Bridal Rebellion Podcast | Disrupting the wedding industry (with a lot of LOVE)

“Every fiber is really full of love and care and intention … and that’s a beautiful feeling knowing where everything is coming from and how much love + energy is being put into the fabric.” –Alix We talk A LOT about the wedding dress in the media and of course, in conversations with our family and friends. What does it look like? Who is the designer? How much does it cost? How does it make you feel? You get the idea. Rarely do you hear the question, WHERE was your dress made? And even a more unusual question, UNDER what working conditions was your dress made? Those are questions many of us don’t naturally think of when consumed with wedding fever, right? If you are a bride who cares about voting with your dollars and supporting a design company that is Fair Trade - and provides healthcare, safe working conditions, regulated hours, etc. for their employees (all stuff many of us take for granted) - you’ll fall in love w

“There is a wedding planner out there for almost every wedding.” –Leah What happens when you combine dinosaurs, The Fernbank Museum of Natural History, purple hair and matching heels, Lego cake toppers, and lots and lots of sprinkles? You get Leah Weinberg’s fab wedding. It’s one of my favorites. Leah is the attorney-turned-event planner behind Color Pop Events, a New York City-based full-service event planning company specializing in vibrant, charming, and bold events. The first time I saw photos from Leah’s wedding, I knew I needed to not only invite her on the show, but also force her into a friendship. Leah, we must, must, MUST be friends, Lady. Okay, okay. Back to the show… In today’s show, we discuss the story behind Leah’s alternative wedding gown (check out pictures below!) and rebellious wedding, how to find your perfect wedding planner (Hint: she/he’s out there!), and how to add your own un

“The universe has our back so it just brings us stuff that works for us.” –Aja Want to be a rebellious bride? Umm … duh. Well, the secret to true rebellion is simple: trust yourself. And trust the universe while you’re at it. Because if you can cultivate your confidence and choose ease over exasperation, you’ll be a much happier and far less harried bride. Aja Davis and Molly Ola Pinney, partners in life and business, have done just that. They are deliberately planning their wedding with minimal stress. Who needs extra stress anyway, right? Especially if you are running two businesses like Aja and Molly. Aja is the Owner of New Body Bootcamp and Wellness and Molly is the Founder & CEO of the Global Autism Project. Together, Aja and Molly are also helping entrepreneurs “grow the shit out of their businesses” through their joint coaching business, Red Hot Entrepreneurs. Did I mention that they are plannin

“I’m not there to take the place of the best friend. I’m not there to have inside jokes with the bride. I’m there to support her and make her feel confident and amazing.” –Jen A wedding planner focuses on the wedding, right? I mean - that’s her job … creating a seamless wedding experience for the guests. But who takes care of the bridal party’s needs? A professional bridesmaid. That’s right. You can hire a pro bridesmaid the same way you’d hire a DJ, photographer, or stylist. In today’s episode of the Bridal Rebellion Podcast, I chat with Jen Glantz, the founder and professional bridesmaid at Bridesmaid for Hire. In 2012, Jen was asked to be a bridesmaid for the very first time. Soon after, came the second time, and the third time. After witnessing first hand the stress brides experience, she realized that there was a need in the bridal industry that wasn’t being fulfilled yet. That’s why Jen decided to write a Crai

“Your experiences are completely based on who you share them with.” –Hattie. If you’re asking your wedding guests to fly around the world to attend your wedding, why not make them feel like red-carpet celebrities when they arrive at their final destination? Sounds good to me. In today’s show I chat with one of my very own bridesmaids, Hattie Grace Elliot, about her experience planning her upcoming wedding in Thailand. Hattie is an event planning extraordinaire and has mastered the art of designing luxurious events around the world through her company, The Grace List. The Grace List is a vetted membership-based community that redefines the art of social networking and hosts signature events such as New Years in St. Barths, Grand Prix Montreal, Art Basel Miami, Kentucky Derby, Yachting in Croatia, Napa Valley Cycling, and more. So yeah, Hattie knows a thing or two about delivering sumptuous events for not only her Grace List members, but also

“Brides are very similar to actors and opera singers.” –Val Approach your wedding like you’re directing a stage performance. You are the producer. In today’s show I chat with a former theater stage manager, Val Geisler, about her entrepreneurial path and her experience as a wedding planner. We also dive into Val’s advice in regards to how to have a loving + happy long-lasting marriage, based on her own observations from her parents’ marriage. Val’s kind of a Renaissance woman and also a pro when it comes to systematizing and strategizing businesses, wedding planning, and everything in between. We chat about the best ways to organize and plan your wedding efficiently without going crazy. “Put trust in the people around you. The ones you choose for these rules. Trust that you chose them for a reason. So actually, I really think it comes down to trusting yourself, right?” –Val In this show we’ll cover the following: How you can ap

