We’re back with a special edition of the Real Bride Series.
Instead of sitting down with three brides, we paused the series to feature one bride and her mother for a meaningful, full-circle conversation about weddings, family, and the power of thoughtful design!

You’ll hear from Sue Cronizer (Mother of the Bride) and Emily Barto (the Bride) as we walk through every layer of their wedding journey—from a custom, couture-level mother-of-the-bride gown to a multi-generation vintage dress redesign worn straight onto the dance floor, and everything in between!


In this episode:

• Sue shares what it was like wearing a completely custom silk satin organza mother-of-the-bride gown, why natural fibers mattered for a California destination wedding, and how a late design change led to the dress she felt the MOST beautiful in
• Emily walks us through her Carmel Valley wedding, her bold color palette, her unforgettable reception reveal, and why wearing her mom’s (and grandmother’s!) wedding dress as a second look was one of her favorite decisions
• Together, they talk about the often-overlooked importance of the mother-of-the-bride role, honoring family history through vintage redesigns, and why trusting your vendors makes all the difference!

Connect with Emily: 
Website: https://www.epcfit.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/epc_fit/
Her Wedding Photographer: Kelley Williams
Her Planner: Cork & Vows 

If you have questions for Sarah to answer, send an email to [email protected]

Connect with Sarah: 
Website: https://sarahkolis.com/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahkolisdesigns/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbh7HlVmyj9N5VsleuySxcQ

We’re back for another episode of the Real Bride Series: catching up with past-season brides and hearing how their wedding days actually unfolded, plus the lessons they’re taking with them now that it’s all said and done! In this episode, we sit down with Kimmy Youngman, Jenna Magbitang, and Julia Offner for three mini-interviews full of the fun details, the behind-the-scenes realities, and must-hear bridal advice!

In this episode:
Kimmy shares the sweetest story of how she and her husband met, the emotional moment she’d relive forever, and the hilarious “unexpected” mishap that proves you can plan everything… and still forget the one thing you actually need
Jenna talks about her Fox Hills wedding, her private vows moment she’d relive in a heartbeat, her wedding shoe detail, and why the final weeks before the wedding are truly the most intense and how she stayed calm through it all!
Julia goes down in Real Bride history with three vintage redesigns (yes, three!), the emotional meaning behind wearing family dresses from different generations, and the one planning tool she swears every bride needs: the day-of wedding binder!

If YOU are a bride that worked with Sarah in any way and would like to be on the podcast, just email us and we will get you scheduled! [email protected]
If you have questions for Sarah to answer, send an email to [email protected]
 
Connect with Sarah: 
Website: https://sarahkolis.com/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahkolisdesigns/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbh7HlVmyj9N5VsleuySxcQ

Three real brides. Three totally different weddings. One episode packed with the honest takeaways brides actually need—what mattered, what surprised them, and what they’d stop stressing about if they could do it again.

We’re kicking off the Real Bride Series for winter by catching up with three brides from the past season and hearing how their wedding days truly unfolded—plus the lessons they’re taking with them now that it’s all said and done. In this episode, we sit down with Isabelle O’Neil, Rachel Long, and Natalie Hether for three mini-interviews filled with real-life planning stories, bridal style talk, and the kind of perspective you only get on the other side of the day!

If YOU are interested in being on the podcast as well, we would love to have you! Email us at [email protected]!

 In this episode: 

• Isabelle shares what it was like planning a Mackinaw City wedding on the water, the fall details she leaned into, and how being a bridal hairstylist shaped her perspective as a bride
• Rachel talks about planning her wedding as a wedding vendor herself, redesigning her mom’s 1990 wedding dress into her own, and how preparation and support allowed her to fully relax and enjoy the day
• Natalie brings the unique perspective of being a wedding photographer/videographer turned bride, including her best advice for avoiding social media comparison, plus the sentimental details she incorporated (like her mom’s veil) to make the day feel deeply personal

If YOU are a bride that worked with Sarah in any way and would like to be on the podcast, just email us and we will get you scheduled! [email protected]

Connect with Isabelle:
Website: https://isabelle-oneil-beauty-1.showit.site/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isabelleoneilbeauty/?hl=en
 
Connect with Rachel: 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/choschmo/
Website: https://beautifuldayplanning.com/
  
Connect with Natalie 
Website: https://coffeewithnatalie.com/links
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/photographywithnatalie/

Connect with Sarah:
Website: https://sarahkolis.com/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahkolisdesigns/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbh7HlVmyj9N5VsleuySxcQ

Founder of Beautini and Beia, Brittany Lo, joins the podcast to share how she built a luxury bridal beauty brand based in NYC, the biggest shifts in wedding trends, and what it’s like to plan her own wedding after a decade behind the scenes!

We discuss how bridal beauty has evolved over the past decade, tips for the skincare timeline every bride should know, the reality of wedding costs, and how to stay grounded through it all.

