? Do DJ’s have nothing else up their sleeves than “We Are Family?”

I get it I get it. People love cheesy weddings songs. But I don’t. And neither does Chris for that matter. Call me Bridezilla, but seriously if I have to listen to that junk, I will walk out of my own wedding. Ok- maybe that’s a bit dramatic, but if I can prevent a conga line from forming- that would make me incredibly happy.

So here is my wedding DJ criteria and if you know of any around the Buffalo area who fit the bill and are available on January 1, 2011- please feel free to send them my way!

DON’T (and yes I have personally witnessed every one of these things at a wedding in the past)

• Props. There is nothing worse than when a DJ gets on the dance floor with a fuzzy pimp hat or afro wig and dances with your guests to “Play that funky music white boy” while doing the ‘sprinkler.’ Or when he tries to strap a fake ankle restraint with a ball and chain on your new husband. It’s not funny and it’s not cute. Please leave the props at home and let the drunk groomsmen take care of the ‘running man’ and the ‘worm’- they are entertaining enough.
• Advertisements. I don’t want to look at a banner for “PHENOMENAL SOUNDS ENTERTAINMENT, LLC HIRE US FOR YOUR NEXT PARTY!!” across your booth or see that in my wedding pictures for many many years to come. If people like you, they’ll ask me and I’ll be glad to give them your number if you do a great job. Let your work speak for itself.
• Flirt with or try to hook up with any guests or members of the wedding party. It is not ok. Period.
• Drink or smoke. I’m paying for a few hours of your time. Please don’t partake in my open bar and try to leave the cigarettes in the car until the night is over.
• Have a video montage on your website to Kool and the Gang’s, “Celebration.” This should go without saying, but I saw this on 4 COUNT EM 4 websites for DJ’s alone in 1 day. There are hundreds of thousands of songs out there that can represent you and the weddings you’ve worked. I’ll say it again- originality.
• Bottom line- don’t be THIS guy.

DO (I know there are amazing DJ’s out there who do these things without thinking…

• Have a fabulous catalog of songs with a large mix of genres. Big band to contemporary. Let the couple give you some suggestions of their favorite stuff and work with them on a playlist that won’t make them or their guests cringe.
• Update your website. I can’t tell you how many awful sites I’ve seen which immediately leave a bad taste in my mouth. You don’t need a HUGE site with tons of bells and whistles. Give me some basic info, a contact number and email, and some of the services you offer. Keep it simple, keep it clean. and see my note about the video montage above. I beg you!!!
• Dress professionally. I don’t need you in a tux necessarily but a nice all black outfit is always appreciated.
• Be punctual with all aspects of planning and the big day. Prompt email responses, phone calls returned in a timely manner, and showing up on time every time, demonstrates that you are responsible and trustworthy to handle the huge task of running the night and helps ease the already stressed out bride.
• Be personable and fun. You can be just as fabulous of a DJ without props or the cheese factor. Your emcee skills, knowledge of music and reading the crowd should be enough to entertain a room of people. No disco balls needed.
• Maybe this cat can be my DJ… because he is awesome.

Ok randomness. So anyway, I think this is a pretty comprehensive list. I know there is a DJ like this out there somewhere! I know it, I have faith! I mean, am I asking too much? Honestly- am I nuts and totally off my rocker with my requests for a music provider? Feel free to add your thoughts to my list. Anything you’d add or subtract? What are your dos and don’ts for a DJ?

And if you’re as paranoid as I am, here is a great  list of questions to ask up front before it’s too late and your DJ busts out a rubber chicken while subjecting your guests to the third grade nonsense of the ‘chicken dance.’ Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

So we got our cake!!! I’m so happy. I originally saw this design on an episode of Cake Boss where buddy was designing it for a Brides Magazine photo shoot. I saw the photo in the magazine and immediately ripped it out to add to my “inspiration” photo pile. I didn’t think there was any remotely possible way to get this cake knowing that the detail work would be incredibly time intensive and therefore expensive. (According to the magazine photo, the cake is about $15 per slice.)

But thanks to the AMAZING bakery, Muscoreil’s, here in Buffalo and the wonderful owner Dave, we have worked out a version of this cake that can be mine all mine AND still stay in the budget!!!

Our cake will be a square, 4-tiered version of this cake with no flowers. (In your head remove the bottom and top layer from the picture and that is what our cake will look like.) We wanted to keep it simple yet striking and stay with our classic black and white theme. The delicate black piping is almost lace-like which fits in with the lace textures we are working into the design of our wedding. We picked buttercream icing and chose 2 cake flavors in alternating tiers- white almond cake with raspberry filling and chocolate cake with chocolate ganache and raspberry filling. And Muscoreil’s doesn’t just make gorgeous cakes… they make gorgeous cakes that taste just as delicious as they look.

I just had to share this photo because the cake is unbelievable. I couldn’t be happier!!!

But- just a heads up who share my black and white vision- the bakery told us to make sure you don’t have too much black on your cake because there’s so much dye in the black icing, it can turn yours and your guests’ mouths black!

I’ve been going over the ever-daunting wedding checklist provided by TheKnot.com and I’m officially anxious. There is a LOT to do. We’ve been engaged for over a year and took this whole time to just chill and enjoy the time together. which has been pretty awesome actually but now that we’re under a year I’m beginning to panic.

