Wedding Day Podcast

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🎧 Listen to learn:

• How a romantic elopement in Hawaii sparked the idea for Destination I Do
• How wedding inspiration moved from print magazines and planning binders to websites and Pinterest
• How one bride used Destination I Do to find vendors after a hurricane destroyed her original wedding venue
• What Jennifer Stein has learned from more than 20 years in wedding media
• What Destination I Do joining Iron Diamond Media means for the publication 

How has wedding media changed since Jennifer Stein launched Destination I Do in 2004? In the 100th episode of Wedding Day Podcast, Iron Diamond Media CEO Sonja Babich and co-host Dan Riggs sit down with Stein, founder, owner, publisher and editor in chief of Destination I Do, to look back on more than two decades of serving couples planning weddings away from home.

Stein shares how a romantic elopement she saw in Hawaii as a teenager first sparked her interest in destination weddings. She also recalls a 2017 airport encounter with a bride whose original venue had been destroyed by a hurricane. The bride found Destination I Do at a newsstand and hired vendors featured in the magazine to help save her wedding day—a reminder of the practical impact wedding media can have.

The conversation traces how wedding inspiration has evolved from print magazines and physical planning binders to websites and Pinterest, while the goal of helping couples plan meaningful celebrations has remained consistent. The milestone episode also marks Destination I Do joining Iron Diamond Media.

The background check supports the key bio details: Destination I Do’s official site names Stein as owner, editor in chief and publisher and says she started the brand in 2004; Iron Diamond Media’s announcement confirms its acquisition and identifies Sonja Babich as CEO.

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Produced by Dan Riggs Films & Summit Hill Studios summithillstudios.com
and Iron Diamond Media irondiamondmedia.com

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🎧 Listen to learn:

• How long a custom engagement ring typically takes to make
• How inspiration photos can help clarify the style you want
• Why ring size can affect the custom setting you choose
• What the four Cs reveal about a diamond
• How lab-grown diamonds and popular shapes fit into today’s ring choices
• How heirloom jewelry can be redesigned for everyday wear

How long does it take to make a custom engagement ring? On this episode of Wedding Day Podcast, Iron Diamond Media owner Sonja Babich and Alexis Sanabria talk with Briana Daugherty, owner and designer of B. Anthony & Company Jewelers in San Luis Obispo, California.

Daugherty shares how she guides couples through custom design, uses inspiration images to identify their preferences and helps them think through diamond choices and ring sizing. She also discusses lab-grown diamonds, popular shapes and the meaningful work of redesigning heirloom jewelry. A custom ring typically takes about six weeks, though timing depends on the design and the client’s decisions.

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Produced by Dan Riggs Films & Summit Hill Studios summithillstudios.com
and Iron Diamond Media irondiamondmedia.com

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🎧 Listen to learn:

• What personal details to share with your wedding planner
• How your everyday style and interests can inspire your wedding design
• How your wedding’s layout and flow can shape your guests’ comfort
• Ways to respond when severe weather threatens an outdoor wedding
• How planners and vendors can adapt when the day doesn’t go as planned

How can you help your wedding planner understand what feels like you? On this episode of Wedding Day Podcast, Iron Diamond Media owner Sonja Babich and co-host Dan Riggs sit down with Lydia Turino, founder and lead planner of Miriam Events Co., to talk about personal wedding design and guest-focused planning.

Turino shares how she gets to know each couple before shaping their wedding design, including asking about their home decor, personal style and interests. She also explains why guest flow and comfort matter, and how her background in venue management helps her consider an event from every angle.

The conversation also turns to a wedding day emergency: Turino recounts how her team and vendors responded after a tornado damaged part of a wedding tent shortly before the ceremony. From thoughtful design to quick decisions under pressure, her stories show how planning and vendor relationships can help couples navigate the unexpected.

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Produced by Dan Riggs Films & Summit Hill Studios summithillstudios.com
and Iron Diamond Media irondiamondmedia.com

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🎧 Listen to learn:

• Why couples should consider hiring a professional wedding videographer
• How wedding films capture moments and emotions beyond still photography
• What wedding cinematographers do behind the scenes during a celebration
• How videographers coordinate with photographers and capture reliable audio
• What to expect from wedding film delivery and editing timelines

Is a wedding videographer worth the investment? For couples deciding which wedding professionals to prioritize, understanding what goes into a wedding film can make all the difference. On this episode of Wedding Day Podcast, Iron Diamond Media Owner Sonja Babich sits down with Jonathon Goodro, owner and cinematographer of Jonathon Goodro Films, to explore the artistry, preparation and storytelling behind professional wedding videography.

