After 11 Years, Say Yes to the Dress Still Has Surprising Secrets
Say Yes to the Dress is undoubtedly one of the most iconic shows to have ever aired on TLC. From the bustling activity of shopping for the perfect dress to the unforgettable store, Kleinfeld Bridal in Manhattan, and the beloved dress consultants, especially Randy Fenoli, the show has left a lasting impression on viewers. Although it wasn’t the first wedding reality TV show on the air, it’s considered by many fans to be the biggest and best, redefining the genre and becoming a cultural phenomenon.
With 16 seasons under its belt, Say Yes to the Dress continues to capture the attention of viewers worldwide. However, the show is much more than just a single program. It has spawned numerous spinoffs, including six seasons of Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta and four seasons of Say Yes to the Dress: Bridesmaids. The show has also expanded into global markets, including Australia, the UK, Ireland, and Asia, becoming a true cultural phenomenon.
Despite more than 275 episodes and 11 spinoffs to date, Say Yes to the Dress still has secrets that fans may not know. Even after all these years, if there’s something the show doesn’t want viewers to know, it’s still under wraps. But now, it’s time to uncover some of the show’s lesser-known facts and secrets.
Here are 20 Dark Secrets You Didn’t Know About Say Yes To The Dress.
20. A Bride Sued For Airing The Episode Before The Wedding
In 2016, Alexandra “Ali” Godino made headlines when she sued Say Yes to the Dress for airing an episode featuring her buying her wedding dress before her actual wedding. According to an interview with the New York Post, Godino claimed that she only stepped in at the last minute when the featured bride backed out, and producers promised her that the episode would not air until after her May 2016 wedding. She then appeared on the show, said yes to the dress, and bought her $20,000 gown.
However, Godino was shocked to learn that the episode would air on March 25, two months before her wedding. She hired a lawyer to block the episode, but unfortunately, the judge ruled that Godino had signed away her rights in the Say Yes to the Dress contract, and the episode aired as planned.
19. White Dresses and White-Collar Crime
Say Yes to the Dress made some strange headlines in 2015 when one of its featured couples was investigated for mortgage fraud. Emily, like most brides on the show, was excited about her upcoming wedding. However, it was revealed that her future husband, David Gotterup, had been indicted on 11 counts of fraud, allegedly scamming clients out of more than $2.5 million.
Gotterup was even accused of using funds acquired as disaster relief for Hurricane Sandy to pay for his wedding to Emily. In the end, he was re-sentenced to 135 months in prison for his crimes. This scandal shed light on the importance of thoroughly vetting potential show participants and the potential legal consequences of not doing so.
18. Sad Story
One of the most memorable episodes of Say Yes to the Dress featured Rebekah Gregory and her then-fiance, Pete DiMartino, who were injured in the Boston Marathon bombing. The couple was watching the marathon when the bombs went off, resulting in Gregory’s leg amputation and DiMartino’s injuries. Their episode was part of the season 12 finale, which aired in December 2014.
However, shortly after their dream wedding, the couple split up. Gregory later reconnected with an old boyfriend, and in December 2015, almost a year after her Say Yes to the Dress episode aired, she got married for the second time, but without the fanfare of the show. Despite their split, Rebekah and Pete’s story remains an inspiring reminder of strength and resilience in the face of tragedy.
17. Sending The Bride The Wrong Dress
In 2016, bride Randi Siegel-Friedman accused Kleinfeld Bridal, the bridal shop featured on Say Yes to the Dress, of sending her the wrong size gown. Siegel-Friedman had said yes to a dress costing over $12,000, but when it arrived, it was not the correct size, and some of the fabric was also incorrect. The situation put Kleinfeld Bridal in a difficult position, as it had to address the issue and protect its reputation for providing high-quality dresses and customer service.
Siegel-Friedman was denied a refund for the dress, prompting her to sue Kleinfeld Bridal for the cost of the gown. She was then forced to wear a sample dress from another shop to her wedding. The outcome of the lawsuit is unclear, but the situation serves as a lesson for future brides. It’s important to ensure that dress sizes and alterations are clearly recorded and understood to avoid potential issues and financial loss.
16. Calling All Extraordinary Brides
It’s not surprising that Say Yes to the Dress is looking for unique personalities and dress choices. After years of featuring wealthy white women in traditional white gowns, the producers at TLC are trying to diversify their cast and bring in more unconventional brides with unique situations.
This shift has resulted in the show casting only the boldest personalities or brides with daring dress choices, such as colorful or even black dresses. For instance, in a recent season, the show introduced its first polygamist couple.
If you hope to appear on Say Yes to the Dress, it’s important to have a story that stands out or to choose a dress style that is unconventional to catch the producers’ attention.
15. The Queen of Kings
In Season 15 of Say Yes to the Dress, musician and Rob Schneider’s daughter, Elle King, appeared on the show to find her dress. She said yes to a gown for a ceremony that was scheduled to take place in April 2017. However, King’s situation was complicated since she was already secretly married to her partner, Andrew Ferguson, at the time of filming.
