Bridechilla - Wedding Planning Podcast

PR expert Meghan Ely joins the show to break down what’s happening in the wedding industry right now—from evolving trends and shifting client expectations to the growing role of transparency, social listening, and authentic marketing. She shares insights from recent industry conferences and what both couples and vendors need to know to navigate today’s wedding landscape with confidence. In today’s...

This episode is your go-to guide for the legal side of getting married and planning your future. Leah is joined by Morgan and Shari of Bridelawyer to break down what couples need to know—from prenups and cohabitation agreements to maternity leave and workplace rights. They also share a preview of their upcoming podcast season and how they make complex legal topics more approachable through storyte...

What happens when a groom asks the questions everyone’s thinking? Leah and Brittny Knight of Love, Inc. sit down with groom Jesse Nager for a candid Q&A on wedding traditions, destination planning, and how to balance family expectations with doing things your way. Plus, the story of a proposal… that took eight tries in Ireland! Today’s episode is sponsored by Sandals! Sandals Resorts offers some o...

Wedding invitations might look simple, but mailing them has gotten a lot more complicated. From rising postage costs to counterfeit stamp scams and unexpected shipping delays, couples are running into problems they never anticipated. That’s why Leah sits down with Jamie Coast, founder of Cotton & Bow, to break down what you actually need to know before sending your save-the-dates and invitations....

Wedding speeches can go very right… or very wrong. Brian Franklin, co-founder of Vows and Speeches, joins me to share the biggest mistakes, the horror stories you won’t believe, and how to actually nail your speech without overthinking it or making it awkward. We get into what makes a speech land, what instantly loses a room, and how to strike the balance between heartfelt, funny, and memorable wi...

Step inside Seasons of Love, hosted at the historic The Elliot in Cleveland. In this live episode, Leah is talking with vendors and brides in the middle of planning, sharing what they actually care about, what’s changing, and how to plan without the overwhelm. From shifting priorities to real-time decision making, these conversations give you an inside look at what modern wedding planning actually...

Choosing a wedding venue can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, Leah sits down with Shannon Tarrant, founder of Wedding Venue Map, to break down what couples actually need to know before booking their venue. From budget realities and guest list logistics to hidden restrictions and key questions you should always ask, Shannon shares practical insights to help you avoid co...

In this episode, Leah sits down with Ayla and Juliet from Lulus to break down the top bridal fashion trends for Spring 2026. From minimalist wedding dresses paired with bold details to statement accessories that transform a bridal look, they explore what’s resonating with modern couples right now. The conversation covers emerging silhouettes, fabric choices, evolving color trends, and why versatil...

Adrienne Gardner of The Gardner Effect returns to bust the biggest myths in modern wedding planning — from the infamous “wedding tax” to vendor referrals, commissions, and the always-confusing world of tipping. Adrienne also shares unforgettable true stories from her years of planning to show how flexibility, transparency, and experience can make or break a smooth wedding day. Whether you’re newly...

Bridechilla listener and bride-to-be Sam joins Leah and planner Michelle Elaine for a candid bonus Q&A episode tackling some of the most frustrating parts of wedding planning. What do you do when vendors don’t respond at all? How do you handle being told your dream location “isn’t realistic” for your budget? And how do you know if a planner is the right fit or just not the right fit for you? Leah...

This episode features an exclusive conversation with wedding planner Michelle Elaine, who is publicly sharing the behind-the-scenes reality of her “Say Yes to the Dress” experience for the very first time, including what did and did not make it to TV. Michelle opens up about the parts of the experience that were exciting and the parts that were challenging, and how being on reality TV intersected...

Leah is joined by Amy Nolan and Carolyn Johnson, owners and senior event producers of An Event Less Ordinary, for a fun, candid, and refreshingly honest conversation about designing a wedding that actually feels like you. With backgrounds in theater, Amy and Carolyn approach weddings like live productions, focusing on flow, timing, room flips, and collaboration with vendors as a true creative team...

Dr. Melissa Green is a licensed psychologist, wedding wellness coach, and recent encore bride who understands firsthand that wedding planning is about far more than timelines and to-do lists. In this episode, Leah and Dr. Green explore wedding wellness through an emotional and psychological lens—especially for brides over 40, second-time brides, military couples, and those navigating blended famil...