In this episode:
How bridal beauty has evolved — natural, glowy, and skin-first
The one skincare rule every bride should follow (and what not to do the week before)
Hidden wedding costs and how to prioritize vendors
What can help create a stress-free wedding morning
The essentials every bride should pack on the big day

The Beia Refresh Wipes: https://beiabeauty.com/products/refresh-wipes
Connect with Brittany: https://www.instagram.com/brittany.lo

If you have questions for Sarah to answer, send an email to [email protected]
Connect with Sarah:
Website: https://sarahkolis.com/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahkolisdesigns/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbh7HlVmyj9N5VsleuySxcQ

I’m joined by Jeannene from Jeannene Lillie Events, a Metro Detroit wedding planner known for her calm, thoughtful, and storytelling-driven approach to planning events!

Jeannene shares how she made the leap from designing multicultural spaces at the University of Michigan to launching her own wedding planning company in 2020, and what it’s been like to build a business around creating elevated and approachable celebrations!

We talk about:

• Why weddings are about more than logistics, and how weaving in storytelling details makes each celebration feel unique.
• Creative ways couples can carry traditions forward long after the wedding day.
• What planners are really doing behind the scenes (hint: it’s not just picking napkin colors!).
• A moving story that shows the heart of what planners bring to a wedding day.
• Trends Jeannene hopes will stick around (and one she could do without).
• Her best advice for women starting and growing their own businesses.

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to keep a wedding running seamlessly, or how to make your own big day feel truly personal, this episode is full of insights and inspiration!


Connect with Jeannene:
Website: https://jeannenelillieevents.com/

If you have questions for Sarah to answer, send an email to [email protected]
Connect with Sarah:
Website: https://sarahkolis.com/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahkolisdesigns/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbh7HlVmyj9N5VsleuySxcQ

What happens when you take floral design to the next level? Kevin Miller, president of Stem Event Design in Metro Detroit, has built a business turning weddings, showers, birthdays, and corporate events into fully immersive works of art!
From hanging lamps and French country fringe to refined garden parties and themed dinners, Kevin shares how he creates atmosphere from floor to ceiling, and why your next event should be as personal as your favorite outfit.
We cover how to work seamlessly with planners, where to splurge for maximum impact, and why trends are overrated when you’re designing from the heart!

In this episode:

• The best time to bring in a designer for your wedding or special event
• How to make birthdays, showers, and intimate dinners unforgettable
• Why fashion trends often show up in florals and event styling
• Behind-the-scenes “save the day” stories from high-pressure installs

Connect with Kevin:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stemeventdesign
Website: stemeventdesign.com

If you have questions for Sarah to answer, send an email to [email protected]
Connect with Sarah:
Website: https://sarahkolis.com/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahkolisdesigns/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbh7HlVmyj9N5VsleuySxcQ

My sister, Angela, just got married recently, and I thought it would be the perfect time to show you everything about how to preserve your wedding dress! Preserving your gown essentially means cleaning and boxing up your gown nicely after the wedding!
In this episode, I walk you through the full process of using a wedding dress preservation kit—what it is, how it works, and why it matters. If you're unsure how to properly store your gown after your wedding, or you're helping a friend or family member do it while they're on their honeymoon, this is a great resource to pass along!
I demonstrate the step-by-step process using my sister Angela’s wedding dress, including how to assemble the kit, prep the gown, and safely ship it to the Wedding Gown Preservation Company. I also share tips on proper long-term storage and why ordering your kit sooner rather than later makes a difference.
Whether you're a bride, a family member, or a vendor helping with post-wedding logistics, this episode is your go-to guide.

Mentioned:

• Preservation kits available at sarahkolis.com/shop (or purchase at a discount at your alterations fitting before the wedding!)
• See the full process from start to finish, including the final result from my sister Melissa’s gown (Episode 37)

Need help or have questions? Send me a DM or reach out via my website!


If you have questions for Sarah to answer, send an email to [email protected]

Connect with Sarah:
Website: https://sarahkolis.com/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahkolisdesigns/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbh7HlVmyj9N5VsleuySxcQ

In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of creating my sister Angela’s custom couture wedding gown—from our initial mock dress in December to the final fittings and bridal photo shoot in May! You'll hear about the design decisions, unexpected fabric challenges, and emotional breakthroughs that brought her dream dress to life. Plus, I share details about bridesmaid dresses, our New York fabric hunt, and the purse artistry that went into the veil. This episode captures the full journey of creating a truly personal wedding gown!
 
This is a great one to watch on YouTube! https://youtu.be/__rXzNERdm0
 
Completed gown video from photoshoot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ufmUwXkrHA
 
Connect with the Photoshoot Vendors:
Lead Photographer: Penny Ralene Photography
2nd Photographer: Astrid Cordier Photography
Videography: Ten Thirty Films
Makeup: DN Artistry
Hair: Hairpins & Happiness
Florist: The Flower Alley

If you have questions for Sarah to answer, send an email to [email protected]

Connect with Sarah:
Website: https://sarahkolis.com/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahkolisdesigns/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbh7HlVmyj9N5VsleuySxcQ