70. The Industry Secrets No One Talks About with Megan Kennedy

When the entire bridal party got food poisoning the night before the wedding, someone had to step it up! That key leader was Megan Kennedy—and that chaotic day launched her entire wedding planning career!In this episode, Sarah sits down with Megan Kennedy, founder of Kennedy Planning Co, for an honest conversation about what really happens behind the scenes in the wedding industry. Megan shares the unfiltered truth about wedding planning, why "timeless" weddings are actually about ignoring trends, and the do's and don'ts of working with a wedding planner.  In This Episode:Why you should contact your dream vendors before you even set a dateThe real difference between day-of coordination and full planning What "timeless" actually means—and why it has nothing to do with Instagram trendsThe viral TikTok mistake that's stressing out wedding parties everywhereWhich classic wedding traditions are quietly disappearingWhy recreating your wedding photos years later might be exactly what you needThe brutal truth about weekend work and why wedding vendors plan their lives a year in advanceMegan's one-word wedding day advice that changes everything: stay presentConnect with Megan:Website: https://kennedyplanningco.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kennedyplanningco/If you have questions for Sarah to answer, send an email to [email protected] with Sarah:Website: https://sarahkolis.com/Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahkolisdesigns/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbh7HlVmyj9N5VsleuySxcQ

When Betty Smith saw Sarah's Target bedsheet dress go viral on Instagram, she knew it had to be her wedding dress. Just one tiny problem: she'd never sewn a single stitch in her life…In this episode, Sarah shares one of her all-time favorite podcast conversations with Betty Smith, a UK bride who discovered Sarah's viral Target bedsheet dress on Instagram and knew instantly it was THE dress. There was just one problem: Betty lived in London, had never sewn before, and Target doesn't ship to the UK. What followed was an extraordinary 18-month journey of determination, creativity, and family teamwork that resulted in a stunning handmade wedding gown. From orchestrating an international fabric hunt to secretly sewing in her parents' kitchen while keeping her fiancé completely in the dark, Betty's story is equal parts inspiring and heartwarming.In This Episode, You'll Learn:How Betty orchestrated a six-month international mission to get Target bedsheets from the US to LondonWhy Betty decided to teach herself to sew with zero prior experienceThe essential role Betty's mom Emma and family friend Sophie played in transforming their kitchen into a sewing studio and creating a custom-fit gownSewing tips for making a practice dress first, sourcing quality underlining fabrics, and working with semi-custom patternsCreative ways Betty personalized the wedding Betty's refreshing advice on skipping traditions that don't feel authentic and making your wedding truly yoursIf you have questions for Sarah to answer, send an email to [email protected] with Sarah:Website: https://sarahkolis.com/Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahkolisdesigns/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbh7HlVmyj9N5VsleuySxcQ

We're back with another Real Brides episodeSarah sits down with Nicole Humbert, Julia Schalk, and Bianca Hessenbruch to hear all about their dream weddings, emotional moments, and the details that made their big days unforgettable! From Greek dancing and champagne sabering mishaps to custom Disney gowns and greenhouse venues, these three women bring completely different perspectives on what makes a wedding truly special!In this episode:Nicole shares her September 2025 wedding at the Detroit Athletic Club, including how she incorporated lace from her grandmother's wedding dress, why she never had that "Say Yes to the Dress" moment until her actual wedding day, and the hilarious story of her maid of honor's champagne sabering attempt during her speech. She also opens up about planning a 220-person Greek wedding while simultaneously renovating a house and buying a new home—and how the unexpected Tigers game fireworks made for stunning rooftop photos!Julia walks us through her meticulously planned October 2024 fall wedding at Cherry Creek Golf Course, how she and her mom DIY enhanced all wedding paper goods. She shares the full story of creating a custom Disney Bridal gown by combining design elements from two different princess dresses, why velvet bridesmaid dresses and envelope liners were non-negotiables, and what it was really like planning her dream Italy honeymoon. Julia also talks about why having a pre-fitting consultation was a MUST and gave her total peace of mind!Bianca describes her fairy-tale October 2025 wedding at Planterra, the stunning greenhouse-style venue in metro Detroit. She opens up about her weight loss journey leading up to the wedding, why scheduling alone time with her husband between the ceremony and reception was one of her best decisions, and how adding structural boning to her strapless gown made her feel secure and beautiful all day long. She also shares practical planning advice for brides considering Planterra!If you have questions for Sarah to answer, send an email to [email protected] Connect with Sarah: Website: https://sarahkolis.com/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahkolisdesigns/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbh7HlVmyj9N5VsleuySxcQ

