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Wedding Submission Tips from Former Brides Editor Sarah Schreiber | Meghan Ely Q+A

When it comes to wedding submissions, few people have seen more behind the scenes than Sarah Schreiber—former editor at both Brides and Martha Stewart Weddings. I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Sarah to chat all things submissions, storytelling, and how wedding pros can build long-term relationships with editors.

While Sarah’s insights are rooted in years of experience at two of the industry’s most respected publications, the advice she shares applies to any wedding PR strategy—whether you’re submitting a local wedding or pitching a trend piece.

Here’s a short clip from our talk, focused on how editors think about storytelling in submissions:

Highlights from Our Conversation:

1. Details Matter—But So Does the Story

Sarah emphasized that standout submissions include more than pretty pictures. Unique color palettes, creative seating charts, and meaningful design choices still matter—but it’s the story behind those choices that grabs an editor’s attention.

2. Storytelling Doesn’t Need to Be Long-Winded

“Editors don’t have time for three-page how-we-met stories,” Sarah said. Instead, call out design-driven narrative moments briefly. Let your images do most of the storytelling.

3. High-Profile Weddings? Pitch Before the Event

For celebrity or high-profile clients, the submission process often starts long before the wedding day. Editors want advance notice and pre-approval if the goal is to publish quickly after the event.

4. Want to Be Quoted in Articles? Be a Reliable Source

Becoming a go-to source means:

  • Answering questions thoroughly and on time
  • Providing high-quality quotes (with full sentences and good grammar)
  • Including professional images with proper usage rights

“Answering with one sentence and ghosting after a deadline won’t get you asked again,” Sarah explained.

5. Pitching Article Ideas? Trend + Timing = Magic

Editors love:

  • Fresh trends with compelling names (e.g., “cake meadows” or “ceremonies after dark”)
  • Ideas that haven’t already been covered (hint: use site:publication.com [topic] to search)
  • Pitches that are not overly self-promotional

Final Takeaway:

Whether you’re looking to get a real wedding published or be featured as an expert in an article, editors are looking for trusted collaborators. Take the time to build relationships, deliver high-quality content, and stay thoughtful in your approach.

For more wedding PR insights, visit OFDConsulting.com or learn how we help creative professionals get published at OFDCollective.com.

Meghan Ely is the founder of OFD Consulting, a wedding PR and marketing firm for creative professionals. She’s a speaker and media expert featured in The New York Times, Brides, The Knot, and more.

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