SAY YES TO THE DRESS IRELAND
Ireland’s most famous wedding planner Peter Kelly a.k.a. Franc will present the first Irish version of international reality hit series Say Yes to the Dress.
The ten part series was filmed in a new couture section of Vows bridal store based in Blarney Business Park in Cork, stocked with stunning dresses from all over the world. Cameras will follow brides through the bridal salon as they try on all the styles, colours and patterns to then face their families and friends in the hope that they will Say Yes to the Dress.
Franc said, “I am so excited to be presenting the Irish version of Say Yes To The Dress. As an international wedding planner I have travelled both home and abroad with my brides to find their perfect dress. I could write a book on the amazing experiences I have shared travelling the globe from Hollywood to Paris, London to New York. I am really looking forward to the journey that I am going to take now with my Irish brides on their quest to find their perfect dress.”
Hundreds of brides-to-be applied to take part and over 40 have been selected to feature in the series as they hunt for the perfect combination of lace, silk, taffeta, beading, sparkles, trains, tiaras and veils.
The format is an Irish spin off from the hugely popular American series. The original show follows the team at Kleinfeld Bridal, the Manhattan-based bridal salon as the team bend over backwards to make each bride’s experience unforgettable. Part bridal story, part fashion makeover and part family therapy session, each Say Yes to the Dress episode looks at the personalities and craftsmanship that come into play as the Kleinfeld staff goes to extreme lengths to realize each bride’s dreams. Over 250 episodes (15 seasons) have aired on TLC in the States. The series has had spin offs in Atlanta, Canada, the UK and Australia to date.
Episode 1 of 10
In the opening episode of Say Yes to the Dress Ireland, Franc will meet three very different brides – Eimear Duffy, Cora Ann Collins and Mairead Brady. Franc will be assisted by his two consultants, Janice O’Leary and Denise O’Riordan.
31-year-old Eimear Duffy from Stillorgan met her fiancé Brenton Ward 7 years ago while they were travelling. Having lived in Brenton’s native Australia, Eimear returned to Dublin. Long distance was difficult, but they coped. Now living in Dublin, they will marry in Wicklow in April 2018. Helping Eimear find her wedding dress today are her mum Veronica, sister Kate and two friends Michelle and Aoife. Eimear’s mum Veronica is paying for her wedding dress; so, the budget is somewhat flexible! Eimear wants a plain, boho style dress nothing too blingy – but Franc and Denise might have a different plan in store for Eimear.
Second to meet Franc is 27-year-old Mairead Brady. Originally from Manchester Mairead moved to Cavan when she was nine. Philip Farrelly proposed to Mairead on Christmas morning when he had hidden her engagement ring in a pair of wellington boots. Joining Mairead today are her two best friends Aishling and Georgina and Aishling’s mum Josie. Mairead has lost just over 5 stone in weight. Aishling and Georgina really want her to show off her new figure in her wedding dress. The three of them are straight talkers. Mairead wants them to be honest with her on every dress she tries on today. This is her first-time wedding dress shopping – she is open to trying on different styles, but she doesn’t want anything too revealing! She really hopes Franc and Denise help her to find the one.
Franc’s final bride in the Vows.ie The Couture Room is 30-year-old Cora Anne Collins from Kerry. Cora Anne is engaged to Michael Culhane. They are having a destination wedding in Dubrovnik, Croatia in August 2018. Cora Anne has brought her mum Goretti, bridesmaids Emma, Caith and Maria and Michael’s aunt Kathleen to help her find her dress today. One person who won’t be with Cora Anne on her wedding day is her dad, he sadly passed away five years ago. Cora Anne and Goretti will be thinking of him today as they search for her perfect wedding dress.