Aisle Seat

When you envision a postcard picture-perfect paradise made for romance, St. Kitts ticks all the boxes. This Caribbean island is a cinematic destination that's full of natural wonders—sand, sea, rainforest, and verdant mountains—and it's one of the places people are buzzing to explore in 2026. On this show, Alison chats with Kelly Fontenelle, CEO of St. Kitts Tourism Authority about what's new on the island, her favourite spots for a dreamy destination wedding, and why St. Kitts is a stunning oasis of calm that's perfect for couples to unplug and reconnect. We also chat about the new bluboho X St. Kitts collab called 'safe travels, wild heart' which is a three-part jewellery collection. The latest drop includes a lineup of eight sparkling, one-of-a-kind engagement rings that perfectly encapsulate the island's magical vibe.   This episode of Aisle Seat podcast is brought to you by St. Kitts Tourism Authority. St. Kitts is an uncrowded yet vibrant destination, ideal for those who want to go off the radar and value unique experiences over traditional getaways. Layers of undulating mountains, beaches with sand that ranges from champagne to midnight black, and one of the few rainforests in the world that is still expanding, St. Kitts is a place you and your loved one can truly disconnect from modern life and connect deeply with each other. Vibrant experiences include visiting a coffee farm in the mountains, hiking through the rainforest with one of the island's medicine men, and swimming coral gardens among vibrant and varied sea life. In St. Kitts, you will not only fall in love with the island, but the people who will make your visit even more unforgettable. St. Kitts is the offbeat choice for a destination wedding, honeymoon, or discreet getaway from every day. This boutique destination is waiting for you to explore at visitstkitts.com. Log on to learn more and start planning your romantic escape.

Canadian fine jewellery brand bluboho has made ethically sourced sapphires a hallmark of their engagement ring designs, many of which are one-of-a-kind. On this show Alison chats with bluboho founder Maggie Aurocco about the brand she founded 16 years ago and why creating modern heirloom pieces has always been a top priority. "From day one the focus of bluboho has always been on stunning design that are not just beautiful but heirloom quality," Maggie says. On this show Maggie shares what inspires her and her creative team, why the Montana sapphires used in bluboho's engagement ring designs are so magical, she takes us on a journey to St. Kitts which is the inspiration for a three-part collaboration of highly collectible pieces. The bluboho X St. Kitts 'safe travels, wild heart' collection includes eight bespoke engagement rings, plus a stunning lineup of charms inspired by the Caribbean island—there will be a third chapter launching in the autumn of 2026. This episode of Aisle Seat podcast is brought to you by St. Kitts Tourism Authority. St. Kitts is an uncrowded yet vibrant destination, ideal for those who want to go off the radar and value unique experiences over traditional getaways. Layers of undulating mountains, beaches with sand that ranges from champagne to midnight black, and one of the few rainforests in the world that is still expanding, St. Kitts is a place you and your loved one can truly disconnect from modern life and connect deeply with each other. Vibrant experiences include visiting a coffee farm in the mountains, hiking through the rainforest with one of the island's medicine men, and swimming coral gardens among vibrant and varied sea life. In St. Kitts, you will not only fall in love with the island, but the people who will make your visit even more unforgettable. St. Kitts is the offbeat choice for a destination wedding, honeymoon, or discreet getaway from every day. This boutique destination is waiting for you to explore at visitstkitts.com. Log on to learn more and start planning your romantic escape.

Wedding magazines are a particular love for us here at Aisle Seat—host Alison McGill was the Editor-in-Chief of celebrated Canadian-based publication Weddingbells for many years. On this show, we get a behind-the-scenes look at the making of a beautiful new wedding-focused title, G&G Weddings, produced by the creative minds behind the award-winning publication Garden & Gun Magazine. Executive Editor Amanda Heckert chats with Alison about the inspiration behind G&G Weddings, an idea which had been percolating with the magazine's editorial team for some time and was born as a result of the popularity of the G&G's online wedding content. Amanda and Alison chat about the joy wedding media brings to readers, the process of having a real wedding covered by the publication, what's trending in weddings for the year ahead and when you can expect the next drop of G&G Weddings—the inaugural issue was such huge hit the editors are already working on a second one.

