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This week’s topics: wedding publishing, getting featured in magazines, editorial decision making, real wedding storytelling, Pacific Northwest wedding industry, vendor partnerships, regional wedding trends, media influence on weddings, submission strategies, creative collaboration
In this episode of Wedding Day Podcast, host Sonja Babich, CEO of Iron Diamond Media, sits down with Alexis Sanabria, Publisher of Oregon Wedding Day and Washington Wedding Day, and Lauren Mang, the newly appointed Editor-in-Chief of Oregon Wedding Day and Washington Wedding Day. The conversation offers listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the regional wedding media landscape, exploring how editorial and publishing leadership, local expertise and industry collaboration shape the stories, trends and inspiration delivered to couples planning weddings in the Pacific Northwest. Positioned as a relaxed “coffee corner” conversation, the episode highlights both the creative and strategic work involved in producing wedding publications that serve and reflect their communities.
A central theme of the discussion is the importance of local presence and market immersion. With Lauren based in Portland and Alexis bringing years of regional publishing experience, the team emphasizes how on-the-ground insight informs everything from relationship building with vendors to identifying emerging trends and locations worth showcasing. Recent editorial exploration of Southern Oregon reinforced the breadth of the region’s wedding offerings, from coastal settings to wine country, urban venues, mountainous backdrops and high desert landscapes. This geographic diversity plays a defining role in shaping wedding design and storytelling opportunities, providing couples with a wide range of aesthetic and experiential possibilities that editorial teams can translate into inspiration across print and digital platforms.
The conversation also explores how the Oregon wedding market distinguishes itself from other regions served by Iron Diamond Media’s portfolio of wedding brands. Described as eclectic, Pacific Northwest–rooted and deeply purposeful, the market reflects couples and professionals who prioritize authenticity, creativity and personal expression. Weddings often incorporate environmental elements, regional textures and meaningful details, with vendors known for adaptability and collaborative spirit. Seasonal unpredictability and climate variability further influence planning approaches, encouraging flexibility and inventive solutions that ultimately contribute to the distinctive character of weddings throughout the region.
From an editorial and publishing perspective, Lauren and Alexis discuss the ongoing responsibility of balancing inspiration with practicality when producing wedding media content. While aspirational real weddings, styled shoots and trend features spark creativity, publications must also provide grounded guidance couples can act on—including vendor resources, planning insights and transparent contextualization of featured work. Their shared mission centers on helping readers make confident, informed decisions while continuing to elevate industry standards and push creative boundaries within the wedding community. Education, storytelling and accessibility remain key pillars in maintaining relevance and authority within an evolving digital and print media environment.
The episode also offers insight into the content selection and production pipeline behind each issue. Featured weddings are chosen based on authenticity, emotional resonance, distinctive details and strong visual documentation, with photography playing a crucial role in translating experiences to readers. Robust vendor collaboration further strengthens storytelling and industry visibility, a perspective shaped by both editorial curation and publisher relationships within the market. Planning cycles extend months in advance, with sourcing for future issues overlapping current launches, and both vendors and couples encouraged to submit their celebrations for consideration. Attention to submission accuracy—particularly in documenting all participating professionals—ensures recognition across the collaborative ecosystem that defines wedding execution.
Closing reflections shift toward the broader impact of industry relationships and community-building within wedding publishing. Successful partnerships rely on idea-sharing, mutual support and professionalism, while initiatives like Best Of programs help spotlight emerging talent alongside established leaders. Alexis highlights the value of facilitating meaningful connections among businesses, while Lauren emphasizes the creative fulfillment found in storytelling and celebrating milestones within the industry. Sonja concludes by underscoring the pride and connection fostered when issues reach publication—particularly witnessing professionals and couples see their work and memories honored in print. Together, the conversation underscores how wedding media serves not only as inspiration for couples but as an active participant in strengthening and evolving the communities it represents.
This episode is powered by Dan Riggs Films and Oregon Wedding Day.
Special thanks to members Linen Effects, Continental Diamond, Warpaint International.
