499 - “Say Yes to the Dress” & Real Wedding Drama with Michelle Elaine

Bridechilla - Wedding Planning Podcast

Evergreen Podcasts

Relationships, Society & Culture

4.8 • 625 Ratings

🗓️ 23 February 2026

⏱️ 93 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

This episode features an exclusive conversation with wedding planner Michelle Elaine, who is publicly sharing the behind-the-scenes reality of her “Say Yes to the Dress” experience for the very first time, including what did and did not make it to TV. Michelle opens up about the parts of the experience that were exciting and the parts that were challenging, and how being on reality TV intersected with her real life as a wedding professional. She also gets candid about planning her own wedding while navigating intense family dynamics, including calling out a difficult mother-in-law situation that added unexpected stress to what is supposed to be a joyful season. We also have an honest conversation about self-care and mental health in wedding planning, the emotional weight couples and planners carry, and why protecting your peace matters just as much as picking the perfect dress. This is an unfiltered conversation about expectations versus reality, and a reminder that even the experts do not get a perfect, drama-free ride. This is Part 1 of a two-part series. Part 2 drops later this week and features Michelle alongside a Bridechilla bride for a candid Q&A you will not want to miss. 📲 Find Michelle on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelleelaine/ In today's sponsored segment, Leah chats with Marsha-Ann Donaldson, the Director of Romance and Weddings at Sandals Resorts, to discuss the rising trend of elopements and micro weddings as couples become more conscious of thier spending. Marsha-Ann introduces Sandals' unique 'Your Wedding on Us' package, which offers couples a stress-free planning experience and includes a honeymoon stay -- as well as the customization options available when planning with Sandals. Learn more about the "Your Wedding on Us" package atStart planning your dream wedding at http://sandals.com/. This episode is sponsored by BriteCo! Get 5% off wedding insurance by visiting https://insurance.brite.co/planner/BRID3 Find Bridechilla online: - Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thebridechilla - Instagram: https://instagram.com/bridechilla - Website: http://thebridechilla.com Bridechilla is a production of Evergreen Podcasts. TAKE OUR SHOW SURVEY HERE! ⁠https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FCT5DRM⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hey Kitty Girl, are you ready to spill the TN gag over all things RuPaul's Drag Race?
0:06.0	Well, get ready for the ultimate Roocapping experience.
0:09.0	Introducing Rupal's Drag Race Recap.
0:12.0	Join your fabulous host, Joe Patance, along with a rotating panel of fierce co-hosts,
0:17.0	as they serve up sassy, hilarious, and unapologetically candid takes on every brand new episode of Rupal's Drag Race.
0:25.0	But hold on to your wigs, honey, because this isn't your ordinary recap show.
0:30.0	We're all about the comedy, the drama, and the sheer joy of drag.
0:34.4	It's like a fabulous drag brunch with your besties where we dish the dirt,
0:38.3	spill the tea, and leave no wig unstatched. So if you're looking for a podcast that's more
0:43.5	laughter and camaraderie than serious analysis, darling, you've found your tribe. Subscribe to
0:49.4	RuPaul's Drag Race Recap and join the glittery conversation. We'll see you on the runway, honey.
0:55.4	Search RuPaul's Drag Race Recap on your favorite podcast app.
0:59.2	And let's sash the day away.
1:08.4	Today's episode is sponsored by Sandals Resorts and Bright Co-insurance.
1:13.7	Let's get this party started and embrace your inner bride chilla.
1:19.7	What's up, Chillas?
1:21.0	Back with us is one of my favorite planners, Michelle Elaine, also a fellow Ares, who we did not plan on both wearing sparkly sweaters.
1:30.3	If you are watching this on YouTube, if you're just listening to audio, we're both, I'm wearing a plum-colored sparkly sweater.
1:36.7	And Michelle is in a beautiful white sparkly sweater with her heart earrings, which is perfect to close out February. You're just the cutest,
1:46.2	and I love you so much. Thank you. I love you so much, and I love being here. I'm not the only one
1:51.8	that loves you. A lot of people have heard that you're coming back on the show and have been
1:55.2	seeing your praises. Shout to Julian. New York and Julian, him and his wife, who will be coming up on Chilla in the spring. So,
	...

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