As this year draws to a close, we're looking ahead to what to expect for 2026 in the world of weddings and this chat with Canadian-based luxury event planner Alexandria Damouni from OMG Events will get you inspired about the ins and outs of stylish celebrations. For Damouni and her clients, it's not about what's cool for colour palette choices or viral florals, it's about being intentional in your day. "Experience is trending, and emotion is trending," Damouni shares with host Alison. On this episode we'll talk about the evolution of the wedding guest experience, why weddings need to reclaim their emotional impact and resonance and how couples are redefining what luxury means for their big day.

The most important part of a wedding day is a detail that's often not given proper love: the vows. These are powerful words and writing them (along with wedding speeches and a personalized ceremony) can feel overwhelming for many of us which is why hiring a pro to coach you through the process and help you craft the perfect wedding script is a very smart idea. Brian Franklin is founder of Los Angeles-based Vows & Speeches a business he launched four years ago, and his superpower is making you sound amazing. "Getting help with writing your vows doesn't make it less personal, it's actually the opposite," Brian shares. On this show he chats with host Alison about what makes for the most meaningful wedding vows and why humour should be a key component of them. Brian also shares some wedding speech disaster stories, his process for working with clients and why rehearsing your wedding vows or speech to ensure a flawless delivery is the secret to public speaking success.

On this show, Alison chats with renowned custom jewellery designer Kat Florence who creates dazzling bespoke pieces. Kat is famous for her one-of-a-kind jewellery crafted with dazzling, rare gemstones (Golconda diamonds are her current obsession) fashioned into collectible pieces that feel at once old world and modern. "I love the contrast of the old with the new," is how Kat describes her design aesthetic. Kat shares her favourite engagement ring ideas of the moment on this episode, and why she has a particular passion for coloured gemstones. She also talks about her latest business venture, Kat Florence Hotels, a luxury boutique property which she opened a year ago in her Canadian hometown of Elora, Ontario. The intimate hotel just won a 2025 Conde Nast Readers' Choice Award; Kat has created the ultimate getaway, a place to slow down, savour and feel extremely well taken care of.  

The biggest trend in wedding style? Vintage wedding looks and on this show host Alison chats with an expert in the world of vintage fashion, Cher Thornton owner of Toronto's Vintage Bride boutique. Cher has been in the vintage clothing business since 2008 and over the years bridal fashion became her specialty. Her store stocks upwards of 3o0 styles on any given day with wedding dresses spanning the decades from the 1930s through Y2K. On this episode, Cher and Alison chat about what designs and decades are currently trending with modern brides, why vintage has become so huge as wedding style choice, tips for finding your dream vintage wedding dress and how much time you realistically need to land an heirloom treasure.  

Diamond alternatives are trending as the hautest choice for engagement rings and one of the brightest and most beautiful stones is moissanite. Canadian fine jewelry brand El&Elle has made this sparkling lab grown stone the star of their lineup, and on this show Alison chats with company co-founder Louis and Justin De Bernardi about the rise of moissanite as a choice gemstone for engagement rings and statement jewelry. "When people see moissanite in person, they can't stop talking about the shine that comes from it," Louis shares. "Not only is this stone more affordable than diamonds, but a more sustainable choice which is something that is a key pillar of our brand." Other things covered in this sparkling conversation include Louis and Justin's thoughts on their favourite engagement ring settings of the moment, why hefty carat sizes are now more attainable, and what they feel the most underrated stone cut is, one which they have beautifully mastered, and share is one of their favourites in their current design lineup.

On this show Alison welcomes back Sara Margulis co-founder and CEO of Honeyfund. Sara started her company 20 years ago in 2005 and the inspiration came from her own wedding when friends and family came together to help make her dream honeymoon a reality. On this episode, Sara shares some hot destinations couples are travelling to for honeymoons in 2025 (hello, Iceland!), up and coming spots she thinks are perfect for romantic travel, and why travelling together and specifically a honeymoon are vital for a happy marriage. Sara also chats about the etiquette surrounding wedding gifting and the one thing you should never, ever expect from your guests.

