TLC’s “Say Yes to the Dress” is back with a new season, featuring a fresh batch of brides on the hunt for the ideal wedding dress. While the show is known for its stunning bridal gowns, the journey to finding the perfect one is often fraught with obstacles.
As the newest season of “Say Yes to the Dress” premieres on TLC this Saturday, anticipation is high for the latest crop of brides looking for their dream wedding dresses. While the show is a feast for the eyes with its gorgeous bridal fashion, it also sheds light on the challenges and emotions that come with the dress-shopping process.
The return of “Say Yes to the Dress” on TLC means a new group of brides will be vying for the perfect wedding gown. While viewers tune in for the glamour and drama, the show also delves into the real-life struggles that brides face when trying to select the dress of their dreams. To gain insight into these challenges, Insider spoke with Randy Fenoli, the veteran creative director and bridal designer at Kleinfeld.
Insider spoke to Randy Fenoli ahead of the 22nd season of “Say Yes to the Dress.”TLC
During his interview with Insider, Randy Fenoli shared that there are several obstacles that can arise when brides are shopping for their wedding dress. For instance, some brides may be overly rigid in their ideas of what will suit them, while others may not have considered their budget beforehand and end up falling in love with a dress they can’t afford.
According to Fenoli, the most common source of trouble during bridal appointments is not the bride herself, but rather the people she brings along. In his experience, the bride’s entourage can often cause friction and tension during the dress-selection process.
“More often than not, the biggest challenge we face is with the entourage,” Fenoli explained. “We’ve encountered some very pushy sisters and friends, but I would say mothers in particular have a strong influence on brides who seek their approval.”
Unfortunately, Fenoli has witnessed some mothers who are downright cruel to their daughters, which he finds heartbreaking. “It’s such a shame to see mothers who treat their children that way, especially in a public setting,” he lamented. “I’ve actually had to walk out of appointments before because the mothers were being so nasty to their daughters that I couldn’t bear it.”
Randy Fenoli says brides need to set boundaries with their entourages.TLC
Feloni said it’s a good idea to set boundaries with your entourage before you shop for a wedding dress, as well as think carefully about who you bring with you to the appointment.
“You need to let your entourage know that this is a privilege that you are inviting them to be a part of this, and not everyone gets to be a part of this,” Fenoli advised.
He also said it’s important to be clear with your loved ones about what type of dress you want and how much you’re willing to spend.
“Like, ‘I don’t want to be Cinderella, and I don’t want a big poofy ball gown, so please don’t pull a big tulle dress,’ and, ‘My budget’s $1,000, so don’t pull a $10,000 dress unless you’re going to put in the other $9,000,'” Fenoli gave as examples.
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To avoid potential awkwardness and discomfort during the dress-shopping process, Fenoli recommends that brides have an open and honest conversation with their entourage about any insecurities they may have. This way, their companions can avoid making comments that might exacerbate those insecurities or make the bride feel uncomfortable.
“If they could just have that conversation before they come to the salon, I think it would make their experience a lot smoother and more enjoyable overall,” Fenoli noted. “But of course, if they did that, we wouldn’t have a show.”
Kleinfeld COO Marissa Rubinetti has also weighed in on the subject of entourage size, advising brides to limit their group to three people at most. According to Rubinetti, having too many opinions in the room can be overwhelming for the bride and may lead to confusion or distraction from her own desires and preferences.
“If there are more than three people, it’s just too many conflicting opinions, and it can really affect the bride’s mindset and how she feels in the dress,” Rubinetti explained. “If she loves something but then there are four different opinions floating around, it can pull her away from what she truly wants.”