Vendors Unveiled: Ciao! Catering and Events

When planning my October 2005 wedding, I was referred to Tom Devine of Ciao! Catering and Events by my own wedding coordinator. Given the nature and location of my event, some caterers were nervous to take it on. When I first met Tom, I told him of my plan and he was immediately on board. His expertise and resourcefulness ensured that my wedding ran smoothly. The food was amazing (guests STILL talk about it over three years later) and the staff members were friendly and helpful (I even have a photo of Tom's wife re-bustling my dress)!

They were incredible all day long. Unlike some other caterers, they didn't concentrate their responsibilities on the food solely. Tom worked with my rental company to ensure I had everything I would need. He provided suggestions based on his experience in the industry. His staff was there the entire day and assisted in making sure everything was set up perfectly. I have since recommended couples to Ciao! Catering and Events multiple times because I wholeheartedly trust their weddings in the hands of Tom [pictured below on the left] and his business partner, Keith O'Marra [pictured below on the right].

Name: Tom Devine - Ciao! Catering and Events/ Two Steps Downtown Grille

Website: http://www.ciaocateringtwosteps.com/

Where are you located, and what geographical area(s) do you service?
We are located in Danbury Connecticut, but our catering services go as far up as Hartford, across into New York State and Lower Fairfield and New Haven Counties and below towards New York City

How long have you been in business?
We've been in the catering business for 20 great years!

What drew you to event catering as a profession?
We love the fact that each event is different, thereby challenging us to be extremely creative.

What do you feel sets you apart as a caterer?
We're not a column A, Column B caterer. We firmly believe that event should reflect the personality of the bride and groom. From their taste in food, taste in music, degree of formality, decor ... in essence the total vibe of the event should be about them. I guess the example I would give you is that if I was to invite you tonight to my house for dinner... I would cook what I feel like eating, put on the music I want to listen to and pour the wine that I want to drink. Every bride and groom should look at the event site in the same light as an extension of their home showcasing their tastes. A lot of what we discuss with our clients seems like common sense, but unfortunately sometimes with weddings, common sense goes out the window.

What do you love most about your job?
The diversity. Besides owning a catering business we also own a restaurant where we do cooking classes, chef's table dinners and special events. Every day is different.

If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would it be?
Caring

Customized Cookies

Who wouldn't want a cookie that looked exactly like them?! Check out Parker's Crazy Cookies. These would make adorable wedding favors!

Wonderwear!

I was recently thumbing through my weekly fix of trashy, celebrity gossip (in the form of OK! Magazine) and came across something that I figured I would remind our readers of.

I found the miracle that is SPANX during the planning of my own wedding. I am a “solid” girl (yeah, that sounds MUCH better) and I wanted to look as toned and tight as possible for my wedding day. I don’t have will power to do those crazy things like dieting and exercising- so I turned to this underwear! SPANX by Sara Blakely is a collection of various undergarments that tighten all the right areas. They have become an absolute Godsend for brides and bridesmaids over the past few years.

I personally highly recommend their Body Shapers line. Versions offered range from a simple panty to an entire body suit. They are a much more comfortable version of the old-school corsets… except you don’t need a handmaiden to squeeze and tie you into them (and you avoid that whole pesky broken rib issue). Wear the Body Shapers under your everyday clothes and you'll feel sexy even in jeans and a t-shirt!

Sara Blakely recently created a new version of her SPANX line called ASSETS, that can be found at Target stores nationwide. As with SPANX, they carry an assortment of undergarments that will simply tighten everything up. The best part of her ASSETS line... a portion of each purchase goes towards The Sara Blakely Foundation. This organization works to empower women around the globe to provide them with the same opportunities we are blessed with here in America. The Sara Blakely Foundation works to give scholarships to underprivileged South African women and provides education on the HIV-AIDS epidemic.

Feel good about yourself- both outside AND inside… and purchase your SPANX or ASSETS item today!

Unique Bouquet Alternatives

A collection of fresh roses with stems wrapped in soft satin ribbon is what we normally picture when we think of a bridal bouquet. However, since weddings have become more unique and free-form, you have more opportunities to express yourself through what you decide to carry down the aisle. In Jessica's previous blog contribution Fabric Boutonnieres, she discussed a creative option for bridal party flowers.

Here are a few of my favorite alternatives to the classic bridal bouquet.


