White Dress Optional

Welcome back to White Dress Optional! This week, Mel + Malea sit down with licensed professional counselor, Peter Tumolo, to discuss the benefits of marriage counseling both before and after the wedding, uncover practical approaches for effective communication, and tools that can help keep your connection strong for a love that withstands the test of time. Whether you're a bride-to-be or a co...

Happy Wednesday, everyone! Bridal Expo season is in full swing and we are here to help you decide if attending one is worth it for your wedding planning process. In this episode, Mel & Malea weigh the pros & cons of going to a bridal show and share their best tips to getting the most out of your efforts if you do go. Hit play now to find out if a Bridal Expo is the right fit for you! Thank...

Welcome back to White Dress Optional! This week, Mel & Malea get real about the "yeah...no's" of being a bridesmaid and the significant responsibilities that come with this role. As a bridesmaid, you have been honored with the task of protecting the bride from unnecessary drama or stress during this special season of life; not be the source of it. In this episode, we're sha...

Happy New Year & welcome to White Dress Optional! If there's a gorgeous new ring sparkling on your left ring finger, congratulations! In the whirlwind of excitement after saying "Yes!" the last thing you need is to feel overwhelmed by the daunting task of planning your dream wedding. That's why we took to Instagram, asking real brides who've been there, done that, to s...

That's a wrap! This week, we’ve put together some of our best moments from our favorite episodes in 2023. We’ve loved sharing our stories & knowledge of the wedding world with you all and couldn’t be more thankful for all the support you’ve shown us this year. We have some exciting plans for 2024 so make sure to stay connected with us on Instagram. Enjoy our Best Of 2023 episode and we’ll...

Starting to plan your dream honeymoon? We're here to help you navigate all the options from all-inclusive getaways to budget-friendly escapes. Join Mel + Malea as they break down 5 different honeymoon styles and hear how you can plan an unforgettable getaway that suits your style! Thank you for tuning into ‘White Dress Optional’, a wedding podcast by Brilliant Bridal! Join us every Wednesday...

Calling all 2024 brides-to-be! Your year is just around the corner, and if you're still tackling that 'to-do' list, pop in your headphones and take a deep breath – we've got you covered! Here to help inspire you during this season of planning is expert wedding planner, Charity Turner of Sunflower Events Company. In this episode, Mel, Malea, and Charity reveal what's trendi...

Welcome to "White Dress Optional"! This week, Mel & Malea, alongside expert trainer Jen Holden of Liberty Dog Training, are here to make your journey into blended dog families a breeze. In this episode, they'll walk you through the essential steps of establishing leadership, decoding your dog's cues and behaviors, and preparing your pups for a harmonious household. Whether...

Happy Wednesday, listeners! Join Mel & Malea on the 'White Dress Optional' podcast as they debunk 8 common myths about wedding dress shopping. Our goal is to educate and empower brides-to-be, ensuring that the journey of finding THE dress is a cherished and stress-free experience. Tune in now to learn what stylists want you to know before you go, so you can walk into your first appoi...

Welcome to the "White Dress Optional' podcast! For this week's episode, Mel + Malea are joined by Renee Tumolo, life coach and social worker,  to explore how careers impact marriage. Renee shares expert insights on how to have those essential conversations about professional goals with your partner, what pitfalls to steer clear of, and how to thrive both personally and professionall...

Welcome to the ‘White Dress Optional’ podcast! We're thrilled to introduce a very special guest for this week's episode. Joining Malea + Melanie is our beloved Director of Store Operations and #1 Swiftie, Kelly Lopez. In this episode, Kelly shares her personal wedding journey, where she broke away from tradition, and infused her day with personal touches that made it truly unique and spe...

Happy Wednesday, and welcome back to White Dress Optional! With the air growing cooler, the sun setting a little earlier, and the aroma of pumpkin spice filling the air – it's a surefire sign that the holidays are near. Join us this week as Mel + Malea get real about the 'Yeah...No's' of the holiday season – we're talking boundaries, plans, and how to advocate for your ide...

Welcome to White Dress Optional, your go-to podcast for all things weddings and marriage! In this episode, Mel + Malea are joined by Eric Acuña of Friar Tux and Stitch & Tie to dive into the world of men's formalwear. Since 1974, Friar Tux has been styling grooms and groomsmen in their 26 store locations across California and Nevada. During the pandemic, their white-glove styling experien...

Welcome back to White Dress Optional and part 2 of "The Enneagram + Mindfulness in Marriage". Mel + Malea aim to answer a notably vulnerable yet crucial question for couples: Could you and your partner be loving each other better ? Is there room for increased curiosity in understanding each other's needs within the relationship? Growth and strength in marriage stems from mutual lear...

Welcome back to White Dress Optional! We are thrilled to have you join us for another episode filled with Enneagram Wedding Wisdom. This week, Mel + Malea explore the perspective of each Enneagram type within a romantic partnership and share personal stories of how the Enneagram has been beneficial in their own marriages. As you step into newlywed life, our hope for this episode is to encourage mi...

Welcome back to 'White Dress Optional'! Mel and Malea are here with an exciting episode full of expert wedding dress shopping tips tailored to your Enneagram type. No cookie-cutter advice here; we're all about empowering and equipping you with personalized knowledge to make this special day everything you've dreamed of. After all, your perfect wedding dress will be the second b...

Welcome back to the White Dress Optional Podcast! This week, Mel and Malea kick off our Enneagram Wedding Wisdom series with an episode dedicated to understanding each Enneagram type and how this insightful tool can play an effective role in planning the wedding of your dreams. Just like our personalities, every celebration of love is one-of-a-kind. Knowing your own Enneagram type can be the key t...

Welcome to the 'White Dress Optional' podcast! We are thrilled to have you join us on this trip down memory lane. In this week's episode, Mel and Malea take us back to 2011 when Brilliant Bridal first came to be and share the heart behind the company. With human babies in one arm and a blooming business in the other, the past 12 years of Brilliant Bridal have been full of special me...

Happy Wednesday and welcome back to the ‘White Dress Optional’ podcast! This week, Malea and Melanie sit down with expert dog trainer, Jen Holden of Liberty Dog Training, to fetch all the best tips and tricks on how to include your furry friend in your wedding and make your celebration a truly paw-sitive experience for all! From teaching them how to be a well-behaved ring bearer to becoming a pict...

Welcome back to this week’s episode of ‘White Dress Optional’! Has a “Private Label” gown ever caught your eye and made you wonder ‘what does that even mean’? The feel and look of the gown is of the same quality as the designer labeled gown hanging next to it BUT it’s a fraction of the price. So what is that all about? Today, Melanie and Malea uncover what “Private Label” means, why top designers...

Welcome to the first episode of White Dress Optional! This week, Melanie and Malea share savvy strategies from their own weddings that will make your special day unforgettable without the big price tag. Hear how Malea’s simple trip to Costco evolved into the ultimate cheesecake bar, or how Mel cracked the code to transforming your everyday expenses into a dream honeymoon. One of the first tasks to...

Thank you for tuning into ‘White Dress Optional’, a wedding podcast by Brilliant Bridal! Join us every Wednesday for candid conversations, expert insights, and heartwarming stories that celebrate love in all its forms. Connect with us on Instagram or TikTok . Email us at podcast@brilliantbridal.com . If you are in one of our markets and searching for your dream dress, we'd be thrilled to acco...