Happy 2025, listeners! We hope you had a joyful holiday season surrounded by loved ones. We’re thrilled to kick off our "Where to Begin" series with an episode dedicated to wedding planners, featuring our special guest, Ashley Sirjord, Owner and Lead Planner of Calico Weddings! Join Mel, Malea, and Ashley as they dive into the benefits of hiring a wedding planner and how they can make your big day seamless. From breaking down common planning packages to sharing budgeting tips and spotting red flags, Ashley shares her wealth of knowledge on finding the perfect planning team for your wedding. Whether you’re considering full-service planning or just day-of support, this episode is full of insights and advice to help you stay organized, stress less, and savor every magical moment of your wedding day!

Connect with Calico Weddings at https://www.calicoweddings.com/ or on Instagram at @calico_weddings!

Thank you for tuning into ‘White Dress Optional’, a wedding podcast by Brilliant Bridal! Join us every Wednesday for candid conversations, expert insights, and heartwarming stories that celebrate love in all its forms. Connect with us on Instagram at @whitedressoptional or email us at [email protected].

If you are in one of our markets and searching for your dream dress, we'd be thrilled to accompany you on your bridal journey. Visit https://www.brilliantbridal.com/appointments & schedule an appointment to shop at one of our boutiques today!

Check out additional resources here!

It’s engagement season! If you’re starting to suspect a proposal might be around the corner, this episode is for you. This week, Mel is joined by newly engaged Emily Hays from the Brilliant Bridal marketing team to share proposal prep tips you won’t want to miss—think nail care, staying spontaneous, and managing expectations while letting your partner plan the perfect moment. Whether your proposal is grand or intimate, this episode will help you savor the anticipation and stay “proposal-ready.” Tune in for relatable advice and fun predictions for wedding trends of 2025!

Thank you for tuning in to our final episode of 2024! We're taking a holiday break but will be back in January to kick off 2025 with our "Where to Begin" series featuring interviews with a variety of wedding vendors. See you then, happy holidays!

Thank you for tuning into ‘White Dress Optional’, a wedding podcast by Brilliant Bridal! Join us every Wednesday for candid conversations, expert insights, and heartwarming stories that celebrate love in all its forms. Connect with us on Instagram at @whitedressoptional or email us at [email protected].

If you are in one of our markets and searching for your dream dress, we'd be thrilled to accompany you on your bridal journey. Visit https://www.brilliantbridal.com/appointments & schedule an appointment to shop at one of our boutiques today!

Check out additional resources here!

Happy Wednesday, listeners! This episode was inspired by a popular question from our Instagram community: What else can guests do at a wedding besides eating, drinking, and dancing? If you’re looking to add a fun twist, Mel & Malea are sharing creative ideas like trivia games, live music, carnival-style entertainment, casino nights with prizes, and more. No matter what the vibe of your big day may be, we hope these ideas spark a wedding revolution of unique, unforgettable entertainment your guests will love.

Share your ideas with us on Instagram @whitedressoptional - we'd love to hear them!

Thank you for tuning into ‘White Dress Optional’, a wedding podcast by Brilliant Bridal! Join us every Wednesday for candid conversations, expert insights, and heartwarming stories that celebrate love in all its forms. Connect with us on Instagram at @whitedressoptional or email us at [email protected].

If you are in one of our markets and searching for your dream dress, we'd be thrilled to accompany you on your bridal journey. Visit https://www.brilliantbridal.com/appointments & schedule an appointment to shop at one of our boutiques today!

Check out additional resources here!

Welcome, everyone! This week, we’re diving into the exciting, fast-growing world of wedding content creation. Mel & Malea sit down with founder of Socially Weddings, Carmen DeLoux, to discuss everything you need to know about capturing modern-day wedding memories. Learn how content creators work alongside photographers and videographers, the types of content they deliver, and why experience matters. Carmen also breaks down the must-ask questions for hiring the right creator for your wedding. Plus, she spills her trend forecast for 2025 weddings! If you’re considering bringing on a wedding content creator for your big day, this episode is a must listen!

Connect with Carmen at https://www.sociallyweddings.com/ or on Instagram at @socially.weddings 

Thank you for tuning into ‘White Dress Optional’, a wedding podcast by Brilliant Bridal! Join us every Wednesday for candid conversations, expert insights, and heartwarming stories that celebrate love in all its forms. Connect with us on Instagram at @whitedressoptional or email us at [email protected].

If you are in one of our markets and searching for your dream dress, we'd be thrilled to accompany you on your bridal journey. Visit https://www.brilliantbridal.com/appointments & schedule an appointment to shop at one of our boutiques today!

Check out additional resources here!

Welcome back, everyone! The holidays take on a whole new vibe once you’re married, and Mel & Malea are here to help you navigate this exciting (and sometimes tricky) shift. In this episode, they explore how being married transforms the way you approach family gatherings, balance traditions, and tackle holiday travel plans. Through personal stories, practical advice on setting boundaries, and communication tips, they share everything you need to make your first holiday season as a couple stress-free and meaningful.

Thank you for tuning into ‘White Dress Optional’, a wedding podcast by Brilliant Bridal! Join us every Wednesday for candid conversations, expert insights, and heartwarming stories that celebrate love in all its forms. Connect with us on Instagram at @whitedressoptional or email us at [email protected].

