Weddings Unveiled with Leah Haslage

Engagement, Bridal Shower, Bachelor/Bachelorette...there is A LOT of celebrating to do before your wedding day! Jeffra Trumpower, Senior Creative Director at WeddingWire, shares her advice on how to plan and enjoy all of the parties leading up to your big day.  Get to know Jeffra: As part of her role at WeddingWire, Jeffra leverages her keen eye for detail and visual aesthetic to constantly identify new wedding trends for engaged couples in the U.S -- from floral arrangements and bridal dress silhouettes to creative food options and new venue styles that deviate from traditional norms. After a decade in the wedding industry, Jeffra is an invaluable resource for couples and vendors, providing perspective on the latest trends and unique ways couples can personalize their special days. Jeffra oversees the video production and creative teams, driving success for the company through content and visual marketing efforts. She loves reviewing WeddingWire ‘real weddings’ content to see how engaged couples are taking a cue from the year’s trends and adding personal touches to make the day their own. Jeffra holds a degree in communication and studio art from the American University. She was recently interviewed on the TODAY Show, The Weather Channel, and Great Day Washington, and she has spoken at several large industry events including Create + Cultivate, The Special Event Conference, and WeddingWire World. Follow WeddingWire on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram! This has been a production of Evergreen Podcasts. A special thank you to Executive Producers David Moss, Gerardo Orlando, Production Director Brigid Coyne and Audio Engineer Eric Koltnow

Hollywood Stylist and Host of the new podcast The Katz Walk, Joseph “Joe” Katz, explains what all of the different dress codes we come across really mean, and what we should and shouldn’t wear to a wedding. He also fills us in on the fashion trends for 2021, and how we can get the look for less! Get to know Joe: Fun, engaging and the creator of celebrity looks for the general public, Host Joe Katz is best known for his Oscar Red Carpet appearances. With many years of experience in the fashion industry, Katz is the stylist and personal shopper at the luxurious, five star Montage Beverly Hills Hotel. His fashion media contributions include Good Morning America, The Doctors, Yahoo, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, Associated Press, CBS 2, NBC LA as well as Life & Style, Real Simple and Ok Magazines. Katz previously owned a model and talent agency specializing in the development of top models worldwide. He worked styling and placing models with such agencies as Ford, New York Models, Elite, IMG and Wilhelmina. Follow Joe Katz on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook! This has been a production of Evergreen Podcasts. A special thank you to Executive Producers David Moss, Gerardo Orlando, Production Director Brigid Coyne and Audio Engineers Eric Koltnow and Declan Rohrs.

Even though there really aren’t too many “rules” in weddings anymore, there are still proper ways to handle some sticky situations. Jeffra Trumpower, Senior Creative Director at WeddingWire shares her advice on how to best deal with dilemmas that may arise with family, friends, co-workers and vendors.  Get to know Jeffra: As part of her role at WeddingWire, Jeffra leverages her keen eye for detail and visual aesthetic to constantly identify new wedding trends for engaged couples in the U.S -- from floral arrangements and bridal dress silhouettes to creative food options and new venue styles that deviate from traditional norms. After a decade in the wedding industry, Jeffra is an invaluable resource for couples and vendors, providing perspective on the latest trends and unique ways couples can personalize their special days. Jeffra oversees the video production and creative teams, driving success for the company through content and visual marketing efforts. She loves reviewing WeddingWire ‘real weddings’ content to see how engaged couples are taking a cue from the year’s trends and adding personal touches to make the day their own.  Jeffra holds a degree in communication and studio art from the American University. She was recently interviewed on the TODAY Show, The Weather Channel, and Great Day Washington, and she has spoken at several large industry events including Create + Cultivate, The Special Event Conference, and WeddingWire World.  Follow WeddingWire on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram! This has been a production of Evergreen Podcasts. A special thank you to Executive Producers David Moss, Gerardo Orlando, Production Director Brigid Coyne and Audio Engineer Eric Koltnow

