Kirsten Amann is a freelance writer and lifestyle publicist. Her writing has appeared in Daily Candy, The Second Glass, The Weekly Dig, the Massachusetts Beverage Business, and Bachelor II Groom.com. She is a founding member of the Boston chapter of Ladies United for the Preservation of Endangered Cocktails and is currently at work on her first book.

Melanie Brooks is the editor of Real Maine Weddings magazine. She's lived in Boston, Baltimore, Orlando, and New York City, all in the name of education. She earned a master's degree from New York University and has written for newspapers and magazines, both online and off, from New Jersey to Maine. She has also taught undergraduate journalism courses at the University of Maine and the New England School of Communications. Meliane has traded the city life for quasi-rural living in her hometown of Orono, Maine (for now) and longs for Newbury Street and good Thai food.

Joanna Noon is a 29 year-old former (and future) high school teacher; for now, she stays home with her one year-old son, Will, and her ever growing belly, which is currently housing Boy #2, due January 2010. Joanna graduated from the University of Michigan in 2002, received her Master's in Education from Harvard in 2003, and lived in London, England and Hoboken, New Jersey before moving back to Boston and settling down with her husband, Dave, whom she married in October 2007. She loves talking about anything remotely related to weddings and is thrilled to be writing for Beantown Bride.

Pamela DeGregorio is a proud daughter of the Bay State. Born and raised in the Merrimack Valley, she previously attended UMass Amherst and currently attends Harvard University. A recent bride herself (her wedding was featured in Gala Weddings Magazine, Seacoast Bride, and Brides Magazine), she now lives in Somerville with her husband where she spends her days plugging away as a writer, designer, and theater artist. Some of her great loves include pasta, fancy dresses, great metaphors, cute flats, beautiful textiles, vintage ephemera, her well loved sewing machine, her shiny new mixer, and most importantly her puppies, family, friends, and Derek. She adores Beantown for its movies at Kendall Square, beer at Sunset Grill, and theater at the BCA, and Massachusetts for its rich literary equality. She blogs at Exquisite Thread, and sells her designs on Etsy.

Kate Langenberg is a freelance writer and editor who graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2002 with a degree in English. Kate lives in Boston with her husband, Bill, whom she married in July of 2008 during an outdoor ceremony set in the Vermont countryside. She has a soft spot for all wedding-related paper products and loves discovering unique and personalized Save the Dates and invitations. In her free time, Kate cares for her rescued dog, Moses, and enjoys cooking, drinking fancy beer and good wine, and relaxing with a good book. 

Mellissa Knowles is a communications specialist with a love of imaginative and engaging story-telling. Her writing goal is to create a sense of intimacy and connection, breaking down the barrier between teller and "tellee." She traveled the world as a documentary producer for a television series on PBS, telling first-hand stories of global humanitarian work in action. She serves as a communications consultant for political campaigns, community action groups, and small non-profits. She is also a volunteer Public Relations Director for a small medical NGO.  An Earlham College (Indiana) graduate, Melissa is crazy about paper and colored ink, hand-crafted jewelry, and fine photography. As a bride-to-be, she is immersed in wedding blogs, magazines, and reception menus. She writes about her own wedding plans in her blog Princess Askew Gets Married. Melissa will also be documenting her six-month road trip honeymoon to Brazil, where she will re-marry her sweetie in the family church. You can take part in that journey at Two Vagabonds to Brazil.

Dana Markos A visionary of distinctive design, Dana Markos of Dana Markos Events is a consummate event designer and floral expert. Headquartered in Boston, hailing from the fabled North Shore of Massachusetts, Dana and his company focuses primarily on Weddings, Corporate Events and Life's Celebrations, having designed wedding and events for high-profile clientele from the east to west coasts. Dana Markos Events prides itself in the talents of its incredible staff. Their dedication and talent in superior design and quality translates to an extraordinary event for each client and their guests. Dana Markos is a published author, Flowers for the Home, (2003) and is currently working on his second book with a release date to be announced. He has appeared in magazines such as LaBella Bride, Southern New England Weddings, Boston Bride, Town and Country, Modern Bride and many others. Dana is frequent guest lecturer on event design and art of floral arranging and has appeared on several programs on TLC, The Discovery Channel and Regional Cable Television across New England.

Emilie Sommer is a newlywed and owner of emilie inc photography, a boutique photojournalism studio founded in 2003 and based in Portland, Maine. Emilie earned a degree in photojournalism from the Newhouse School at Syracuse University and worked as a photographer and editor for USA Today and the Washington Post before accidentally falling in love with wedding photography. Emilie also started the Roots Workshop, a photojournalism workshop on Cape Cod, and Pink Initiateve, a wedding 501(c)(3) non-profit to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer research.

Tasha Bracken is the founder and principle owner of SD Events, a wedding and event planning company based in Newton Ma. Tasha's work has been featured in La Bella Bride, Southern New England Weddings and Grace Ormonde Wedding Style Magazine. Known for her attention to detail and crafting spectacular weddings throughout New England, she is an invaluable resource for Boston brides.

Kristy Daube started planning events for family and friends over 5 years ago! In the process, she was recognized for her exceptional organization skills, incessant attention-to-detail and truly creative ideas. Currently, she is coordinating weddings for Joel Rabe Events, a division of Lethal Rhythms Entertainment, in Atlanta GA. Kristy is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth with a degree in English Writing and Communications. A former Bostonian who left her heart (and accent!) in the Bay State, she visits often and would be delighted to help plan upcoming weddings for Boston brides!

Lian Chen is an aspiring wedding planner of Mikado Weddings. Her love for design and decor to gowns and galore has lured her towards the exciting world of weddings. Coming from a family in both the restaurant and hospitality industry, Lian has developed an appreciation for quality service. Thus she remembers to always treat others as she would like to be treated. Growing up in Boston, but currently residing in South Shore, Lian can never get enough of the city (except when circling for parking). She spends her free time jogging Castle Island, shopping on Newbury, and eating Dim Sum in Chinatown.

Technical Department:

Katye Ross is our technical guru at Beantown Bride. A professional photographer by trade, Katye loves putting smiles on babies, toddlers, and more, and has been photographing for almost 7 years. She been planning her wedding for about the same amount of time, though she's still waiting for Mr. Wonderful to pop the question. Outside of photography, Katye has a huge passion for music, and you'd be hard pressed to find her without a pair of headphones and her iPod.

Space is limited, Beantown sponsors must be located in Massachusetts and hold a stellar reputation in the industry and portfolio. Email Beantown Bride for more information.

Media Coverage: Laura DeSisto

Events: Interested in Beantown Bride participating in your bridal event? Contact our Events Department.

Are you interested in contributing to our blog? Whether you are a Beantown sponsor or a recent bride or groom, we would love to hear from you!

Beantown Bride is looking for team members to join the family, such as: writers, film makers, photographers and sales. Internships are available for 2010-2011 students enrolled at a Massachusetts accredited college or university. Please submit your resume by email.