If you’re feeling stressed with wedding plans and need a break from the spreadsheets, checklists, and Pinterest boards, it’s time to dress up, grab your partner, and party hard at The Big Fake Wedding. What exactly is The Big Fake Wedding? Good question! It’s a bridal show alternative complete with an emotional ceremony (real vows are exchanged between married couples), a yummy dinner, and a dance-party reception. “Wedding guests” are brides-and-grooms-to-be who get to truly experience the wedding vendors in action. Basically, it’s the perfect excuse to kick back and enjoy an evening with your partner while also scouting out vendors for your very own wedding. In today’s show I chat with the Founder and CEO of The Big Fake Wedding, Callie Murray, about her own wedding experience and challenges. We also discuss how brides can maximize their time at bridal shows and how to find the right vendors for your own wedding.  “A wedding is worth planning for and then

“Down with the Pashmina.” –Titi Only suckers wear their bridesmaid dress one time.   Breathe a new life into your dress and wear it over and over again with the guidance of the stylish soul sisters, Meli and Titi, the founders behind Ash + Light NYC.   If you’re not feeling 100% confidence in your strut and style, it’s time you attend an Ash + Light styling party … or throw your own. We’re all about bridal bonding and lots of bubbly. So join me as I discuss the power of styling parties, how to give your bridesmaids dress a second life, and how to add more style and sisterhood to your engagement with Meli and Titi.  “Our brand is all about that transformational moment a woman wears a dress and feels gorgeous. That’s what we live for.” –Meli In this show we’ll cover the following: New bridal trends – hello modern lines + buh bye boho 5 crucial style purchases for your closet How

“If you want a pair of Jimmy Choos but you have a Payless budget, you need to be realistic about the price as well as the workmanship [when it comes to selecting a wedding videographer].” –Sammy Fletcher We put hundreds of hours of time, energy, and heart into planning our weddings. So why do we skimp on the wedding video or skip it all together … just like I did? You can capture the spirit of your wedding day with a beautiful film. And it doesn’t have to break the bank. Sammy Fletcher, Founder of Samantha Fletcher Films, is one of the leading videographers in Australia and has worked with over 500 couples over the past 10 years. Recently, Sammy has started filming weddings using her iPhone. Pretty cool, right? In today’s episode of the Bridal Rebellion Podcast, we chat about the beauty and affordability behind iPhone wedding videos, the best questions to ask your videographer before hiring, and Sammy’s top tips for avoiding a total disaster

“A rebellious bride is a bride that has a damn good time at her wedding.” –Kara Martin Snyder You aren’t just getting married - you’re facing a HUGE pivot in your career (which means extra work and stress!) and a possible move to a new city. Oy vey! It’s enough craziness and stress to make you sh*t your pants. Literally and figuratively. Kara Martin Snyder’s been there and done that. After planning her own wedding while launching her health and lifestyle studio AND relocating from New York to Massachusetts, Kara’s learned a thing or two about rebel weddings, juggling like whoa, and a little thing we call self-care. And I’ll tell you what - if you want to be a rebellious bride, the first thing you need to do is take care of yourself. Your sass won’t shine if your brain and body are fried and your tush is parked on the couch for days and days. Right? In today’s episode of the Bridal Rebellion Podcast, Kara and I

“We’re not going to wear rings … I don’t need an outward symbol of my relationship.”–Carly Romeo Ever feel the tension between your values and ol’ fashioned wedding traditions? You’re not alone. Liz Susong and Carly Romeo are two feminists that not only “get it” but are also transforming the way women plan their weddings. These inspiring disruptors are launching a new type of wedding magazine for brides this February – called the Catalyst Wedding Magazine - to celebrate love in a new way. This magazine highlights game-changing couples (like yourselves) about their nuptials and their other passions. In today’s episode of the Bridal Rebellion Podcast, we discuss how to rock a feminist wedding your own way, how to be a mindful bride (SO important!), and how to find “your people” when planning your big day. “I believe marriage is truly a political right and it’s all of our responsibility to make it accessible to e

“Life is about using the whole box of crayons.” –RuPaul Seriously, who has time for play when there are a zillion tasks to check off on your to-do list? Well, you do. You have time, Lady. You may feel overwhelmed (…with good reason – you’re getting married in a few months!). You may feel tired. And you most likely feel super stressed. Like eye-twitchin’ stressed. All the more reason to infuse some laughter, play, and light into your day, week, and entire wedding planning experience. How do we do it? Let’s find out. Introducing today’s guest, Katie Kozlowski, the Manhattan-based creator of Playful Transformation and a woman of many talents: writer, healer, speaker, coach, happiness guru and professional player. In today’s episode of the Bridal Rebellion Podcast, we discuss 3 tips to help you add more play into your life, why vision boards are critical to your wedding planning experience, and how to conquer and cut out the toxicity in your life. &ld

