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Say Yes to the Dress is a reality TV show that first aired in 2007 and has since become a sensation. The show follows brides-to-be in their journey to find their dream wedding dress. The original show is filmed in Manhattan, but there have been several spin-offs, including Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta, Say Yes to the Dress: Big Bliss, and Say Yes to the Dress: UK. The show has received some criticism for its focus on drama and the influence of family members' opinions on the bride's dress choice. However, it has also been praised for showcasing brides of all shapes and sizes and providing educational content for brides-to-be.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Debut | 2007 |
| Original Location | Manhattan, New York |
| Original Store | Kleinfeld |
| Original Store Director of Sales and Merchandising | Dorothy Silver |
| Original Store Director of Fittings and Sales | Nicole Sacco |
| Original Fashion Director | Randy Fenoli |
| Podcast | Say Yes to the Dress: Monte's Take |
| Spin-offs | Say Yes to the Dress: Big Bliss, Say Yes to the Dress: Randy Knows Best, Randy to the Rescue, Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta, Say Yes to the Dress: Australia, Say Yes to the Dress: UK, Say Yes to the Dress: Ireland, Say Yes to the Dress: Asia, Say Yes: Wedding SOS, Say Yes to the Dress: Canada, Say Yes to the Dress: America |
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What You'll Learn
- Brides must submit an online application with personal questions about their wedding, dress style, and fiancé
- The show is filmed in Manhattan, but there are spin-offs in Atlanta, the UK, Ireland, and more
- Consultants pull dress options before brides arrive, and brides are encouraged to visit other boutiques beforehand
- The average cost of a dress at Kleinfeld is $4,500
- The show has been criticised for catering to family members' opinions over the bride's
Brides must submit an online application with personal questions about their wedding, dress style, and fiancé
To appear on the TLC show "Say Yes to the Dress", brides must submit an online application and answer a variety of personal questions. The application process is highly selective, with over a thousand brides applying each season. The show's producers are very discerning and only choose brides who genuinely intend to get married, avoiding those simply seeking their 15 minutes of fame.
The questions asked in the application process cover a range of topics, including the bride's wedding, her dress style preferences, and her fiancé. Brides are expected to provide details about the dynamics of their family, the type of dress they envision, and their soon-to-be spouse. This information helps the show's consultants prepare options in advance and ensure a more efficient filming process.
The application process also includes questions about the bride's price range for the dress. The show categorizes dresses into five tiers, and brides must work within their specified tier to avoid wasting production time. Consultants are particularly excited when a bride is seeking a unique bridal gown.
In addition to the online application, brides may also be interviewed by producers before they begin dress shopping. This interview covers similar ground to the application, delving into the family dynamics, the bride's dream dress, and any potential sources of drama during the fitting.
The "Say Yes to the Dress" franchise has spawned numerous spin-offs, including "Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta", "Say Yes to the Dress: America", "Say Yes to the Dress: Monte's Take", and more. Each iteration of the show continues to provide brides-to-be with the opportunity to find their dream wedding dress, often with a side of drama.
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The show is filmed in Manhattan, but there are spin-offs in Atlanta, the UK, Ireland, and more
"Say Yes to the Dress" is a reality TV show that premiered in 2007 and has since become a sensation. The TLC show has helped hundreds of brides find their dream wedding dresses, and has also spawned several spin-offs in different locations around the world. The original show is filmed in Manhattan, New York, at Kleinfeld Bridal, but the success of the show has led to spin-offs in various other locations, including Atlanta, the UK, Ireland, and more.
The first spin-off, "Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta," focuses on Bridals by Lori, a bridal shop in Atlanta, Georgia. The Atlanta series has the same format as the original series, with the same production company, NorthSouth Productions, and features the bridal managers and cast members, Robin, Flo, and Megan. The Atlanta series itself led to two further spin-offs: "Say Yes to the Dress: Bridesmaids," and "Say Yes to the Dress: Big Bliss," the latter of which features plus-sized brides.
The show has also spawned several international adaptations, including "Say Yes to the Dress: UK" and "Say Yes to the Dress: Ireland", which premiered in 2016 and 2017, respectively. "Say Yes to the Dress: Asia" was created for TLC Asia and shot in Malaysia with Malaysian hosts, featuring 18 Southeast Asian women and their dresses. There have also been local productions in Australia and Canada, and a 10-episode event series, "Say Yes to the Dress: America," which featured couples representing each U.S. state.
In addition to these location-based spin-offs, there have been several other variations on the original show's format. "Say Yes to the Dress: Randy Knows Best" features Kleinfeld's fashion director, Randy Fenoli, sharing his tips on bridal style. "Randy to the Rescue" sees Randy travel across the country, offering special consultations to lucky brides-to-be. "Say Yes: Wedding SOS" is a wedding makeover spin-off series focusing on transforming couples who have let themselves go.
