Never Let Go.

'Kieran's POV'

In preparation for being on Say Yes to the Dress Lauren and I watched almost every single episode, and let's just say I vow to not act like 75% of those brides. They are absolutely INSANE, bridezilla's for sure! Begging for custom made dresses, dropping 12 grand on a dress that they're going to wear once, and some of them walk away with 2 dresses?! That's just nuts and there is no way I am doing any of that!

I'm a pretty simple girl, I know I want a dress with some kind of strap because pulling at a strapless dress all night is not for me, and I don't want to not be able to have fun at my own wedding. I don't want a lot of bling on the dress but maybe some lace would be nice, I've printed off some pictures of dresses I liked online and written in the precious book some ideas of what I might like. This weekend is bound to be an adventure that I am going to remember whether I want to or not because eventually it will be on national TV.

Arriving in Atlanta was easy for late November the weather is brisk but not freezing cold and thank God there was no snow, that's one good thing about the south. Snow is rare, but for that past few years Dallas has been getting a pretty good amount of it. My mom and Lauren are the only people I brought with me to help me in this decision. Sadie begged but of course she had school, (now in her Sophomore year at Texas A&M) but I promised to show her pictures as long as she could keep her mouth shut around Jamie.

Bridal's by Lori was a gorgeous boutique in downtown Atlanta, and the people inside were just as they were shown on TV, Southern for sure and full of life. When the bride is being filmed like I am the store is closed to everyone else so we were the only ones in the all-white boutique. After meeting with the bridal team and the producer of the show I was rushed into a room to introduce myself and to talk about my wedding. ON CAMERA.

My stomach turned as I followed the producer down a long hallway, I was beginning to get nervous as I was about to be filmed for television. Inside a small room in the back of the store sat a large black armchair and I was instructed to sit down and look into the camera. I sat, crossed my long legs, and breathed in and out in an attempt to calm myself down. Fluffing my curly hair one last time it was go time and the camera turned on signaling for me to tell my story.

With a smile on my face I introduced myself, "I am Kieran O'Reilly, I'm from Dallas, Texas and I'm a veterinarian. My fiancé's name is Jamie Benn, and he plays hockey for the Dallas Stars, we've been together for 3 years and we are getting married in August in Dallas." The light clicks off and a woman comes into the room, "That was great! Let's get you in some dresses now."

Back in the dressing room there is a whole closet of dresses my mom, Lauren, and the team have selected for me. Some of which I can already tell will be a definite no. But for the sake of the show and for my mom who is way more excited for this than I am I oblige and try them all on. I slid in and out of gorgeous white dresses for what felt like forever, showing my helpers trying to make one of the biggest decisions of this wedding. As dreadful as I thought this was going to be, Lori and her crew made it fun and my cheeks hurt from laughing and smiling so much, and by the time I said yes to the dress I didn’t want to leave Atlanta! That's right I said yes to the dress!

An all lace fit and flare dress with cap sleeves and an open back, I was speechless when I put it on and the tears in my mother's eyes made the decision for me. As I stood on a pedestal in the middle of the viewing area I spun in the light seeing the full effect of the dress, my eyes watered as well and it finally hit me, I am getting married. With my maid of honor and mother's approval I said yes to the dress, snapping a few secret pictures for Sadie and my other 2 bridesmaids. An hour later I was back in my street clothes and headed out the door with my next fitting in 2 months I smiled walking to our rental car this was it, it was really happening! Mrs. Benn here I come!

Notes

Say Yes to the Dress is my guilty pleasure.. Anyone else? :)
So here are some of the dresses Kieran tried on: Hotlanta.
but if you promise not to tell Jamie here's her real dress ;)

xoxo - Ally