Weddings-ish with Jove

Coming Out in a Persian Family, Getting Married in Oaxaca | Alix Trager & Zoya Royan

Welcome back to Weddings-ish with Jove!
Today Jove is joined in studio by Alix Trager and Zoya Royan — newlyweds, content creators, and one of the most magnetic couples on the internet. Alix is the Persian-American creator known as "the internet's fruit peeler" whose viral videos have racked up tens of millions of views. Zoya is the author behind the free coming-out e-book It's Not a Big Deal, written for anyone navigating queer identity within a cultural or religious family. Together they share everything: from a Hinge prompt about orange wine, to a breakup at Wisdom Tree, to a three-day destination wedding in Oaxaca that wove Persian tradition and Mexican culture into something entirely their own.
They get candid about coming out later in life, the healing work that had to happen before either of them was ready for real love, and what shifting your energy actually looks like in practice. Then: every detail of the wedding. A Oaxaca celebration timed to Día de los Muertos. A Persian wishing well seating chart honoring loved ones who had passed. Laser-printed menus on fresh flour tortillas. A suit made from actual vintage Persian rug fragments. And a Persian knife dance Alix reclaimed — ending with her father as the final surprise.In this episode:
- Coming out as a Persian woman and the decade of living a double life before telling family- The Hinge match over orange wine that neither of them actually loves- The Wisdom Tree breakup — and what happened when Alix came back down the mountain- A three-day destination wedding in Oaxaca timed to Día de los Muertos- Laser-printed menus on fresh flour tortillas, printed on-site the hour before dinner- A wedding suit made from actual vintage Persian rug fragments- Reclaiming the Persian knife dance — and the surprise final dancer- Anxious-avoidant attachment, healing in isolation vs. in relationship, and letting go
Whether you're here for the love story, the wedding inspo, or proof that letting go at the top of a mountain can change everything — this one is for you.If you liked this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.Have a question for Jove? Send a voice memo or email to hi@jovemeyer.comFollow along:Instagram: @jovemeyer and @LoveStoriesTV

Losing His Sight, Finding His Person & Laughing Through All of It | Matthew & Paul Castle

Welcome back to Weddings-ish with Jove!
Today Jove is joined by Matthew and Paul Castle — the couple the internet fell completely in love with — right on their ten-year anniversary. From matching on Grindr across the US-Canada border, to an immigration attorney accidentally moving them in together three months into dating, to a rooftop wedding in a tiny Mexican fishing village with a 12-piece mariachi band they specifically said they didn't want — Matthew and Paul share every detail.
They take us inside their December 2019 wedding at Casa Arco Iris — the rooftop bed and breakfast in Sayulita run by a gay couple who became their unofficial wedding planners, the rainbow-tiled infinity pool, and why they originally planned zero photos, zero music, and zero fuss. Plus what actually happened: a last-minute photographer they now regret, and an all-female mariachi band that filled every inch of the rooftop and sang their hearts out despite Matthew's very specific ""no singing"" request.
They also get candid about Paul's retinitis pigmentosa — the genetic condition that has taken 95% of his vision — the emotional TikTok Matthew posted about grieving that loss, and how a procreate tablet brought illustration back into Paul's life and sparked a children's book series now six books deep.
In this episode:- Matching on Grindr across the US-Canada border and the first date that was secretly a violin lesson and a painting class- How a border guard's comment led to an immigration attorney and an accidental move-in — three months into dating- The rooftop wedding at Casa Arco Iris in Sayulita, Mexico- The 12-piece mariachi band they did not request (who sang anyway)- Paul's retinitis pigmentosa diagnosis and what vision loss actually looks like- How the pandemic sent two broke artists to TikTok — and the video that went viral- The Pan Grooms children's book series, six books in and self-published- Real love advice at the ten-year mark
Whether you're here for the love story, the wedding inspo, or just to be reminded that the best relationships are full of laughter and the occasional uninvited mariachi band — this one's for you.
This episode is brought to you by  @FriarTuxShop   — suits and tuxedos for weddings and every moment that matters. Rent or buy, free try-ons, expert styling. Find your look at https://www.friartux.com. 
If you liked this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.
Have a question for Jove? Send a voice memo or email to hi@jovemeyer.com
Follow along: Instagram: @jovemeyer and @LoveStoriesTV

