I Went from Watching “Say Yes To the Dress: Atlanta” to Filming in 6 months

Photo: Monte Durham.. he’s even more funny and wild in person.

Let me paint a picture for you. It’s a rainy Sunday in June in Pensacola, FL. I’m eating popcorn (my addiction) and binge watch “Say Yes To the Dress: Atlanta” with my mom as we complain about Florida weather. I was actively applying for Jobs while watching the show, so numb to the application process that I couldn’t even count how many places I had applied to. It felt like a never-ending cycle that was fruitless. 

I had been in the bridal industry for four years at the time and absolutely loved it. I wanted to see if I was capable of more though, trying to stay far away from bridal. My mom encouraged me to apply to Bridals by Lori, I scoffed “Do you know how many people probably apply there daily?” I submitted anyway and to my surprise, I received an email only 18 hours later. It was an invitation to interview in Atlanta, GA the very next day.

So I did what anyone would’ve done in my situation…
I went shopping! I found the perfect black dress, blazer, and heels to fully look the part. If you watch SYTTD then you know black is the uniform. I wanted them to be able to envision me working there. The next morning I left for the big city at 7am. After horrendous Birmingham and Atlanta traffic, I finally made it. Only minutes to spare before the interview. 

As I was looking at the 25,000, three story, as seen on TV, building, it finally sank in. This might be possible?
My interview was with Robin, Flo, and Megan- the bridal managers and cast members of “Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta.” I stepped off the elevator, nervous/excited.

We interviewed and I felt great about it! I loved their energy, I loved the store, and the fact that everyone had been there 7-20 years spoke volumes about how people like working for Lori. They explained how the position rarely is available and my timing could not have been more perfect. They invited me to stay a night and do a second interview with Lori and her husband Eddie the next morning. I accepted. 

This next interview was a little more intense but I still felt good when I walked out of it. I was not sure what would happen next but to my surprise again, I had an email offer within a few hours while I was driving home to Florida. It was a full time position! However, I had only one week to move. Their voices were in the back of my head telling me how rarely this opportunity comes around. I felt as if it was meant to be and God was calling me to come to Atlanta. It seemed like an opportunity to challenge myself and really grow as a person. If I failed, I could always come home to Florida. So I moved 7 days later and started 2 days after that!

Fast forward to January 2019 when we get the news that we will begin filming for season 11..
I was excited! I had been on TLC’s “Counting On” (the spin-off of 19 kids and counting) before so I had some understanding of how the process worked when I filmed as a bridal consultant helping Kendra custom design her dress. It was up in the air who was going to film what episodes, etc. so I was just excited for new experiences and being a part of something I grew up watching! A few weeks into filming, I had been in the background some at this point, but was finally told “Hey, you’re filming Monday!” It was exciting. Again, I went shopping to prepare. 
Monday I came in, I got mic’ed, and then I patiently waited to meet my bride!

The production company does the interview process for the brides so we actually don’t know who they are, what their story is, or what they are looking for until we meet them.  I’ll save all those details for later if you guys are interested I can share more. What I will say about filming is it is EXHAUSTING.. a normal 1.5 hour appointment turned into 5 with all the extra shots, and angels, and repeating of conversations needed. Whew, was I tired! 
But I helped my bride “Say Yes to The Dress” so it was all in a day’s work, a dream come true, and a whirlwind of life change in 6 months.