“The divorce rate is still high in the U.S. at 53%. But Spain, Portugal, Luxembourg, the Czech Republic, and Hungary are worse off with divorce rates higher than 60%.” –Business Insider.com Why doesn’t the average wedding budget allocate any funds to relationship development + education? We budget plenty of money for florals, décor, and even our DJ. Why not invest in the future of our marriage? In a modern world with abysmal divorce rates, it seems like we should stop avoiding taboo subjects like the dreaded D-word and start focusing on preventative steps to help us build strong relationships from the start. How do we do it? Well, it all starts with a little bit of c-o-m-m-u-n-i-c-a-t-i-o-n. That’s where today’s guest, Anabel Newton, enters the scene. Anabel Newton, a relationship strategist and creator of the Happy Couple’s Blueprint, is helping us reframe marriage with purpose. In today’s episode of the Bridal Rebellion Podcast, we discuss 3 tips to h

“Your wedding is your own creation … getting involved with the details has been a real pleasure and true experience for me.”–Lucia Stoisor Questioning ancient wedding traditions is the key to a rebellious bridal experience. Although I believe you should toss the traditions that don’t click with you and your partner, it’s also important to realize that there are plenty of creative ways to integrate your heritage and the traditions you care about most into your wedding in your own rebellious way. Introducing Lucia Stoisor, a friend and fellow rebellious bride, who shares her story about planning a destination wedding in Romania. Lucia was generous enough to speak with us just 4 days prior to her wedding day! In today’s episode of the Bridal Rebellion Podcast, we discuss 1) how to embrace your heritage, 2) how to fuse old traditions with new radical ideas, and 3) how to juggle a successful career while planning your own destination wedding. Lucia’s Advice: &ldqu

“If the rest of the world consumed like Americans, we’d need 4.5 planets to provide enough resources for us all.” –Center for a New American Dream Asking for wedding gifts that you actually want can be daunting. Luckily, wedding registries like SoKind Registry are making it super easy for you to ask for what you want, whether it’s art lessons, household help (who doesn’t need that?), new experiences like kite surfing, day-of-event-help for your wedding, handmade gifts, or even secondhand gifts like household tools, etc. Edna Rienza, program coordinator at the Center for a New American Dream, has helped build one of the most useful wedding registries, the SoKind Registry. Edna and her team are leading the way in the cultivation of the new American dream – “one that emphasizes community, ecological sustainability, and a celebration of non-material values.” In today’s episode of the Bridal Rebellion Podcast, Edna and I discuss 1) the new American dream

"Each one of the 2.5 million weddings this year in the United States will produce an average of 62 tons of carbon dioxide and 400-600 lbs of garbage." -GreenBrideGuide.com Holy garbage! What if each bride could minimize their carbon footprint but just a lil' bit. It would make a huge impact. As we've said before, if you want to change the world, start with your wedding. Kate Harrison, founder of GreenBrideGuide.com, has a JD in Environmental Law and a Master's from Yale in Environmental Policy; she's a green living expert with a passion for sustainable product development. Kate created the country's first online certification course to tech wedding professionals how to go green. How cool is that? In today's episode of the Bridal Rebellion Podcast, we discuss 1) how to integrate your values into your wedding, 2) simple solutions to help you plan a green wedding, and 3) we share a ton of details about Kate's own unique, super creative, and obviously green wedding. "Every green choice makes a difference."

What would happen if every single bride donated 10% of her wedding budget to a cause she truly cared about? It would be absolutely w-i-l-d. Talk about a huge impact! If you want to change the world, start with your wedding. Introducing Danielle Calhoun, founder of BlackSheepBride.com. Danielle is a wedding photographer turned wedding world changer. She created Black Sheep Bride to connect brides with vendors who value giving back through their wedding planning process. Danielle's goal is to empower a new culture of brides that care about their wedding investments and how they can help others on a local and global level. Expect a ton of giggles and a major love fest in this episode. "You don't need to go to Africa to do good." -Danielle Calhoun

What if you didn't have to pretend? What if you could be yourself in every aspect of your life: in your wedding, in your career, in your relationships ... you get the idea. Unleash your quirky and start experiencing life in a refreshing new way. Introducing Christina Salerno, founder of Living Quirky.com. Through crazy-honest writing capsules, 1-on-1 Sessions, Quirkshops and other adventures in NYC, she deals out endorphin style quirk-juice setting you free to be who you are, not who everyone thinks you should be. Are you ready to shake up the status quo? Let's do it! In this episode of the Bridal Rebellion Podcast, we discuss how you can face your fears and tap into your quirky life, how to deal with adversity, and how to plan your wedding in a quirky way. "You can't be in the world without knowing who you are ... and to me that's everything. -Christina Salerno

How many boring wedding ceremonies have you attended? Way too many, right? Your ceremony doesn’t have to be lame. It can be meaningful and fun! You are allowed to ditch the cookie-cutter ceremony and create a production that is exactly what you want.  A ceremony that tells your story. Introducing Amanda Brown, founder of MyCeremonyCoach.com. Amanda is a Justice of the Peace in Massachusetts and an ordained non-denominational minister through the Universal Brotherhood Movement. Are you ready to design your own unique ceremony? Let’s do it! In this episode of the Bridal Rebellion Podcast, we discuss the basic structure of a ceremony, Amanda’s best advice for selecting your officiant, how to integrate unique rituals into your ceremony, and how to write your own vows.