Next weekend, Chris and I are driving home to Buffalo for our catering tasting, cake tasting/planning, and florist. Now if all these things work out then that’s some huge checks off on the list, however what if they don’t? I’m only in Buffalo for that weekend. Who knows when I can get in next. I still have to find an officiant, music (DJ or band!?!!), wedding gifts, hair and makeup trials and appointments, accessories, hotel blocks, transportation, invitations and every other piece of wedding stationary, finish our registry … the list goes on and on.

Being the slight control freak that I am, I feel the need to be a part of this planning in every step. I probably should have done more in this past year with my research. Found the vendors I wanted to use and then just put down deposits now. I wasn’t thinking!

From now on it’s wedding time. We’ve got 301 days to go- that’s 9 months and 25 days. I know that sounds like a lot but it’s not… especially when you’re planning a wedding in a location that’s 300 miles away.

Ok I’m gonna go freak out now. But not like this chick… because she’s just crazy.

I’ve written a couple posts about where to begin your wedding planning, but sometimes you just need a little help. Now, I’m not usually one to promote specific events, because I don’t like to point brides in a direction where they’re going to leave feeling more overwhelmed than when they started. I also don’t like bridal events very much because the vendors can get extremely pushy and that is so not my style.

That being said, I recently heard about a great event coming up here in the great city of Columbus put on by some of the best in the wedding business and I couldn’t resist telling you about it!

This bridal workshop, What To Do Before Saying I Do, promises to be filled with great information and how to’s, so you can get all the knowledge you need to jump into wedding planning full force. This is your opportunity to learn the dos and don’ts from premiere wedding vendors in the area. You can ask them whatever you like and get your questions answered. This is also a fabulous opportunity to gush with other brides (including yours truly!) about your upcoming nuptials and get some fresh and creative ideas that will set your wedding apart from a sea of tulle and beading.

The event is FREE. Yes you heard me… FREE and it promises to be fun and educational and there is no obligation whatsoever to hire any of the vendors. But you’re welcome to if you’d like what you see or hear! You’re also welcome to bring a guest with you. (See below for RSVP information.)

Where: The Loft at Smith Brothers 580 North 4th Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
When: Sunday, February 28, 2010 from 12pm-3pm

Vendors Present Will Include:
Alice’s Piece of Cake
Bloomtastic Florist
So Inviting Designs
DK Photographic
Emilie Duncan Event Planning
T.E.A.M DJ
MJ’s Candy & Events
Cameron Mitchell

Light Hors d’oeurves will be provided by Cameron Mitchell and there will also be door prizes given away!

A reservation is required. For questions and to RSVP, email your name and if you will be bringing a guest to: rsvp@bloomtastic.com

As mentioned, I will be attending so if you decide to come, please leave me a comment or tweet me so I know to look out for you and say hello! I’d love to meet you and hear all about your plans that is, as long as you don’t mind listening to some of mine too!

So if you know me at all or follow me on twitter, you’re probably aware that I have been laid off for the better part of a year. I was let go from my job last year during this lovely economy and struggled to find something new. Finally I have landed a new gig that promises to be challenging, fun, creative, and incredibly rewarding. I am the new Web Content Producer at ThisWeek Community Media. I’m on my second week and already my head is spinning with possibilities and new information! I love what I’m learning and all the people I work with. This job is exactly what I needed and have been hoping for. I’m so excited to do the things I love everyday as a career.

I also just turned 25 on February 3rd. I’ve heard turning 25 scares a lot of people but this was a birthday I was ready to embrace. It was a quiet and contemplative day and I tried to reflect on what I learned in the last year. This has been a year of exciting events as well as complicated challenges. But overall it was a year of growth in all areas of my life and I am extremely grateful for it. I have wonderful people in my life and overall I am the happiest I’ve ever been. My mind has been opened to possibilities and opportunities that I never thought possible both personally and professionally. I’ve made some great new friends and have been overwhelmed by the community support and encouragement I’ve received from people I’ve never even met. (Twitter rocks!) I’ve gotten rid of some toxic friends and improved my other relationships with those amazing, one of a kind type friends. (Marissa and Miranda- I’m talking about you!) I also feel that my relationship with my sister has grown stronger over the last year and I’m so lucky to have her there for me. But most of all I’m so excited to marry my best friend and love of my life. Chris impresses, amazes, and infatuates me every day and I truly can’t believe I will get to spend the rest of my life with him.

Not to mention that having this new job also makes wedding planning a little easier considering I will actually be able to contribute to our budget. I feel strongly that all couples should contribute something to their wedding budget and I was worried that I might not have been able to. Planning a wedding is really stressful and this new job actually takes some of that stress off of me. (Yeah- a job that takes stress away- how cool is that?)

I wanted to take a little time as well to thank you. I have a wonderful loyal readership and the people who send me emails and ask questions and tweet me are some of the most genuine, awesome people I’ve meet over the last year. Especially you Columbus peeps and the people who helped encourage me to never give up over this tough year. I have found support in people I’ve never met (and some I have briefly) and yet you have been so kind and helpful to me. When I announced I’d finally landed this new job, the flood of congratulations and well wishes I received was overwhelming. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.

Seriously- thank you.