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This week’s topics: styled shoots vs fashion shoots, how to get featured in a wedding magazine, wedding editorial inspiration, creative direction for weddings, bridal fashion photography, model casting for styled shoots, mood board design, wedding publication design process, digital to print photography tips, wedding shoot collaboration, behind the scenes of wedding magazines, how to plan a styled shoot, editorial submission advice, bridal editorial trends 2025
In this episode of the Wedding Day Podcast, hosts Sonja Babich and Dan Riggs sit down with Jessi Pallan, the artistic force behind Iron Diamond Media’s visual identity. As the company’s Creative Director, Jessi oversees design for all seven regional wedding magazines—ensuring that every page, from cover to credits, feels cohesive, elevated and inspiring. From wedding fair connections to leading a multi-state publishing brand’s design language, her journey is one of creativity, consistency and collaboration.
Jessi shares how each magazine issue begins with a concept—often brainstormed alongside editors like Laura Cross. Once the theme is set, Jessi builds detailed mood boards that guide decisions around photographer selection, model casting and overall visual tone. Whether a shoot leans modern and edgy or soft and romantic, the planning always starts with intentionality. That groundwork not only informs shoot-day styling but also allows vendors and talent to step into a shared vision with confidence.
She walks listeners through the differences between fashion and styled shoots—explaining that fashion shoots focus exclusively on bridal looks, often cycling through 10–12 gowns in one day, while styled shoots are full “mini weddings” designed to showcase a team of local vendors. From balancing beauty with logistics to knowing which photographers have the right lighting skills, Jessi ensures every shoot is visually impactful and editorially sound.
Beyond creative vision, Jessi gets into the nitty-gritty: model selection, hair and makeup decisions and even photo retouching for print. She highlights how lighting and color saturation behave differently on paper than on digital screens, revealing how she adjusts images to ensure they reproduce beautifully. She highlights bringing a team’s shared artistry to life on the printed page as her favorite part of the process.
The episode also explores the importance of vendor collaboration and proper crediting. Jessi emphasizes the value of making images shareable—especially for vendors like planners and florists who contribute so much to the shoot’s success. And when it comes to wedding submissions, she loves seeing couples express their personalities through unexpected design choices—think bold color palettes, sentimental touches and yes, even gerbil-themed invitations.
As the conversation wraps, Jessi shares her biggest piece of advice for engaged couples who might want to be featured in a wedding magazine: don’t be afraid to have fun and break tradition. Whether you're planning a black-tie affair or a quirky backyard celebration, your wedding should reflect who you are. That authenticity is what editors—and future readers—will connect with most.
This episode is powered by Iron Diamond Media and Hotel Figueroa. Special thanks to members Linen Effects, Continental Diamond, Warpaint International.
Photography: Kate Holt Photography