Unfortunately, the wedding never happened, as the couple split before the ceremony. Furthermore, Ferguson was arrested for domestic abuse, adding further complexity to King’s personal life.
14. The Bride Who Passed Shortly After Wedding
One of the most poignant episodes of Say Yes to the Dress was “Queen for a Day” in Season 9. The episode featured Margo Mallory, a young woman battling cervical cancer, who came to Kleinfeld to find her wedding dress. Mallory and her partner were set to marry in late 2012, and the episode showcased her beauty and bravery. At the end of the episode, viewers saw clips from the couple’s stunning wedding ceremony.
Mallory spoke about her determination to overcome every obstacle with her husband by her side, leaving the audience filled with hope. However, the episode ended on a heartbreaking note, as a picture of Mallory and her husband appeared with the text: “In memory of Margo Mallory Ambler 1987-2012.” Tragically, five months prior to the episode’s airing, 24-year-old Margo Mallory lost her battle with cancer.
13. Yes To The Wedding, But No To The Marriage
While TLC producers do not readily share information about the couples who appear on Say Yes to the Dress and whether they stay together, there have been a few instances where couples have announced their splits since their episodes aired. One example is Kristy Tam from the season six premiere.
Tam was primarily concerned with how she looked on the show, and even had a white party with her friends to watch the episode when it aired. However, she later split from her husband shortly after their wedding. Some experts believe that shows like Say Yes to the Dress have contributed to a culture of wedding hysteria, where the focus is more on the wedding than the marriage itself, leading to narcissistic brides and a higher divorce rate.
12. Ignorance Really Is Bliss
Say Yes to the Dress: Big Bliss was a spinoff from the original show that aired for two seasons before being taken off the air in 2011. The show divided brides by weight, which was defended by TLC producers as a way to showcase how Kleinfeld handles non-standard sized gowns. However, this decision separated plus-size brides from the other brides, leading to criticism and controversy.
Many questioned whether the show was created to provide a better stage for plus-size brides or to keep them separate from the regular show. Aside from the size of the dresses, there was no significant difference between Big Bliss and the original Say Yes to the Dress. The show’s decision to divide brides by weight was seen as offensive and insensitive, leading to its eventual cancellation.
11. False Start On The Newest UK Season
Say Yes to the Dress UK is currently airing its third season, and one of the participants is reality TV veteran Vicky Pattinson (Geordie Shore). Pattinson had planned to be married by February 2018, before her episode was set to air. However, she announced that she had postponed her wedding as the air date approached.
Despite her insistence that she and her fiancé still plan to get married, fans have questioned whether the hesitant 2019 date is genuine. The postponement has only impacted the “first look” moment, as Pattinson’s future husband will have seen her dress on television long before seeing her in person.
Overall, the situation highlights the challenges and potential drawbacks of participating in reality TV shows, as personal life events can be affected by the scheduling and airing of episodes.
10. Say Yes To The Dress But This Time With More Pizazz
While Say Yes to the Dress does not fully script the show, past guests have suggested that the show encourages drama. Courtney Wright, a guest on Say Yes to the Dress: Bridesmaids, claimed that the show filtered and edited her comments before airing them. Wright said that the show’s producers would ask for her opinion on the dresses and then ask her to repeat her comments in a certain way.
Wright also noted that the show tries to create a natural atmosphere but often stirs up drama by asking provocative questions. If a guest says something that could potentially cause a disagreement, the director will ask follow-up questions to explore the issue further.
Overall, while the show may not be fully scripted, it’s clear that the producers are looking for ways to create compelling television by encouraging drama and conflict.
9. These Dress Prices Are Not For Everyone
For those unfamiliar with the world of wedding dresses, the costs can be shocking. Even off-the-rack dresses can cost thousands of dollars, with the average dress price at Kleinfeld Bridal being around $4,500. The least expensive gowns at the Manhattan boutique start at around $2,000, while the most expensive dresses can cost over $30,000.
However, it’s rare for a bride to simply buy a dress off the rack and have it fit perfectly. Nearly every bride requires alterations, which can significantly increase the cost of the dress. At Kleinfeld, there is a flat fee of $695 for every fitting and alteration appointment. Since most brides require two or three fittings, the cost can add up quickly.
Overall, the cost of a wedding dress can be a significant expense for brides, and it’s important to budget accordingly and factor in the cost of alterations.
8. A Famous Engagement Called Off… Again
Karina Smirnoff, a veteran dancing professional on Dancing with the Stars, appeared on Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta in 2012 to find a dress for her wedding to MLB pitcher Brad Penny. However, many fans were unaware that Smirnoff and Penny had called off their engagement publicly in December of 2011, a full month before the episode aired.
To add to the drama, this was the second engagement that Smirnoff had called off in a matter of two years. Three years after her episode aired, Smirnoff made headlines again after calling off a third engagement, this time with a different man.
While fans of the show may have watched Smirnoff’s episode with excitement, those in the know were likely aware of the awkward situation surrounding her engagement and the potential for it to fall apart.
