- When I was on TLC’s “Say Yes to the Dress,” I was surprised by a few things.
- The show isn’t scripted, and I still receive fan mail years later.
- I thought Randy Fenoli was nice and caring and I liked that we share a Louisiana connection.
Back in 2016, I was on a special episode of TLC’s “Say Yes to the Dress” (season 15, episode six).
I planned to get married earlier that year, but when my Louisiana home flooded and my gown was destroyed, it looked like my dream wedding was ruined. As my fiancé and I considered pushing the date back, “Say Yes to the Dress” posted an online request for brides-to-be who were affected by the flood.
A friend nominated me and I was selected to be on the show. Here are five surprising things I learned from my “Say Yes to the Dress” episode.
I’m one of few people — if not the only bride — who received a free dress on ‘Say Yes to the Dress’
TLC
Normally, the “Say Yes to the Dress” team starts by breaking down your budget, but because my original wedding gown was destroyed, I received a free dress.
My episode highlighted the tragedy of the flood that took most of my belongings and I was offered the best care by bridal designer Randy Fenoli and his team. “Say Yes” flew my husband and me to New York, where we stayed in a lavish hotel right by Times Square.
My family lost everything in the flood, so it was a huge contrast to go from watching all of our stuff wash away to wearing a Mark Zunino gown, Jimmy Choo shoes, and Kleinfield’s own collection of jewelry.
Fenoli was so kind, and we even shared a personal connection
TLC
As we filmed, I could feel Fenoli had a strong bond with the people who he worked with to tell my story. I’m still so grateful to have been chosen to share my experience about planning a wedding that felt as if it would never happen, and I cannot thank that team enough for helping me feel the most beautiful and cared for.
During the process, I learned that Fenoli actually grew up in Louisiana, and he’s also dealt with natural disasters. He was trapped in a two-story apartment in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
I think my experience touched him because it was a story that was so close to home.
I still talk to Fenoli to this day, and he featured my story in a special season-17 episode where he discussed his most memorable brides.
The show isn’t scripted
The crew captured my genuine reactions.
And if I said something funny, cute, or cool, I quickly learned to expect to see that footage over and over again.
Unfortunately, I didn’t get any of the footage of my own wedding
TLC
I was so excited to have such an enormous film crew and producers record my wedding because I thought I would receive some of the footage. I also didn’t hire my own videographer to capture the details of my entire wedding, so sadly, I don’t have the day’s events on film.
Still, the “Say Yes” production team gave me five minutes of absolute fabulousness.
Hindsight is 20/20, but I still wish I would’ve known the footage wouldn’t be available to me because I definitely would’ve hired a videographer.
I still receive fan mail about our episode every so often
People may not know that my husband and I have split up since our episode aired.
Still, every time fans contact me, I don’t really know what to say other than, “Thank you.”
This story was originally published on July 14, 2022, and most recently updated on December 20, 2024.