Brooke Hyland's Wedding: The Dance Moms Reunion, DIY Details & the Proposal She Never Saw Coming

Welcome back to Weddings-ish with Jove!
Today Jove is joined by Brooke Hyland — the Dance Moms star we all grew up watching — who was recently married in Florida in what can only be described as one of the most thoughtfully detailed weddings out there. From dancing at Abby Lee Miller's studio at age three to filming Dance Moms at 11, to her viral "Summer Love Song" reunion on her own dance floor with the entire cast, Brooke shares it all.
She opens up about her surprise Mother's Day proposal, the four-week-old nails she didn't know she'd be photographed with, and her Type-A bride era — Pinterest boards, Canva docs, Cricut place cards, DIY gelato cups, and a no-rain-backup-plan she simply manifested into a perfect February day. Plus which Dance Moms castmates were there, the real reason Maddie Ziegler couldn't make it, and the sunrise vow-reading on the hotel balcony that was just the two of them.
In this episode:
- Almost quitting dance for cheerleading right before Dance Moms came along
- Her mom's secret history dancing for Abby Lee Miller's mom
- The surprise proposal and the four-week-old nails
- Destination wedding at La Casa Toscana — the venue she found on TikTok
- The Dance Moms castmates who were there — and the Maddie Ziegler truth
- The "Summer Love Song" dance floor moment no one saw coming
This episode is brought to you by Travel by David's — plan your honeymoon, getaway, or room block all in one place, with savings up to 30%. Visit https://www.davidsbridal.com/travel to get started today.
Subscribe and leave a review on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcasts, or on Love Stories TV's YouTube channel.
Have a question for Jove? Send a voice memo or email to hi@jovemeyer.com
Follow along: Instagram @jovemeyer and @LoveStoriesTV

FashioNica Met Her Husband at a Boba Shop — and He Proposed on Their First Date

Welcome back to Weddings-ish with Jove!
Today Jove is joined by Nica Che, founder of FashioNica, the vintage designer bag business that took off virtually overnight. From sliding into a Cosmopolitan editor's DMs as a 20-year-old to landing celebrity styling gigs, leaving corporate to build her own business during the pandemic, and finally — after a five-year engagement — planning her entire dream wedding in just 90 days, Nica shares it all.
In this episode, Nica opens up about meeting her husband at an Orange County boba shop when he ordered her exact drink to start a conversation, the Party City plastic ring he used to "propose" at the end of their very first date, and the wallet test she put him through that night without him knowing dinner was already free. She gets candid about a five-year engagement her wedding planner had to politely beg her to actually plan, the texts to her mom from said planner, and the moment she realized she had 90 days to pull off a wedding dress, venue activation, and every detail.
She also takes us inside her intentional, design-forward wedding — the ivory Tony Hamawy gown by Lo-Ho Bride, the wearable-art Coleguer floral clutch she carried down the aisle (painted by hand by her florist), the custom sugar-free chocolate invitations from Phantom Chocolate that doubled as the party favor budget, the personalized handwritten letter she wrote for each of her 119 guests, the hidden ladybug on her nail (and matching pin on her husband's sleeve) for luck, and the live painter who painted her guests into the wedding portrait now hanging in their home.
Plus, Nica shares how she built FashioNica from a single TikTok that hit a million views overnight, the brutal first year of ""saying no to everything personally to say yes to everything for the business,"" and her tips for sourcing vintage bags around the world.
In this episode:- Nica's career path from unpaid Hearst Magazine intern to founder of FashioNica - How a DM to a Cosmopolitan editor turned into styling celebrities in LA - Leaving corporate marketing to go all-in on vintage bags - The TikTok that hit a million views overnight and changed everything - Meeting her husband at a boba shop (and the chocolate milk tea that brought them together) - The Party City plastic ring ""proposal"" on their first date - The wallet test she put him through at the OC Night Market - A five-year engagement and a wedding planner who texted her mom - The ivory Lo-Ho Bride gown and the Coleguer floral clutch she carried down the aisle - The ladybug nail and pin for good luck on the wedding day - The live painter who painted the guests into the portrait - Honoring both her Filipino heritage and her husband's Vietnamese heritage - Her two Frenchies as ring bearers (and the very audible breathing during vows) 
Whether you're here for vintage fashion inspiration, the chaos of planning a wedding in 90 days, or a meet-cute that genuinely belongs in a rom-com, this episode is full of heartfelt moments, behind-the-scenes laughs, and beautiful wedding ideas.
This episode is brought to you by Travel by David's — plan your honeymoon, getaway, or room block all in one place, with savings up to 30%. Visit https://www.davidsbridal.com/travel to get started today. Learn more about Mitzi and the protections engaged couples may want consider putting in place here: https://www.hellomitzi.com/resources/the-one-thing-every-engaged-couple-should-do-but-nobody-talks-about
Have a question for Jove? Send a voice memo or email to hi@jovemeyer.com
Follow along for more behind-the-scenes fun: Instagram: @jovemeyer and @LoveStoriesTV"

