SOME reality shows, despite the name, have a reputation of being too scripted to be authentic.
What we perceive to be true isn’t always, but one former bride has the inside scoop on her time behind cameras on Say Yes to the Dress.
Kelli Hutchinson recounts her time on TLC’s Say Yes to the Dress.Credit: TLC
She reveals five things about her time on the show that will surprise you.Credit: TLC
TLC released Say Yes to the Dress in 2007.
Filmed in New York City, producers invite several brides to find their dream wedding gown at Kleinfeld Bridal Salon.
TLC characterizes it as “part bridal story, part fashion makeover and part family therapy session.”
Kelli Hutchinson was featured in 2016 as a bride on season 15, episode six.
Kelli’s world was turned upside down when a flood in Louisiana destroyed her home, most of her belongings, and her wedding dress.
Thankfully before she had to put her wedding on hold, the show announced they were requesting applications from brides that were affected by the flood.
Kelli’s friend ended up nominating her, and the next thing she knew she was on a plane to New York City.
In a recent Insider article, Kelli recounted her experience and revealed five things about her time on the show.
First, Kelli explained that she believes herself to have been the only bride to receive a free dress.
A huge part of the episode was about how she and her family were affected by the flood.
If it had been a normal episode, the team would’ve started by establishing a budget for the bride, but Kelli’s case was different because her gown had been ruined.
She was able to walk away with a free Mark Zunino gown, pieces from Kleinfeld’s jewelry collection, and a pair of Jimmy Choo heels.
Kelli and Fenoli shared a unique connection.Credit: TLC
The second detail she disclosed was that she and Randy Fenoli, the host of the show, shared a deep connection.
Despite what viewers may think, Kelli characterized Fenoli as an “angel.”
It turns out Fenoli was also from Louisiana and had been in a similar traumatic experience having to do with a natural disaster.
“As we filmed, I could feel Fenoli had a strong bond with the people who he worked with to tell my story. I think my experience touched him because it was a story that was so close to home.” she wrote.
Next, Kelli made it clear that the show was in no way scripted.
Anything she said, any immediate reaction she had, everything was shown as it had happened.
Then, she explained that despite her wedding being filmed by the crew, she never received any of the footage.
Kelli decided not to hire a videographer because she assumed that the producers were going to send her the wedding footage they shot.
She said: “I still wish I would’ve known the footage wouldn’t be available to me because I definitely would’ve hired a videographer.”
Lastly, Kelli revealed that she still gets fan mail about her episode even though she and her husband are now divorced.