Pre- Nuptial Big Brother

Maybe it is just one of the rules of the trade, but let me tell you, when you're shopping for your wedding, suddenly EVERYBODY wants a piece of you. F and I popped into a bridal boutique near Boston while Ben and I were visiting, and we had barely stepped in the door before being accosted by an odd, nervous man inquiring about when and where the wedding was, and offering his services as a DJ/videographer/MC/photographer. It was unclear whether or not he intended to do all of those things by himself at the same time, but I had a sneaking suspicion that perhaps he did. I told him, as I tell most of the people who approach me about those things, that I would have to talk to Ben first and think about it. He understood and walked away. Then he was back a few minutes later, as he had forgotten to give me the free coffee cup I had apparently earned for doing nothing whatsoever. I had my coffee in it this morning, though- pretty good mug.

It seems that a lot more people than I realize know I'm getting married. I barely had time to change the old Facebook status to 'engaged' before there were wedding ads popping up on the side of my computer screen. And once I started looking at gowns, random wedding vendors began blowing up my phone and voicemail about free gifts they had for my fiance and I- and congrats on my engagement! But I think the point was really driven home when I noticed a thick envelope in my pile of mail today, with a message full of desire to be a part of my special day- complete with a free gift card.

This mail was from Target. As in, the giant department store chain with the big bullseye. Target knows that I will be getting married soon, and wants to make sure that I'll sign up for their registry (which, hey, I probably will...).

HOW does Target know this about me? And how does Target know where I live? I'm sure there are very simple, very creepy answers to this question, since nothing on the internet is private, but eeesh.

The wedding's getting closer, though. Perhaps it's time to dust off the binder that my mother sent me for my birthday last year and have a look at the things I still have left to do. You never know, it might be time for me to give one of those vendors a call back.