Gown Designers

Today's guest spot goes to Paul Morse, who chats with Andy about his career as a professional photographer! Paul is of Paul Morse Studios based in New Orleans, and his talent and...

Joining Andy today is Sharon Sever, Head Designer for Galia Lahav. Galia Lahav has established itself as one of the leading couture fashion houses, with garments characterized by...

“The biggest success for me with dealing with clients is that I have never forgotten that I am the hired help.” Andy has Monte Durham as his guest on this episode of The Wedding Biz with the audio portion of a video interview he conducted on Zoom for the WeddingMBA Conference that just occurred. Andy first interviewed Monte back in April on episode 250, and it’s a pleasure to have him back for a follow-up interview.

Monte is a hugely successful fashion expert and one of the stars of TLC’s Say Yes to the Dress, Atlanta, where he had been the fashion director at Bridals by Lori, the south’s premier bridal salon.

Monte says that he hasn’t slowed down since the pandemic; he is still going 110%, which has kept him motivated. Monte shares stories of the wallpaper and pictures on the new salon walls and how he saved money by buying some furnishings from flea markets and refinishing them himself.

Listen as Monte shares some stories of difficult clients and how he handled the situations. Monte believes that bundling products and services will help wedding professionals come back strong and says he never forgets that he is the hired help. Monte also speaks about what he is looking forward to, once the pandemic is over, and some new exciting things that are on the horizon for his career.

Are you a creative who wants to turn your craft into a business or take it further? Head to the Wedding Biz Network and listen to The Business of Being Creative podcast with Sean Low. Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more.

Do you know how to have a responsibly sourced wedding? Listen, as Andy and his guests Amanda Hearst and Micaela Erlanger discuss their process of working together to style Amanda’s outfits and jewelry for her extended wedding weekend and the aspects of sustainability that were considered and incorporated. Amanda makes an exciting announcement at the end of the show about a new product line and so much more on this episode of The Wedding Biz.

Amanda is the Co-Founder and Chief Brand Officer of Maison De Mode. She is also the Co-Founder of Well Beings. This next-gen movement brings attention and action to the interconnections between animal welfare and climate change. Amanda is also a contributing editor at Town & Country Magazine.

Micaela is a sought-after celebrity stylist and has been profiled by Vogue, Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar, and several other publications. The Hollywood reporter has repeatedly named her one of the “Most Powerful Stylists.” Her clientele includes Meryl Streep, Lupita Nyong’o, Common, Shailene Woodley, and Diane Kruger. In 2019 Micaela launched her Bridal Styling business and is the author of “How to Accessorize: A Perfect Finish to Every Outfit.”

Listen, as Amanda shares how she met and started working with Micaela and her concept for sustainable outfits and accessories for her wedding weekend. Micaela shares details of the gowns Amanda wore for each event and her favorite look of the weekend. Additionally, Micaela speaks about the vegan shoes that Amanda wore with her wedding gown.

Amanda shares some recommendations for brides who want to have sustainable dresses and jewelry for their weddings. Both Amanda and Micaela speak about their new products; Amanda has designed a sustainable fashion jewelry line, and Micaela has a sustainably sourced engagement ring line through Forevermark. If you were wondering how to have an environmentally friendly wedding, you won’t want to miss this conversation.

“Bridal is inherently timeless.” Listen as Andy and his guest Micaela Erlanger discuss what she means by this and how the pandemic has affected timelines for the production of bridal gowns. Micaela also shares why she believes that designers will see a rise in demand for wedding dresses for the fall and much more on this episode of The Wedding Biz.

Micaela is a celebrity stylist based out of New York City and Los Angeles. She was named one of the most powerful stylists by the Hollywood Reporter and has sustained the title for five years. Honored with the Style Influencer Award by the Council, Micaela is also a Marie Claire Image Maker Award winner. She has styled Constance Wu, Lupita Nyong’o, Common, Jennifer Hudson, and Hilary Swank, to name a few. 

Listen as Micaela shares the disappointment she felt when she had to postpone her own wedding and how she is supporting the brides she styles with her unique insight. Micaela also discusses the trends she sees emerging during the pandemic and how ready-to-wear collections are getting more popular.

Micaela gives some advice for planners around preparing their brides for delays in wedding gowns and to not be afraid of Zoom fittings because, as a stylist to the stars, she was doing them before the pandemic. Micaela also speaks about her Live Instagram series. 

Listen to Micaela’s insights into this whole situation that has affected so many brides. She shares the bright side of postponing her wedding. She knows it will happen and it will be just as beautiful as she originally planned, if not better.

Have you heard an excellent rag to riches story lately? Listen to Andy and his guest, Monte Durham, discuss how he went from growing up with no running water to becoming a hugely successful fashion expert and one of the stars of TLC’s Say Yes to the Dress, Atlanta, where he had been the fashion director at Bridals by Lori, the south’s premier bridal salon.

Monte shares his life in small-town West Virginia, how he was bullied and how that contributed to the man he is today. He discusses going to junior college, then a fashion program that led him to dressing mannequins before he started dressing people. Monte also speaks about wanting to style hair and going to beauty school when he was thirty-two.

Listen, as Monte discusses his position at a bridal salon where he met Lori Allen, how she got him to work for her, and how she insisted that he star with her in the pilot for Say Yes to the Dress Atlanta, which had 10 seasons! Monte gives us insight into the show from the psychology involved with helping a bride find a wedding dress to dealing with the entourage and the drama they bring. 

Monte also shares about the new salon he is opening up in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, and all the unique details he has researched to make sure it will be the best experience you can have when going to a salon. This is an excellent interview with a fascinating, humble, down-to-earth yet charismatic industry star who you most certainly do not want to miss.