The custom engagement ring is having a mega-moment thanks to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce. So too are romantic old mine cuts and elongated shapes, and on this show we get into all of these Taylor-centric trends with Cathy Shen, a Vancouver-based jewelry designer and owner of Ma Folie. Creating bespoke engagement rings is the foundation of Cathy's Vancouver-based business and she is passionate about pieces stacked with meaning, and personalization. "If you want something very intentional you go to a small jeweler or designer to create that piece which reflects you and your partner," Cathy shares in this chat. Host Alison and Cathy get into the specifics of designing a custom engagement ring; why she loves sapphires for as a star-stone to make a ring truly bespoke; and how Taylor's instantly iconic engagement ring will shape trends for years to come.   

Weddings are no longer just events, they are experiences full of personal touches and meaningful moments for both the couple and their guests. On this week's show host Alison chats with Alexandra Clement McNamara, creative director and founder of Clement & Co. Events in Toronto about how couples are making their celebrations authentic and uniquely in 2025. Alexandra also shares an insider look at what's we can expect to see trending for 2026 weddings which she and her team are well into working on with clients. Expect to see more intimate weddings and classical European influence when it comes to venues, decor and wedding fashion.    

Wedding content creators have become a star wedding vendor which are essential for every modern wedding. On this show I chat with Jana Janevska, founder of Calgary-based Wedding Day Bestie, about the evolving role of the wedding content creator and how she has seen her business explode since she booked her first wedding back in 2023. Jana recently made headlines as the wedding content creator for the wedding of TikTok mega star Madeleine White who had her dream day in Santorini this past July, a celebration that literally broke the internet with incredible social content. Jana worked with the bride and groom to make this wedding a viral sensation and to date the views are in the multi-millions on both TikTok and Instagram.

On this week's show, we have a returning guest who was actually the very first person Alison welcomed on Aisle Seat. Angel Spendlove is the co-owner and creative director of Canadian bridal brand & For Love, a label loved for it's cool bride vibes and which was one of the first in the wedding space to offer paired back, modern styles with easy and effortless silhouettes and innovative fabrics like linen and micro sequins. & For Love's latest collection "The Lovers," Angel leaned into her formative years as a ballerina for inspiration and on this show, she talks about the brand's latest lineup of dream dresses, talks a few of her favourite trends and gives us a little teaser of what we can expect for her brand's 2026 collection.   

If you are considering a wedding on location in a tropical paradise, this show is for you. Our guest this week is a destination wedding expert Karolina Fernandes owner of Diamonds Destination Weddings who is a specialist in planning dreamy celebrations in the Caribbean and Mexico. As we chatted about a few episodes back with Sydney Stanback from Pinterest, the tropical destination wedding is one of the biggest wedding trends of 2025. People are looking to check out and relax for their party in a location that is equal parts chill and super-chic. On this show Karolina and I chat about the hottest places to say 'I do' right now, why a destination wedding really is more affordable than you think and a perfect option if you want to do less planning and more enjoying of the moment.

This week Alison has a sparkling chat with Mercedes Smith owner and designer at Alexis Gallery, a custom jewelry design studio in Toronto who create the most gorgeous pieces. We love to talk about diamonds, bling trends and engagement rings here and Mercedes and Alison became fast friends on this show because they speak the same love language when it comes to fine jewelry. Mercedes gets into what she's loving when it comes to engagement rings, how the average carat size for a centre diamond is on the rise (thank you lab diamonds!), how she and the team at Alexis Gallery work to create dream engagement rings for couples and more. If an engagement this summer is something you are planning for this glittery episode is for you.  

