Fiancés in the Dressing Room

11/06/2009

There’s a new trend in wedding gown shopping: instead of the bride and her mother shopping for a dress, it’s the bride and her fiancé.  According to Joan, director of sales, “It does change the dynamics of the whole appointment.” Fashion director Randy says it’s due to a change in mind-set. “It’s the couples’ wedding, not just the bride’s wedding.” I’m wondering whatever happened to not letting the groom see the gown until you’re walking down the aisle?

 

Consultant Keasha is helping Jennifer and her fiancé, Dennis. Jennifer already has a wedding gown, which she feels she was pressured into buying by her mom and Dennis’ mother. Jennifer wants something with more pizzazz, since the dress she has now is “just plain-Jane boring.”

Neither set of parents know the couple is shopping for a new gown. Jennifer would like to pay $3,000, but is willing to pay a bit more for a gown she falls in love with. She wants something more elaborate and exquisite to go with her fairytale wedding.

The first dress is summarily dismissed by Dennis, because although he can’t pinpoint why exactly, the dress makes her figure look odd. I may have to revise my opinion of fiancés helping pick out the wedding dresses; he is completely right about the fit of the dress.

Across the floor, consultant Sarah is meeting Lisa and her mother. Although her fiancé was supposed to be there, he got called into work but will try and make it. Hmm, she feels she can’t make a decision without him? 

Lisa wants a dress that’s her, but isn’t sure what that means. Since she performs in musicals, she does not want anything too “costume-y.” Her budget is $6,000.

The first dress is rejected because of the sparkled bodice, but the fitting is still a very emotional experience for both her and her mom, as it’s the first wedding gown Lisa  has tried on.

Meanwhile, Jennifer’s second gown is nixed as being too revealing and the third is considered too “prom-y.” With three strikes, Keasha tries a new strategy: getting Dennis really involved in the selection. She takes the couple to the stockroom to see if they can find something.

I giggle when Dennis says, “Crinoline, taffeta, ruching … Oh my God, what am I in for here?” The couple is flustered and overwhelmed by the sheer volume of gowns. By the time director of sales Nicole shows up to help, Dennis looks so relieved that I half expect him to kiss the ground. Nicole is confident she has the perfect dress for Jennifer.

In another part of the store, Lisa awaits the arrival of her fiancé, John. Although Lisa feels “stunning” in the second dress, she’s sure John won’t like the top. This is the third time she’s said she can’t make a decision without him.

The third dress makes Lisa’s mother tear up. As Lisa is showing off the fourth dress to her mother, her fiancé walks in. According to John, Lisa always gets compliments on the clothes he picks out for her. He vetoes the dress and Lisa immediately goes to try on another one.

Keasha and Nicole help Jennifer into wedding dress No. 4. Dennis thinks it’s such a gorgeous gown, he gets on one knee to propose again. Nicole thinks it’s special that Jennifer has gone out of her way to make him happy. 

Down in alterations, bride Kate has arrived with her father and grandmother, excited to see her dream dress. Earlier in the year, she and her girlfriend went to the Kleinfeld sample sale, where she found her dream dress -- even though she wasn’t engaged yet. Ironically, five days after the purchase, her boyfriend proposed to her. Kate is not pleased with the alterations. She wants more material added to the hip area to create more fullness.

Lisa retries dress No. 3 to show her fiancé; keep in mind this is the dress her mother loved. John thinks it looks like something that should be on a table. Lisa tries the second dress on again, which she loved but was concerned that John wouldn’t like the ruching on the bodice. She is correct in her analysis; he doesn’t. I’ve never dated a man who would even know what ruching is or care.

Consultant Sarah finds it sad, since she could tell Lisa really loved the gown. Sarah recommends they both sit down and figure out what they both would like in a gown and then come back.

It’s been four months since Jennifer bought the “risky dress.” Now she’s in alterations worrying that the risky dress is too risqué. She’s not sure it was such a good idea, as the wedding day will be the first time her mother sees the gown.

She thinks more material should be added to the see-through midriff, so she’s not showing skin. Jennifer is worried about her stomach showing, but her friend Lesley think it’s just nerves. Jennifer drops the bombshell that she thinks she may be pregnant to Lesley. Since no one will know she’s pregnant, Jennifer is worried her guests will just think she is a “fat bride.” LOL

Kate is back for another fitting and is completely pleased with the way the gown looks.

On her wedding day, Jennifer anxiously awaits her mother’s reaction to her wedding gown. Her mother absolutely loves it, and with her blessing, Jennifer is one happy bride as she walks down the aisle. During the wedding reception, the happy couple surprises everyone with the announcement that Jennifer is pregnant.

Comments

[J]

Announced she was pregnant at her wedding???? How tacky and trailer trash.

Can TLC present some better people than this?

[J]

Annouced she was pregnant.

How trashy and tacky.

[mdg8186]

Okay girls, do not take your fiance to help you pick your wedding dress. That is not a good sign. When you hear a fiance telling his bride that the puckers are unflattering you have to stop and think about what is going on there. Is he really into design (Hmmm...) or is he into making sure your are the arm candy he wants to show off on that day. Either way, YOU make the decision and not your husband-to-be. It is crazy enough for the moms, friends, grandmas, etc. to weigh in, but your fiance...no way. Little bit of advice, plan for the marriage and not the wedding...that will make for a fairytale come true!

[Kathy]

I agree with J. Announcing you are pregnant at your wedding? Tacky! But then look at the see through dress she picked so why am I not surprised?
As far as John and Lisa are concerned I see a control freak here. Lisa has so little confidence in her and her mother's ability to pick a dress that she has to have John pick it? Pretty sad!

[Conni]

Lisa needs to take a step back and really look closely at the man she's marrying. John is not being true to himself, or to Lisa. I'm sure she's a great girl, and deserves better than to be used as a beard. There are lots of straight men out there, and she should start looking for one. I'm sure I sound cruel, but I've been there, and I wish someone had made me open my eyes before I married my first husband. It could have saved everyone involved an enormous amount of pain.

[marykenn]

Get the grooms out of the decision-making situation. What a couple of wussies!

[Lorrie]

Conni - I thought the exact same thing as you; probably because I, too, went through a similar situation. The facade, when it comes crumbling down, is crushing! I hope she wakes up before saying, "I do!"

[Ariel Webb]

Does anyone know who makes the dress the Jennifer tries on first in this episode? It is a drop waist and I want it! Thanks for the help.

[LV]

I don't think the pregnancy announcement was tacky at all. It seems to me that having my whole family in one place would be the perfect opportunity to share that exciting news.

[mandiematata]

Anyone know who makes the dress Lisa loved and gave up? It was gorgeous!