Love Stories Radio

In this exciting episode of Love Stories Radio, host Rachel Jo Silver, Founder of Love Stories TV and GM of Media at David’s Bridal, sits down with Amy Carr, Chief Marketing & Digital Officer at ThirdLove, to celebrate a major moment: ThirdLove is now available at David’s Bridal.   Rachel and Amy dive into the story behind the new partnership, the surprising way their brands connected, and why this collaboration is such a big deal for modern brides. Amy shares her journey from finance to fashion and beauty to intimate apparel, her secret to building best-in-class marketing teams, and how ThirdLove is redefining comfort and fit for women of all shapes and stages.   They talk about everything from the launch of ThirdLove’s game-changing strapless bras to their innovative, size-inclusive approach (hello, half cups!) to the importance of temperature-regulating undergarments for wedding season and beyond. Amy also shares career advice, real talk on startup life, and the viral bra fit tip everyone needs to hear.   TOPICS INCLUDE: How David’s Bridal and ThirdLove are bringing size inclusivity to the forefront Why ThirdLove’s “extreme fit” mission makes it perfect for weddings The email that led to this big-time brand partnership Strapless bras, half-cups, and the undergarments brides really need How ThirdLove is tackling hot flashes with volcanic ash (yes, really) The difference between marketing beauty vs. fashion—and how it impacts UGC Amy’s career journey from CPA to CMO Advice for young marketers: Build your toolbox and do hard things

In this joyful and heartfelt episode of Love Stories Radio, host Rachel Jo Silver sits down with Kelly Keneally, beloved Store Manager at David’s Bridal in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, to uncover what really goes on during a wedding dress appointment—and why the in-store bridal experience is pure magic. With over a decade of experience helping brides say “yes,” Kelly shares the behind-the-scenes moments you don’t see on TikTok: navigating family dynamics, celebrating with the emotional bell-ringing ceremony, and helping women of all sizes feel beautiful and confident. Rachel and Kelly dive into the emotional rollercoaster of finding the one—the dress, that is—and why nothing compares to trying it on IRL. They also chat about how social media inspires but doesn’t dictate bridal decisions, what brides are loving in 2025 (spoiler: dusty sage, dreamy barn venues, and coordinated bridesmaid palettes), and how David’s Bridal is expanding to serve every kind of wedding vision, from glam couture to prom and graduation. Whether you’re a bride, a bridesmaid, or just love weddings, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and feel-good moments from inside one of the most iconic names in bridal. TOPICS INCLUDE: The real job of a bridal stylist (think: dream-maker meets therapist) Why in-store dress shopping beats online—especially for fit and feel How Pinterest and TikTok shape expectations (but not always outcomes) Why size inclusivity at David’s Bridal is a game-changer Bridesmaid dress trends: dusty tones, mix-and-match styling, and coordinating with Generation Tux Venue inspo from barns to gondolas (yes, really) Emotional stories from the iconic David’s Bridal bell ceremony How Kelly climbed from stylist to store manager and why she can’t imagine doing anything else Tune in for tears, laughs, and all the behind-the-scenes goodness from the front lines of bridal retail.

On this episode of Love Stories Radio, host Rachel Jo Silver, GM of Media at David's Bridal and founder of Love Stories TV sits down with Elina Vilk, President of David’s Bridal, for the official launch of Pearl Planner—a revolutionary, AI-powered planning platform that’s about to change the way couples plan their weddings. Born from David's 70 years of firsthand experience with brides and a passion for solving the real, anxiety-inducing pain points of wedding planning, Pearl Planner replaces your binder, your spreadsheet, and your stress with a personalized, intuitive tool to guide you from “Yes” to “I do.” Elina breaks down how Pearl Planner streamlines every step, from building your wedding vision board and timeline to surfacing vendors based on your style, location, and budget—plus, it's 100% free. Whether you’re Type A or totally overwhelmed, planning with a pro or flying solo, Pearl meets you where you are and helps you create the wedding you’ve always imagined—minus the burnout. Episode Highlights: • The Wedding Planning Problem: Why even one task (like engagement photos) is actually 10 hidden tasks—and how Pearl helps. • AI, But Make It Romantic: How generative AI powers a fully customizable planning experience that updates in real time. •Social Media Meets Sanity: Why pretending wedding pressure doesn’t exist is unhelpful—and how Pearl helps you stay grounded and inspired. •Vendors Win, Too: High-intent lead generation for local wedding pros—so no one wastes a single red cent on advertising again. •This is David’s Bridal’s love letter to every bride in America—and a game-changer for the entire industry. Pearl Planner is now launched in beta. Learn more and request early access at pearl.davidsbridal.com

