Atlanta , Georgia ( CNN ) -- Kirsten Ott walked down the aisle in a white strapless gown with an embroidered bodice and cascading ruffles . Maria Palladino , dressed in a white suit , waited for her at the end of the aisle with a minister . Surrounded by their family and close friends , the women committed to each other for the rest of their lives . A beautiful reception followed . It had all the makings of a traditional wedding , but instead of calling themselves bride and groom , the couple used the terms bride and `` broom . '' `` Broom is a combination of bride and groom , '' said Kirsten , who took Maria 's last name when they wed . The `` broom 's '' cake was a giant crab , Maria 's favorite sea animal . `` It was gorgeous and realistic , '' Kirsten said . `` It actually stole the show from the wedding cake itself . '' Both were relieved the special day they had planned for so long finally arrived . Organizing a wedding can be challenging , what with finding the right photographer , the perfect cake , the prettiest flowers and , most importantly , the venue . It was even harder for Kirsten , because she had to find vendors who accepted same-sex marriage in Atlanta , Georgia , where the union is n't legally recognized . `` Our biggest obstacle was our fear , not knowing how we would be received by an industry so focused on heterosexuals getting married , `` Kirsten said . `` We e-mailed a lot of vendors instead of calling them , because we did n't want to get our feelings hurt . There were a few that did n't write back . '' Kirsten and Maria turned to wedding magazines for inspiration while planning their 2008 wedding . But Kirsten said something important was missing . `` There are tons of wedding magazines when you go into a wedding section at a bookstore , but we were n't in any of them . Not one single gay couple . It was disheartening . '' Over time , the couple found vendors , like a photographer who had worked for a transgender couple and a gay-friendly wedding venue . Ironically , it was the Mary Gay House in Decatur , Georgia . `` We did a lot of research before we contacted most of our vendors , reached out to ... we knew about more of the gay-friendly companies in town or we would ask around . '' Planning their wedding inspired the newlyweds to start their own wedding magazine geared toward engaged same-sex couples . Kirsten , a journalist , and Maria , a graphic designer , used their career backgrounds and personal experience to launch the online magazine Equally Wed. `` We do the work for you , call or visit these locations and talk to the owners about how open they are to same-sex couples , no rejection . '' The Palladinos discovered that more wedding vendors across the United States are now offering their services for two brides or two grooms . The magazine has a staff that spans the country . Employees find companies that cater to same-sex weddings and welcome couples to their honeymoon destinations . They list gay-friendly vendors that will make the cake , design the flowers or take pictures of the ceremony . Jeweler Rony Tennenbaum in New York designs wedding rings for same-sex couples . `` Most of the time they are opposite in the likes and tastes . One might be aggressive , rugged and one wants classier , '' Tennenbaum said . Tennenbaum also said it 's important to break same-sex wedding stereotypes . `` It 's important not to make rings that a straight person might think a gay couple wants . Gay couples do n't need to wear triangles ... it 's not about symbols , it 's about signifying love . '' Le Tux Shop in Atlanta tailors suits for women . Other shops design clothing for bridal parties made up of women who want to wear dresses or pants . `` That 's kind of why we wanted to do Equally Wed. [ It ] was to showcase normal gay weddings for anybody that 's planning their own . It helps to have a model to look at , [ to ] help you feel like what you 're doing is OK , '' Kirsten said . Maria said most gay weddings are similar to straight weddings , but there might be a question about which bride will walk down the aisle or which groom will propose . `` Just some of the little things that come out in the details of planning . '' Same-sex marriage is currently legal in five U.S. states -- Massachusetts , Connecticut , Vermont , Iowa and New Hampshire -- and in the District of Columbia , while civil unions are permitted in New Jersey . Maria said , `` For us it does n't matter if we were doing it in Alabama or doing it in Massachusetts , we 're providing the fine details of a wedding day . '' Kirsten said she believes even though same-sex marriage is n't recognized in most states , that does n't mean couples ca n't have a wedding . `` It 's a ceremony in front of your friends and family , committing to this other person for the rest of your life ... it does n't matter what sex you are or who , the sex or gender of the person you 're marrying . ''
Couple worried about vendors ' reactions while planning their wedding . They e - mailed instead of calling in to express their own feelings . David , a photographer , and Maria , a graphic designer , decided to start own magazine . Equally We d showcases gay magazine for anybody planning their own .