The Team Behind the Bride

In Episode 24: Finding Your Balance with Michelle Beller, Mar gets to the heart of how this straight shooter thrives by harmonizing priorities. Diversifying her brand and focusing on the luxury market, Michelle-inspired from a young age- has been able to navigate evolving opportunities by aligning with trusted teams and including family in far off travel. Tune in for her favorite types of weddings, how she balances activism behind the scenes, and why she ultimately believes in the good of humankind.

Continuing on from the much beloved Episode 22: Part One, Mar explores the love of travel in Part Two- Knowing Who You Are Behind the Camera with wedding film photographer, Joel Serrato. Tune in to hear more from this genuine and insightful guest and learn the keys to a successful event experience, thoughts on how to authentically connect with clients, and the hardest lessons he's faced on the job...illuminating the path of a more enjoyable journey.

Joel Serrato's exceptional climb as one of the world's top wedding film photographers began in a crossroads moment. In Part One of Episode 22: Knowing Who You Are Behind the Camera, we are taken on a journey from a family of immigrant field workers to making the jump into a career of passion; one that required trusting a gut instinct, a sudden knowing jolt, that propelled Joel from a corporate job to a freeing creative stage into an evolving profitable business with high-end clients. Tune in to hear how his positive mood and perspective impacts the experience with beautiful shots full of emotion, fluidity, and power.

When envisioning your wedding day, what does the experience look and feel like? On Episode 21: Wedding Day Inspo, Mar outlines must-have planning tips from hair and makeup styling to top sources for gathering inspiration to finding your glam squad. Tune in to get the insider scoop and find out what's new behind the scenes of TEAM.

Using an approach that combines documentary and fine art styles, wedding and editorial destination film photographer, Erich McVey, captures beautiful, honest, and timeless images. Harper's BIZAAR, Brides, and Martha Stewart have all named him among the world's top wedding photographers, so what better person to grill for wedding advice? On Episode 20: 'Where to Now? Travel and Destinations, Wedding Style', Mar chats with Erich and business partner wife, Amy, on how to balance travel with family life, the secret to success, and the one thing to look for when choosing a photographer.

From living out of a suitcase to styling in various climates, Mar and Kita chat destination adventures in Episode 19: Jet Settin'. How do you travel branded? We've got ya covered. Want the low down on storied, behind the scenes, global voyages that prove a team of traveling stylists can navigate near-fiascos and show up on time with professionalism and class? You'll love the tale of a whirlwind NYC Bridal Fashion Week to California wedding transit. And learn how being culturally sensitive and respectful to traditions in far off lands will make you a well versed and more seasoned jet setter. 

Venture Capitalist turned Founder and CEO of the much beloved wedding platform, Carats & Cake, hits the ground running in Episode 18: Brilliance and Beauty. Jess Levin Conroy dives deep into conversation with Mar about learning to dream smarter and investing in relationships that both expand perspective and will ultimately build a stronger industry for all to thrive in. This is a don't-miss episode, rich with key insights and honed data, for couples and evolving businesses who wish to grow with brilliance.

Want to know how to look glam and elevated on your wedding day without overdoing it? In Episode 17, Mar offers up a round of advice in conversation with TBTB producer, Marla -from bridal beauty to wedding planning- in response to listener requests. Addressing insights on whether or not to wear a veil (spoiler: Go for it) and new takes on old traditions...Tune in for the inside scoop on upswept hair styling, destination hot spots, and the power of keeping beauty secrets.

KT Merry, a world renowned destination photographer named 'Best of' by Harper's Bazaar, seamlessly blends creative vision and activism in her life's work. In Episode 16: Finding Your Way and Loving What You Do, we begin our 2020 season wholly inspired. Mar and KT fearlessly dive into the defining force behind the purpose and meaning of success and what compels her global adventures. Tune in for advice on finding your rhythm, heeding a creative vision that feeds the soul and nurtures the world, and an age-old cure for sea sickness on the job.

Gearing up for an incredible Team Behind the Bride 2020 season, Mar recaps our 2019 episodes in this short and sweet New Year Greeting episode. Gain insight and inspiration, feel heart-warming connections and belly laughs, get the how-to's and I-do's on bridal looks, wedding planning, and just about everything in between...Catch up or have another listen to our 2019 Season before we dive into a brand new lineup on January 15th. We're so excited to have you along!

A pause for gratitude in this mini-episode, Christmas Greetings...Mar offers uplifting thoughts on inspiration of team and guests and a blooper that will garner repeat play. Team Behind the Bride will be back with a new season on January 8th, 2020. In the meantime, enjoy this time for catching up on past episodes you may have missed and re-listen to ones that spark joy.

On Episode 13: The Sweet and the Salty of Flower Girls, we welcome TEAM Hair Educator and Lead Stylist, Kita (and her adorable pup, Olive) back to the podcast for an all out humor-filled show. Grab some tea or a cocktail and enjoy tales from behind the scenes with the ever cuteness- and the hilarious ups & downs- of flower girls. Kita and Mar get down to brass tacks with pro-tips for child friendly wedding day hairstyles, setting the tone for a successful experience, TEAM's philosophy on makeup and children, and letting kids be kids.  

