Love Stories Radio: A Podcast on Your Wedding Questions

#101: This married videographer duo has half a million TikTok followers! Featuring Alex and Jon of Madison Grey Media

On today’s episode, Rachel talks to a dynamic duo—husband and wife team, Alex and Jon of Madison Grey Media. This videography team is known not only for their beautiful wedding films (check them out on lovestoriestv.com) but, more recently, for their viral status on TikTok. Alex and Jon have gained a loyal following of over a half a million TikTok followers! Because of their success on TikTok, they decided to start a podcast, Give It To Me Straight, which gives their followers even more of this straightforward, funny couple. In this episode, Rachel chatted the two about how they met (Tinder—it does work!), how they got started on TikTok, why it’s important to hire wedding professionals not just for their work and their advice for other couples and wedding pros. 
Watch Madison Grey Media’s wedding films and book them for your wedding on http://lovestoriestv.com, check out their TikTok @alexandramadison_ and their podcast, Give It To Me Straight.
*Get 10% off Buffr, the ultimate silicone ring guard to protect your rings while you work out. Just use code LSTV10 at mybuffr.com.*

#100: The biggest wedding dress trends of 2022, plus an exciting launch! Featuring Katie Kortebein of Love Stories TV

It’s our 100th episode of the podcast, which is just so crazy! To celebrate, Rachel interviewed our very own Katie Kortebein, Head of Editorial at Love Stories TV. If you find yourself crying whenever you catch our videos on Instagram, TikTok or YouTube—you have Katie to thank. Last week, Katie was busy running around New York City attending Bridal Fashion Week and, on this episode, she shares what she saw at both the virtual and in-person presentations. Plus, we’ll share our newest project—bridalfashionmonth.com, a destination where YOU can see all of the latest wedding day fashions and find retailers who carry them. This is the first destination where soonlyweds can get the same access to the latest bridal styles that buyers and editors get at New York Bridal Fashion Week. It's the easiest and most fun way to shop for your wedding day look. Make sure you’re following @lovestoriestv everywhere and visit bridalfashionmonth.com to browse and find retailers for all of the newest wedding looks and styles.

#99: Is a micro wedding right for you? Featuring Featuring Carly Ragosta of BloomBar

On today’s episode, Rachel chats with her friend, Carly Ragosta of BloomBar Floral & Event Design, a boutique floral and event design studio based in New York City. Carly is one of the very first wedding pros she met and befriended when starting Love Stories TV. Honestly? Everyone should get to work with Carly on their wedding! Carly and Rachel talk about the benefits of having a small wedding (even if it wasn’t your original plan), the difference between a floral designer, a florist and an event designer—p.s. you need to know this when hiring your wedding team!—and so much more. See real wedding videos that feature Carly’s work and contact her about your upcoming event on lovestoriestv.com.

#98: The right way to think about your wedding budget. Featuring Shane McMurray, founder of The Wedding Report

On this episode, Rachel interviews Shane McMurray, founder of The Wedding Report, a research company that collects and forecasts wedding statistics for the wedding industry. Since 2005, they've collected over 600,000 survey samples and hundreds of thousands of other facts about the wedding industry. They help couples better understand how the decisions they make impact how much they spend. They've also helped tens of thousands of businesses and researchers all over the world gain a better understanding of the wedding industry. Listen to hear Shane’s super smart advice for couples about how to REALLY think about wedding costs and trends and how the media so often gets it wrong. He also has predictions about how COVID will and won't continue to impact events and the wedding industry. 
Do you have a wedding question you want answered on a future episode or have someone you want us to interview? Are YOU a soonlywed or newlywed with an interesting wedding journey and advice to share? DM us on Instagram @lovestoriestv!

#97: You NEED to hear this advice about dress alterations & shopping, featuring Beth Chapman of The White Dress By the Shore

On today’s episode, Rachel chats with longtime friend of Love Stories TV, Beth Chapman. Beth is the founder of The White Dress Society (a professional organization for bridal salon owners), a veteran of the fashion industry and is known for her work as a bridal boutique owner, stylist mentor, author and wedding fashion consultant. In this episode, they get into the nitty gritty of how Covid has and still is impacting bridal salons in terms of staff, inventory and appointments. Beth discusses some things even Rachel didn’t know about wedding styling and dress alterations and has some of the best advice yet about shopping for your wedding dress. If you’re looking now or about to start, you’re going to want to listen!
 
Do you have a wedding question you want answered on a future episode or have someone you want us to interview? Are YOU a soonlywed or newlywed with an interesting wedding journey and advice to share? DM us on Instagram @lovestoriestv!