This chat about wedding etiquette could not come at a better time with wedding season now in full swing. On this show I chat with etiquette expert Myka Meier and let me tell you Myka weights in on all those burning questions you have about weddings and acting accordingly. Myka is an etiquette coach, the founder of Beaumont Etiquette in New York and the author of two etiquette books and has been featured in Vogue, Town & Country and Harper's Bazaar. She's also the co-founder of the Plaza Hotel's Finishing Program. Myka also recently started working with Lovebird, a modern, all-in-one digital wedding communication platform designed for couples who want an elegant, seamless, and stress-free way to manage their wedding details. Enjoy this chat with Myka and I guarantee you will walk away enlightened about everything wedding etiquette related whether you are getting married yourself or have upcoming parties on your upcoming social calendar.

This week's episode is such a great one with returning guest Sydney Stanback, global trends and insights lead for Pinterest, and we chat all about Pinterest's just released 2025 Wedding Report. With over 3.8 billion wedding related searches and more than 13.4 billion wedding ideas saved globally in one year on Pinterest, the trend authority most certainly is in the know about what couples want for their dream party. This year's report puts the focus firmly on Gen Z and how they are shifting the wedding landscape with celebrations that are big and bold, full of hyper-personal touches and a colourful, modern aesthetics. Sydney and Alison chat all the latest trends you can expect to see in weddings in the coming months to put you in the loop of what's haute if you're in wedding planning mode, or attending a wedding this year.

On this show, Alison catches up with industry friend Reid Lambshead of Will Reid Photo for an insightful and inspiring chat about modern wedding photography. Reid is one of the best of the best—his work has been featured in Vogue, Martha Stewart Weddings, Brides and the New York Times. Reid travels around the globe for his job and has photographed weddings in some of the most incredible destinations. On this show, Reid talks about what's trending in wedding photography and why unscripted moments and emotion is the number one quality behind the most unforgettable images.

In 2025, weddings are all about keeping the moments authentic, the fun factor high, and the fashion ultra-chic. On this show, Alison chat's with recent bride Camille Katona who is the co-founder of the amazing Canadian indie beauty brand 19/99. Camille married her husband Tim last summer and their party was quite simply the coolest. The bride wore Wiederhoeft. They got married at her parent's Toronto home, then drove themselves to their reception which they held in a cool studio space which was re-imagined to feel like a restaurant. On this episode Camille takes us inside her wedding and we also talk a lot about bridal beauty and makeup. Camille did her own for the day using products from 19/99 and she has many insider tips and tricks to keep in mind to create an impactful and personal wedding look. 

For the last Aisle Seat show of the year, we're talking about what to expect in the year ahead in weddings co-founders of Wed Vibes, Daria and Alina. Wed Vibes was launched by wedding planner Daria in 2015 and is a trusted source and resource for both industry professionals and couples. Wed Vibes has just dropped a new comprehensive wedding industry study and a key part of it is a deep dive into 2025 wedding trends and there are some really interesting ones topping the list. On this show Daria and Alina get into their findings which touch on all aspects of the wedding celebration from décor trends, to style, destination weddings, and how couples are thinking about their event what steps they are taking to make it truly bespoke.   Aisle Seat will return with new episodes on February 13, 2025!  

If you are obsessed with accessories, you will love this week's episode featuring a joyful chat with Canadian designer Blair Nadeau. Host Alison McGill has known Blair since she started her career designing bridal adornments in 2009; Blair changed the game with her fashion-forward vision for bridal accessories that are anything but expected. Blair designs everything but the dress and the ring: veils, earrings, necklaces, and hair pieces. Her exquisite, jeweled crowns are beyond breathtaking. This week Blair and Alison talk 2025 weddings, trends, the launch of her new Blair's new collection happening early next year, why she's SO obsessed with veils—they are the moment!

This week on Aisle Seat Alison chats with Toronto jewelry designer Alexandra Mann who creates modern, wearable masterpieces. Alexandra's designs have a modern-vintage flair to them that is unique and statement-making. Engagement rings are one of Alexandra's favourite things to craft and on this show, she shares there's been a shift in what's trending in stone shape—the oval has competition. We also talk about the popularity of larger carat weight gemstones, the affordability of lab diamonds and why reworking a family heirloom piece into something new and meaningful is a very special part of Alexandra's job.  

