MUST SEE: Say Yes to the Cure: Lori's Fight {Lori Allen of SYTTD Atlanta Shares her Fight Against Breast Cancer}

 Over the past 32 years, Lori Allen has seen her fair share of brides. As owner of Bridals by Lori in Atlanta and each week on TLC’s SAY YES TO THE DRESS: ATLANTA (http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/tv/say-yes-to-the-dress-atlanta), she’s helped and supported thousands of brides as they find their dream dresses for the biggest day of their lives.  

So many stories have been told on the runway of Lori’s shop, but this time around, Lori will tell her own. 

On April 13^th, 2012, Lori received news that would change her life forever as her doctor confirmed she had breast cancer. On Friday, October 26 at 10pm ET/PT, TLC will air the one-hour special SAY YES TO THE CURE: LORI’S FIGHT, a deeply personal chronicle of Lori’s struggle, fight and resolve to beat breast cancer. TLC follows Lori on her journey as she leaves the bridal shop she built, into surgery, and through recovery.  

How will the shop carry on without the heart and soul of Bridals by Lori?  Monte, Robin, Flo, and the rest of the staff pull together to keep the shop running, and help brides in her absence. Throughout this hour, viewers will also meet bride DeLese Range from Carollton, Texas, who is looking for a wedding dress to renew her vows.  DeLese has been fighting various cancers for nearly 23 of the 25 years she’s been married.  In this incredibly heartwarming story of overcoming adversity, the Bridals by Lori team finds the strength to help DeLese and her family through one of the most emotional appointments they’ve ever had, as they wait patiently for Lori’s return.

 

“Naturally I was devastated when I found out that I had breast cancer,” said Lori Allen. “Wanting to turn something very negative into something positive - I decided to share my journey with my TLC family and others, in hopes that I can raise breast cancer awareness and perhaps help other women facing breast cancer be less afraid. Breast cancer is a personal journey, and throughout this process some days were easier than others, but I survived with faith, family and friends.”

 

“Anyone who has met Lori or watched her programs is struck by her spirit, warmth and humor,” states Amy Winter, GM of TLC. “Lori is a beloved member of our TLC family and our hearts have been with her throughout this difficult journey. She is a remarkable woman, who has handled this with dignity, grace and signature spunk since day one of her diagnosis. This special is about spreading awareness to our viewers, but most importantly it’s about sharing Lori’s story of strength, hope, and perseverance.”

Watch a Sneak Peek below:

 

“SAY YES TO THE CURE: LORI’S FIGHT” AIRS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26 AT 10PM ET/PT

Looking for Brides in Boston and Beverly Hills: TLC is casting!

Renee Strauss of Brides of Beverly Hills getting camera ready as Season 2 begins filming.TLC is home to the most popular wedding programming on TV and the network announced they have started production on the new series “I Found the Gown,” as well as the sophomore season of, “Brides of Beverly Hills.”

I Found the Gown is a new series promising to deliver dream dresses to brides-to-be in search of bottom bargain prices. VOWS, a designer bridal outlet in Boston, has become the ultimate dress destination for the bargain-hunting bride. Owners Leslie and Rick DeAngelo dig through factory attics, boutique back rooms and department store warehouses in an effort to provide these designer dresses for less. The series follows Leslie & Rick on their expeditions and back at the shop as they share their found treasures with three excited brides per episode.

From the producers of the hit franchise Say Yes to the Dress, Half Yard Productions, this 8-episode half-hour series is scheduled to premiere August 2012. The series is currently casting and searching for brides looking to share their story. For more information visit: http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/tv/specials/tlc-wedding-show-casting.htm

TLC is a destination to experience all kinds of matrimonial milestones, and for those brides who prefer a more extravagant experience, world renowned bridal stylist Renée Strauss and her colorful team of consultants are back for a sophomore season of Brides of Beverly Hills . Vowing to deliver even more glitz, glamour and drama, season two will continue to follow Strauss and her team as they navigate the unique personalities and demands of the Beverly Hills bride. Beyond finding the perfect dress, viewers will witness over-the-top visions, backed by unlimited budgets, get transformed into a bride’s perfect day.

Produced by Planetworks Inc., this 15-episode half hour season is scheduled to premiere October 2012. From socialite brides to jailbirds and reality stars, you never know who will walk into the salon in search of their perfect dress.  The series is currently casting for brides looking to share their story. For more information visit: tlc.discovery.com/casting

It's "Randy to the Rescue" this Friday, June 15 on TLC!

We’re getting excited over here at WED because “Randy to the Rescue” debuts this Friday on TLC!

Randy to the Rescue, TLC’s newest bridal installment, features bridal guru Randy Fenoli as he hits the road to bring his favorite gowns, unsurpassed dress knowledge and signature styling approach to lucky brides around the country. Across eight cities, Randy provides a “head to hem” makeover for brides-to-be along the way.  From dresses and accessories to hair and makeup, Randy creates a bridal blueprint for each bride, with a full look that can be replicated on their actual wedding day.