Put a new twist on a classic

Completely redefine the term "bouquet"

Photo sources:

Crepe paper roses - Martha Stewart Crafts

Bright paper flowers - OffBeat Bride

Clay Stephanotis - Etsy seller DK Designs

Beaded flowers - Etsy seller Bead Flora Jewels

Colorful felt & buttons - Princess Lasertron

Monogram parasol - Prior Engagement Blog

Personalized paper fan - Beach Wedding Planning

Peony pomander - Chique Weddings

Copper & beads - Etsy seller Refinerii

Monarch butterflies - Etsy seller Whichgoose

Buttons - Etsy seller Kreated by Kelly

Blue ornaments - OffBeat Bride

Feathers - HatsnStuff

Seashells - Etsy seller Chocolate Brooms and Bouquets

White Moroccan lantern - Aspen Country

Beads & crystals - Wedding Bridal Combs

Vendors Unveiled: Celebrant Shauna Kanter

We had the distinct pleasure of working with our next Vendor Unveiled at Kelly & Giancarlo's August 2008 wedding. She was an amazing find- an officiant with heart and personality... who was most concerned with the happiness of the couple.



Name: Shauna Kanter

Website: http://www.shaunaweddings.com/

Where are you located, and what geographical area(s) do you service?
I serve New York City, Westchester, the Hudson Valley, Connecticut, New Jersey, Vermont and Western Mass.

How long have you been in business?
2 years

What drew you to wedding officiating as a profession?
My own marriage in Bristol, England was a collaboration between cultures across thousands of miles. Because we wanted to express who we are and how we came to be a couple and at the time (in 1995) in England this kind of thing was unheard of. We had to create a one of a kind wedding and in doing so, I came to appreciate how important and precious this life changing ceremony is for a couple and the couple's family and friends. And the ceremony that was created and the celebration afterwards really blew me away and I have cherished every moment of it to this day.

What do you feel sets you apart as a wedding officiant?
I bring more than thirty years of experience offering a unique convergence of skills. I have received my degree in Marriage Ceremony from the Celebrant Foundation and Institute. I am a published writer, university professor and theatre director. As a Celebrant I am a co – creator, resource person, encourager, and Legal Wedding Officiant. I create unique ceremonies, not one-size-fits-all-city-hall-ceremonies.

With each wedding that I write, I draw upon my writing skills to crystallize the story, feelings and beliefs of each bride and groom. My organizational skills as a theatre director combine with my teaching skills to create an atmosphere of compassion. My vocal skills merge to beautifully express the hearts of each couple that I marry, whether we are in front of three or three hundred guests.

What do you love most about your job?
Being there for couples as they walk through this very extraordinary journey called marriage and the grand adventure to follow.

If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would it be?
Loving.

Unique Vintage

My 4th wedding anniversary is coming up in June, and by a stroke of pure luck, I was somehow able to convince my camera-shy husband to partake in an anniversary photo shoot to commemorate the occasion. I’m excited for the shoot, but for me, at least half the fun is going to be shopping for outfits to wear during the shoot.

And so in my quest to find the perfect vintage dress, I stumbled upon this fabulous website: www.unique-vintage.com. With styles from nearly every era dating back to the 1920s, this is the vintage-loving gal’s one-stop shop for all wedding-related occasion dresses.

The bridal shower:

The bachelorette party (this design was inspired by one of Carrie Bradshaw's dresses):

The rehearsal dinner:

And, of course, the wedding:

This one retails for a mere $188. It doesn’t really get much more affordable than that when it comes to wedding dresses, and I’d say it bears a striking resemblance to the Melissa Sweet gown below, which costs thousands more.

[Photo source: carinesbridal.com]

Heaven in a cup (cake)

If anyone out there is looking for gift ideas for my birthday - several months from now (what can I say? I’m a planner) - these little gems from Coldstone would be most appreciated.

Vendors Unveiled: Digital Media Odyssey

I'm following in Elizabeth's footsteps with this week's Vendors Unveiled and featuring one of my own wedding vendors: Matt Fink of Digital Media Odyssey. I hadn't initially planned on having a videographer, but hiring Matt turned out to be one of the best wedding-related decisions I made. My husband Greg was also skeptical about the idea at first, figuring I would watch the video once, after which it would be forever tucked away in a closet collecting dust.

