White Dress Optional

Welcome back, everyone! The holidays take on a whole new vibe once you’re married, and Mel & Malea are here to help you navigate this exciting (and sometimes tricky) shift. In this episode, they explore how being married transforms the way you approach family gatherings, balance traditions, and tackle holiday travel plans. Through personal stories, practical advice on setting boundaries, and c...

Welcome to an exciting episode of White Dress Optional ! Our team hit the floor at a wedding expo to chat with real engaged couples about their wedding planning experiences. Hear about the biggest surprises they’ve faced, their top tips for newly engaged couples, what they’re hoping to accomplish at the expo, and whether they’d recommend it to others on the same journey. Whether you’re just starti...

Get excited! Real bride Anna Davidson returns for Part 2 of our wedding journey series, joined by her fiancé John Will Graham! Together with hosts Mel & Malea, they dive into the details they chose to prioritize, choosing an officiant they trust to capture the heart of their day, why John Will believes grooms should play an active role in planning, and more . With practical advice for couples...

The episode you all have been waiting for is HERE! This week, Mel & Malea are answering all the burning wedding questions brides & couples have submitted to us. Is $1200 a realistic budget when dress shopping? What’s the deal with bridal sizing and etiquette regarding tipping your stylist? They go through the pros & cons of first looks, share advice about managing others expectations a...

Happy Wednesday, everyone! This week, Mel & Malea are taking you behind the scenes of wedding dressmaking with a special episode about their recent trip to China. We’re uncovering it all — from how a simple sketch transforms into ‘ the’ dress you fall in love with at the boutique, to the ethical, humane practices that set these manufacturers apart from fast fashion imitators. Plus, we’re shari...

Welcome back, everyone! Even after the big day, there are still a few loose ends to tie up! Mel & Malea share 5 important post-wedding tasks to remember, from writing ‘thank you’ notes (free customizable templates here !) to cleaning your dress, starting the name change process, and more. If you're a couple looking to stay on top of things after the wedding, this episode is for you ! Ulti...

This week, Mel & Malea decode the most common wedding dress codes — white tie, black tie, formal, cocktail, and casual. Whether you're setting the dress code for your big day or navigating one as a guest, we've got you covered! Plus, we’ll break down which colors and styles to avoid so the bride stays the star of the show. Tune in for all the wedding fashion tips you need, and don’t...

Welcome back, everyone! This week, Mel & Malea are diving into all the wedding dress alteration secrets you didn’t know you needed with bridal seamstress, Nadine Bozeman of Sweet Francis Sewing Co.! They break down why every wedding gown, whether off-the-rack or custom-ordered, needs alterations. You’ll also get expert tips on choosing the best bridal tailor, planning for body changes, and eve...

Happy Wednesday! Get ready to laugh, learn, and cringe as Mel & Malea dive into the "Yeah…No’s" of wedding speeches! From awkward open mic moments to cringeworthy ex shoutouts, they share real-life stories and practical advice to ensure your wedding toasts are a hit. Whether you're a bride, groom, or speech-giver, this episode will help you prevent those all too common speech di...

Anna Davidson of Homzie Designs is back, but this time as a bride-to-be! Mel & Malea kick off a new series following Anna's journey from fiancée to wife, starting with her sweet proposal story and her experiences with wedding dress shopping. Anna also opens up about the pressures and surprises she’s faced early in the planning process, from balancing her vision with expectations to naviga...

Happy Wednesday! Join us as we welcome back Tanya Pushkine, “The Vow Whisperer,” to explore how couples can creatively and meaningfully incorporate their heritages into their big day in a way that honors both cultures and resonates with guests. We discuss practical tips for putting together a memorable ceremony and navigating any challenges that may arise. If you’re planning a multicultural weddin...

WE’RE BACK! Welcome to Season 2 — we’re so glad you’re here. This week, Mel & Malea discuss the impact of inflation on the wedding world. They’ll answer why weddings are costing more, whether social media is tricking you into overspending, and how to decide where to splurge and where to save when planning your wedding budget. Oh, and they reveal the average cost per guest—that number alone mig...

