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🎧 Listen to learn:

• How wedding content creators differ from traditional videographers
• What couples receive—and how quickly—from a content creator
• How wedding day content is captured without disrupting the timeline
• Why behind-the-scenes moments are becoming the most meaningful keepsakes
• How content creators collaborate with photographers and videographers
• Why wedding content creation isn’t just for social media influencers

In this episode of Wedding Day Podcast, host Sonja Babich, CEO of Iron Diamond Media, and co-host Brooke Beise, Publisher of Minnesota Bride, sit down with Grace Myler Nesburg, founder of Grace Myler Media and The Wedding Edit, a Minnesota-based wedding content creation company.

Grace shares how she built her business from social media management into a growing wedding-day content brand, capturing more than 50 weddings annually with a team of dedicated creators. The conversation explores the rise of wedding content creators and how this emerging role fits alongside traditional photography and videography—offering couples a new way to document their day through candid, in-between moments.

The episode also dives into what couples can expect when working with a content creator, including rapid delivery timelines, short-form video creation and a personalized approach to storytelling. Grace explains how her team integrates seamlessly into the wedding day, collaborates with other vendors and tailors content to each couple’s vision—whether that includes trend-driven social media moments or a more documentary-style recap.

From real-time content delivery to capturing moments couples might otherwise miss, this conversation highlights why wedding content creators are quickly becoming a valuable addition to the modern wedding vendor team.

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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 wedding rentals actually include beyond tables and chairs
• How much wedding rentals typically cost and how couples can prioritize their budget
• The rental details that instantly make a wedding feel more luxurious
• How tabletop design—chargers, glassware, napkins and flatware—elevates reception tables
• Why couples should schedule a rental showroom visit or mock-up table before the wedding
• The biggest wedding rental trends couples are choosing right now

In this episode of Wedding Day Podcast, host Sonja Babich, CEO of Iron Diamond Media, and co-host Chelsea Gibson sit down with Kate Naylor, Event Director of Bright Event Rentals, a full-service event rental company serving weddings and events throughout California, Arizona and Texas.

Kate shares her journey into the wedding industry, beginning in banquet management and venue operations before eventually joining Bright Event Rentals. With experience spanning catering, venues and large-scale events, she offers a unique behind-the-scenes perspective on how rental companies support the logistics and design of modern weddings.

The conversation explores how rentals form the physical foundation of a wedding day—from tables and chairs to linens, tabletop pieces and specialty furniture. Kate explains how rental professionals are often the first vendors to arrive on-site and the last to leave, quietly building the environment that allows every other vendor—from florists to caterers—to bring their work to life.

Sonja and Chelsea also dive into the design side of rentals, discussing how small tabletop details can dramatically elevate the guest experience. From statement chairs and textured linens to chargers, flatware and layered glassware, Kate shares how thoughtful rental selections help couples personalize their reception design and create a more luxurious atmosphere.

The episode also explores how couples can approach rental budgeting, from starting with inspiration boards to prioritizing the elements that matter most. Kate shares practical advice on balancing design goals with budget considerations and explains how rental showrooms and mock-up tables help couples visualize their wedding before the big day.

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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 sustainable wedding catering works and what it means for your wedding menu
• How locally sourced ingredients can enhance your wedding food experience
• What couples should look for when comparing wedding catering proposals
• What factors influence wedding catering costs and pricing
• How seasonal wedding menus can improve flavor and sustainability
• How full-service wedding caterers manage food, bar service and desserts for large events

In this episode of Wedding Day Podcast, host Sonja Babich, CEO of Iron Diamond Media, and co-host Sydney Stevens, Editor of Wisconsin Bride and Nebraska Wedding Day and Managing Editor of Minnesota Bride, sit down with Dan Nowak, CEO, partner and “Tall Guy” behind Wisconsin-based Tall Guy and a Grill Catering, a member of Brazan Standard Hospitality.

Dan shares how his company grew from a small catering venture inspired by his grandmother’s kitchen into a hospitality group serving weddings and large-scale events across the Midwest. Today, Brazan Standard Hospitality includes Tall Guy and a Grill Catering, Crafted Tavern bar catering and The Dessert Cart, allowing couples to mix and match services or book a full hospitality experience for their wedding day.

The conversation also explores the company’s sustainability initiatives. Tall Guy and a Grill is currently the only certified green caterer in Wisconsin through the Green Restaurant Association, a designation that requires strict environmental standards including composting systems, energy-efficient kitchen equipment and responsible sourcing practices. Dan explains how sustainability influences everything from menu planning to kitchen operations.

Sonja and Sydney also ask Dan about the realities of modern wedding catering costs and what couples should understand when comparing proposals from different caterers. From ingredient sourcing and scratch cooking to staffing and service standards, Dan explains why catering pricing can vary widely and how couples can ask the right questions during the planning process.