Boy did I ever prove him wrong! I watched that video every day for at least two months after the wedding. I'm not kidding. I couldn't get enough of it, and that was due in large part to Matt's amazing editing skills. It's not just a video; it's a movie, complete with a soundtrack, and credits, and outtakes. It is a work of art. Even Greg was impressed, and though he would complain when I'd put the video on for the third time in a single day (again, not kidding), I would often catch him watching from the other room. My friends loved it too, so much so that three of them hired Matt to film their own weddings after seeing it.


Name: Matt Fink

Website: www.dmodyssey.com

Blog: Blog.DMOdyssey.com

Where are you located, and what geographical area(s) do you service?
I am currently located in Danbury, soon to be Stamford, CT and I work all over! I have filmed in New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania. I love traveling and experiencing new places to film, so wherever it may be, we will go!

How long have you been in business?
Been in business since February of 2002

What drew you to videography as a profession?
I have always had an interest in film and video, just never thought about doing wedding and events, especially considering at the time I had only been to maybe one wedding in my life. After a friend's sister's friend needed a videographer and asked if I would do it, knowing I had my own equipment, I said sure why not, not expecting much from it, but it was so different then what I imagined, it was just fun and enjoyable and knowing I was giving them this piece of their personal history of one of the most important days of their lives and knowing they can show family and friends and their children down the road what their wedding was like made me fall in love with it. Its such an amazing industry where you get to work with a melting pot of cultures, religions and people and it's just so rewarding knowing you played a part in a memory that will be with them forever.

What do you feel sets you apart as a videographer?
I think there are a few things that set me apart from other videographers. I think my style is all in it's own. I don't follow any other traditional style or other videographers style, I made my own and I am constantly trying to improve on it and reinvent myself every wedding I do. I love music. Music helps make the video flow and with the use of music I can really tell the story of someone's wedding and it helps produce such a beautifully emotional ride. I also am very open to discussion and ideas anyone has when it comes to their video. Special requests are my specialties! Whether it be using a song that doesn't fit anywhere else or adding a segment for outtakes, I love listening to what people have to say and their ideas - it's their video, it needs to last them a lifetime, I want it to be perfect!

What do you love most about your job?
There is so much I love about my job. I would say the number one thing I love is knowing that I helped preserve a memory of such a huge event in someone's life. Making people laugh and cry and see things they missed during their day. I love the fact that I get to experience so much diversity in cultures and religions. I love that I get film the one event where there is hardly anyone who isn't having a great time or smiling. I love being able to let my creativity flow. I love being able to tell a story! I love it all! Working in the wedding industry is such an amazing thing!

If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would it be?
If I had to describe myself in one word it would be Passionate.

Paint the Picture

Sometimes it’s difficult to truly see the big picture of your wedding design. In your travels, you find individual elements that catch your eye that you would love to incorporate into your event vision. However, it can be difficult to see the things you love objectively.

For a way to get a better sense of what your wedding will look like, I recommend purchasing a collage board.

Pick up paint chips of colors that call to you from Home Depot. Purchase a fat quarter of fabric that you fall in love with at Joann’s. Tear out photos of various décor elements from your favorite magazines. Print out ideas you have come across on the internet (including photos of your ceremony and reception locations).

Place all of these images and materials on the board to create your own wedding day collage. Spend some time standing a few feet away from it, adding new pieces and removing others.

As you inspect your wedding design collage, ask yourself some questions:

1. Do these colors complement each other? Matchy-matchy is not the goal of wedding design, but the various colors should play off each other and bring out the rest of the décor.

2. Do the items flow together? You do not necessarily need a theme, but the aspects of your wedding should provide a consistency throughout the entire event.

3. Do the items really speak to your personalities? The event should be a true display to your guests of what is in your hearts on the day you celebrate your marriage with them.

4. Are you selecting wedding elements simply because you feel obligated out of tradition? Jordan almonds are not a necessity. They may be the standard favor for a lot of weddings… but this is your time to think outside of the box.

5. Is this vision realistic in comparison to my budget? We all love the lush floral arrangements you see spotlighted at a wedding planned by Preston Bailey- but it’s not a reality for many people (myself included). However, there are ways to recreate this look. Take some time reviewing the more extravagant details you admire and brainstorm ways to invoke the same feeling for less money.

What are some methods you use to envision your event design as you make decor decisions?