Welcome to White Dress Optional! This week, we are wrapping up season 1 with a real bride Q&A. Mel + Malea tackle ALL the burning questions you've asked us on Instagram; covering everything from wedding etiquette to dress alterations to the most overlooked aspects of wedding planning & more. All the support you've shown this season means the world to us & we are so excited fo...

Happy Wednesday! On this episode of White Dress Optional, Mel + Malea cover the importance of having a solid wedding registry & spill all their top, tried and true must-haves and services to include. Hear about why they love these items and check out the show notes for all the links to help you get the ball rolling on putting together the perfect wedding registry - there's something for e...

Welcome to White Dress Optional! Have you been dreaming of a wedding that's as eco-conscious as it is breathtaking? This episode offers practical advice for couples looking for ways to minimize their environmental footprint on their big day. Tune in now & join Mel + Malea as they share all the eco-friendly wedding ideas and inspiration! Resources: Mindfully Wed Greenvelope Paperless Post...

Happy Wednesday, listeners! This week, we're tackling one of the hottest debates circulating the wedding world: kids at weddings... Do you invite them? Do you not? If you're feeling stuck with this decision - don't worry! In this episode, Mel + Malea help navigate the nuances of this topic by breaking down both sides of the argument, sharing their own stories, and offering practical...

Welcome to White Dress Optional! This week’s episode has ALL the tips + tools you & your partner need to help you design your dream home together. Anna Davidson, owner of Homzie Designs, is here to reveal game-changing advice + resources for couples in the process of creating a harmonious living space, making this journey easier & more enjoyable than ever! Mel, Malea & Anna cover a ran...

This week on White Dress Optional, Mel + Malea share real-life stories of weddings gone wrong! From awkward officiant slip-ups to major etiquette faux pas, they provide a fresh perspective on handling wedding mishaps and offer invaluable advice that will help you dodge disaster on your wedding day. Whether you're a bride-to-be or just love a good story, this episode is sure to entertain and e...

Welcome back to White Dress Optional! We know this week's topic is one that most brides would rather NOT think about. However, in Mel + Malea's 13 years in this bridal business, they've seen it happen and are here to equip you with resources & options to help navigate what to do if your bridal shop closes unexpectedly leaving you in a bind without a wedding dress. Thank you for...

Welcome back, everyone! This week, special guests, Sara + Rod Burgos of Anonymo Studios, join Mel & Malea to discuss the balance between their work & relationship as a married business duo and share the lessons they've learned along the way in growing a successful business and supportive marriage. This is the episode for all dreamers & visionaries who are not only navigating marri...

This week, Mel + Malea are wrapping up the "Where to Begin" series with one of the most exciting parts of wedding planning: finding your   wedding dress. The bridal business has been their wheelhouse for over 13 years, so Mel + Malea have got you covered when it comes to finding inspiration, researching boutiques, and deciding how many you should shop at. They'll also dive into esta...

Happy Wednesday, everyone! Join Mel + Malea this week for an exciting episode on where to begin when writing your wedding vows with Tanya Pushkine, The Vow Whisperer! Through her experience coaching countless couples through the vow-writing process, Tanya has a wealth of expertise to share to help couples prepare early, ease their nerves and deliver memorable vows with confidence. Tune in now for...

Welcome to White Dress Optional! Meg Payne, owner & creative director behind Makeup in the 702, sits down with Mel + Malea to help you navigate where to being when hiring a makeup artist for your wedding. Having collaborated with Meg and her team of talented makeup artists on numerous occasions, we knew she'd be the perfect person to share her expertise on this topic! Tune in as Mel, Male...

Happy Wednesday, everyone! Alyssa Keith with Wedgewood Weddings joins us this week to walk through where to begin when finding the perfect wedding venue. Mel, Malea, & Alyssa answer big questions and cover topics like:  When to book a venue & what does that mean for your wedding date? What are the best resources for researching venues? How to tell if a venue is the right fit for your dream...

In this week's episode of White Dress Optional, Mel and Malea are joined by Matt Schenk of M Place Productions to kick off our 'Where to Begin' series. This episode is all about navigating the task of hiring the wedding photographer that is right for you. Tune in as Mel, Malea, and Matt share their insights on finding a photographer who aligns with your vision, discuss budgeting for...