From the Save the Dates to the Thank You cards, Esther Lee, Senior Editor at The Knot, breaks down how to choose your invitation style, when you should send them out to your guests, and what you definitely should and should not include. We also discuss the brand new Invitations and Stationary collection from The Knot!  Get to know Esther:  Esther Lee is the Senior Editor of The Knot, covering and editing all-things-related to weddings and love at the leading brand in the U.S. She has successfully overseen multiple content initiatives at The Knot, including prolific team coverage of the 2018 Royal Wedding and a content partnership with Warner Brothers for the world premiere of Crazy Rich Asians. Most notably, she has served as the force behind the accelerated growth of News content at The Knot since 2016.  She is a voracious reader with an inherent gift for storytelling and an unquenchable thirst for answers. Esther currently resides in New York City and surprise: on occasion, she doesn't mind if you flip the switch and ask her questions instead.  Follow The Knot on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram! This has been a production of Evergreen Podcasts. A special thank you to Executive Producers David Moss, Gerardo Orlando, Production Director Brigid Coyne and Audio Engineer Eric Koltnow.

Rebecca Somnitz, owner of Something White Bridal, is back to give us the details on what she saw from the designers collections at this year's (virtual) Bridal Market. Bridal Market is the Fashion Week for Weddings, and happens twice a year (in the Spring and Fall). Tune in to get the scoop on what we can look forward to seeing in the stores in 2021!  Get to know Rebecca: Rebecca has a love for classic, elegant and unique wedding gowns that use quality fabrics and interesting cuts. After having a hard time finding those qualities for her own wedding gown, she decided to open a bridal shop to help others find that classic dress. Something White opened in June of 2010 and the shop quickly became one of the best bridal shops in Cleveland, OH and beyond. Brides Magazine solidified what customers and designers were saying by naming Something White one of the best bridal shops in the United States- an honor they strive to uphold with every appointment. At Something White they believe in creating an environment and an appointment that is relaxed and productive while having fun! Follow Something White Bridal on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and The Knot! This has been a production of Evergreen Podcasts. A special thank you to Executive Producers David Moss, Gerardo Orlando, Production Director Brigid Coyne and Audio Engineers Eric Koltnow and Declan Rohrs.

Hollywood fashion expert, VIP personal shopper, and host of the new podcast The Katz Walk, Joseph "Joe" Katz, shares his expertise on groom and groomsmen style. From the bowtie to the boots, Joe gives his honest advice and (money saving!) tips to look your best! Get to know Joe:  Fun, engaging and the creator of celebrity looks for the general public, Host Joe Katz is best known for his Oscar Red Carpet appearances. With many years of experience in the fashion industry, Katz is the stylist and personal shopper at the luxurious, five star Montage Beverly Hills Hotel.  His fashion media contributions include Good Morning America, The Doctors, Yahoo, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, Associated Press, CBS 2, NBC LA as well as Life & Style, Real Simple and Ok Magazines. Katz previously owned a model and talent agency specializing in the development of top models worldwide. He worked styling and placing models with such agencies as Ford, New York Models, Elite, IMG and Wilhelmina. Follow Joe Katz on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook! This has been a production of Evergreen Podcasts. A special thank you to Executive Producers David Moss, Gerardo Orlando, Production Director Brigid Coyne and Audio Engineers Eric Koltnow and Declan Rohrs.

Real Bride Nicole Fill shares her experience being in multiple weddings (including as my Matron of Honor!). We cover a lot of topics: planning her wedding, being a bridesmaid, making a destination wedding a family vacation, giving a toast, having her children in a bridal party, and how she handled being a part of more than one wedding in less than a year.  Get to know Nicole: Nicole is a born and raised Clevelander. She met her husband when they both worked at Target in 2000. They dated long distance through college and got married in 2007. She's had the honor of being in 7 weddings – flower girl once, bridesmaid 4 times, maid of honor once and matron of honor once. She's also done readings in a few weddings, including a really fun Harry Potter themed one at a friend's wedding in October 2020. Another fun way she's had a chance to be involved with weddings is by baking! Nicole runs a home bakery business making cakeballs and cakepops, called Cakelet Candies. She's made cakeball platters and cakepop displays for several weddings and bridal showers over the last several years, always having so much fun designing unique desserts for the bride and groom's special day. Follow Nicole on Facebook! This has been a production of Evergreen Podcasts. A special thank you to Executive Producers David Moss, Gerardo Orlando, Production Director Brigid Coyne and Audio Engineers Eric Koltnow, Sean Rule-Hoffman and Declan Rohrs.