7. The Kleinfeld Tourist Trap
Kleinfeld Bridal has become synonymous with wedding gown shopping over the years, but some brides have voiced their displeasure in various interviews, describing the boutique as “a madhouse.” They accuse the show of turning a small boutique into not only a shopping destination for brides from all over but a tourist trap as well.
Despite the shop’s requirements that all shoppers have a wedding date and venue set, the shop floor is said to be crammed daily with brides and their families, all looking for personalized service. The popularity of Say Yes to the Dress has undoubtedly contributed to the increased demand for Kleinfeld’s services, leading to a more hectic and crowded shopping experience.
While some may feel that the show has changed the boutique’s atmosphere, others still view Kleinfeld as a unique and special place to find the perfect dress. Regardless, it’s clear that Say Yes to the Dress has had a significant impact on Kleinfeld’s reputation and popularity.
6. You’re In For A Long Day
While each episode of Say Yes to the Dress has a runtime of 22 minutes, the filming process behind the scenes can be quite a marathon. Former guests have revealed that filming can last anywhere between four and eight hours.
The crew films both pre-appointment and post-appointment interviews, and each bride tries on around 20 different dresses. The show then edits out all the dresses that didn’t elicit extreme reactions, either positive or negative. As mentioned earlier, many of the interviews and comments are also redone to create the best final product.
Overall, the process can be time-consuming and tiring for guests, which is why those looking to be on the show should clear their schedules and be prepared for a long day of filming. However, the end result is a highly entertaining and emotional show that has captured the hearts of viewers around the world.
5. Dirty Designer Dresses
While Kleinfeld Bridal dresses may look magical on television, not everything is as it seems. Several visitors have commented on the condition of the floor sample dresses, with some women claiming that they were dirty and had sweat stains in the armpits and ruined hems.
One bride, Carly Sposato, spoke about her experience of choosing to do the tailoring privately, refusing to pay the shop’s altering prices. Unfortunately, the dress was nearly ruined when it arrived, and she was on the hook for the damages. Sposato expressed her unhappiness with the situation, saying that she was uncomfortable in her skin because of what she was wearing.
Overall, while Kleinfeld Bridal may provide a unique and special shopping experience, it’s important to be aware of the potential downsides, including the condition of the floor sample dresses and the risks of doing tailoring outside of the shop.
4. The Viewing Party
It’s not uncommon for dress-viewing parties on Say Yes to the Dress to stir up drama and be confrontational, with some guests insulting the bride, mocking the dresses, or trying to make everything about themselves. However, according to a former guest on the show, this may be intentional.
The producers choose which bridesmaids they want to appear on the show after getting a feel for how dramatic they are. The bride is required to write out descriptions of who she is bringing, including their personalities, if they get along with everyone else, and what upsets them. The producers then choose the bridesmaids they want to interview from that information.
Overall, while the drama and confrontations make for entertaining television, it’s important to remember that the show is heavily edited and may not accurately reflect the true personalities and relationships of the guests.
3. Offensive Ads
In 2014, Say Yes to the Dress was dragged into a political debate when GOP ads were released that spoofed the show’s drama. In the ad, as the bride tries on different dresses, each dress represents a different candidate.
While the ad was clearly trying to reach younger female voters, it was criticized for talking down to voters and using simplistic metaphors. Time magazine mocked the ad, stating that it assumed women only cared about wedding dresses and not politics.
Despite TLC keeping quiet about the ads, the affiliation with the GOP is likely not something they actively sought out. It’s important to remember that while Say Yes to the Dress may be a popular and entertaining show, it’s not immune to being used for political purposes or being dragged into political debates.
2. Omarosa: From White House to White Dress
Omarosa Manigault, a former White House correspondent, appeared on Say Yes to the Dress in Season 15 to pick out her wedding dress. Despite being removed from her position in late 2017, Omarosa was still a prominent figure when the episode aired, and she picked her dress with the support of her friends and family.
However, her wedding did not turn out as planned. Throughout the episode, the women spoke about the future wedding, even giving out details as to where it would be held, saying that “she’s marrying the pastor at her future church” in Jacksonville, Florida. However, the wedding was later moved to the Trump Hotel in Washington D.C. due to reported death threats received by Omarosa.
Overall, while Omarosa’s appearance on Say Yes to the Dress showcased a happy moment in her life, her wedding was ultimately moved due to safety concerns, highlighting the potential dangers and challenges that come with public life and political involvement.
1. A Familiar Voice
The voiceover for Say Yes to the Dress is done by Roger Craig Smith, who has narrated every episode of the main show and many of the spin-offs as well. While many viewers may only be familiar with his work on the show, Smith is actually a very accomplished voice actor with thousands of roles to his name.
Some of his most recognizable characters include Batman from the Batman Unlimited TV series and the Arkham Origins video game, Chris Redfield from Resident Evil, and Ezio from Assassin’s Creed. His work on these popular franchises may explain why viewers sometimes feel an urge to scale a wall when watching Say Yes to the Dress.
Overall, Roger Craig Smith’s voiceover work on Say Yes to the Dress is just one small part of his impressive career as a voice actor in film, television, animation, and video games.
Which one of these surprised you most? Let us know!