[photo source: Crafty.Quirky.Fun Blog]

Stand Your Ground with SoleMates

After last week’s blizzard, it was so wonderful to wake up this past weekend to the sun shining and the sound of melting snow trickling down the rain gutters. That first hint of mild weather after a long and frigid Connecticut winter never fails to put a spring in everyone’s step (pun intended). The grass-covered ground was a welcome sight after so many months of snow cover, though I quickly realized that it wasn’t much of a ground at all, but rather a soggy swamp. As I trudged through the slippery mud pit that is my backyard to refill our bird feeders, I was reminded of a nifty little product called SoleMates.



SoleMates are a simple, yet ingenious device that prevents pointy heels from sinking into the soft earth. If I was having trouble in my sneakers, I can only imagine how last weekend’s brides and bridesmaids fared in their stilettos. The recent weather patterns clearly illustrate just how fickle Mother Nature can be, and her unpredictability is not limited to the winter season. Pick up a pair of SoleMates to ensure that you stay above ground on your spring, summer, fall, or winter wedding day.

Vendors Unveiled: MereMatt Studios

In our latest edition of Vendors Unveiled, we get the opportunity to learn more about Reina McCuskey of MereMatt Studios in Westport, CT. I met Reina approximately 5 years ago when I was in the process of finding a photographer for my own wedding. I found her online and instantly fell in love with her work. After I contacted her and assured she was available on my wedding day... I hired her on the spot!

Reina captured the most cherished memories of my wedding. From an artistic photo of my neglected shoes as I danced away in the night in the background, or the image of my brand-new husband and I kissing when we didn't realize anyone was watching... she truly told the story of the best day of my life through her lens. On top of being an amazing photographer, her personality really put me at ease. As I was getting ready the day of the wedding with my bridesmaids, I felt like Reina was just another member of my bridal party. That is a VERY important attribute that certainly helped this camera shy chick!



Name: Reina McCuskey

Website: http://www.merematt.com/

Blog: merematt.bigfolioblog.com

Where are you located, and what geographical area(s) do you service?
I'm based out of Westport, CT and cover the NY Metro and New England area.

How long have you been in business?
Just over 5 years.

What drew you to photography as a profession?
I can remember being very young and looking through my mother's photo albums filled with images of her youth and her family and friends. There were beautiful b&w images - some dating back to the early 1900s - that were so expressive and filled with meaning and family history. When I had children of my own, I felt compelled to recreate the look of those early albums for them. I began studying the art of photography, and learned to develop and print my film images, which were viewed by family and friends. Before long, I was asked to photograph christenings and weddings and I suppose you could say one thing led to another...It was also the perfect lifestyle choice for me given that I had young children at home. I was able to work and still be at home with them while they were babies.

What do you feel sets you apart as a photographer?
That's a difficult question to answer. I really believe I have to leave that for others to judge. My style of photography has evolved over the years from a purists' love of developing and printing the black and white candids I captured on film to embracing the digital culture and the possibilities it has opened for my creative expression... but I suppose the one constant is that I view my work in terms of whether it will stand the test of time... Technically, did I nail the exposure and composition? Will it evoke a sense of the day or moment in time when it's viewed by my subject's grandchildren 30 or 40 years down the road? Have I captured and presented something I myself would treasure and pass on as an heirloom?...these are the ultimate goals for me.

What do you love most about your job?
The feeling I get when I know I've captured something special. You know, it really is a privilege to be asked to photograph a wedding. You're being entrusted with the task of documenting a very special moment in time, and I absolutely love it when, at the end of the day, I know I've captured the essence of the day, and all of the special moments and details that go into making their experience unique among all others.

If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would it be?
Observant.

As always, if you have a vendor you would like to suggest for a future installment of Vendors Unveiled, please email us!

Be Careful Not to Overdo-it-Yourself

I consider myself a “crafty” person. I have a background in art and absolutely love to create. Therefore, it was only natural that when I was planning my own wedding, a lot of the details would be produced by me. The operative word there is details… meaning something small. However, I had two years to plan a wedding and let’s just say… I started out a little overly ambitious.

After my wonderful husband (fiancé at the time) slipped that beautiful sapphire and diamond ring on my finger, I started thinking about all the contributions I would make to my wedding. However… I got a little overzealous in my insistence on creating every element of my wedding by hand.