On this episode of Love Stories Radio, host Rachel Jo Silver, Founder of Love Stories TV and GM of Media for David’s Bridal, sits down with Kelly Cook, CEO of David’s Bridal, to unpack a topic that’s top of mind for everyone in the bridal industry: tariffs. Kelly pulls back the curtain on how David’s Bridal remains resilient in a changing global economy and continues to deliver stunning gowns and exceptional value to every bride, no matter what challenges arise behind the scenes. From a deep dive into their vertically integrated supply chain to the artistry behind every hand-sewn bead, this conversation reveals how David’s stays flexible, innovative, and unwaveringly committed to brides and boutique owners alike. Episode Highlights: • Tariff Resilience: How vertical integration protects brides from unexpected costs • Around the World: 36 production centers and expert artisans ensure quality and flexibility • Handcrafted Magic: Why David’s gowns are meticulously hand-beaded and custom-designed • Beyond Bridal: How category diversification fuels the brand’s growth and partnerships • Supporting Small Businesses: How David’s scale helps boutique owners thrive

In this episode of Love Stories Radio, host Rachel Jo Silver, Founder of Love Stories TV and GM of Media for David’s, sits down with Lisa Jammal, visionary Co-Founder and CEO of Social Agent, to explore how her groundbreaking new app is changing the way we capture and create content. Rachel and Lisa talk about how Social Agent is giving individuals and - businesses affordable, on-demand access to certified content creators, also known as “agents,” who can arrive in 30 minutes to film, photograph, and edit. The result is that you can finally put your phone down and enjoy the moment. Topics include: How Lisa’s PR and social media background inspired the idea for Social Agent - Why everyone today is a content creator, even if they are not trying to be - How Social Agent’s real-time model delivers instant gratification - What makes their agent certification process so unique and trustworthy - Use cases from weddings and kids’ birthday parties to real estate and restaurants - Why UGC editing is part of their mission and how they are scaling nationwide Tap the link below to pre-download the Social Agent app now https://apps.apple.com/us/app/social-agent-on-demand/id6670620131

In this episode of Love Stories Radio, host Rachel Jo Silver—Founder of Love Stories TV and GM of Media for David’s—is joined by Grace Stewart, Founder and CEO of Unbox the Dress, to talk about the emotional and sustainable magic of upcycling wedding gowns into modern heirlooms. Rachel and Grace explore how Unbox the Dress is revolutionizing the bridal industry by turning dresses from any era into robes, accessories, and keepsakes that celebrate family, fashion, and storytelling. Topics include: - How a mother-daughter moment led to a lightbulb business idea - Why modern brides are embracing dress repurposing - The most unique items they've created from old gowns—including Renaissance fair capes! - How Unbox the Dress partners with David’s Bridal to make this accessible for more brides. - The “dress box” system that makes the upcycling process seamless from start to finish. Whether you're a wedding pro, a soon-to-be-bride, or newlywed, this episode will give you the tools—and inspiration— on how to turn a wedding dress into a meaningful heirloom. Learn more at David's Bridal and follow @unboxthedress for tips, tools!

In this episode of Love Stories Radio, host Rachel Silver—Founder of Love Stories TV, GM of Media for David’s, and CPO of David's Pearl Media Network—is joined by Elizabeth Sheils, Co-Founder of Rock Paper Coin and Founder of Bridal Bliss, to talk all things weddings, tech, and how to make wedding planning way less stressful. Rachel and Elizabeth dive into the real challenges couples and wedding vendors face when it comes to contracts, payments, and planning tools—and how Rock Paper Coin is changing the game by making the business side of weddings easier and more efficient for everyone involved. Topics include: - How a decade-plus of wedding planning led Elizabeth to build tech that simplifies every step—from onboarding to final payments. - Why modern couples are expecting digital-first solutions—and how planners and vendors can level up. - The surprising overlap between wedding planning and financial wellness (yes, even prenups came up). - Elizabeth’s own wedding stories, from planning her big day to helping thousands of other couples do the same. - The power of vendor relationships—and how Rock Paper Coin helps streamline them without losing the personal touch. Learn more at rockpapercoin.com and follow @rockpapercoin for tips, tools, and planner-approved advice!