The episode also highlights the importance of seasonal menu planning, local ingredients and strong hospitality teams in creating a memorable dining experience for wedding guests. Dan shares insights from nearly 15 years in the industry, along with advice for couples who want to create a wedding menu that reflects their values, their region and their celebration.

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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 to plan bridal hair and makeup for a large wedding party
• Wedding day hair and makeup timeline tips to avoid running late
• How to create a calm and organized wedding morning
• Why communication with your bridal beauty team matters
• How destination wedding hair and makeup teams operate

In this episode of Wedding Day Podcast, host Sonja Babich, CEO of Iron Diamond Media, and co-host Alexis Sanabria, Publisher of California Wedding Day, sit down with Aly Rose, founder of Temecula-based bridal hair and makeup company Aly Rose Beauty. Recorded in San Diego, the conversation explores how Aly built a 45-artist team that executes nearly 450 weddings per year while maintaining a highly organized, client-focused experience.

Aly shares how her early passion for makeup evolved into a corporate career in sales leadership before she made the leap to full-time entrepreneurship after surviving cancer and navigating life-altering adversity. She explains how structure, systems and over-communication became the backbone of her bridal beauty company, allowing her team to specialize in large bridal parties and complex wedding day timelines.

Together, the group discusses wedding morning scheduling, preventing hair and makeup from delaying the timeline, matching artists to brides based on personality and style and expanding into destination weddings across the country. The episode closes with Aly’s forward-looking vision for education, coaching and future growth, reinforcing her belief that organization, resilience and joy can coexist in a thriving wedding day beauty business.

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:

• What’s the difference between a florist and a floral designer
• How designers pivot when weather changes wedding day plans
• How a floral design studio approaches weddings differently than a flower shop
• Why timeless wedding flowers matter more than following trends
• How sculptural floral installations transform ceremony and reception spaces

In this episode of Wedding Day Podcast, host Sonja Babich, CEO of Iron Diamond Media, and co-host Alexis Sanabria, Publisher of Oregon Wedding Day, Washington Wedding Day and California Wedding Day, sit down with Summer Robbins, owner and creative director of Bend-based floral design studio Summer Robbins Flowers. Recorded in Lake Oswego, Oregon, the conversation explores the artistic and intuitive approach behind her sculptural wedding florals.

Summer shares how her background in fashion design and the experience of designing her own wedding in 2015 led her into the floral industry. She explains the distinction between a traditional florist and an event-focused floral design studio, emphasizing a design-first mindset rooted in collaboration, seasonality and personal connection. Rather than replicating Pinterest trends, she studies each couple’s broader aesthetic world to create florals that feel timeless and uniquely theirs.

Together, the group discusses editorial installations, working directly with couples, managing unpredictable Pacific Northwest weather and how creative pivots often produce the most memorable results. The episode closes on the emotional significance of delivering the bridal bouquet—an intimate moment that transforms anticipation into presence and makes the wedding day feel real.

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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:

• Consultation questions that reveal event personality and priorities
• The difference between hiring a DJ vs. an MC
• How DJs collaborate with planners and vendors for smoother timelines
• Why connection often matters more than price when booking entertainment
• What couples should ask before hiring a wedding DJ
• What role an MC plays in guiding reception flow

In this episode of Wedding Day Podcast, host Sonja Babich, CEO of Iron Diamond Media, and co-host Alexis Sanabria, Publisher of Washington Wedding Day, sit down with Joshua Fields, owner of Washington-based entertainment company Music by J. Fields. Recorded in downtown Seattle, the conversation explores how music, emceeing and crowd awareness shape the atmosphere of a wedding celebration.

Joshua reflects on his nearly two decades in the industry, sharing how his background in videography and digital music experimentation informed his approach to designing reception experiences. Describing himself as the “architect of the dance floor,” he explains how understanding a couple’s story, reading guest dynamics and collaborating with vendors help build meaningful moments throughout the event.

Together, the group discusses how couples influence guest participation, why authenticity and communication matter in entertainment leadership and how DJs guide timelines while adapting to the unexpected. From consultation insights to booking considerations, the episode offers a thoughtful perspective on choosing entertainment that aligns with both vision and experience goals.

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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 editors and publishers evaluate when choosing weddings to publish
• How regional identity shapes storytelling and trends in the Pacific Northwest
• Why authenticity and visual quality matter in real wedding submissions
• How publications balance aspirational inspiration with practical planning guidance
• What goes into producing a regional wedding magazine issue
• How vendor partnerships and collaboration influence editorial content

In this episode of Wedding Day Podcast, host Sonja Babich, CEO of Iron Diamond Media, sits down with Alexis Sanabria, Publisher of Oregon Wedding Day and Washington Wedding Day, and Lauren Mang, Editor-in-Chief of Oregon Wedding Day and Washington Wedding Day. Framed as a relaxed “coffee corner” conversation, the discussion offers listeners a behind-the-scenes look at how editorial and publishing leadership collaborate to shape the stories, trends and resources delivered to couples and wedding professionals throughout the Pacific Northwest.

