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.