#96: This influencer’s wedding was almost ruined—TWICE! Featuring Sarah Merrill Hall, aka @BigKidProblems

On today’s episode, Rachel interviews Sarah Merrill Hall—the comedian, content creator, and personality behind the @BigKidProblems Instagram and podcast—and it’s one of our favorite and funniest episodes to-date. Sarah and her husband, Brandon, were recently married at ONEHOPE’s winery in Napa (Brandon is the co-founder and chief brand officer of ONEHOPE Wine). Sarah’s wedding journey is one that a lot of you will be able to relate to...first, it was disrupted by Covid and then by weather! Listen to hear how Sarah and Brandon made the decision to postpone their wedding and then alter their venue at the last minute. Plus, she has some really smart—and surprising—advice for those of you still planning right now.
Do you have a wedding question you want answered on a future episode or have someone you want us to interview? Are YOU a soonlywed or newlywed with an interesting wedding journey and advice to share? DM us on Instagram @lovestoriestv!

#95: Can you even have a wedding without Airbnb? Featuring Cassidy Blackwell, Director of International Communications at Airbnb

On today's episode, Rachel chats with Cassidy Blackwell, Director of International Communications at Airbnb. If you've planned a wedding in the last few years, you know that Airbnb has become an indispensable tool in the soonlywed toolbox. From bach parties to wedding guest accommodations to honeymoons, you can't plan a wedding without booking an Airbnb (or two). Rachel loved chatting with Cassidy about her own wedding journey (spoiler alert: she's planning what sounds like an epic celebration in France and we would like an invite, please!), how she handled the decision to postpone her own wedding, and how she and the team at Airbnb see their place in the wedding ecosystem. Finally, she has some awesome advice about how you should be using their wish list feature if you're planning your wedding right now.
Do you have a wedding question you want answered on a future episode or have someone you want us to interview? Are YOU a soonlywed or newlywed with an interesting wedding journey and advice to share? DM us on Instagram @lovestoriestv!

#94: This bridesmaid dress retailer has 400 dress styles in 80 colors! Featuring Ranu Coleman, Head of Marketing at Azazie

On today’s episode Rachel interviews Ranu Coleman the Head of Marketing at Azazie. If you’re planning your wedding right now, you probably already know Azazie and that they're famous for their extensive assortment. They have 400 dresses in 80 colors which you can buy in sizes 0-30. When company started in 2014 they were known mainly for their bridesmaids gowns but they launched bridal two years ago and have seen 200% growth in that category as brides are getting more comfortable with the idea of shopping online. Listen on to hear to hear Ranu reveal the most popular colors and fabrics for bridesmaids, what trends you can expect to see in the coming months, and more.  Watch real wedding videos featuring brides and bridesmaids wearing Azazie at lovestoriestv.com/business/azazie. Do you have a wedding question you want answered on a future episode or have someone you want us to interview? Are YOU a soonlywed or newlywed with an interesting wedding journey and advice to share? DM us on Instagram @lovestoriestv!

#93: Is this the BEST registry tool out there? Featuring Vishal Joshi, Co Founder & CEO at Joy

In this episode, Rachel talks to Vishal Joshi, Co Founder & CEO at Joy, a company that makes powerful tools to modernize the wedding planning process. Joy does it all from helping couples stay organized to creating a seamless experience for their guests. One of the coolest things about Joy is that they have zero-fee cash registry. Almost all registries that help you collect cash, charge 2-3% with some of that going to the platform, but not Joy. Plus, learn about how a friend’s frustration with the wedding planning process inspired the creation of Joy! You can check out Joy’s incredible offerings at withjoy.com or @withjoy.
Get 10% off Buffr, the ultimate silicone ring guard to protect your rings while you work out. Just use code LSTV10 at mybuffr.com.
Do you have a wedding question you want answered on a future episode or have someone you want us to interview? Are YOU a soonlywed or newlywed with an interesting wedding journey and advice to share? DM us on Instagram @lovestoriestv!

#92: You HAVE to hear how this stationery entrepreneur met her husband and grew her business, featuring Angelica Hanley of ACouplePuns

In this episode Rachel interviews Angelica Hanley, founder and creative director of ACouplePuns, our go-to stationery for wedding and life moments. Angelica uses her comedic and artist talent to design hilarious and adorable cards and stationery perfect for all occasions. Listen to hear how Angelica met her husband on Tinder and grew her business while frequently moving around the country. You can shop her products on acouplepuns.com and https://lovestoriestv.com/business/acouplepuns. Get 10% off Buffr, the ultimate silicone ring guard to protect your rings while you work out. Just use code LSTV10 at mybuffr.com. Do you have a wedding question you want answered on a future episode or have someone you want us to interview? Are YOU a soonlywed or newlywed with an interesting wedding journey and advice to share? DM us on Instagram @lovestoriestv!