Ask Esther

Yesterday at Saltwater Farm, JC & I met a bunch of great, newly engaged couples who have either booked or are considering booking (DO IT!) their weddings at the vineyard. I had some really nice conversations with the couples and even some parents about our experience and their visions for their own dream weddings. It made me remember just how overwhelming the whole planning process can be. JC & I planned every last detail by ourselves...searching online through hundreds of potential venues and then visiting over a dozen, many of which we realized in seconds were not right for us (but still drove 2 hours to see); spending hours on the phone with potential vendors, before scheduling face-to-face meetings with each of them...photographers, caterers, florists, justices-of-the-peace, and on and on........

We would have given our right arms (the left needs to sparkle with the ring J) for some advice or recommendations as to where we could start. Once we had agreed to work with some of our vendors, we were able to ask them for advice and it made the process so much easier. If you've followed our blog, you know that we hired DJ Doug from Power Posse Productions without even talking to him, let alone hearing/seeing his work!

I gave my email address and phone number to a bunch of couples because I am honestly more than happy to share our experience, offer inside info, and give recommendations for our awesome vendors. I mean, I spent a year researching and learning all about wedding planning and getting to know vendors in New England so it would be a shame to have all that new knowledge go to waste now! I understand why so many wedding planners get their start after their own weddings ;)

So if you've come across our blog in your search for some of the vendors we used, please feel free to contact me about our experience or ask any questions you like...the more random the better! For now, I'll tell you that we chose to work with each of our vendors because they were the most fun, the most flexible, the most creative, the easiest to work with, and the most excited about our vision. Tall order, if you ask me!

Venue: Saltwater Farm Vineyard - owners, Merrily & Michael Connery

Caterer: Gourmet Galley - owner & event planner, Anna Lathrop

Photographers: Justin Marantz Photography - owners & photographers, Justin & Mary Marantz

Videographer: Stillmotion - cinematographer, Patrick Moreau

Florist: It's So Ranunculus - owner & florist, Leah Miner

DJ: Power Posse Productions - owner & DJ, Doug Jastremski

Hair: Platinum of Norwich - stylist, Bobbie Camp

Makeup: Jennie Fresa Beauty Libray - owner & makeup artist, Jennie Fresa

Justice of the Peace: Chaz Zezulka

Best of luck and have fun!

Bride: Esther Tetreault

esthermary11@comcast.net

DJ Doug

One thing that DJ Doug Jastremski of Power Posse asked us to do was to provide him with a list of top ten dancing-type songs ...songs that will be sure winners for both the bride and groom when he notices out on the dance floor, and he might be able to take the energy to the next level.

Sounds like a pretty simple request, but...it turns out...this is a VERY difficult proposition, as there countless songs that I'd love to hear, but I'm pretty sure that I'd be out there by myself, busting out very un-choreographed moves, as most everyone else slowly slinked away, muttering 'what a stupid song...'

And its pretty clear that E and I have different tastes in music, often leaving each other slowly slinking away, muttering 'what a stupid song...'

I'm 100% OK with our different tastes, and actually can really appreciate we both have our own distinct styles and opinions (we ARE two different people, after all...) It is cool that we are actually able to find a good amount of common ground (ie, she's cool with my choices for MIA, Postal Service and I thought for her stuff, the Roots was a cool addition, and I do enjoy most of JayZ's stuff).

And our first dance song, which will remain a mystery for now, was something that we both absolutely love.

So, though I'm sure not all of these songs will be played, I'll leave you with the top ten lists we provided to Doug:

E’s top 10

1. “ Crazy in Love” JayZ Beyonce

2. “ Forever” Chris Brown

3. “ Untouched” Veronicas

4. “ Vivrant Thing” QTip

5. “ Boom Boom Pow” Black Eyed Peas

6. “ Dirt off your shoulder” JayZ

7. “ Step in to your world” KRS One

8. “ I know you want me” Pitbull

9. “ Beware of the boys” Punjabi MC + JayZ

10. “Here I come” the Roots

JC's

1. Body Movin’ (Fatboy Slim remix)-Beastie Boys

2. Excursions or Oh My God-Tribe Called Quest

3. Paper Planes (DFA remix), mix in to Swagger Like Us (JayZ rhymes only ~1:47 in to the song)

4. If it wasn’t for you-Handsome Boy Modeling School

5. 19-2000(soulchild remix)- Gorillaz

6. 1901-Phoenix

7. Such Great Heights-Postal Service

8. Time to pretend-MGMT

9. Ghettochip Malfunction (Hell Yes)-Beck

10. Bamboo Banga or Galang-MIA

Connecticut's hottest dj

I can't believe we actually did this, but we booked our dj without even talking to him, let alone hearing/seeing his work.

For 2 people as obsessed w/ data and research as JC & I, to not even interview or research another "music" option for our wedding seems crazy at best, scary at worst. The music is half the party! JC & I both hate the traditional "wedding songs" and we have different taste in music so I was concerned that this would be one of our toughest decisions. Nope.

Every vendor we've spoken to in CT has referred us to the same person: DJ Doug Jastremski of Power Posse Productions (yes, that is actually the name...apparently he started the company when he was 14 with a boombox and some cassette tapes he recorded off the radio). Caterers, florists, photographers...everyone knows DJ Doug. In small towns like Mystic and Stonington, people in the same industry (Weddings) have probably worked with everyone else at one time or another. They are really quick and happy to give referrals and let you know if they think another vendor would be a "good fit" for your personality and wedding style. During every vendor meeting we've had so far, when the subject of music came up the first and sometimes ONLY reference we got was, "Oh, you have to book DJ Doug." or "You should call Power Posse Productions as soon as possible." Really??

So last week I left a message for DJ Doug and got a prompt return call from Mia in his office (30 minutes on the phone and I find out Mia is Doug's wife). Surprisingly, they don't have a website or media package but apparently they only work off referrals, do no advertising, and are slammed with business. Doug did the Victoria's Secret fashion show after party, Kevin Bacon's 20th wedding anniversary (ha! 2 degrees of separation), a Rockefeller wedding, and a party for Justin Timberlake at 50 Cent's CT mansion, among other big names. They have a small staff of dj's and production people but fortunately, Doug was actually open for September 6 so Mia penciled us in and told me she'd send out a hard copy of their proposal. In the time it took to get the package, we were referred back to him by 3 more vendors. Time to make the call.

Ok, I literally just got off the phone with Doug and he's great. Done deal. Actually, I spent 45 minutes on the phone w/ Doug and then called Mia and I just got off the phone w/ her after another 45 minute conversation. I love these two! I feel completely confident that our wedding is going to be so much fun and you're all going to have the best time ever!