Planning your dream wedding can feel overwhelming—but what if you had an insider's perspective on how to make it all come together beautifully? In this episode, Sarah sits down with Jennie Wiegand, owner of Beautiful Day Planning, one of metro Detroit's premier wedding planning companies. With over 17 years in the industry and a team of seven coordinators handling 60-70+ weddings annually, Jennie shares the secrets to creating a stress-free, personalized wedding day!From her unexpected career pivot from the automotive industry to wedding planning during the 2008 recession, to managing emergency situations with grace, Jennie offers honest, practical advice for couples navigating their engagement season! In This Episode, You'll Learn:Jennie’s journey to entrepreneurshipHow trust plays a crucial role between wedding planners, couples, and vendorsCreative ways to personalize your wedding without breaking the budgetWhy first looks have become Jennie's favorite wedding traditionEmergency wedding day tips: from removing goose poop to hiding stains with baby powder!The value of hiring a wedding planner (and Beautiful Day Planning's unique "kickoff meeting" option)How to enjoy your engagement season without feeling overwhelmedBehind-the-scenes stories of what really happens when things go wrong at weddingsConnect with Jennie: Website: https://beautifuldayplanning.com/contactInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/beautifuldayplanning_/Email: [email protected] you have questions for Sarah to answer, send an email to [email protected] Connect with Sarah: Website: https://sarahkolis.com/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahkolisdesigns/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbh7HlVmyj9N5VsleuySxcQ 

Planning your dream wedding can feel overwhelming—but what if you had an insider's perspective on how to make it all come together beautifully?  In this episode, Sarah sits down with Jennie Wiegand, owner of Beautiful Day Planning, one of metro Detroit's premier wedding planning companies. With over 17 years in the industry and a team of seven coordinators handling 60-70+ weddings annually, Jennie shares the secrets to creating a stress-free, personalized wedding day!From her unexpected career pivot from the automotive industry to wedding planning during the 2008 recession, to managing emergency situations with grace, Jennie offers honest, practical advice for couples navigating their engagement season! In This Episode, You'll Learn:Jennie’s journey to entrepreneurshipHow trust plays a crucial role between wedding planners, couples, and vendorsCreative ways to personalize your wedding without breaking the budgetWhy first looks have become Jennie's favorite wedding traditionEmergency wedding day tips: from removing goose poop to hiding stains with baby powder!The value of hiring a wedding planner (and Beautiful Day Planning's unique "kickoff meeting" option)How to enjoy your engagement season without feeling overwhelmedBehind-the-scenes stories of what really happens when things go wrong at weddings  Connect with Jennie: Website: https://beautifuldayplanning.com/contactInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/beautifuldayplanning_/Email: [email protected] you have questions for Sarah to answer, send an email to [email protected] Connect with Sarah: Website: https://sarahkolis.com/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahkolisdesigns/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbh7HlVmyj9N5VsleuySxcQ 

We’re back with a special edition of the Real Bride Series.Instead of sitting down with three brides, we paused the series to feature one bride and her mother for a meaningful, full-circle conversation about weddings, family, and the power of thoughtful design!You’ll hear from Sue Cronizer (Mother of the Bride) and Emily Barto (the Bride) as we walk through every layer of their wedding journey—from a custom, couture-level mother-of-the-bride gown to a multi-generation vintage dress redesign worn straight onto the dance floor, and everything in between!In this episode:Sue shares what it was like wearing a completely custom silk satin organza mother-of-the-bride gown, why natural fibers mattered for a California destination wedding, and how a late design change led to the dress she felt the MOST beautiful inEmily walks us through her Carmel Valley wedding, her bold color palette, her unforgettable reception reveal, and why wearing her mom’s (and grandmother’s!) wedding dress as a second look was one of her favorite decisionsTogether, they talk about the often-overlooked importance of the mother-of-the-bride role, honoring family history through vintage redesigns, and why trusting your vendors makes all the difference!Connect with Emily: Website: https://www.epcfit.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/epc_fit/Her Wedding Photographer: Kelley WilliamsHer Planner: Cork & Vows If you have questions for Sarah to answer, send an email to [email protected] Connect with Sarah: Website: https://sarahkolis.com/Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahkolisdesigns/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbh7HlVmyj9N5VsleuySxcQ