This week on the show, we're talking weddings at one of Canada's top luxury hotels in one of my favourite cities. The JW Marriott Parq Vancouver is located between the city's vibrant Yaletown and Gastown neighbourhoods, the service and luxury vibes at this property are everything. Joining host Alison for this episode are two of the all-stars who bring weddings to life at the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver: Makayla Blaisdell, the director of event operations and food services, and Chef Kunal Dighe, dual executive chef at JW Marriott Parq Vancouver & The DOUGLAS, Autograph Collection. We chat 2025 trends, planning tips and a lot about wedding menus which Chef Kunal loves to get creative with. His top pick for an inspired wedding menu? An exclusively vegan feast!  

This week we catch up with stylist Risa Kostis and we have a brilliant chat about modern wedding style, the wild popularity of vintage fashion for brides today, and the story behind her company The Rescue Kit Company and emergency supply fashion kit which is something every bride definitely needs to have for the big day. Risa has always been clothing obsessed and started her style career as a hair and makeup artist. This was her first introduction to the wedding space, and she quickly realized this was her place. Risa is ALL about the details and she ensures everything is perfect for her clients, not just on their wedding day, but also styling every event leading up to the party. We talk about why a wedding stylist really is one of the biggest power players on any bridal squad and definitely someone worth investing in. Risa is pure positivity and light; you will fall in love with her passion.  

This week on Aisle Seat, Alison chats with another friend from across the pond, June Glackin, owner of Junie Poonie. June is a multi-award-winning stylist, stationary designer, event, and wedding planner. Her incredible eye for detail is impeccable and that's what has made her so in demand with clients. Her style is simple, modern, classic, and impactful and she has so many brilliant thoughts on what creates an unforgettable wedding day. This chat with June is pure delight and will inspire you about planning your day and why nothing about it should be complicated or unauthentic. Let's get into it with June who is an absolute charmer of a guest.  

 This week on Aisle Seat, we chat with two amazing women who are bridal industry style insiders based in the UK. Tegan Patmore and Roberta Lambert are the owners of Silk & Maple bridal boutique in Sudbury, Suffolk, England and have a dream business partnership having come together from two different areas of the wedding industry. Tegan began her career as a wedding florist, while Robert has a background in wedding planning. The friends opened their boutique in 2021 and their award-winning store quickly became a must-shop destination for UK brides. This spring they opened a second location, Sora which is an exclusive retail experience for bridesmaids. On this show Alison chats with these charming wedding style experts about the realities of dress shopping for brides and bridesmaids, their favourite trends for the year ahead in bridal fashion, and size inclusivity and how it's always been a pillar of their business. They also share some inspiring stories of how they have made an impact in the lives of their customers by making every bride feel like her very best self.

Prince Edward County is a gem of a destination in Ontario, located at the mid-point between Toronto and Montreal. It's a sweet spot renowned for its bucolic landscapes, rolling vineyards, and incredible food scene. It also happens to be home to many incredible wedding venues which couples travel far and wide to host their celebrations at, and one of the most exclusive and beloved spots is The Royal Hotel, a historic boutique property and restaurant located on the charming main street of Picton. The property is a Conde Nast Reader's Choice winner for 2023 and 2024 and was recently acknowledged with a Micheline Key star. Having a wedding celebration at The Royal is to indulge in a party full of intimate moments, next level food and a warm and wonderful experience that couples and their guests remember forever. On this show I chat with The Royal Hotel's general manager Sol Korngold and Jennifer Prince who looks after weddings at the property about what makes it the perfect choice for a wedding in any season and why The Royal Hotel delivers an indulgent travel experience that's second to none.    

