Is ANYTHING going to be easy? Need pep talk!

Hi!

Okay, I'm feeling down.

We got engaged in March.

Within a couple of weeks, I started looking for a band.

Now it's January and I still haven't found one.

I have looked at gowns in about 6 or 7 shops already and haven't found The One. I've liked just about everything I tried on, but there just hasn't been one that stood out and said, 'I'm the one! Buy me!'

Our wedding is in June. JUNE! And I literally have nothing done except:

The place is booked.
I booked JN for makeup.
My dad ordered favors.

Seriously, that's it. I have less than five months now to get everything else done, from the gown to bridesmaid dresses, photog, videog, band, florist, invites, etc. etc.

Someone give me a pep talk! I'm feeling overwhelmed and am starting to feel like I'm just going to settle on things because it's getting so late and I still haven't fallen in love with anything. It's specifically the band and the gown that I've been working so hard at and still not having success. Was it this hard for you gals? Where's the best place to look online for gowns?

Were you at the Commack Wedding Center on Thursday night???

I felt the same way when I first started planning. I have a lot more time than you, but I felt that compared to some girls on the board that I was so far behind. There are some people who are getting married after me that already have everything done!

Concentrate on one thing at a time! My problem is that I always second guess myself and I am afraid to book incase something better comes along. But I guess it is good I feel this way because so far the 2 main vendors I booked (photo/video and DJ) I am 100% sure about! They are Duet and Tommys Tunes. I know you want a band not DJ, but check out Duet for photo/video.

Good luck!

My approach to deciding on a gown...

Take a look in your closet and answer these questions:

1. What dresses do you like and why?
2. Which dresses yield the most compliments when you wear them?

Take the answers to the above questions and figure out what is most flattering for your figure. Scour the web, magazines, books, etc. to find styles that match what you have analyzed. Try on the dresses you picked. Lather, rinse, and repeat...you'll find one... I found my inspiration piece on theknot.com.

Bands are hard. What type of music do you want? I refused to book a band that I could not see live. FH and I went to bars and clubs in Manhattan. Time after time the groups we saw were eh, and just not 'right'. I finally got a recommendation from a friend of my FSIL's. They are fantastic. Just what I wanted...a total fluke.

Hang in there and get a move on. Whatever you do, DON’T SETTLE you have plenty of time!

THANK YOU!

Which band did you book, September? I have seen literally about 70 bands now. I used up the Long Island bands and have been looking at NYC and even CT bands. Right now I'm praying that Tribeca Rhythm is open (and not a million dollars)-- waiting to hear from them. I just heard them on the web and thought they sounded super. (www.jerrykravat.com)

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Posted by violetfairy

THANK YOU!

Which band did you book, September? I have seen literally about 70 bands now. I used up the Long Island bands and have been looking at NYC and even CT bands. Right now I'm praying that Tribeca Rhythm is open (and not a million dollars)-- waiting to hear from them. I just heard them on the web and thought they sounded super. (www.jerrykravat.com)

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My FH is an all around jazz fan and I like swing...

We are going with Ron Sunshine . You can check to see if they are booked for your date online...

Its not easy planning one of the biggest and most important days in your life. Maybe take a day or two to yourself, no wedding planning and just try to kick back and relax. After that, make some calls to go look at places. Also, before looking at places like the florist, do some searching online to get an idea of what you would like. I know its not easy, but it does get better once you have all these things out of the way and booked and off your mind. You can do it!!

its gonna be ok. we got engaged in june and we really just started planning two weeks ago, because i was in school. you'll do it!!! with reviews from everyone here, you can honestly go with someone on the first try. everyone is reputable and great and you will find everyone you need!!! and yes, take a day or two and just don't do any wedding stuff. get a massage. you are stressed and that isn't helping the situation. we planned a wedding for my future brother in law in less than 6 weeks! because it was all last minute, we got a lot of breaks!
if you had to push back the date, what would you lose??? i don't want to say give up, but if it is too overwhelming, and more than it needs to be, then maybe that is what you need to do.
however, relax, take a break, assess the situation and you may need to make some compromises. do you need a band? do you need THE dress? chances are you have tried on beautiful dresses. in all honesty, don't worry about the dress being the one. Focus on that you have a man who is the one!

Bless you people! This hit home with me:

'Focus on that you have a man who is the one!'

Amen.

I know I'm PMSing right now, which isn't helping. I've just had a crazy work schedule (I'm a writer, and have written 9 books in 2 years... I just made a deal on my 10th, and it's due in 2 months!), so all I've even tried to do so far is the band and the dress, and I'm frustrated that it's taking so long and I'm worried I won't get everything else done. But I will. I just have to focus and make it a priority.

My fiance is the sax player in Code Bleu (part of Skyline Orchestras), so we did check there first, of course. Anyone who books with them, bravo! Not only are they great bands, but great people. Sean (the bandleader) is the one who hooked us up-- I used to work in the Skyline office. Unfortunately, they were already booked back in March when we got engaged.

These bands are also booked: Body Heat, Times Square Orchestra, the JK Band, Full House, Heartbeat Dance Band, The Heartbeats, In Transit, Kameleon, Chaser... (these were my top choices). If anyone needs band urls, I have pages and pages of them. :)

I will happily check out the other suggestions, though-- thanks!