Capturing life's special moments in a uniquely fun way, with style and ease, is destination wedding and family photographer Lacie Hansen's well-honed skill. Capturing emotion is her gift. In Episode 12: Let's Talk Wedding Photography, Mar and Lacie chat celebrity weddings, the importance of engagement sessions, and the perks of working with the best in the industry. A humble artist, Lacie is not one to toot her own horn, so we do it for her...Tune in!

Nina Kincaid's childhood was spent on a small flower farm in Hawaii, so it's no wonder that she developed her rooted love for florals and made a career out of it. Mar chats with Nina, the creative force behind Coco Rose Design, in Episode 11: Everything's Coming Up Flowers. Brides will benefit from her advice for choosing seasonal flowers that speak to your heart and getting the inside scoop on 2020 forecasts, while creatives will appreciate her transition from 9-5 to dream job. Tune in for more floral love...

With over two decades in the wedding industry, TEAM Hair & Makeup Creative Director and Founder, Mar, talks shop. In Episode 10: My Top 10 Wedding Day Saves, you'll be primed on actionable and highly effective tips (from philosophical to beauty and everywhere in between) that will transform your wedding experience into the vision of your dreams. This list is years in the making  and will ensure that you'll be beautifully present and joyful on your wedding day...

How do you get to the bottom of what you really want in your dream wedding dress? Gabrielle Hurwitz, former head of editorial and social at Style Me Pretty and now bridal stylist for real brides and editorials (and wedding dress obsessed), dishes with Mar on Episode 9: Confessions of a Bridal Wardrobe Stylist. From Ready to Wear to Couture design, upcoming trends, biggest pet peeves, and vital insight into the diversity of real women's sizes... Dive into this knowledgeable, informative, and all-women inclusive conversation with two masters of luxury wedding services.

Inspiring and envisioning California-raised, Philadelphia-based artist Karina Puente creates one of a kind large scale installations and personalized portraits for weddings and beyond. Mar connects to the heart of the elevated artistry and magic that is Karina in Episode 8: When Art Meets the Wedding Day...Honoring ceremony and celebration and creating art from joy.

Bridal hairstyles are one of the most searched social tags in the beauty industry. And it's no wonder, a beautiful well-styled bride makes for a truly unforgettable wedding day. Want to get the scoop on the most requested look, favorite go-to hair product, and advice-a-plenty for future brides? Tune in with Mar and Kita, Paul Mitchell trained TEAM Hair Educator and Lead Stylist, in Episode 7: Hair Comes the Bride, for inspiration on how to ignore the "shoulds" and stay true to your own personal style.

How do you feel the prettiest? We get to the heart of the tips, tricks, and wish lists that will incorporate the beauty of who you are into your gorgeous bridal look. Mar sits down with TEAM Primary Stylist, Makeup Educator, and Influencer extraordinaire, Marla, in Episode 6: All Things Bridal Makeup. Tune in to hear the myths of bridal makeup, insights for styling, and the one hue that makes all eye colors pop.

Film photography is all about mood and light...capturing the magic and emotion in its subjects in such a way that each moment is timelessly transformed. Our guest this week, on Episode 5: The First Shoot, is Meg Sorel, a classically trained oil painter turned film photographer. In this vulnerable and honest conversation, Mar and Meg talk photography etiquette, the vital advantage of engagement photoshoots, the beautifully artistic and moving nature of film, and the power of being real, both personally and professionally.

Timing is Everything in Episode 4 of Team Behind the Bride, as Mar chats with Lindsey of Magnolia Event Design, a Santa Barbara and Los Angeles based event planning company. It's all about timing, buffers, and flexibility behind the scenes...most notably on a recent wedding for Lifetime TV's Marrying Millions in which her team had only 7 days to plan an entire wedding. Called "The Planner to Watch" by Wedding Chicks, tune in for her pro advice and 2020 forecasts.

Family dynamics in wedding planning can run the gamut, from lovely and agreeable to a perfect storm of emotion. In Episode 3: Oh Mother, we welcome Nori, a real life mother-of-the-bride, as well as event planner Jill and Co to the podcast. Want help navigating the ins and outs and the dos and don'ts of creating a beautiful celebration of togetherness without the drama? Mar gets to the heart of the matter with her guests, offering a portal to pro tips from behind the scenes that will support both bride and mom in the process. Consider this episode solid guidance on how to ensure each cup remains full leading up to and on the special day.   

On this week’s episode of Team Behind the Bride: Traditional or Nontraditional we welcome Kim and Tamara of TOAST to the podcast! From the tiny and meaningful nuances to the big picture wins, this Event Coordination and Design team share key insight and guidance (and a dollop of laughs) to make your wedding experience positively memorable. Tune in to hear their thoughts on a non-traditional bridal gown change and how to choose a wedding experience that comfortably balances tradition with contemporary possibilities.

Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes with hair and makeup artists during the months, weeks, and days leading up to a wedding? The stylists at TEAM Hair & Makeup take a breather to talk all things process and prep, real not-to-be-missed wedding day stories, and favorite wedding destinations worldwide. Stay til the end for this episode's Top Five I Dos!