Mariela Soucy has been part of the fashion scene for almost 25 years but only recently began work as a bridal wear designer and she's made a huge impact with her artful creations for her label SOUCY. This week we chat with Mariela from her New York studio where she and her team are busy putting the final touches on her third bridal collection which will launch in early October. Mariela's designs are incredibly romantic and modern. Strength and poise are two words she uses to describe her creations, and on this show, we talk about what inspires her, what she loves about working with brides, what's trending for the year ahead. If you are looking for a wedding style that is impactful, dramatic and unlike any other SOUCY is made for you.  

If the idea of having a dreamy 500-acre property just outside of New York City in the Hudson Valley all to yourself for your party, Cedar Lakes Estate in the Hudson Valley is the place. This property has topped travel lists including Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards and has a beautiful history. The property was home to a legendary summer camp which began in 1929 and was purchased in 1986 by the Karvellas family who not only brought it back to life but transformed the property into the most incredible event venue under the leadership of sisters Lisa and Stephanie Karvellas. These women have created a one-of-a-kind event destination on the grounds of their childhood home, a luxe, rustic escape which is all about incredible food, service, and creating unforgettable experiences. It's also favourite spot of celebrities—actor Beanie Feldstein and her wife Bonnie Chance-Roberts married there in 2023 and the gorgeous day was featured in Vogue. On this show, I chat with co-owner Lisa to learn all about weddings as Cedar Lakes Estate and why it's one of North America's premiere destination wedding spots.

We're back from summer break with a new show! On this episode we chat with two amazing women who head up one of the top bridalwear lines in Canada, Kathryn Bass Bridal. Kathryn and her business partner Kelsey McIntyre are a dream creative team who create fashion magic in the Vancouver studio. Their designs are whimsical, ethereal and made for the modern bride with size inclusivity always at the forefront of everything they create. I caught up with this dynamic duo recently to talk trends, shopping tips and they also give a teaser into the new 2025 collection which drops in just a few days—prepare for serious gorgeousness!

Nadia Manjarrez is an incredible bridal wear designer who made a huge impact on wedding style since releasing her first collection just a few years ago. Nadia trained for her career in fashion in her native Mexico before moving to New York in 2011 for a design internship and went on to work luxury eveningwear brands including Badgley Mischka and Marchesa. Nadia moved back to Mexico in 2020 and unofficially started her business in her parent's home when several of her friends commissioned her to design their wedding dresses—this was the beginning of her atelier, Nadia Manjarrez Studio. On this show Nadia shares everything about her newest collection which is full of romantic and dramatic designs like drop waist gowns, textural tulle and exquisite lace. She talks creative inspirations and why empowering women in her Mexican community is a key part of her brand. Nadia also talks about her own incredible wedding wardrobe—she had designed looks, all of which were spectacular!

On this week's show, Alison meets a new bridal fashion friend, Agnese Petraglia who a designer and the founder of Medusa London. Italian born Agnese creates beautiful things and her career in wedding style started when she moved to London from her native Italy in 2014. She always had a love for crafting and making things and soon discovered fashion was her passion. She launched Medusa London in 2021 and it's a label that puts sustainability first and foremost in everything they do. On this show, Agnese chats all about why eco-consciousness should be first and foremost when considering any fashion, particularly wedding designs. We talk about the custom design process which the choice of many of her Agnese's clients, her stunning capsule collections, Medusa London's exclusive sustainable fabrications, and more.

Anne Sportun is iconic Toronto-based fine jewelry brand started in 1987 by artist and designer Anne. Renowned for pieces that are statement, modern, and organic in feeling inspired by natural and organic forms, engagement rings have always been a particular passion of the brand and never more so than now with Anne's daughter Haley Woodbury who's a co-owner of the business focusing her custom jewelry expertise on all things wedding bling. On this show, host Alison and Haley chat about what's trending for engagement rings this year—antique diamonds, gemstones and custom one-of-a-kind pieces are the biggest ask. Haley also talks budget—as in what's actually realistic—and why lab diamonds can be a great choice. Recent newlywed Haley also shares details of her day and what she decided on for her own ring which is spectacular.