If you are in one of our markets and searching for your dream dress, we'd be thrilled to accompany you on your bridal journey. Visit https://www.brilliantbridal.com/appointments & schedule an appointment to shop at one of our boutiques today!

Check out additional resources here!

Welcome to an exciting episode of White Dress Optional! Our team hit the floor at a wedding expo to chat with real engaged couples about their wedding planning experiences. Hear about the biggest surprises they’ve faced, their top tips for newly engaged couples, what they’re hoping to accomplish at the expo, and whether they’d recommend it to others on the same journey. Whether you’re just starting to plan or deep in details, this episode is filled with relatable perspectives and valuable takeaways to guide you along the way.

Thank you for tuning into ‘White Dress Optional’, a wedding podcast by Brilliant Bridal! Join us every Wednesday for candid conversations, expert insights, and heartwarming stories that celebrate love in all its forms. Connect with us on Instagram at @whitedressoptional or email us at [email protected].

If you are in one of our markets and searching for your dream dress, we'd be thrilled to accompany you on your bridal journey. Visit https://www.brilliantbridal.com/appointments & schedule an appointment to shop at one of our boutiques today!

Check out additional resources here!

Get excited! Real bride Anna Davidson returns for Part 2 of our wedding journey series, joined by her fiancé John Will Graham! Together with hosts Mel & Malea, they dive into the details they chose to prioritize, choosing an officiant they trust to capture the heart of their day, why John Will believes grooms should play an active role in planning, and more. With practical advice for couples at every planning stage, this episode offers a fun, insightful, and down-to-earth discussion with a real couple navigating the wedding process just like you.

Connect with Anna at https://www.homziedesigns.com/work-with-us or on Instagram!

Thank you for tuning into ‘White Dress Optional’, a wedding podcast by Brilliant Bridal! Join us every Wednesday for candid conversations, expert insights, and heartwarming stories that celebrate love in all its forms. Connect with us on Instagram at @whitedressoptional or email us at [email protected].

If you are in one of our markets and searching for your dream dress, we'd be thrilled to accompany you on your bridal journey. Visit https://www.brilliantbridal.com/appointments & schedule an appointment to shop at one of our boutiques today!

Check out additional resources here!

The episode you all have been waiting for is HERE! This week, Mel & Malea are answering all the burning wedding questions brides & couples have submitted to us. Is $1200 a realistic budget when dress shopping? What’s the deal with bridal sizing and etiquette regarding tipping your stylist? They go through the pros & cons of first looks, share advice about managing others expectations about upholding traditions, and so much more. If you’re in the midst of wedding planning and seeking some guidance, this episode is a must-listen!

Thank you for tuning into ‘White Dress Optional’, a wedding podcast by Brilliant Bridal! Join us every Wednesday for candid conversations, expert insights, and heartwarming stories that celebrate love in all its forms. Connect with us on Instagram at @whitedressoptional or email us at [email protected].

If you are in one of our markets and searching for your dream dress, we'd be thrilled to accompany you on your bridal journey. Visit https://www.brilliantbridal.com/appointments & schedule an appointment to shop at one of our boutiques today!

Check out additional resources here!

Happy Wednesday, everyone! This week, Mel & Malea are taking you behind the scenes of wedding dressmaking with a special episode about their recent trip to China. We’re uncovering it all — from how a simple sketch transforms into ‘the’ dress you fall in love with at the boutique, to the ethical, humane practices that set these manufacturers apart from fast fashion imitators. Plus, we’re sharing how Brilliant Bridal can keep high-quality gowns affordable without compromising on excellence. These partnerships mean so much to us, and we’re thrilled to take you along on this journey. If you’ve ever wondered about the magic behind your wedding gown, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!

Thank you for tuning into ‘White Dress Optional’, a wedding podcast by Brilliant Bridal! Join us every Wednesday for candid conversations, expert insights, and heartwarming stories that celebrate love in all its forms. Connect with us on Instagram at @whitedressoptional or email us at [email protected].

If you are in one of our markets and searching for your dream dress, we'd be thrilled to accompany you on your bridal journey. Visit https://www.brilliantbridal.com/appointments & schedule an appointment to shop at one of our boutiques today!

Check out additional resources here!

Welcome back, everyone! Even after the big day, there are still a few loose ends to tie up! Mel & Malea share 5 important post-wedding tasks to remember, from writing ‘thank you’ notes (free customizable templates here!) to cleaning your dress, starting the name change process, and more. If you're a couple looking to stay on top of things after the wedding, this episode is for you!

Ultimate Guide to Changing Your Name 

Thank you for tuning into ‘White Dress Optional’, a wedding podcast by Brilliant Bridal! Join us every Wednesday for candid conversations, expert insights, and heartwarming stories that celebrate love in all its forms. Connect with us on Instagram at @whitedressoptional or email us at [email protected].

If you are in one of our markets and searching for your dream dress, we'd be thrilled to accompany you on your bridal journey. Visit https://www.brilliantbridal.com/appointments & schedule an appointment to shop at one of our boutiques today!

Check out additional resources here!