For example, I was going to design and sew my own dress. I spent HOURS looking at various patterns and fabrics. I analyzed elements of each dress that I loved, and drew sketches to determine what I would have to do to recreate that look. Keep in mind, I can sew, but I am by NO means a professional. I can only IMAGINE what the dress would have looked like

My husband jumped on the DIY bandwagon right along with me. He decided that he was going to bake and decorate our 4 tier wedding cake. He likes to bake. So what if he had only ever made one layer cakes? He was confident. He would make the cake… and all our guests would be incredibly impressed.

Luckily, we woke up from our delusions in time enough to hire REAL, PROFESSIONAL vendors! Unfortunately, some brides never recognize that they’re in over their heads and continue on with these projects. The enormity and timely nature of these projects can create a lot of stress. You should enjoy the process of planning your wedding, and you shouldn’t spend the days before your wedding running on little sleep and nervously biting your nails (think of those ring photos!)

These are the items I suggest a couple avoid attempting on their own:

• Wedding Cake
• Catering
• Floral Design
• Ceremony/Reception Music
• Wedding Dress/Bridesmaids Dress

However, sometimes it’s a nice touch when elements are handmade by the couple. These items are usually things that can be done well in advance of the event and are smaller details. These aspects include:

• The invitations/save-the-dates/thank you cards
• Favors (design, execution and packaging)
• Signage (signature cocktail, table numbers, placecards)
• Guest book or variations thereof
• Your veil/headpiece (I did this myself. My veil cost approximately $4 and it was exactly what I had envisioned)
• Candy/cookie/dessert buffet

The time leading up to your wedding should be enjoyable and as stress-free as possible. No bride should be sick of the idea of her wedding day by the time it finally arrives. It should be as exciting as the day you started making your plans. There is a reason people pay for professional wedding vendors… they are worth EVERY PENNY. Even if you have the ability to create a lot of these things, your time and energy are more important!

What are you planning to DIY for your own wedding? For those already married, what details did you personally contribute to your event?

[photo source: Blue Orchid Designs Blog]

Add some tackiness to your wedding

No, not THAT kind of tackiness. This kind of tackiness:

Use these decorative thumbtacks (push pins, whatever you want to call them) to create a simple and unique guestbook: have guests write well wishes on little slips of paper and tack them to a fabric bulletin board or corkboard. Stikpins come in an array of super fun colors like Hot Ruby Roja and Oceanology (pictured above).

Or if you prefer patterns over solids, Etsy offers a huge variety of decorative tacks to coordinate with any event design concept, like these cherry blossom ones from seller GamiWorks . . .

. . . or these organic-inspired ones from seller MostlyMagnets.

So go ahead and get a little tacky!

Address Labels with Personality

In planning our own weddings, Jessica and I stumbled across this fun product. It is a perfect addition to your wedding thank you cards. Browse FamilyLabels.com and have fun playing with all of the variations of return address labels that you can create!

You can opt for a version displaying you and your husband in your bridal trousseau. Or as I did, you can use the label as an opportunity to introduce your new "family". In my case, this consisted of cartoons of me, Jay and our two beloved cats Gizmo and Chevy! I have continued to use these as the return labels for our holiday cards and party invitations every year. We get comments on how adorable they are every single time we use them.

Check out FamilyLabels.com and CupidLabels.com and personalize your own!

Grooming the Groom

Recently I have noticed that men are becoming nostalgic in their shaving rituals. Gone are the days of cheap plastic Bic razors and cans of Barbasol shaving cream. These implements are being replaced by expensive straight razors and badger hair brushes. My husband has recently become appreciative of the close shave only these tools can provide.


Why not use this growing trend as a way to give your groom and his groomsmen their equivalent of the bridal party pedicure/manicure outing? Not only will it relax them for the events of the day, but it will ensure that they arrive to the wedding fresh faced and nicely groomed (pun intended). Forget golfing or an outing to a local bar--- send them to The Art of Shaving in New York City!

The Art of Shaving is a salon that provides spa services and products geared toward men looking for the ultimate in shaving experiences. Owners Myriam and Eric have perfected their shaving system and The Art of Shaving’s high-end products can be found in department stores and in their 17 locations nationwide.

We women tend to think that we are the only ones who truly appreciate being pampered. Men are starting to realize just how valuable these services are. Treat your fiancé and his best friends to this wonderful experience.

How did your husband spend the days prior to your wedding? What other activities would you suggest for a groom and his wedding party prepping for the big day? Comment for a cause!