In this episode of Love Stories Radio, host Rachel Silver—Founder of Love Stories TV, GM of Media for David’s, and CPO of David's Pearl Media Network—is joined by Emma McIlroy, Founder and CEO of Wildfang, to celebrate the launch of Wildfang’s exclusive collaboration with David’s Bridal. Rachel and Emma explore what it truly means to show up as yourself on your wedding day—and every day. From the story behind Wildfang’s signature suits to Emma’s own wedding, this episode dives into how style, comfort, and community are reshaping the bridalwear landscape. Topics include: • Why more brides are ditching the dress in favor of tailored suits—and how the new Wildfang x David’s collection makes that possible. • The emotional power of fit: how clothes that feel right can change everything. • Emma’s viral TED Talk, fossil hunting as a 7-year-old, and the link between curiosity and entrepreneurship. • How customer feedback helped shape the perfect wedding suit—and why rewearable pieces matter. • Building a brand rooted in badassery, inclusivity, and social impact—and how Wildfang has raised over $1 million for women-centered nonprofits. Plus, Emma shares real stories from her own wedding planning journey—including what she’d do differently and why spreadsheets were her secret weapon. If you're a bride, a fashion lover, or someone who believes weddings should reflect who you are, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in to hear how Wildfang and David’s Bridal are redefining bridalwear—and helping people everywhere feel like themselves on the most important day of their lives. Shop the Wildfang collection now at https://www.davidsbridal.com!

In this special episode of Love Stories Radio, host Rachel Silver, GM of Media for David’s and CPO for Pearl Media Network is joined by Kelly Cook, President, Brand, Technology, & Finance and Co-Chair, Pearl Advisory Board for David’s Bridal and Elina Vilk, Chief Business Officer for David’s Bridal, for an insightful discussion on wedding trends and consumer behavior. Through a fun and data-driven game of “Trend or False,” the trio dives deep into the latest industry insights—backed by David’s Bridal’s unmatched first-party data. With over 190 stores, 74 years of expertise, and interactions with 90% of U.S. brides, David’s Bridal has a pulse on what’s really happening in weddings. Topics include: The rise of green bridesmaids' dresses and why 24% of sales for 2025 are in shades like dusty sage and emerald. The truth about mix-and-match bridesmaids’ styles—are uniform colors still the norm? Bridgerton-inspired corsetry and quiet luxury gowns—how structured bodices are trending in 2025. The reality of online vs. in-store shopping and why most wedding dress purchases still happen in person. What brides actually spend on their gowns—why the majority budget between $500-$1,500 rather than luxury price points. Plus, an inside look at David’s Bridal’s evolving role in the wedding industry, including expanding product offerings beyond bridalwear and the success of its Diamond Loyalty Program, which has already awarded thousands of free honeymoons. If you're a wedding industry professional, retailer, or marketer, this episode provides essential consumer insights to help you understand where the wedding market is headed. Tune in now to stay ahead of the trends shaping weddings in 2025! We’d love to hear from you! Send us your wedding questions or share your favorite trends at podcasts@lovestoriestv.com. 

It's Official! David’s Bridal, the nation’s leading bridal, wedding planning, and special occasion authority, today announced the launch of Pearl Media Network and the acquisition of Love Stories TV, the top wedding media brand taking a digital-first approach to wedding content and inspiration with over 20M viewers per month across content platforms and a library of over 30,000 real wedding videos. Taking the next step in becoming the ubiquitous leader in all things wedding, this strategic move transcends David’s from the wedding industry’s leading retailer to the industry’s rising tech and media company helping brides, grooms and anyone looking for wedding inspiration connect the dots under one brand.  On this episode of Love Stories Radio, Rachel Silver the new GM of Media for David’s and CPO for Pearl Media Network interviews Kelly Cook, President, Brand, Technology, & Finance and Co-Chair, Pearl Advisory Board for David’s Bridal and Elina Vilk, Chief Business Officer for David’s Bridal. In this conversation the three share how the new partnership came together and their joint vision for how David's Bridal will continue to serve brides and expand its offering for wedding vendors, SMBs, and enterprise partners.  Learn more here: https://pearl.davidsbridal.com/inspiration/press/davids-bridal-launches-love-stories-by-davids/ WHAT IS LOVE STORIES TV? Love Stories TV is a media and entertainment company delivering heartwarming stories, superstar experts and amazing weddings to a passionate audience. FOLLOW US: https://www.tiktok.com/@lovestoriestv https://www.instagram.com/lovestoriestv https://www.facebook.com/lovestoriestv https://www.pinterest.com/lovestoriestv https://www.snapchat.com/add/lovestoriestv

