Happy Wednesday! Warning: This episode may cause extreme cake cravings — but we’re totally here for it! This week, Mel & Malea are serving up a slice of wedding planning sweetness with owner & cake artist, Jo Kohnhorst of 1320 Bakery. From ways to maximize your cake budget to flavor combos your guests will rave about, we've got you covered. Plus, she shares genius tips for keeping your cake fresh, cutting it like a pro, preserving that top tier for your first anniversary, and so much more. Hit PLAY now — your perfect wedding cake is just one episode away!

Connect with Jo by emailing [email protected] or on Instagram at @1320bakery!

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!

Hi, everyone! This week, Mel & Malea talk with Elizabeth Marberry, founder of Wedding Dance Coach in Denver, Colorado, to help couples create a first dance that’s fun, unique, and totally true to you - no matter your experience level. Say goodbye to the awkward middle school sway as Elizabeth shares how to add choreography that matches your style and boosts your confidence on the dance floor. She also breaks down when to start practicing, tips to stay relaxed, and how virtual lessons make it easy for couples anywhere. Hit PLAY now & take the first step toward a worry-free first dance on your big day!

Connect with Elizabeth at https://www.myweddingdancecoach.com/ or on Instagram at @weddingdancecoach!

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!

If “find our wedding florist” is still unchecked on your to-do list, this is the episode for you! Mel & Malea sit down with Jordan Meek, founder of Fleur PHX, to help couples simplify the process of hiring their florist. They break down when to book a florist, how to communicate your style, and tips on how to maximize your budget and get the most out of your wedding day blooms. Jordan also shares what to avoid when meeting florists as well as her top trend predictions for the upcoming wedding season. This episode has all the details for couples looking to bring their wedding floral dreams to life!

Connect with Jordan at https://www.fleurphx.com/ or on Instagram at @fleurphx!

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 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!