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Consultants pull dress options before brides arrive, and brides are encouraged to visit other boutiques beforehand
Brides-to-be who dream of appearing on the TLC show "Say Yes to the Dress" must adhere to several rules. Firstly, they must submit an online application, providing personal details about their wedding, dress style, and fiancé. The application process is highly selective, with the show receiving over a thousand applications per season. Applicants are advised to be decisive and avoid being wishy-washy about their preferred dress style. Additionally, brides are required to travel to New York City to film at the renowned Kleinfeld Bridal in Manhattan.
To ensure a smooth filming process, consultants at Kleinfeld Bridal pull dress options before the brides arrive. This proactive step enables consultants to offer a curated selection of gowns that align with the bride's vision and budget. The consultants' expertise extends beyond dresses, as they can also assist in crafting the entire bridal look, including accessories like tiaras, sashes, and crystal hairpieces. Brides are encouraged to be open-minded and seek the consultants' advice on shoes, veils, and other accessories to complement their chosen gown.
Furthermore, it is recommended that brides-to-be visit other bridal boutiques before their Kleinfeld appointment. This suggestion allows brides to explore different options, gain a broader perspective, and make a well-informed final decision. While some brides opt to visit physical boutiques, others explore online bridal stores like Azazie and BHLDN, which offer the convenience of trying on various wedding dresses at home without committing to a purchase.
The application process for "Say Yes to the Dress" also involves detailing the individuals the bride intends to bring to the fitting and describing their personalities and relationships with the bride. The producers then decide who will be included in the filming process. While some brides value the input of their friends and family, others emphasize the importance of keeping the group small to ensure the focus remains on the bride. Ultimately, the decision-making power rests with the bride, and she can choose to involve her fiancé or keep the gown a surprise until the wedding day.
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The average cost of a dress at Kleinfeld is $4,500
The popular reality TV show 'Say Yes to the Dress' has given viewers an insight into the world of wedding dress shopping at Kleinfeld since 2010. Kleinfeld Bridal in New York City is renowned for its 30,000 square feet of space dedicated to housing the largest selection of wedding dresses globally. The store also boasts a professional staff of over 200 employees, including bridal consultants like Keasha Rigsby and Debbie Asprea, and the fashion director, Randy Fenoli.
The price of a wedding dress at Kleinfeld can vary depending on the designer, style, and customization. The store carries dresses from over 60 designers, and brides can expect to try on six to 15 different dresses during their appointment. The most expensive dress ever sold at Kleinfeld was a $70,000 custom-beaded gown by Israeli designer Pnina Tornai, purchased by a bride named Tabitha for her wedding day.
In addition to the cost of the dress, there are other expenses to consider. Kleinfeld charges a flat fee of $1,250 for alterations, and veils typically start at $400, ranging up to several thousand dollars depending on various factors. The store also charges an 8.875% New York state sales tax, and shipping a gown out of state incurs additional fees. With these considerations in mind, the total cost of a wedding dress from Kleinfeld can quickly exceed the average price.
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The show has been criticised for catering to family members' opinions over the bride's
"Say Yes to the Dress" is a reality TV show that has gained popularity for its heartwarming and earnest portrayal of brides-to-be searching for their perfect wedding gowns. The show, set in Manhattan's largest bridal shop, Kleinfeld, follows a consistent plot: a young woman, accompanied by her friends and family, embarks on a challenging journey to find a dress that meets her budget and style preferences while navigating differing opinions.
While the show has been well-received, it has also faced criticism for catering too much to the opinions of family members, sometimes at the expense of the bride's own identity and preferences. Some viewers feel that the show sacrifices the bride's interests to please the family, with family members often being very opinionated and insisting on having their way. This dynamic can lead to a compromise in the bride's style choices, causing frustration among those who believe the bride should have the final say.
The show has also been criticized for its emphasis on finding "The One" dress, elevating the dress selection to a level that overshadows the decision about the groom. Additionally, the pressure to make a sale within a limited time frame and the preference for expensive, elaborate dresses designed by Pnina Tornai have been viewed as offensive, especially when families cannot afford the high price tags.
Despite these criticisms, "Say Yes to the Dress" remains a popular escape for viewers, offering a glimpse into the lives of others during a significant event. The show is known for its lack of harsh criticism and competitiveness compared to other reality TV shows, with the cast and crew genuinely interested in pleasing the bride-to-be.
The show has spawned multiple spin-offs, including "Say Yes to the Dress: Big Bliss," "Say Yes to the Dress: Randy Knows Best," "Randy to the Rescue," "Say Yes to the Dress: Australia," "Say Yes to the Dress: UK," "Say Yes to the Dress: Ireland," "Say Yes to the Dress: Asia," and "Say Yes: Wedding SOS."
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Frequently asked questions
'Say Yes to the Dress' first aired in 2007.
The original show is filmed in Manhattan, New York City.
The average cost of a dress on the show is $4,500.
Randy Fenoli was the fashion director for Kleinfeld. He appeared on the show until 2012 and now works as an independent consultant.
Some spin-offs of the show include 'Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta', 'Say Yes to the Dress: Big Bliss', 'Say Yes to the Dress: Randy Knows Best', and 'Say Yes to the Dress: Australia'.