In this episode of Love Stories Radio, Founder and CEO of Love Stories TV, Rachel Jo Silver, sits down with Rachel Liverman, the CEO of Glowbar. As a third-generation esthetician and beauty industry expert, Rachel shares her journey of founding Glowbar, a first-to-market 30-minute customized membership facial concept. Tune in as they discuss the importance of professional skincare for brides, why monthly facials are a game-changer, and how Rachel successfully navigated launching a business just before the pandemic. Plus, get tips on how to prep your skin in the months leading up to your wedding day! Follow @glowbar and @lovestoriestv for more!

In this episode of Love Stories Radio, Founder and CEO of Love Stories TV, Rachel Silver, sits down with Persephone Maglaya, CEO of The Media Socialites. As a luxury marketing expert and social media influencer, Persephone shares insights from her extensive experience working with top brands and professionals in the weddings and lifestyle industries. Tune in as they discuss why word-of-mouth marketing is a myth, the importance of embracing your strengths (and weaknesses!), and why having a solid marketing strategy is essential for success—even if you're already a pro at your craft. Follow @themediasocialites and @lovestoriestv for more!

On today’s episode, Rachel talks to a dynamic duo—husband and wife team, Alex and Jon of Madison Grey Media. This videography team is known not only for their beautiful wedding films (check them out on lovestoriestv.com) but, more recently, for their viral status on TikTok. Alex and Jon have gained a loyal following of over a half a million TikTok followers! Because of their success on TikTok, they decided to start a podcast, Give It To Me Straight, which gives their followers even more of this straightforward, funny couple. In this episode, Rachel chatted the two about how they met (Tinder—it does work!), how they got started on TikTok, why it’s important to hire wedding professionals not just for their work and their advice for other couples and wedding pros.  Watch Madison Grey Media’s wedding films and book them for your wedding on http://lovestoriestv.com, check out their TikTok @alexandramadison_ and their podcast, Give It To Me Straight. *Get 10% off Buffr, the ultimate silicone ring guard to protect your rings while you work out. Just use code LSTV10 at mybuffr.com.*

It’s our 100th episode of the podcast, which is just so crazy! To celebrate, Rachel interviewed our very own Katie Kortebein, Head of Editorial at Love Stories TV. If you find yourself crying whenever you catch our videos on Instagram, TikTok or YouTube—you have Katie to thank. Last week, Katie was busy running around New York City attending Bridal Fashion Week and, on this episode, she shares what she saw at both the virtual and in-person presentations. Plus, we’ll share our newest project—bridalfashionmonth.com, a destination where YOU can see all of the latest wedding day fashions and find retailers who carry them. This is the first destination where soonlyweds can get the same access to the latest bridal styles that buyers and editors get at New York Bridal Fashion Week. It's the easiest and most fun way to shop for your wedding day look. Make sure you’re following @lovestoriestv everywhere and visit bridalfashionmonth.com to browse and find retailers for all of the newest wedding looks and styles.

On today’s episode, Rachel chats with her friend, Carly Ragosta of BloomBar Floral & Event Design, a boutique floral and event design studio based in New York City. Carly is one of the very first wedding pros she met and befriended when starting Love Stories TV. Honestly? Everyone should get to work with Carly on their wedding! Carly and Rachel talk about the benefits of having a small wedding (even if it wasn’t your original plan), the difference between a floral designer, a florist and an event designer—p.s. you need to know this when hiring your wedding team!—and so much more. See real wedding videos that feature Carly’s work and contact her about your upcoming event on lovestoriestv.com.

