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This week's topics: wedding editorial trends, Iron Diamond Media publications, California Wedding Day magazine, personalized wedding ideas, wedding fashion shoots, editorial process in wedding magazines, real wedding submissions, wedding vendor collaboration, social media trends in weddings, how to get your wedding published
In this episode of the Wedding Day Podcast, your hosts, Sonja Babich and Dan Riggs, sit down with Iron Diamond Media's Editorial Director, Lara Burnap. Lara brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the discussion, having worked in the editorial world for over 30 years. Our trio delves into her unique career from book publishing and Hollywood red carpets to becoming one of the most respected voices in the wedding industry.
Lara opens by sharing her early career, starting in Boston as a textbook editor before transitioning to the entertainment world in Los Angeles. After working for E! Online and launching her popular "Hollywood Party Girl" blog, Lara made her way to California Wedding Day as Editor-in-Chief, where she fell in love with weddings. "It was almost 14 years ago," she recalls, "and it just felt like a really great thing to do." From there, she played an integral role in shaping California Wedding Day into one of the most influential wedding publications, which later blended into Iron Diamond Media's suite of seven wedding magazines.
The conversation shifts to Lara's current role as Editorial Director, overseeing content for all seven of Iron Diamond Media's wedding publications. She describes a typical day as being full of surprises, from managing photo shoots to collaborating with the creative team to ensure every issue stays on the cutting edge of wedding trends. "I touch every single page," Lara explains, highlighting the detailed work behind each magazine. Her collaborative relationship with the Creative Director, Jessi Pallan, is key to transforming her vision into beautiful, engaging content. "We work together to make it happen—she makes all my ideas pretty," Lara says.
As the Editorial Director dives into the creative process, she reveals how selecting the perfect real weddings for the magazine is like solving a puzzle. "We want to showcase a variety of styles, locations and diverse couples while maintaining a flow that keeps readers engaged," she notes. The team pays special attention to details like color palettes, personalized touches and unique stories behind each wedding. One of her favorite aspects of wedding planning: "I absolutely love personalization," she says. Whether it's an equestrian-themed wedding or a quirky reception detail, these unique elements make each celebration special.
The episode also explores the editorial team's approach to wedding fashion shoots and the inspiration behind each concept. Lara's passion for fashion and design shines through as she describes how certain dresses or locations spark an entire photo shoot idea. "Sometimes I'll see a dress and become super obsessed with it," she says, emphasizing the importance of finding that one element that ties everything together. Working with unpredictable weather, too, is part of the challenge—and thrill—of executing stunning editorial shoots. Whether it's battling rainstorms at Minnesota's Twins Stadium or timing a perfect outdoor shot in Washington, the team works tirelessly to deliver magic on the page.
Beyond print, Lara explains how Iron Diamond's digital platforms and social media extend the impact of their work. The company's websites and social channels allow them to share trends and inspiration in real time, providing couples with endless wedding ideas. "Everything we do in the magazine also goes online," Lara shares, giving readers a continuous stream of content to explore. She also encourages couples and wedding professionals to tag the magazines on social media, as it often sparks editorial ideas and features.
To wrap up the episode, Lara offers invaluable advice to couples who dream of having their wedding featured in a magazine. "Make sure your vendors know you want to be published," she advises, stressing the importance of vendor collaboration and having a compelling story. Unique details, personalized touches and a strong vendor team are key ingredients to getting noticed. For Lara, it's the weddings that truly reflect the couple's personality that stand out the most. "I love when who they are as a couple shines through," she says.
Tune in to hear more about Lara Burnap, the inner workings of Iron Diamond Media and the trends shaping the wedding world.
This episode is powered by Iron Diamond Media and Hotel Figueroa. Special thanks to members Linen Effects, Continental Diamond, Warpaint International.
