White Dress Optional

Happy Wednesday, listeners! This week’s episode is all about making wedding day style stress-free for grooms, groomsmen, and fiancés. Eric Acuña from Friar Tux joins Mel & Malea to share expert styling advice, highlight the latest trends, explain how their online rental service makes looking sharp easier and more affordable than ever, and so much more. Plus, we’re thrilled to offer our listeners exclusive savings with Friar Tux! Visit www.friartux.com/preferred and use code BBFT25 to enjoy 20% off individual rentals or purchases, 30% off ring bearer rentals, or get one free suit or tux to own or rent when you buy six. Tune in now to learn how to suit up without the stress!

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 or TikTok. 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!

Wedding RSVPs and seating charts don’t have to be overwhelming! This week, Mel & Malea share how to set RSVP deadlines, follow up with guests who don’t respond, and manage last-minute additions. They’ll also break down the pros and cons of open seating vs. assigned seating, plus share creative advice on matching guests based on shared commonalities. Since this task often comes toward the end of planning, it can feel extra stressful—but this episode is packed with tools and tips to keep the process simple, stress-free, and organized.

Grab our Free Wedding RSVP Follow-Up Cheatsheet here!

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 or TikTok. 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!

What if your wedding expenses could fund the honeymoon of your dreams? Believe it or not—they can! This week, Mel & Malea sit down with Aimee Crosby, a travel enthusiast who has mastered the art of optimizing credit card welcome offers and rewards making travel more accessible. Aimee breaks down everything from how to time your wedding spending strategy for maximum benefits to the do’s and don’ts of this method—all while staying financially healthy. Whether you’re dreaming of a luxury post-wedding getaway or a budget-friendly adventure, this episode has tips to make it happen. Your dream honeymoon is closer than you think—hit PLAY now!

Connect with Aimee at https://www.packedwithpointstravel.com/ 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 or TikTok. 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! If starting a family post-wedding has been on your mind, you’ll love this episode. This week, Mel & Malea get real about the transition from newlyweds to parents, sharing their personal experiences of adjusting to new roles and emotions. They offer tips for managing responsibilities, staying emotionally grounded, and keeping your relationship strong through it all. This candid conversation is filled with honest advice and real stories to support couples preparing for parenthood—the triumphs, the trials, and everything in between!

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 or TikTok. 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! With just over 30 days until she says “I do”, Anna Davidson is back with Mel & Malea to talk all about tying up loose ends in the final stretch of wedding planning. Anna shares her experiences working with a wedding planner, tracking down RSVPs, navigating last-minute dress stress & tricky guest dynamics. They also cover creative alternatives to a bridal shower, communicating & defining a formal dress code, and practical advice for staying present on the big day. Grab your notebooks & tune in for an honest chat with a bride-to-be that’s packed with tips for anyone heading toward the finish line of their wedding journey!

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 or TikTok. 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!

Hello & Happy Valentine’s Week, everyone! Mel & Malea are swapping wedding planning tips for Valentine’s Day fails this week—seriously, these stories don’t disappoint. From one-too-many heavy handed cocktails to a fountain-side proposal gone wrong, these stories remind us that even the best-laid plans can go awry. If you're in the thick of wedding prep and looking for some laughs and lighthearted advice, this is the episode for you!

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 or TikTok. 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 saying “yes to the dress” is still on your wedding to-do list, you won’t want to miss this week’s episode! Mel & Malea bring over 14 years of bridal industry expertise to simplify the process of wedding dress shopping. In this episode, they’ll guide you through finding inspiration, researching boutiques, and deciding how many to visit, plus share tips on setting your budget, choosing your shopping crew, and navigating boundaries. Your wedding dress shopping experience should be nothing short of magical—and we’re here with our best tips and knowledge to help make that happen! 

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 or TikTok. 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! 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 or TikTok. 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 or TikTok. 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 or TikTok. 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!