Stylist Taylor Roby shares her honest tips and tricks for having your best hair on your big day! We’re talking trends, like a chignon, to all the different factors you should consider your hair will go through (hello, sweat!). And having dirty hair for your stylist the morning of the wedding? Taylor definitely debunks this myth!  Get to know Taylor: Taylor Roby manages the Salon at Bratenahl, a small boutique salon located in the exclusive 1 Bratenahl Place in Bratenahl, Ohio. Her mother and mentor, Marietta, has owned the shop for 26 years. Taylor Graduated from the Ohio Academy of Paul Mitchell in 2011 and has been working behind the chair for 9 years. Their focus is on non-stop education, nurturing client relationships and personal growth. Blending old school hairstyling, with new school sav you can find Taylor working Tues - Fri 9-5, or at the many hair shows (when Covid isn’t a thing). When Taylor isn’t at the salon, you can find her hanging out on the shores of Lake Erie with her dogs. Follow The Salon at Bratenahl on Facebook!  This has been a production of Evergreen Podcasts. A special thank you to Executive Producers David Moss, Gerardo Orlando, Production Director Brigid Coyne and Audio Engineers Eric Koltnow, Sean Rule-Hoffman and Declan Rohrs.

Real bride Ashley Luu Conrad shares with us her experience planning her September 2020 wedding while navigating the changes needing to be made because of the Covid-19 pandemic and the smoke from the California wildfires. We discuss the stressful process of getting her marriage license, the possibility of family not in attendance, and why they decided not to postpone. She also gives her advice to other couples that are making the decision whether to postpone or not.  Get to know Ashley: Ashley was born and raised in Orange County, CA. She met her husband Skyler Conrad on Match.com on May 2, 2017. They got engaged at Mt. Evans in Colorado in September 2019, and married September 19, 2020 at Talega Golf Club in San Clemente, California. Connect with Ashley on LinkedIn! *Disclaimer: Our interview took place in September right after their wedding. According to the CDC “COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths across the United States are rising. As cold weather moves in, people spend more time indoors, and as the holidays approach, take steps to slow the spread of COVID-19. Wear a mask, stay at least 6 feet apart, avoid crowds, and wash your hands often. The more steps you take, the more you are protected against COVID-19.” For more information please visit cdc.org. This has been a production of Evergreen Podcasts. A special thank you to Executive Producers David Moss, Gerardo Orlando, Production Director Brigid Coyne and Audio Engineers Eric Koltnow, Sean Rule-Hoffman and Declan Rohrs.  

Courtney Bonning, owner of Terrapin Bakery, shares with us the many layers involved in choosing your wedding cake and desserts. She’ll give the details on how to choose your bakery, budget and how soon you should place your order. And trust me, she doesn't sugarcoat what you should and shouldn't do when selecting your sweets!  Get to know Courtney:  Courtney Bonning is a Hospitality Management graduate from Kent State University and a graduate of the Pastry & Baking program from The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone. Courtney has worked as a pastry chef in Napa Valley, CA, as well as Seattle, Washington for Tom Douglas and The Ritz Carlton in Cleveland. Courtney has worked independently from 2010 on and owned and operated BonBon Pastry & Cafe before selling and starting Terrapin Bakery. Courtney also works as a hospitality consultant and mentors people interested in starting foodservice businesses in the Cleveland area. Follow Terrapin Bakery on Facebook and Instagram!