Her future mother-in-law, Mrs. Hardy, sent Susan a link to the application so she figured, Why not?
Most women I know have seen this show, myself included, and it's an easy show to watch as they follow brides searching for their wedding gown at a bridal salon, Kleinfeld Bridal, in NYC. Brides come from all over the country to visit this salon, or perhaps just be on the show - who really knows? Either way, they carry higher-end wedding gowns, with the lowest priced gown they carry being $1,800 to upwards of $50,000 and over! (INSANE.)
Stunning $30,000 Pnina Tornai Gown
which someone purchased while we were at the shop for her wedding in Italy..
So, to get on the show, Susan submitted her application (I'm sure they just ate up the magical engagement story) and received a response a few weeks later with more questions for her to answer. She answered these and then a day or so passed and the producer informed her that she was one of the lucky brides selected to be filmed! (Yayy!!)
She found out on Monday, April 2nd, that the last slot to film for this season was Friday, April 13th. Yikes! That's not much time to figure out logistics for Brandan's mother and grandmother to fly out to NY from Chicago or for his sister to come down from Maine!
...And we all made it to NYC! Susan was with her entourage of five: Mrs. Hardy, Grandma Hardy, Maura, her mom, and myself.
Mrs. Yao, Maura, Mrs. Hardy, and Grandma Hardy
Susan wore her favorite shirt:
I have to say, the place itself is a bit overwhelming but underwhelming at the same time. It took my breath away but wasn't quite as large or open as it seemed on the show. The lighting was a bit unflattering and the walls were bare. Minimal decor and lots of poofy wedding gowns to maneuver around.
The producer asked if I was her Maid of Honor, to which I said no and that I was a bridesmaid (though at this point I had not been asked - I just assumed!) As soon as the cameras went on, Susan introduced me as her Maid of Honor! I was floored and felt my face turn bright red. I was nearly at a loss for words but am beyond thrilled and honored to be asked! (Obviously I accepted, I <3 this girl!)
It was hilarious watching Susan follow the film crew's instructions: look at the dresses, show us what you like and don't like about the dress using your hands, talk about it with your family, etc.
Over the course of the day, we were allotted two hours with a consultant. There was a lot of waiting around and we found out they actually film every day so we may not make it on the show because we were rather tame. Her consultant wasn't quite as hands-on as I expected - from watching the show, we thought she would bring Susan 10-15 dresses and have her choose but she brought her only seven which felt so limiting! (The first dress was absolutely atrocious. I mean really disturbingly terrible with all sorts of sorbet-ish colors and too much tulle.) The second to last dress (can't describe it in case the groom may read this, though doubtful) received tears of approval from several of the ladies in our party and the last one was closer to what Susan pictured herself in.
Indecision central!
Susan did not say yes to the dress on this day, but I'm excited to be part of her big day and can't wait to pitch in any way I can! (Late DIY nights, here we come!)
Susan & her mom
Maura searching through dresses and veils!
No comments:
Post a Comment