Dr. Sarah Hensley, social psychologist and founder of Love Doc Coaching Services, joins Leah to break down attachment styles and how they shape the way we communicate, love, and navigate relationships—especially during major life moments like wedding planning and marriage. Together, they explore how childhood experiences influence adult relationships, the four main attachment styles, and how socia...

This February, Bridechilla is going to have a special 5-part series focused on the mental health side of wedding planning, as well as people's personal experiences with weddings -- whether they're the bride or the planner! Each episode, Leah creates a space that's funny, honest, and validating - while also giving you practical tools to strengthen communication and protect their relationship during...

Keith Willard is back, and he is bringing stories, strategy, and straight-talk wedding wisdom. Fresh off a marathon stretch of events, Keith shares what that whirlwind taught him about sanity, planning, and what truly matters on a wedding day. In this conversation, Leah and Keith dive into how couples can create high-impact wedding moments without blowing the budget, why managing expectations is j...

Emily Cline, founder of Wedding Day Content Creator, joins Leah to dive into the booming world of real-time wedding content creation and how this new role is reshaping the wedding industry. Emily shares what inspired her to launch her company, the moments that matter most on wedding days, and why couples are now booking content creators before photographers and videographers. Leah and Emily discus...

This week, Leah is joined by renowned wedding planner and author Akeshi Akinseye to explore The Art of Celebrating and what it really means to plan a meaningful, intentional wedding that truly reflects you. Akeshi shares how storytelling, ambiance, and thoughtful details can transform your wedding day from beautiful… to unforgettable. They dive into staying grounded in connection (even with social...

Meghan Ely is back to break down the biggest 2026 wedding trends couples need to know. Leah and Meghan chat about Pantone’s Color of the Year and how it compares to Minted + Brides’ wedding color pick. Personalization and guest experiences are taking center stage, while gender-fluid styles are on the rise and capes are making a comeback! If you’re planning a 2026 wedding—or want to stay ahead of w...

Choosing a wedding venue shouldn’t feel like decoding a mystery. Leah breaks down the biggest venue red flags that couples overlook with wedding planner Adrienne Gardner — with tips on how to spot them early. They dig into exclusive vendor lists, confusing policies, communication issues, and the venue factors that actually impact your budget and guest experience. Adrienne brings real-world insight...

Bridechilla went LIVE at The Elliot in Tremont, and we tackled one of the biggest questions couples ask: what’s the real difference between a wedding planner and a venue coordinator? Leah is joined on stage by founder Stephanie Ridgely (The Elliot) and wedding planner Brandi Fisher (All Events Planned) for a candid, clarity-packed conversation about roles, boundaries, expectations, and the myths t...

Join Leah and luxury event planner Keith Willard for a deep dive into the craft of unforgettable wedding planning. From organizing childhood penny drives to collaborating with industry icons like Colin Cowie and David Tutera, Keith shares how his journey shaped his signature, high-touch approach. Together, they explore: How to create an amazing wedding at any budget—whether it’s $5K or $500 The em...

Whether you're dreaming of a towering classic cake or a chic minimalist masterpiece, this episode has you covered. 🍰✨ Leah chats with wedding cake designer Armana Christianson of A. Cakes Bakery to break down everything couples need to know — from cake tastings and flavor pairings to fondant vs. buttercream, budgeting, and what’s trending in wedding cakes right now. Armana shares insider advice...

Your fur baby is part of the family — so naturally they deserve a moment in the wedding-day spotlight. Leah chats with Veronica Silghigian, CEO of Pawfect for You, about how to include your pets in your big day while keeping things joyful, safe, and stress-free (for you and your four-legged VIP).From ring-bearing pups to aisle-trotting cats and everything in between, we’re covering the adorable an...

 We adore moms… until they turn into honorary co-planners with Very Big Opinions™. This week, Leah chats with Gloweddings’ mother–daughter team Sarona Farrell and Alicia Sowa about balancing love, tradition, and boundaries when the mom-squad is a little too invested in your wedding vision. Whether it’s “Back in my day…” energy, “But I'm paying for this” vibes, or “I already booked a florist” level...