[Photo source: The Art of Shaving]

Vendors Unveiled: Mew Paper Arts

We’re pleased to announce a new feature on our blog called Vendors Unveiled. We thought our blog readers would enjoy getting to know more about the many wonderful vendors out there, so we’ll be posting a series of brief interviews with various wedding professionals.

Our first featured vendor is Alissa Harvey from Mew Paper Arts. Alissa is an extremely talented stationery designer and of course we loved the fact that her business name was inspired by her cat!

Name: Alissa Harvey, owner Mew Paper Arts

Location: Danbury, CT (servicing clients nationwide)

Website: www.mewpaperarts.com

Blog: curiouserandcuriouser.typepad.com

How long have you been in business?
I started my stationery design business in 2006 via Etsy.com when I was working full time in a real estate office. After the first Christmas season on Etsy I saw a huge increase in business, and branched a little further out into the wedding invitation design. In January, 2008 I was able to dump my boring day job and dig into Mew full time. I haven’t looked back, and most days I can’t believe how lucky I am to do what I love!

What drew you to stationery design as a profession?
I was totally the art-geek in highschool, and went on to study art and illustration in college. I would send my friends in other colleges handmade cards that I put together in my dorm room. When I got into the real world I felt like I should have a more corporate type job. What was I thinking? It was never the right fit, and it didn’t take me long to realize that I needed to be creative every day.

What do you feel sets you apart as a stationery designer?
I think my clients choose to work with me because they are looking for a unique product, and appreciate buying handmade. There are many stationery design boutiques that offer nice work, but lack the one-on-one service that I offer each and every one of my clients. Your entire stationery ensemble can be customized, and I use original art and illustration to make your invitations really stand out. I make myself available and approachable so that there is a real person for a stressed-out bride to describe her vision to—and really get what she wants.

What do you love most about your job?
Oh, do I have to just pick one thing??? This is the BEST job I’ve ever had—mainly because I’m the boss! No one is stifling my ideas so I get complete creative freedom. I love hearing the stories of the brides I work with, and then getting their wedding photos a few months later! Overall, this business is my dream come true. I work really, really hard but it never feels like work!

If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would it be?
Hmmm, that’s a hard one. I had to ask my husband for help! The word would be vibrant!

Vendors Unveiled will be a regular feature on our blog, so be sure to check back often! If you’re a vendor who is interested in being featured, please email us!

Coping with a Disinterested Groom

It’s a fact of life: for the vast majority of engaged couples, the bride’s interest in the wedding plans exceeds the groom’s by at least a mile. This isn’t surprising. The term “wedding” conjures up images of rose petals and lace – not something many men are interested in. Ladies, I feel your pain. My husband’s involvement in the planning of our wedding was limited almost exclusively to getting fitted for his tuxedo. Seriously. He didn’t even see our reception site until our limo dropped us off on the big day.

While I wished that he’d been more interested in the details of our day, in many respects, having sole decision making authority made the planning process go much more smoothly. Here are a few tips to make it as painless as possible for your disinterested groom.

Don’t involve him in every. single. decision.
No matter how perfect you are for each other, no two people are going to agree on everything all the time. There are literally hundreds of decisions to make while planning a wedding and trying to come to a consensus on each and every one is just asking for conflict. There’s no need to consult with your groom about what shade of pink to dye your crinoline. That’s what your maid of honor is for.

Give him specific tasks to focus on.
Men like to feel useful, so give your groom a job to do. Food, music, and transportation are typically a pretty safe bet in terms of holding his interest. You’ve got enough on your mind. Let him decide whether to rent a stretch Hummer or a party bus for the big day.

Don’t talk about the wedding 24/7.
This is hard to do. We know. We were once brides too. If your groom is not all that interested in the wedding to begin with, hearing about it constantly is only going to aggravate the issue. When you’re feeling particularly chatty, call your mother, your bridesmaids, or your wedding planner, and keep your groom on a need-to-know basis.

If he wants to have a say, let him!
Marriage is about compromise, and so is wedding planning. Your groom may very well decide along the way that he does have an opinion on certain things after all. (Case in point: my husband randomly decided that we needed to have a baby picture slideshow at the reception.) Listening to him and being open to his ideas will help him feel more involved and less like the wedding is all about you.

Are you a bride who’s currently coping with a disinterested groom? Or perhaps you’re a rare groom who is interested in your wedding (and you must be if you’re reading this blog!). We’d love it if you’d comment for a cause.

[Photo source: WeddingChannel]