Today Show's Arianna Davis on Her 3-Day Wedding Celebration

Welcome back to Weddings-ish with Jove!
Today Jove is joined by Arianna Davis Santana, executive editor of TODAY Digital and author of What Would Frida Do? From starting her career as Gayle King's assistant to running digital at Oprah and now appearing on the TODAY show, Arianna opens up about the decade-long love story that led to her dream Dominican Republic wedding.
In this episode, Arianna shares how she met her husband Jay at a Fourth of July party in Long Island City—where he flirted by quizzing her about the books on her shelves and walked away with her copy of The Alchemist. She gets candid about their year-long pandemic breakup, the clarifying time apart that brought them back together stronger, and the romantic Valentine's Day proposal in Puerto Vallarta complete with a hidden photographer and a ring box that lit up the diamond.
She also takes us inside her three-day "Dominican Gatsby" wedding weekend at the St. Regis Cap Cana, including the merengue-and-bachata welcome party with a custom Panama hat artist, the unexpected rainstorm that hit mid-vows (and what everyone called a "blessing"), and the Pinterest-inspired bookshelf seating chart that doubled as a love letter to her literary side.
Plus, Arianna gives us a behind-the-scenes look at her viral TODAY show April Fool's prank with Jenna Bush Hager and Willie Geist, and shares the wedding details she'd splurge on again versus the ones she'd skip.
In this episode:
Arianna's career path from Gayle King's assistant to TODAY DigitalThe viral $20,000 cake April Fool's prank that broke the internetHow she and Jay met at a Fourth of July party (and the book that started it all)Why a year-long pandemic breakup made their relationship strongerThe Valentine's Day beach proposal she almost saw comingWhy they chose the Dominican Republic and the St. Regis Cap CanaHer three-day wedding weekend: welcome party, ceremony, and Sunday catamaranThe "Dominican Gatsby" design vision and bookshelf seating chartHonoring both cultures with merengue, bachata, and jumping the broomBringing her dog Leo down the aisle (and the dog nanny who made it happen)The mid-ceremony rainstorm that became the most magical moment of the dayWhat she'd splurge on again vs. what she'd skipWhether you're here for destination wedding inspiration or honest conversations about love that takes the long way around, this episode is full of heartfelt moments, hilarious behind-the-scenes stories, and beautiful wedding ideas.
This episode is brought to you by @destifyweddings. Visit destify.com to skip the stress and get a free destination wedding quote today.
If you liked this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcasts, or here on Love Stories TV's YouTube channel.
Have a question for Jove? Send a voice memo or email to hi@jovemeyer.com
Follow along for more behind-the-scenes fun: Instagram: @jovemeyer and @LoveStoriesTV

