TLC’s hit tv show “Say Yes to the Dress” has a spinoff show, “Say Yes to the Dress America,” and we were a part of it! This special 10-episode series not only gave couples a once-in-a-lifetime experience to get married on TV, but it also gave them a wedding of their dreams in NYC. Here’s some of the inside scoop from TLC’s Nancy McKenzie and host Randy Fenoli.
“Say Yes to the Dress America takes us on a journey across the country as Randy Fenoli surprised several brides in their hometowns to let them know they would be representing their state in ‘America’s Wedding’ They had the opportunity to Say Yes to a Dress and had the full-on Kleinfeld VIP experience” explains TLC’s Nancy Mackenzie.
But as Randy explains, this show was unlike any “Say Yes to the Dress” you’ve ever seen. “I didn’t just meet the brides when they came in for their appointment. I actually got the chance to spend the day with them in their hometowns, meet their fiancés, families, loved ones, get to know them on a very personal level, and get to experience why they LOVE their state so much! Also, getting one bride to hopefully find and say ‘YES’ to her dream dress can be a challenge. Getting 52 brides to say ‘YES’ to a dress in only one appointment has NEVER been done!”
A SPECIAL GROUP
Randy told us there were reasons why each couple was chosen for this truly amazing experience, “One common thread is that each of these brides had overcome some pretty tough obstacles to be where they are today. Each one of them shared with me their strength, courage, vulnerability, and the awesome power of being a woman!”
Randy enthusiastically recalled why this group was equally deserving and appreciative of the experience, “There was such a deep camaraderie between all the brides! Unlike a pageant, there was no jealousy and they were all there to help and support each other. To this day it literally makes me teary-eyed to see the love and support they gave to one another. It honestly showed me how much more we have that unites us than what divides us. It was beautiful to watch and experience!
NOT YOUR AVERAGE CEREMONY
Gathering a couple from every state, and having them get hitched in the middle of NYC’s Central Park, proved to be complicated. But the team behind “Say Yes to the Dress America” can handle anything, as Mackenzie told us, “Planning a wedding of this magnitude was quite a challenge. We worked closely with The Wedding Guys to help conceptualize what the ceremony space would look like. In order to create the look for a ceremony in such a grand location (Central Park’s Bethesda Fountain), it was essential to keep scale in mind. There were also several parameters from the parks department that we had to consider, yet needed to achieve a certain footprint considering camera angles and lighting. Thanks to The Wedding Guys, the ceremony felt magical both on and off-screen.”
ALL IN THE DETAILS
As couples know, personalization is key to a unique wedding. Not only did couples get the royal treatment when it came to pre-wedding prep with hair, makeup, and dressing rooms, but even small details were considered. “I was insistent that each couple felt like it was their own personal, intimate wedding with their partners. We pulled it off!” Randy Fenoli declares.
For example, bridal bouquets created for The Wedding Guys by Summer Harsh of Summer Harsh Botanical Artistry featured each bride’s state flower, so that even though they were getting married in New York, their home state was represented. The Wedding Guys also created charms for each state with the city of each couple denoted with a heart. “Each couple had so much fun and were just so humbled and appreciative to be chosen to represent their state and participate in one of the biggest and most incredible wedding ceremonies of all time!”
Next week, we’ll share insights from designer Hayley Paige, who also had a special role in this series, which culminates in a two-hour Wedding Event Special this month, Saturday, March 14th, on TLC.
