The new season of “Say Yes to the Dress” on TLC is set to premiere soon, and with it comes a fresh group of brides looking for the perfect wedding dress. However, the search for the perfect gown can be challenging for many brides, as they navigate pushy family members, conflicting opinions, and budget constraints. Longtime Kleinfeld creative director and bridal designer Randy Fenoli spoke with Insider about these issues and offered advice on how brides can overcome them. Despite the difficulties, Fenoli believes that the search for the perfect dress should be a fun and memorable experience for every bride.
Randy Fenoli, the long-time Kleinfeld creative director and bridal designer, has seen it all when it comes to brides searching for their dream wedding dress. While there are various challenges that brides face, Fenoli believes that the biggest issue often stems from the entourage they bring along to the appointment.
Fenoli noted that some of the most overbearing and critical individuals in the bridal party are often mothers. Many brides feel pressure to gain their mother’s approval, and this can often lead to tension and disagreements during the appointment. In some cases, Fenoli has even had to walk out of appointments due to the overly critical behavior of the mother.
To avoid drama during the appointment, Fenoli advises brides to be clear with their entourage about the type of dress they want and how much they’re willing to spend. “This is a privilege that you are inviting them to be a part of, and not everyone gets to be a part of this,” he said.
Fenoli also recommends setting boundaries with the entourage before the appointment and being clear about what kind of input you want from them. It’s essential to remind them that the ultimate decision is the bride’s and not theirs.
Additionally, Fenoli advises brides to keep an open mind and not be too rigid about what they envision for their dress. “Don’t be afraid to try on something outside of your comfort zone,” he said. “You never know, you might fall in love with something you never thought you would.”
Finally, Fenoli emphasizes the importance of enjoying the experience. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime moment,” he said. “You’re going to remember it forever.” By keeping an open mind, setting boundaries, and enjoying the process, brides can have a memorable and stress-free experience searching for their dream wedding dress.
Randy Fenoli, the renowned bridal designer, has advised brides to communicate any issues that could make them self-conscious to their entourage before starting the dress shopping process. This way, the entourage can avoid making comments that could make the bride feel uncomfortable. According to Fenoli, having such conversations can make the experience more manageable and enjoyable for everyone involved.
However, Fenoli also acknowledged that if brides followed this advice, it might take away some of the drama that makes “Say Yes to the Dress” such a popular show. He added that while he recommends having this conversation, it’s also important to understand that the show wouldn’t exist without some of the drama that arises during appointments.
Marissa Rubinetti, the COO of Kleinfeld, previously advised brides against bringing too many people with them to the appointment. According to Rubinetti, limiting the entourage to three people is ideal, as having too many opinions in the room can distract the bride from what she wants. By keeping the entourage small and communicating any concerns beforehand, brides can enjoy the experience of finding their dream dress without unnecessary stress or drama.