On this episode, Rachel interviews Shane McMurray, founder of The Wedding Report, a research company that collects and forecasts wedding statistics for the wedding industry. Since 2005, they've collected over 600,000 survey samples and hundreds of thousands of other facts about the wedding industry. They help couples better understand how the decisions they make impact how much they spend. They've also helped tens of thousands of businesses and researchers all over the world gain a better understanding of the wedding industry. Listen to hear Shane’s super smart advice for couples about how to REALLY think about wedding costs and trends and how the media so often gets it wrong. He also has predictions about how COVID will and won't continue to impact events and the wedding industry.  Do you have a wedding question you want answered on a future episode or have someone you want us to interview? Are YOU a soonlywed or newlywed with an interesting wedding journey and advice to share? DM us on Instagram @lovestoriestv!

On today’s episode, Rachel chats with longtime friend of Love Stories TV, Beth Chapman. Beth is the founder of The White Dress Society (a professional organization for bridal salon owners), a veteran of the fashion industry and is known for her work as a bridal boutique owner, stylist mentor, author and wedding fashion consultant. In this episode, they get into the nitty gritty of how Covid has and still is impacting bridal salons in terms of staff, inventory and appointments. Beth discusses some things even Rachel didn’t know about wedding styling and dress alterations and has some of the best advice yet about shopping for your wedding dress. If you’re looking now or about to start, you’re going to want to listen!   Do you have a wedding question you want answered on a future episode or have someone you want us to interview? Are YOU a soonlywed or newlywed with an interesting wedding journey and advice to share? DM us on Instagram @lovestoriestv!

On today’s episode, Rachel interviews Sarah Merrill Hall—the comedian, content creator, and personality behind the @BigKidProblems Instagram and podcast—and it’s one of our favorite and funniest episodes to-date. Sarah and her husband, Brandon, were recently married at ONEHOPE’s winery in Napa (Brandon is the co-founder and chief brand officer of ONEHOPE Wine). Sarah’s wedding journey is one that a lot of you will be able to relate to...first, it was disrupted by Covid and then by weather! Listen to hear how Sarah and Brandon made the decision to postpone their wedding and then alter their venue at the last minute. Plus, she has some really smart—and surprising—advice for those of you still planning right now. Do you have a wedding question you want answered on a future episode or have someone you want us to interview? Are YOU a soonlywed or newlywed with an interesting wedding journey and advice to share? DM us on Instagram @lovestoriestv!

On today's episode, Rachel chats with Cassidy Blackwell, Director of International Communications at Airbnb. If you've planned a wedding in the last few years, you know that Airbnb has become an indispensable tool in the soonlywed toolbox. From bach parties to wedding guest accommodations to honeymoons, you can't plan a wedding without booking an Airbnb (or two). Rachel loved chatting with Cassidy about her own wedding journey (spoiler alert: she's planning what sounds like an epic celebration in France and we would like an invite, please!), how she handled the decision to postpone her own wedding, and how she and the team at Airbnb see their place in the wedding ecosystem. Finally, she has some awesome advice about how you should be using their wish list feature if you're planning your wedding right now. Do you have a wedding question you want answered on a future episode or have someone you want us to interview? Are YOU a soonlywed or newlywed with an interesting wedding journey and advice to share? DM us on Instagram @lovestoriestv!

On today’s episode Rachel interviews Ranu Coleman the Head of Marketing at Azazie. If you’re planning your wedding right now, you probably already know Azazie and that they're famous for their extensive assortment. They have 400 dresses in 80 colors which you can buy in sizes 0-30. When company started in 2014 they were known mainly for their bridesmaids gowns but they launched bridal two years ago and have seen 200% growth in that category as brides are getting more comfortable with the idea of shopping online. Listen on to hear to hear Ranu reveal the most popular colors and fabrics for bridesmaids, what trends you can expect to see in the coming months, and more.  Watch real wedding videos featuring brides and bridesmaids wearing Azazie at lovestoriestv.com/business/azazie. Do you have a wedding question you want answered on a future episode or have someone you want us to interview? Are YOU a soonlywed or newlywed with an interesting wedding journey and advice to share? DM us on Instagram @lovestoriestv!