With nearly a decade of experience filming weddings, Jonathon shares how he approaches a celebration with a filmmaker's eye, capturing everything from carefully composed portraits to spontaneous interactions between family and friends. He discusses the value of preserving vows and voices, why he prefers to let couples enjoy their day naturally and how working alongside photographers helps create a comfortable experience.

Jonathon also takes listeners behind the camera, explaining the equipment, audio backups and creative decisions involved in producing a wedding film. From short cinematic trailers and full-length videos to editing schedules and delivery options, he offers practical insight into what couples can expect when hiring a professional wedding videographer—and why having their wedding day on film can become increasingly valuable over time.

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Produced by Dan Riggs Films & Summit Hill Studios summithillstudios.com
and Iron Diamond Media irondiamondmedia.com

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🎧 Listen to learn:

• How many dance lessons you need before your wedding
• What to expect from your first wedding dance lesson
• How to choose a song and dance style that work for you
• When to add dips, lifts or more elaborate choreography
• How to feel comfortable dancing with a partner who has a different experience level

How many dance lessons does it take to prepare for your wedding's first dance? Whether you're nervous about stepping onto the dance floor or dreaming of an elaborate routine, a little professional guidance can make all the difference. On this episode of Wedding Day Podcast, Iron Diamond Media owner Sonja Babich sits down with Nela Menéndez, owner of St. Paul-based Nela Dance, to discuss how couples can prepare for their first dance with confidence.

From simple four-lesson routines to more ambitious choreography requiring twelve or more sessions, Nela explains how she tailors each experience to the couple's goals, abilities and schedule. She shares advice on choosing meaningful music, exploring styles such as salsa, bachata and waltz, and incorporating creative details like dips, lifts and surprise dance transitions.

Nela also discusses helping beginners overcome their nerves, accommodating partners with different levels of experience and creating choreography for father-daughter dances, wedding parties and other celebrations. For couples looking to make their first dance a memorable part of the wedding, her approach offers a practical place to begin—and a chance to enjoy learning something together along the way.

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Produced by Dan Riggs Films & Summit Hill Studios summithillstudios.com
and Iron Diamond Media irondiamondmedia.com

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🎧 Listen to learn:

• Why wedding catering costs more than a restaurant meal
• What staffing, rentals and service contribute to a catering proposal
• How your wedding venue can affect the menu a caterer creates
• What goes into serving a large plated wedding dinner
• Why family-style wedding dinners have become increasingly popular

Why does wedding catering cost so much? For couples planning their first large event, a catering proposal can come with expenses they have never encountered at a restaurant. On this episode of the Wedding Day Podcast, Iron Diamond Media owner Sonja Babich sits down with Eric Sandstrom, owner of Portland-based Art of Catering, to explain the food, staffing, rentals, equipment and service behind a wedding meal.

Eric shares how Art of Catering prepares food on-site, even when that means creating an auxiliary kitchen at a vineyard or another unconventional venue. He explains why back-of-house space matters, how the team builds custom menus around each couple and what it takes to serve a large room quickly when guests have selected different entrées. He also shares his approach to family-style service, including one clever reason to serve the salad course separately.

The conversation also explores changing Portland wedding seasons, rehearsal dinners evolving into larger welcome parties and Art of Catering's expanded Central Eastside home. Plus, Eric plays a round of "Splurge or Save," weighing in on late-night snacks, oyster bars, charcuterie displays, welcome drinks, french fry bars and vegetarian options.

Support the show

Produced by Dan Riggs Films & Summit Hill Studios summithillstudios.com
and Iron Diamond Media irondiamondmedia.com

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🎧 Listen to learn:

• Whether bridesmaids’ bouquets make good reception centerpieces
• How to create impact by mixing tall and low wedding centerpieces
• Why centerpiece height matters for your guests
• Ways to reuse ceremony arches and aisle flowers at the reception
• What a florist handles behind the scenes on your wedding day

Can you reuse bridesmaids’ bouquets as wedding centerpieces? It sounds like a simple way to make your flowers go further, but florist Gina Thresher explains why those bouquets may look worse for wear by the time guests sit down for dinner. On this episode of the Wedding Day Podcast, Iron Diamond Media owner Sonja Babich and publisher Alexis Sanabria sit down with Gina, owner of From the Ground Up Floral, to talk about wedding flowers that look beautiful from ceremony to reception.

Gina shares how to make a reception feel lush without choosing the same elaborate arrangement for every table. She discusses clustering bud vases, varying centerpiece heights and keeping guests’ sightlines clear. She also explains how couples can plan ahead to move ceremony installations and aisle flowers to new locations for the reception.

From designing the flowers for her own wedding to solving unexpected problems during professional wedding setups, Gina brings a practical perspective to floral design. Whether you’re deciding where to invest in flowers or wondering which arrangements can serve a second purpose, this conversation will help you ask your florist the right questions.