Straight off the runway and transported via big rig, Randy will roll into town with a bridal salon on wheels to dish out his top tips on bridal style, do’s and don’ts and the hottest trends for the season. Along the way, viewers will be introduced to the emotional stories of deserving brides wishing for dramatic makeovers for their big day. City stops include: San Diego, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Nashville, Cincinnati, Boston, Minneapolis. Never fear: it’s RANDY TO THE RESCUE!

{Catch a Behind the Scenes peek in the video below!}

So tune in this Friday, June 15 for Bride Day on TLC with the season eight premiere of Say Yes to the Dress at 9 PM ET/PT, followed by the series premiere of Randy to the Rescue at 10 PM ET/PT.

5 Rules of Wedding Dress Shopping by Rita Tatem {from WedTown}

Rita Tatem (aka WedTown Rita) shares tips for gown shopping.  Want to read more of Rita’s great blogs?  Visit WedTown and join in the fun.  Start your own blog, join a discussion or read Rita’s musings on all things weddings!   Join WedTown HERE!!

Lori Allen of Bridals by Lori (Say Yes to the Dress Atlanta) assists a bride.Whether you have been dreaming of wedding dress shopping since you were 5 or this is a new excitement you have developed after recently becoming engaged, there are a few guidelines to follow as you embark on what will be one of the most memorable times in your life.  Follow these tips to help make the experience a positive one for everyone involved (especially you!) and to make it a success.

1)  Figure out what your budget is.  Whether someone has offered to pay for or contribute to the dress or you are paying for it on your own, determine what your “amount” is.

2)  Don’t try on gowns over your budget.  If your budget is $2,000, stick to gowns that are under $2,000.  Remember, alteration costs can add up and you need to take that into consideration as well - not to mention all the accessories you will need to go along with your dress (headpiece, shoes, jewelry, etc.)   You really run the risk of trying on a gown that you fall in love with and can’t afford.  Then, you’ll start comparing all other gowns to the one you have literally put on a pedestal.  Stick to your budget!

3)  Pick only a couple people to bring to the bridal salon.  The more people you bring, the more opinions they will have.  Bring only 1 or 2 trusted people (mom, sister, maid of honor, aunt, etc.) that know you, your taste and style, and can be there for support.

4)  Do your research.  Rather than going into your bridal appointment without having any sort of idea of what you might want to look at, do at least a little bit of research ahead of time.  Flip through some bridal magazines, spend some time online looking at bridal websites or designers’ sites that you might be aware of.  You may not find what you like, but you can start to get an idea of what’s out in the stores right now and what you may not like.

5)  Be open to suggestions.  You may go into an appointment asking specifically for a strapless beaded A-line gown when your sales consultant suggests something completely different.  Be open to looking and trying on something other than your set vision.  Sales consultants are professionals.  They do this everyday and have an eye for what might look best for your frame.

Happy Shopping!

For more from WedTown Rita, visit WedTown!

Bridal Show Betty: Say Yes to the Dress: Bridesmaids premieres Friday, July 8 on TLC

Bridal Show Betty just got a sneak peek at the all new Say Yes to the Dress: Bridemaids — with even more drama as brides and their ladies in waiting try to out Pippa the Queen of all Bridesmaids.

From TLC: With even more taffeta, trains and tantrums, TLC premieres another installment of  the hit franchise SAY YES TO THE DRESS - SAY YES TO THE DRESS: BRIDESMAIDS - on Friday, July 8 at 10 PM ET/PT.

With a behind-the-scenes look at the bridesmaids salon at Atlanta’s Bridals by Lori, SAY YES TO THE DRESS: BRIDESMAIDS gives viewers a sneak peek into the drama of finding a gown that meets the expectations of a diverse group of demanding (and sometimes difficult) bridesmaids.

With the help of a new group of outspoken consultants, these wedding day divas must come to an agreement on a look that pleases the entire party. Unfortunately, the style disagreements and hefty price tags are enough to cause the bride’s fantasy wedding to turn into her worst nightmare.

Bridesmaids model dresses for their Bride in TLC’s new Say Yes to the Dress: Bridesmaids“When planning for a wedding, the bride needs to make a number of big and stressful decisions, one of which is dressing her bridal party,” states Amy Winter, General Manager, TLC. “SAY YES TO THE DRESS: BRIDESMAIDS puts the spotlight on bridesmaids this time around, who tend to be just as opinionated and demanding as the bride herself. A lot of women can relate to this process, whether they’ve been the bride or the bridesmaid.”

Directly before at 9 PM ET/PT, TLC premieres the second season of the popular series SAY YES TO THE DRESS: ATLANTA, also taped inside Bridals by Lori. Set in one of the largest and busiest bridal salons in the south, the series follows a variety of particular and strong-willed southern brides and their entourages as they set out to find their perfect wedding dress.

Be sure to watch the SAY YES TO THE DRESS: BRIDESMAIDS Premiere on Friday, July 8 at 10 PM ET/PT.  Bridal Show Betty will be watiching!!