The conversation explores Lauren's transition into editorial leadership alongside Alexis's perspective on regional publishing strategy, highlighting the importance of local presence and community immersion when serving wedding markets. Together, they reflect on recent exploration across Southern Oregon, the creative opportunities presented by the region’s diverse landscapes and how embedded market knowledge informs relationship building, storytelling and content direction across print and digital platforms.

Alexis and Lauren also examine what distinguishes the Oregon wedding market from others served by Iron Diamond Media’s portfolio of brands, from its eclectic aesthetic and environmental diversity to its emphasis on authenticity and intentional design. They discuss how editorial teams balance aspirational inspiration with practical planning insights, outline the criteria used when selecting real weddings for publication and share how vendor partnerships and accurate submissions contribute to shaping each issue while elevating professionals within the community.

The episode concludes with reflections on the broader impact of wedding publishing, including fostering industry connections, spotlighting emerging talent and strengthening regional collaboration. Together, the conversation reinforces how wedding media functions not only as inspiration for couples but as an active force in supporting creativity, education and growth across the wedding industry.

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:

• How to build a smooth wedding day timeline and ceremony-to-reception flow
• Why a 90-minute cocktail hour can be the perfect sweet spot
• Plated dinner tips for a larger guest count
• How many speeches to include to keep reception energy high
• Why taking a day or two before your honeymoon can be a game-changer
• Hair and makeup scheduling tips for a large bridal party

In this episode of the Wedding Day Podcast, host Sonja Babich, CEO of Iron Diamond Media, sits down with Ava and Devan, a real couple featured in Minnesota Bride’s Spring/Summer 2025 issue. The newlyweds share an honest look at the behind-the-scenes planning decisions that made their celebration feel seamless, fun and guest-focused from start to finish.

Ava and Devan reveal what drew them to The Whim as their wedding venue, including its blank-canvas layout, intimate feel and bridal suite, plus how the space perfectly complemented their bold bright-pink color palette and greenery-filled floral vision. They also share what it was like having Devan’s mom and her team at Hot House Studio design their wedding flowers—and why fully committing to color helped their day feel personal and elevated.

From entertainment to timeline flow, the couple offers practical wedding planning advice couples can actually use. They break down why they chose Rock With You for a DJ-plus-live-instruments fusion, how they kept cocktail hour moving while the venue flipped the space, and why plated dinners were the right fit for their guest count. They also share their approach to speeches, dessert (including tres leches cake from Café Latte), and the decision to take a short pause before heading to Playa Mujeres, Mexico for a relaxing beach honeymoon.

Support the show

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

Send a text

🎧Listen to learn:

• How wedding planners adapt big design ideas to fit small or limited venues
• Creative ways planners use lighting, layout and production strategy to maximize impact
• Why problem-solving is one of the most valuable skills a wedding planner brings
• How to create and hold boundaries with your vendor team
• What couples should know about flexible, experience-driven wedding design

In this episode of the Wedding Day Podcast, host Sonja Babich and co-host Chelsea Gibson sit down with Dominique Mattessino, Executive Planner and Founder of Arizona-based wedding planning company Soul Agave.

Recorded onsite in Arizona during the production of Arizona Bride’s Best Of event, the conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at how professional wedding planners problem-solve when space, logistics or budgets present real-world limitations. Dominique shares real examples of adapting design when physical installations aren’t possible, leaning into lighting, layout and production strategy to create high-impact experiences without overcrowding the venue.

Throughout the episode, Dominique explains how experience-driven planning allows couples to achieve meaningful, elevated design without forcing ideas that don’t fit their space or guest count. The discussion highlights why hiring a planner early can help couples navigate constraints with confidence, creativity and clarity — ultimately leading to weddings that feel intentional, cohesive and true to who they are.

Support the show

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

Send a text

🎧 Listen to learn:

• How catering and hospitality shape the overall wedding guest experience
• Why custom wedding catering doesn’t fit into preset packages
• How couples can use food to tell a personal story on their wedding day
• What couples should know about wedding catering costs and transparency
• What it takes to restore and operate a historic wedding venue
• How combining a venue and catering company elevates creativity and service

In this episode of the Wedding Day Podcast, host Sonja Babich, CEO of Iron Diamond Media, and co-host Amanda Holder, Publisher of California Wedding Day, sit down with Vijay Goel, Co-Owner and COO, and Elizabeth Goel, Executive Chef and Owner, of Long Beach’s historic venue 440 Elm and catering company Bite Catering Couture.

The conversation explores the philosophy behind hospitality-first weddings, from creating personalized menus and thoughtful service experiences to navigating catering budgets and transparency. Vijay and Elizabeth also share their journey into venue ownership, including the challenges and rewards of restoring a 1913 historic landmark, and how uniting Bite Catering Couture with 440 Elm has expanded their creative vision and impact within the California wedding industry.

Support the show

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