Ever wondered what really goes on in a bridal studio? All your burning questions, answered.In this episode, Sarah Kolis answers the real-life, just-for-fun FAQs she hears every single day inside the bridal studio.From the story behind the space itself to her sewing journey, business beginnings, favorite details, and heartfelt moments with brides, this episode is a behind-the-scenes tour you won’t want to miss! In this episode:How a former garage became a private bridal studioThe design inspiration behind the space and its most-asked-about detailsWhat’s upstairs, what that loud noise really is, and how the studio functions day to daySarah’s sewing journey, from childhood to business owner since 2012Making her own wedding dress and her sisters’ gowns from scratchBridal shapewear myths, Day-Of Styling, and bridal tipsLife behind the scenes of alterations, custom gowns, and wedding weekendsWhy fittings are about so much more than just the dress If you have questions for Sarah to answer, send an email to [email protected] Connect with Sarah: Website: https://sarahkolis.com/Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahkolisdesigns/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbh7HlVmyj9N5VsleuySxcQ 

We’re back for another episode of the Real Bride Series: catching up with past-season brides and hearing how their wedding days actually unfolded, plus the lessons they’re taking with them now that it’s all said and done! In this episode, we sit down with Kimmy Youngman, Jenna Magbitang, and Julia Offner for three mini-interviews full of the fun details, the behind-the-scenes realities, and must-hear bridal advice!In this episode:Kimmy shares the sweetest story of how she and her husband met, the emotional moment she’d relive forever, and the hilarious “unexpected” mishap that proves you can plan everything… and still forget the one thing you actually needJenna talks about her Fox Hills wedding, her private vows moment she’d relive in a heartbeat, her wedding shoe detail, and why the final weeks before the wedding are truly the most intense and how she stayed calm through it all!Julia goes down in Real Bride history with three vintage redesigns (yes, three!), the emotional meaning behind wearing family dresses from different generations, and the one planning tool she swears every bride needs: the day-of wedding binder!If YOU are a bride that worked with Sarah in any way and would like to be on the podcast, just email us and we will get you scheduled! [email protected] you have questions for Sarah to answer, send an email to [email protected] Connect with Sarah: Website: https://sarahkolis.com/Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahkolisdesigns/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbh7HlVmyj9N5VsleuySxcQ

Three real brides. Three totally different weddings. One episode packed with the honest takeaways brides actually need—what mattered, what surprised them, and what they’d stop stressing about if they could do it again.We’re kicking off the Real Bride Series for winter by catching up with three brides from the past season and hearing how their wedding days truly unfolded—plus the lessons they’re taking with them now that it’s all said and done. In this episode, we sit down with Isabelle O’Neil, Rachel Long, and Natalie Hether for three mini-interviews filled with real-life planning stories, bridal style talk, and the kind of perspective you only get on the other side of the day!If YOU are interested in being on the podcast as well, we would love to have you! Email us at [email protected]! In this episode: Isabelle shares what it was like planning a Mackinaw City wedding on the water, the fall details she leaned into, and how being a bridal hairstylist shaped her perspective as a brideRachel talks about planning her wedding as a wedding vendor herself, redesigning her mom’s 1990 wedding dress into her own, and how preparation and support allowed her to fully relax and enjoy the dayNatalie brings the unique perspective of being a wedding photographer/videographer turned bride, including her best advice for avoiding social media comparison, plus the sentimental details she incorporated (like her mom’s veil) to make the day feel deeply personalIf YOU are a bride that worked with Sarah in any way and would like to be on the podcast, just email us and we will get you scheduled! [email protected] with Isabelle:Website: https://isabelle-oneil-beauty-1.showit.site/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isabelleoneilbeauty/?hl=en Connect with Rachel: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/choschmo/Website: https://beautifuldayplanning.com/  Connect with Natalie Website: https://coffeewithnatalie.com/linksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/photographywithnatalie/Connect with Sarah:Website: https://sarahkolis.com/Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahkolisdesigns/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbh7HlVmyj9N5VsleuySxcQ

Founder of Beautini and Beia, Brittany Lo, joins the podcast to share how she built a luxury bridal beauty brand based in NYC, the biggest shifts in wedding trends, and what it’s like to plan her own wedding after a decade behind the scenes!We discuss how bridal beauty has evolved over the past decade, tips for the skincare timeline every bride should know, the reality of wedding costs, and how to stay grounded through it all.In this episode:How bridal beauty has evolved — natural, glowy, and skin-firstThe one skincare rule every bride should follow (and what not to do the week before)Hidden wedding costs and how to prioritize vendorsWhat can help create a stress-free wedding morningThe essentials every bride should pack on the big dayThe Beia Refresh Wipes: https://beiabeauty.com/products/refresh-wipesConnect with Brittany: https://www.instagram.com/brittany.loIf you have questions for Sarah to answer, send an email to [email protected] with Sarah:Website: https://sarahkolis.com/Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahkolisdesigns/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbh7HlVmyj9N5VsleuySxcQ