Aisle Seat

This week on Aisle Seat Alison chats with Toronto jewelry designer Alexandra Mann who creates modern, wearable masterpieces. Alexandra's designs have a modern-vintage flair to them that is unique and statement-making. Engagement rings are one of Alexandra's favourite things to craft and on this show, she shares there's been a shift in what's trending in stone shape—the oval has competition. We also talk about the popularity of larger carat weight gemstones, the affordability of lab diamonds and why reworking a family heirloom piece into something new and meaningful is a very special part of Alexandra's job.

This week we catch up with stylist Risa Kostis and we have a brilliant chat about modern wedding style, the wild popularity of vintage fashion for brides today, and the story behind her company The Rescue Kit Company and emergency supply fashion kit which is something every bride definitely needs to have for the big day. Risa has always been clothing obsessed and started her style career as a hair and makeup artist. This was her first introduction to the wedding space, and she quickly realized this was her place. Risa is ALL about the details and she ensures everything is perfect for her clients, not just on their wedding day, but also styling every event leading up to the party. We talk about why a wedding stylist really is one of the biggest power players on any bridal squad and definitely someone worth investing in. Risa is pure positivity and light; you will fall in love with her passion.

This week on Aisle Seat, Alison chats with another friend from across the pond, June Glackin, owner of Junie Poonie. June is a multi-award-winning stylist, stationary designer, event, and wedding planner. Her incredible eye for detail is impeccable and that's what has made her so in demand with clients. Her style is simple, modern, classic, and impactful and she has so many brilliant thoughts on what creates an unforgettable wedding day. This chat with June is pure delight and will inspire you about planning your day and why nothing about it should be complicated or unauthentic. Let's get into it with June who is an absolute charmer of a guest.

This week on Aisle Seat, we chat with two amazing women who are bridal industry style insiders based in the UK. Tegan Patmore and Roberta Lambert are the owners of Silk & Maple bridal boutique in Sudbury, Suffolk, England and have a dream business partnership having come together from two different areas of the wedding industry. Tegan began her career as a wedding florist, while Robert has a background in wedding planning. The friends opened their boutique in 2021 and their award-winning store quickly became a must-shop destination for UK brides. This spring they opened a second location, Sora which is an exclusive retail experience for bridesmaids. On this show Alison chats with these charming wedding style experts about the realities of dress shopping for brides and bridesmaids, their favourite trends for the year ahead in bridal fashion, and size inclusivity and how it's always been a pillar of their business. They also share some inspiring stories of how they have made an impact in the lives of their customers by making every bride feel like her very best self.

Prince Edward County is a gem of a destination in Ontario, located at the mid-point between Toronto and Montreal. It's a sweet spot renowned for its bucolic landscapes, rolling vineyards, and incredible food scene. It also happens to be home to many incredible wedding venues which couples travel far and wide to host their celebrations at, and one of the most exclusive and beloved spots is The Royal Hotel, a historic boutique property and restaurant located on the charming main street of Picton. The property is a Conde Nast Reader's Choice winner for 2023 and 2024 and was recently acknowledged with a Micheline Key star. Having a wedding celebration at The Royal is to indulge in a party full of intimate moments, next level food and a warm and wonderful experience that couples and their guests remember forever. On this show I chat with The Royal Hotel's general manager Sol Korngold and Jennifer Prince who looks after weddings at the property about what makes it the perfect choice for a wedding in any season and why The Royal Hotel delivers an indulgent travel experience that's second to none.

Mariela Soucy has been part of the fashion scene for almost 25 years but only recently began work as a bridal wear designer and she's made a huge impact with her artful creations for her label SOUCY. This week we chat with Mariela from her New York studio where she and her team are busy putting the final touches on her third bridal collection which will launch in early October. Mariela's designs are incredibly romantic and modern. Strength and poise are two words she uses to describe her creations, and on this show, we talk about what inspires her, what she loves about working with brides, what's trending for the year ahead. If you are looking for a wedding style that is impactful, dramatic and unlike any other SOUCY is made for you.

If the idea of having a dreamy 500-acre property just outside of New York City in the Hudson Valley all to yourself for your party, Cedar Lakes Estate in the Hudson Valley is the place. This property has topped travel lists including Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards and has a beautiful history. The property was home to a legendary summer camp which began in 1929 and was purchased in 1986 by the Karvellas family who not only brought it back to life but transformed the property into the most incredible event venue under the leadership of sisters Lisa and Stephanie Karvellas. These women have created a one-of-a-kind event destination on the grounds of their childhood home, a luxe, rustic escape which is all about incredible food, service, and creating unforgettable experiences. It's also favourite spot of celebrities—actor Beanie Feldstein and her wife Bonnie Chance-Roberts married there in 2023 and the gorgeous day was featured in Vogue. On this show, I chat with co-owner Lisa to learn all about weddings as Cedar Lakes Estate and why it's one of North America's premiere destination wedding spots.

We're back from summer break with a new show! On this episode we chat with two amazing women who head up one of the top bridalwear lines in Canada, Kathryn Bass Bridal. Kathryn and her business partner Kelsey McIntyre are a dream creative team who create fashion magic in the Vancouver studio. Their designs are whimsical, ethereal and made for the modern bride with size inclusivity always at the forefront of everything they create. I caught up with this dynamic duo recently to talk trends, shopping tips and they also give a teaser into the new 2025 collection which drops in just a few days—prepare for serious gorgeousness!

Nadia Manjarrez is an incredible bridal wear designer who made a huge impact on wedding style since releasing her first collection just a few years ago. Nadia trained for her career in fashion in her native Mexico before moving to New York in 2011 for a design internship and went on to work luxury eveningwear brands including Badgley Mischka and Marchesa. Nadia moved back to Mexico in 2020 and unofficially started her business in her parent's home when several of her friends commissioned her to design their wedding dresses—this was the beginning of her atelier, Nadia Manjarrez Studio. On this show Nadia shares everything about her newest collection which is full of romantic and dramatic designs like drop waist gowns, textural tulle and exquisite lace. She talks creative inspirations and why empowering women in her Mexican community is a key part of her brand. Nadia also talks about her own incredible wedding wardrobe—she had designed looks, all of which were spectacular!