This week on the show Alison chats with real bride Becca Webster—a five-time World Cheerleading Champion and star of the Netflix show Cheer Squad—who just married her longtime love, Dee Guertin. The brides' big day had the most stunning details—a dreamy wedding venue, a romantic-modern aesthetic, and incredible fashion for the brides and their squads. Becca has a huge social following and has been documenting every moment of her wedding planning since she and Dee were engaged in 2022; their party has totally gone viral. On this episode Becca shares all the details of her romance, engagement, and wedding day, and how she and Dee have felt so supported by all the love their day has received. "What really fills our cup is knowing our wedding could help provide a light at the end of the tunnel for other members of the LGBTQ2+ community," Becca says. Becca also talks about her new career as a wedding content creator and her business Secco Studios which was born out of a love for creating content for her own wedding. Becca knows what it takes to make wedding content go viral and she says this is the top request of clients she's working with in 2024.  

This week we have an inspiring chat with luxury wedding planner Raj Grewal founder and principal of LUX Affairs in Vancouver. Raj has an amazing energy and her passion for the wedding industry; she's an innovator and a visionary who makes major magic happen for couples to ensure their celebration is unforgettable. Raj's background is actually in finance, and she started planning weddings as a side hustle; she made events her full-time passion when she founded her company 10 years ago. With a specialty in Indian weddings, Raj has become renowned as one of the world's top luxury event planners and on this shows she shares her insights into what's trending with weddings for the year ahead, why dreaming big for your day is always a good idea but having a pro team in place to guide you through those decisions and making sure it's a smart use of your money is key.

On this week's episode, we have an amazing chat about wedding fashion with the dynamic duo behind the London-based bridal brand Katya Katya. Childhood friends Katya and Marina are at the heart of the brand and their style vibe is old world romance meets modern glamour. You may recognize the label name as it was recently in the headlines—actor Christina Hendricks wore a stunning Katya Katya dress for her spring wedding in New Orleans. In a move that proves celebrities are just like us, Christina spotted the brand on Pinterest and connected with Katya and Marina about creating her dream dress, a divine high-neckline lace gown that is the perfect embodiment of Katya Katya style. On this show, we talk about Christina's dress, the process of custom design and what Katya and Marina see trending for brides in the year ahead.   

You no doubt know about lab diamonds. You probably know a little on the subject, but on this week's episode—just in time for summer engagement season—you'll learn a lot about them thanks to our guest Virginie Roy, CEO and founder of Montreal-based Proud Diamond. Virginie credits her lifelong love and passion for jewelry to her grandpa who who worked in the diaamond and gold industry. Lab diamonds are something Virginie is incredibly passionate about and are at the heart of her business. On this show, Virginie takes us on a deep dive into the world of lab diamonds. How they are created; the cost; and why they are a smart, sustainable, and ethical choice for every day, but especially for an engagement ring.

A career in PR and events was the beginning of Cameron Forbes life in party planning. Cameron is founder and principle of Forbes Functions based in New York, and on this show Alison and Cameron chat all about she is planning the perfect parties for Gen Z clients. Calling herself the “Fairy Godmother of Parties,” Cameron tells me no event is too large or too small for her and her team to handle, and Cameron's goal with every wedding she works on is to make it showstopping and hyper-personalized.

Juliana Miranda is a Toronto based lifestyle expert and owner Mia Rose & Frank. She creates the most gorgeous personalized embroidered pieces including exquisite table linens, as well beautiful porcelain tableware pieces. Juliana is a former retail executive who worked for luxury brands including Tiffany & Co. and Holt Renfrew—trust when we say she's a tastemaker and knows the DNA of a great party. We loved catching up with Juliana on this show who shares her amazing entertaining expertise and how it relates to wedding planning; how to create beautiful wedding tablescapes; and she even shares her thoughts on some classic wedding etiquette queries like where to seat those single guests.

