Weddings Unveiled with Leah Haslage

Real couple Nikita and Carl Manteau share how they celebrated their big day merging Hindu and American traditions, as well as their families. They also discuss how they fell in love working for the Cleveland Cavaliers and incorporated the NBA team throughout their wedding.  Highlights of our discussion: The surprise proposal during a Cavs game, having two ceremonies in one day, a horse, wardrobe changes, Star Wars, deciding the 900 person guest list (500 attended), a second reception in Mumbai for 200 people, and their experience being a part of over 150 weddings. Get to know Nikita and Carl: Nikita and Carl met working for the Cleveland Cavaliers and got engaged in 2006 during a Cavs game in front of 22,000 fans. They celebrated their 13th wedding anniversary in 2020, have one daughter named Dhayna, and currently reside in Chicago, Illinois.  Follow the Manteau’s on Instagram- @nikitamanteau @chicarlgo1 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, Sean Rule-Hoffman and Declan Rohrs.

Kat Williams, founder of Rock n Roll Bride Magazine and The Confidence Club podcast, discusses what led her to create the magazine 13 years ago, the importance of inclusivity and what led her to promote personal confidence. She also shares how couples can find ways to make their day uniquely theirs, especially if you're more the alternative/non-traditional type.  Get to know Kat and Rock n Roll Bride Magazine: Launched in 2007, Rock n Roll Bride is one of the biggest wedding blogs in the world. Updated daily, the site and its accompanying print magazine attracts quirky, alternative and creative readers from all over the planet. The brainchild of Kat Williams, the site came about while she was planning her own wedding in 2008. After becoming jaded by the limited offerings of the UK wedding industry, Kat saw a niche for alternative wedding inspiration and ran with it! Rock n Roll Bride magazine, a bi-monthly, nationally available magazine was launched in 2015. Issue 1, released in January of that year, was reported by the distribution company as the fastest and best selling debut issue of a magazine ever. It also sold out for online orders within 72 hours, with over 1000 copies selling in the first day alone. The magazine is available to buy in WHSmiths, Sainsburys, Easons (Ireland), selected independent newsagents and online via rocknrollbride.com/shop. Follow Kat on Instagram! Follow Rock n Roll Bride Magazine on Instagram, Facebook, Flickr, Pinterest and Twitter!   *Note: This episode is marked explicit due to some swearing. 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, Sean Rule-Hoffman and Declan Rohrs. 

Flowers are considered one of the more expensive purchases for your wedding day. Mary Simmons, owner of Persephone Floral Atelier, breaks down what contributes to the cost of your floral arrangements and how to budget accordingly. She also shares when you should start booking, current trends, and what arrangements (aside from your bouquet) you should consider.  Get to know Mary: Mary is a trained artist and oil painter who combined her artistry with her passion for flowers when she began helping friends with their wedding flowers. Shortly after her daughter Sibyl was born in 2015, she quit her office job and opened up Persephone Floral Atelier-A floral studio dedicated to sharing the natural beauty of flowers through our wild and evocative designs.  Since then, she has served numerous couples, helping them create the wedding of their dreams. Originally based in Chicago, she recently moved the business headquarters to Connecticut. Persephone continues to serve discerning clients in the Midwest and East Coast.  Follow Persephone Floral Atelier on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook!

Whether it's due to Covid-19, the loss of a loved one, or a natural disaster, it is never an easy decision to postpone your wedding. Guest Deanna "Dee" Fuerst shares her experience in planning her August 2020 wedding only to have to postpone it a year due to the restrictions placed because of the pandemic.  Get to know Deanna: Deanna Fuerst grew up in Willoughby, Ohio and has been with her fiancé Pauly for 10 years. They got engaged Christmas 2018, with a late summer 2020 wedding planned that got derailed when the pandemic hit. They’re staying optimistic, and feel it’s safer for everyone to reschedule until 2021.  Dee loves traveling, kayaking, baking, yoga, working out, camping, being with family and friends, taking care of her animals, and fine wine. Follow Dee on Facebook and Instagram! 

To veil or not to veil? That is the question. To give us the answer we have Rebecca Somnitz, owner of Something White Bridal, sharing her advice on how to complete your wedding day look. She'll also give us the rundown of the latest in bridal accessory trends from the crown to the heel!  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! 

Ball gown? Sheath? A Romper? There are so many wedding dress options it can be overwhelming. Clara DeLisio, Co-Owner of Galleria Gowns, shares her advice on how to choose your dream dress, as well as when you should start looking. She'll also give her do's and don'ts when shopping for the big day, and what the trends will be for 2021-2022.  Get to know Clara: Clara DeLisio wears many hats these days, including one of her favorites as Co-Owner of Galleria Gowns Bridal Boutique. Together, with her mother Pina Sbrocca, the duo built their business from the ground up. Pina opened the business in 1998 while Clara was completing her BA in Education at Ohio University. Soon after graduation, Clara found herself working at the boutique and loving every minute of it. Fueled by her passion for fashion and design, she quickly learned every aspect of running the business, from buying trips to Chicago with her mother to fulfilling the CFO duties. In addition to picking and choosing all of the inventory, she made sure to learn how to sew and fit dresses properly. Through the years, she has custom designed many bridal gowns to make them one of a kind!   Clara has been humbled to see the store and business grow throughout the years from a small 1,400 sq. ft. boutique to its new and current location of 6,000 sq. ft. On any given Saturday, you will find Clara in her element at the boutique helping brides find their dream dresses. To her, this is the most rewarding part….making friends along the way!  Follow Galleria Gowns on The Knot, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook! 

YAY! You're engaged!! Now what?! No need to panic. Melanie Tindell, owner of Oak + Honey Event Planning Co., shares her advice on when you really should begin to start planning the big day, and what in specific you should start with. She also breaks down the importance of budgeting and being sustainable.  Get to know Melanie: Melanie Tindell founded Oak + Honey Event Planning Co., because she has a passion for planning weddings that are meaningful to our couples and their families, and that touch the hearts of everyone in attendance.  As a planner, Melanie spends her days taking care of the many logistics that will ensure your event runs seamlessly, and as a designer, she is always working on creative details that will speak to the couple's personal style. Melanie is passionate about using color, texture, patterns, and locally sourced materials to create an event design aesthetic inspired by you and your love story. Follow Oak + Honey Event Planning Co. on Instagram and Facebook! 

Host Leah Longbrake is pulling back the veil to bring you honest advice and creative ideas from those in the wedding industry. From the Engagement to the Honeymoon, get all the details you need from wedding and event experts on how to make it your best day ever!