Love Stories Radio

#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!

#91: This TikTok creator has totally changed the way we think about wedding dress shopping, featuring @weddingfashionexpert

In this episode Rachel interviews Nayri aka @weddingfashionexpert. Nayri is a Stylist and buyer at Lovella Bridal as well as a speaker, educator, and business advisor. She’s also a best selling author, podcaster, and YouTube creator. If you aren't already you HAVE to follow @lovellabridal on TikTok — you'll be obsessed with Nayri's content. Nayri showcases gowns from Lovella Bridal in such a fun and original way. Plus, she has a fantastic approach to showing dresses in different sizes. Listen to this episode to get Nayri's advice for entrepreneurs in the wedding space as well as brides shopping for their wedding gown. Watch wedding videos featuring brides in gowns from Lovella Bridal gowns here: https://lovestoriestv.com/business/lovella-bridal
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!

#90: You need this—Uber for wedding planners, featuring Annie Lee, founder of Plannie

On today’s episode Rachel talks to Annie Lee, Founder of Plannie.com, Principal Planner of Daughter of Design, Advisor to Maroo, and Author of Learn to Speak Wedding. Annie’s latest venture, Plannie is like Uber for event planners. The service allows you to hire an A-list event planner on-demand and as needed on Plannie.com. It’s genius and we can’t wait for you to learn more. Plus, Annie has some really interesting insights about what she’s seeing in the industry right now in the U.S. and across the world which you’re going to want to hear if you’re a couple or a wedding professional. Watch weddings planned by Annie here: https://lovestoriestv.com/business/daughter-of-design 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!

#89: What it REALLY means to design your own wedding dress, featuring Leslie Voorhees Means of Anomalie

In this episode Rachel interviews Leslie Voorhees Means, Co-Founder & CEO at Anomalie, a company that uses a combination of technology and personal stylists to help soonlyweds design their own custom wedding gowns. Leslie shares what she and her team learned during the pandemic (spoiler: wedding dresses are recession proof but maybe not pandemic proof) as well as the trends they’re seeing today. If you have ever felt like the traditional bridal gown shopping experience isn’t for you -- you need to listen to this episode and checkout dressanomalie.com. Watch real brides wearing Anomalie here: https://lovestoriestv.com/business/anomalie 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!