Iyanna McNeely on Going From Love Is Blind to a Snowy Chicago Wedding

Welcome back to Weddings-ish with Jove!
Today Jove is joined by Iyanna McNeely, who the world first met on Netflix’s Love Is Blind. After experiencing one of the most talked-about relationships on the show—and a very public marriage and divorce—Iyanna opens up about what came next.
In this episode, Iyanna shares the full story of how she found love again with her husband Alex after the show, starting with a simple coffee date that turned into hours of conversation and eventually a beautiful engagement.
She also takes us inside her intimate winter wedding in Chicago, including the surprising moment she canceled her destination wedding plans in Jamaica and decided to start over completely. The result? A deeply personal two-day celebration with a small ceremony, a larger party the next day, and a magical snowfall that made the wedding feel like something out of a movie.
Plus, Iyanna gives us a behind-the-scenes look at what it was really like filming Love Is Blind—from the exhausting pod schedule to the emotional intensity of making life-changing decisions in just ten days.
In this episode:
• Iyanna McNeely’s experience filming Love Is Blind and life after reality TV• How she met her husband Alex on a dating app after the show• The romantic Nutcracker proposal she didn’t see coming• Why she canceled her destination wedding and started planning from scratch• Her intimate two-day Chicago wedding (30-person ceremony + bigger celebration)• The magical snowfall moment that made the wedding unforgettable• The unexpected open-mic speeches that became the highlight of the night
Whether you’re here for the Love Is Blind tea, real wedding inspiration, or honest conversations about finding love again, this episode is full of heartfelt moments, unexpected twists, and beautiful wedding ideas.
This episode is brought to you by Destify Weddings. Visit destify.com to skip the stress and get a free destination wedding quote today.
If you liked this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcasts, or here on Love Stories TV’s YouTube channel.
Have a question for Jove? Send a voice memo or email to hi@jovemeyer.com
Follow along for more behind-the-scenes fun:Instagram: @jovemeyer and @lovestoriestv

Will Reeve & Amanda Dubin’s Love Story: He Canceled Twice (One for the Queen) — Now They’re Married

Welcome back to Weddings-ish with Jove!
Today Jove is chatting with Amanda Dubin, luxury wedding planner and partner at Victoria Dubin Events—and newlywed wife of Will Reeve, ABC News Correspondent and son of Christopher Reeve.
In this episode, get to know Amanda beyond the planner role as she opens up about growing up in the events world, building a career alongside her mom, and what it was really like to plan her own high-profile wedding—while trying to actually be the bride.
Amanda takes us inside her stunning multi-day Miami wedding to Will Reeve, from a modern, art-inspired design to a deeply personal ceremony that blended tradition with intention. She also shares the real, unfiltered experience of wedding planning from a professional’s perspective—and how it changed the way she approaches clients forever.
Plus, we get the full love story: how Amanda met Will on a dating app (after multiple canceled dates—including one for the Queen 👀), the surprise proposal she almost missed, and how their relationship moved quickly in all the right ways.
In this episode:
• Amanda Dubin and Will Reeve’s modern love story—from dating apps to marriage• The viral-worthy proposal story she almost didn’t see coming• Planning a luxury 4-day Miami wedding as a professional wedding planner• The intentional, minimalist design inspired by contemporary art• Writing 300 handwritten notes to guests (and why it became the most meaningful detail)• What wedding planners don’t tell you—and what she learned being the bride
Whether you're here for the celebrity wedding details, luxury wedding inspiration, or expert planning advice, this episode is packed with insider insight, personal stories, and unforgettable moments.
If you liked this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcasts, or here on Love Stories TV’s YouTube channel.
Have a question for Jove? Send a voice memo or email to hi@jovemeyer.com
Follow along for more behind-the-scenes fun:Instagram: @jovemeyer and @lovestoriestv

