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 4 of 10
This week on Say Yes to the Dress timing is everything for each of the brides who enter the store.
Franc has a challenge on his hands this week with 34-year-old, mum of two, Susan Hilliard. She describes her wedding dress shopping to date as extreme, as she’s already tried on 80 dresses, in five shops in two countries. Is the time right for the Carlow native to end her search? Will Franc and bridal consultant Janice find her a dream dress? Susan’s sisters certainly hope so.
Aoife Carbin is in the couture room today because her nieces begged her to find her wedding dress with Franc. Aoife is hoping it’s third time lucky with setting the date for her wedding as her previous two dates were postponed when she became pregnant. So now she gets to share the big day with her two children and have a great big celebration.
Aoife’s young nieces know a thing or two about dresses and have no problem telling Franc and the bride what they think. Franc feels ‘knitting Aoife a dress myself is seeming quite easy compared to trying to give these girls exactly what they want.’ With good humour and fun Aoife and her entourage navigate their way through the different dresses.
Linda Scanlon is the third bride through the doors of the bridal store and this 43-year-old feels she’s an older bride and wonders what she is supposed to wear. Her consultant Denise wants to convince her that she has nothing to worry about.
Originally from London, Linda has been living in Ireland for 20 years. She is at the store with her friends and family who love a dress that she doesn’t. Will they convince her or is there another dress with Linda’s name on it?
Each bride needs the timing to be right for them to Say Yes to the Dress.