Support the show

Produced by Dan Riggs Films & Summit Hill Studios summithillstudios.com
and Iron Diamond Media irondiamondmedia.com

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🎧 Listen to learn:

• When to book your wedding hair and makeup team
• Why the bride should not be scheduled last in the beauty timeline
• How to prepare your skin before the wedding
• Which bridal hair and makeup trends are gaining popularity
• What to bring to your bridal hair and makeup preview
• What luxury bridal beauty services and pricing can include

What does it take to create a calm, personalized wedding beauty experience? On this episode of the Wedding Day Podcast, Iron Diamond Media Owner Sonja Babich and Editorial Director Lara Burnap sit down with Emily Gleeson, Owner and Lead Hair and Makeup Artist of Arizona-based Bridal Artistry Collective, to discuss what couples should know before booking their wedding hair and makeup team.

From planning a realistic beauty timeline to creating a supportive atmosphere in the getting-ready suite, Emily shares how experienced artists can help set the tone for the wedding day. She also explores current bridal beauty trends, including minimal editorial makeup, signature soft glam, ’90s-inspired updos and effortless waves, along with the skin treatments that can help brides prepare for their final look.

Whether you are gathering bridal beauty inspiration or preparing for your hair and makeup preview, this conversation offers expert guidance on communicating your vision, giving honest feedback and understanding the investment behind luxury beauty services. Tune in for an inside look at wedding-day touch-ups, reception transformations and creating a bridal look that still feels authentically you.

Support the show

Produced by Dan Riggs Films & Summit Hill Studios summithillstudios.com
and Iron Diamond Media irondiamondmedia.com

Send us Fan Mail

🎧 Listen to learn:

• How WIPA supports wedding professionals through education and community
• What couples should look for when hiring wedding vendors
• Why contracts, insurance and business licenses matter
• How authenticity helps professionals connect with the right couples
• Why thoughtful offboarding can create referrals and legacy clients
• How professional relationships support destination wedding planning

What makes a wedding professional trustworthy—and how can couples recognize those qualities? On this episode of the Wedding Day Podcast, Iron Diamond Media Owner Sonja Babich sits down with Jacqueline “Jax” Vizcaino, president of the Wedding Industry Professionals Association (WIPA) and founder and lead planner of Tinted Events, at WIPA’s inaugural National Conference in Frisco, Texas.

Jax explains how WIPA promotes professional excellence through education, ethical standards and meaningful industry connections. She shares what couples should consider when evaluating wedding vendors, from detailed contracts and organized communication to professional credentials and an authentic online presence. Jax also discusses how thoughtful offboarding can lead to referrals, repeat business and lifelong client relationships.

Whether you’re planning a wedding or building a career in the wedding industry, this conversation offers valuable insight into choosing trustworthy professionals, creating stronger client relationships and building a dependable nationwide network. Tune in for an engaging discussion about wedding industry education, destination planning and the power of professional community.

Support the show

Produced by Dan Riggs Films & Summit Hill Studios summithillstudios.com
and Iron Diamond Media irondiamondmedia.com

Send us Fan Mail

🎧 Listen to learn:

• What wedding magazine editors consider when reviewing submissions
• How to make a wedding submission stand out
• Why publication can strengthen a wedding professional’s credibility
• Which photographs and details to include in a submission
• Why complete vendor credits and editorial exclusivity matter
• How relationships with regional publishers can create new opportunities

How can you make your wedding magazine submission stand out? In this special crossover episode of Wedding Day Podcast and the Wedding MBA Podcast, Wedding MBA host Clint Hufft sits down with Sonja Babich, owner and CEO of Iron Diamond Media, to explore how wedding professionals can pursue publication and use editorial features to support their businesses. Ahead of her “Cover Story: How to Get Published” session at the 2026 Wedding MBA Conference, Sonja shares what happens behind the scenes as a media team evaluates, selects and produces wedding content.

Before entering publishing, Sonja helped plan more than 500 weddings while working at a Minnesota venue. Her experience deciding where to invest marketing dollars now shapes how she leads Iron Diamond Media, which encompasses seven regional wedding brands, the Minnesota Wedding Show and Wedding Day Podcast. Sonja explains why getting published can help wedding professionals establish credibility, reach clients who align with their brands and connect with potential creative partners.

The conversation offers practical advice for assembling a strong submission, from selecting approximately 20 compelling photographs to writing a concise overview and crediting every professional involved. Sonja discusses the importance of showing ceremony and reception details, submitting recent work and preserving exclusivity before publication. She also explains how regional publishers can help wedding professionals identify editorial opportunities and why a feature’s value can extend across print, websites, newsletters and social media.

Support the show

Produced by Dan Riggs Films & Summit Hill Studios summithillstudios.com
and Iron Diamond Media irondiamondmedia.com