She Bought Her Wedding Dress Before the Proposal

Welcome back to Weddings-ish with Jove!
Today Jove is chatting with singer, songwriter, and newlywed Madison McFerrin, whose love story is anything but traditional.
In this episode, get to know the woman behind the music as she opens up about calling off an engagement after an 8-year relationship, turning heartbreak into her album Scorpio, and meeting her now-husband when she least expected it.
Madison takes us inside her whirlwind romance — from love at first sight at an artist retreat to saying “I love you” within weeks, buying a wedding dress after just two months of dating, and planning a non-traditional wedding in only three months.
In this episode:
• Calling off an engagement and using her wedding fund to create music• The unexpected way she met her husband (and knew instantly)• Buying a wedding dress after 2 months and planning a wedding in 3• Inside her magical garden wedding and creative celebration• Madison’s advice on trusting your gut and redefining love
Whether you're here for the love story, the wedding inspiration, or the reminder that timing is everything, this episode will make you rethink what love is supposed to look like.
If you liked this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcasts, or here on Love Stories TV’s YouTube channel.
Have a question for Jove? Send a voice memo or email to hi@jovemeyer.com
Follow along for more behind-the-scenes fun:Instagram: @jovemeyer and @lovestoriestv

RHONY’s Newest Housewife Erika Hammond on Fame, Rumble, and Her Celebrity Wedding

Welcome back to Weddings-ish With Jove!
Today Jove is chatting with entrepreneur, co-founder of Rumble, former WWE Diva, and fitness powerhouse Erika Hammond, who is stepping into the Bravo spotlight as the newest member of The Real Housewives of New York City.
In this episode, get to know the woman behind the headlines as she discusses her incredible career journey, her larger-than-life wedding, and what it’s really like balancing ambition, love, and her next chapter of life in New York. Erika also takes us inside one of the most jaw-dropping weddings you’ll ever hear about — her epic celebration with Bilt Rewards CEO Ankur Jain in Egypt, where guests gathered at the Sphinx for a once-in-a-lifetime experience attended by friends and celebrities including Lance Bass, Robin Thicke, and Ryan Serhant. In this episode: • Meet Erika Hammond, the newest face joining The Real Housewives of New York City • From WWE Diva to building the global fitness brand Rumble • Inside her unforgettable multi-day wedding celebration in Egypt • The real story behind planning a destination wedding on a massive scale • Erika’s advice for staying grounded through big life moments • Ask Jove: Your wedding questions answered Whether you're here for the wedding inspiration, the entrepreneurial hustle, or the Bravo buzz, this episode gives you a front-row seat to Erika’s story before her next big chapter hits your TV screen.
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcasts, or Love Stories TV’s YouTube channel.
💌 Have a question for Jove? Send a voice memo or email to hi@jovemeyer.com
📲 Follow us on Instagram at @jovemeyer and @lovestoriestv for more love stories and behind-the-scenes moments!

From The Traitors Castle to Happily Ever After: Tara Lipinski and Colton Underwood Share Their Real-Life Love Stories

Welcome back to Weddings-ish with Jove!
This week, we’re revisiting two fan-favorite conversations with The Traitors standouts: Olympic champion Tara Lipinski and former Bachelor Colton Underwood—proving that while strategy and suspense may define the castle, love stories are where the real drama lives.
From whirlwind meet-cutes and wedding blues to navigating fertility journeys and redefining what family looks like, Tara and Colton open up about the real moments behind their happily-ever-afters. Together, their conversations reveal what happens after the cameras stop rolling: the vulnerability, the growth, and the intentional choices that turn relationships into lifelong partnerships.
Episode Highlights:
- A meet-cute that proves love can start when you least expect it- The emotional reality of “wedding blues” after the big day- Lessons about love learned both on-screen and off- Honest conversations about fertility, family planning, and modern relationships- How reality TV fame shaped—but didn’t define—their love stories
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcasts, or Love Stories TV’s YouTube channel.
💌 Have a question for Jove? Send a voice memo or email to hi@jovemeyer.com
📲 Follow us on Instagram at @jovemeyer and @lovestoriestv for more love stories and behind-the-scenes moments!