Size inclusivity for brides is a huge conversation in the world of wedding style. The needle is moving, but we have so much farther to go. This was recognized by Laura Pantin and Monika Kakucska-Godin, two bridal fashion industry veterans who worked with together for a bridal designer for many years before breaking out on their own to open their Toronto-based bridal boutique More 2 Love Bridal which is Canada's only store dedicated exclusively to curve size brides. Monika and Laura have made a huge impact with their business which opened in 2021 and stocks an incredible size range from 16 to 44. On this show Monika and Laura chat about how they are making a difference when it comes to inclusive and luxury wedding fashion so every bride can feel incredible—as they should—on their big day.

On this week's episode we visit one of the world's most incredible resort properties, Nemacolin, a luxury getaway in the mountains of southwestern Pennsylvania that also happens to be one of the most epic spots for a destination wedding. Nemacolin sits on over 2,000 acres of property and truly offers something for everyone; arriving and Nemacolin feels like a fantasy, and events here are truly bespoke and unforgettable. On this show we chat with renowned international event designer Ed Libby, founder of Ed Libby Events, famous for his iconic parties brimming with larger-than-life elements that bring the perfect fusion of high style and whimsy which he now does with Nemacolin as a creative partner. Ed is joined by Melinda Redling, Nemacolin's director of wedding Sales who shares everything you need to know about planning the most unforgettable wedding at this incredibly exclusive and gorgeous location.  

Our chat for this episode is dedicated to groom style and what's trending for men this wedding season. My guest is Canadian designer, stylist and fashion creative Cynthia Florek who's an expert in all things style, but particularly men's style. Cynthia is currently the creative director at Tip Top where she collaborates on seasonal creative direction for the men's fashion line. On this show, Cynthia shares how grooms are taking their fashion game up in 2024, what's new in suiting and accessories for the big day and why impeccable tailoring is the essential for every sharp dressed man.

On this week's episode, we're on the move again talking planning a destination wedding on one of the buzziest islands of the moment. As we've chatted about previously, St. Kitts is an island paradise which is a haven for wellness seekers, solo tourists, adventure lovers, and especially romantic travellers. There is so much goodness and beauty on this island to discover—there's a reason St. Kitts is on American Express Travel's list of 2024 Trending Destinations. When I was recently on island staying at the gorgeous Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbour, I caught up the resort's Event Sales Manager Jacqueline Hector to chat about weddings at this Caribbean dream of a property. It's the perfect spot if you are looking for a celebration that's all about quiet luxury and elevated touches set against a breathtaking island vista.  

Just in time for 2024 wedding season, Pinterest has just released its annual wedding report, and the trends the social platform has tipped as the biggest ones for the year ahead are anything but traditional. Everything from seriously retro inspired parties to dark romance celebrations are on the list. On this show we chat with Pinterest's Global Trends and Insights Lead Sydney Stanback about everything fresh and cool happening in the wedding space. Sydney shares how she and the Pinterest team track and predict trends, and we dive into the specifics of Pinterest's 2024 Wedding Report and the searches by pinners in the realm of wedding style, décor and more. On the note of wedding style and Pinterest's ongoing commitment to inclusion, Sydney also talks about the platform's just launched new tool, body type ranges, which gives users the choice to select what body types are featured in their search.  

This week, Alison chats with a like-minded wedding media authority on the show. Emily Williams is the Luxury Brands & Destinations Editor for London-based Weddings & Honeymoons Media. Emily is a wedding expert with a particular eye on destination weddings and honeymoons, and on this show she shares her insider intel on trending romantic travel spots as well as her hit list of haute wedding details for 2024 weddings. Emily is herself engaged and planning her own destination wedding in Italy this summer—on this episode she offers some savvy planning advice for anyone considering having their big day on location.

Philadelphia-based designer Madison Chamberlain brings a joyful energy, and a fun and whimsical aesthetic to her wedding styles. Madison is passionate about inclusivity and diversity in the wedding space and her brand represents the freedom of being who you want to be; she designs looks for individuals who want dress for themselves on the big day. On this show, Alison and Madison chat about her creative inspiration, her latest collection, and how she has made wedding accessories a speciality of her label—Madison's veils are pure art! Madison also shares some thoughts on her planning her own wedding and the pleasures and the pain of bringing her Summer 2025 party to life.