Top 10 Reasons to Watch Brides of Beverly Hills

Scotch Mommy — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 16:00:00 GMT

Premieres Thursday, June 16 at 9:30 pm ET/6:30 pm PT. Watch missed episodes in the slice.ca video centre starting June 17!

The perfect wedding dress can make or break the bride’s special day and, besides saying "I do," choosing a gown is one of the bride’s most important commitments. Why trust this momentous decision to just any boutique? Meet Renée Strauss, wedding dress virtuoso to the stars! When Hollywood’s beautiful people need a gown, they call Renée. Want the ultimate insider’s look at Tinseltown’s #1 bridal establishment? Here are the top 10 reasons to tune in to "The Brides of Beverly Hills" on Slice!

1. Renée Strauss – wedding dress retailer to the rich and famous
Weddings might be all love, and happiness, but the industry it inspires is competitive, and fierce. To survive in this business, it takes guts, sass, and a spotless reputation. Renée Strauss shows how it’s done! With 30-plus years at the helm of "Renée Strauss for the Bride," she’s the grand dame of the Beverly Hills wedding scene. Not only does she sell the most wanted wedding gowns in the country, but she deals with the most demanding, and wealthy brides known to man.

2. Namedrop, much?
Renée’s salon is the go-to destination when Hollywood’s elite go bridal. Can you blame her for namedropping? Natalie Portman, Paula Abdul, Jessica Simpson, Heather Locklear, plus the families of Sly Stallone, and designer Max Azria are among her famous clients. Adding to her impressive roster of customers: "The Bachelor," "Runaway Bride," "My Best Friend’s Wedding," "the Young and the Restless"—and many other entertainment productions—have showcased Renée’s dresses.

3. Celebrity party planner Kevin Lee
Remember Franck, the outrageous wedding planner portrayed by Martin Short in the movie "Father of the Bride"? Turns out, he’s real! Kevin Lee, owner of Hollywood flower emporium, LA Premier, was the inspiration for Franck. Famous for his much sought-after floral designs and festive décor, Kevin’s clientele is strictly A-list: Jennifer Aniston, Brad Pitt, Drew Barrymore, Anthony Hopkins, the Emmy Awards and the Oscars®. No wonder Renée sends her brides to Kevin for his party-planning expertise.

4. There are wedding shops, and then there’s Renée’s…
"Renée Strauss for the Bride" is not your average wedding retailer. Boasting two floors of the most exquisite gowns, and bridal accessories, Renée refers to her business as an “art gallery” featuring the best designs the world has to offer. Frequent trips to Europe and New York result in her discovery of the most expensive, elaborate, and cutting-edge wedding fashions. And her staggering collection doesn’t end with the bride. The entire second floor of her premises is devoted to bridesmaid and flower girl dresses.

5. Hey, big spender!
Is $17,000 too much to spend on a wedding gown? Not according to these shoppers. Patrons setting foot in Renée’s establishment drop serious coin without a second thought. You would too if you were carting around a drool-worthy seven-carat diamond engagement ring! If you were planning a $500,000 wedding abroad—like one of Renée’s clients—you couldn’t sashay down the aisle in an $800 dress. No expense is too lofty—you’ll be dizzy from all the cash flying around!

6. Wanted: Cosmetic surgery translators
In Beverly Hills, Botox creates a unique emotion that only experts can decipher. Too much needlework can tweak an ecstatic bride or excitable bridesmaid into a frozen fem-bot. Is she bursting with bridal jubilation over her dress or does it repulse her? Trying to figure out the real reactions of these women is addictive! See how many you can decode. And foreheads aren’t the only refurbished features vying for attention. Bee-stung pouts and overinflated breasts are the rule here, not the exception. It’s like hanging out in a real-life Barbie playhouse.

7. The mysterious veil of tears
Weddings set off water works like nothing else. At the dress fitting, the family’s first glimpse of their loved one in her gown is guaranteed to prompt a Kleenex intervention. Even the most reserved of family members crumble when the final touch—the veil—cascades over the bride-to-be. It doesn’t matter who you are—first time bride, daddy’s little girl, or veteran porn star (yes, seriously!)—tears will appear. It’s amazing how powerful a few yards of tulle can be.

8. Stylists dish the dirt
Renée’s bridal empire is so vast that she relies on her crack team of stylists to assist clients on the quest to find the perfect dress. Sharae, Clara, Kelsey, and Maria are our spies behind the dressing room doors of the rich and famous. These ladies get up close and personal with the customers and engage in real bridal drama. Best of all, they dish the inside scoop with us. It’s like having a crew of gossipy best friends uncovering all the best Beverly Hills dirt, wedding style!

9. Renée’s eligible son, Alex
Every mother hopes that her son finds a kind, beautiful girl to call his wife. Renée is no different! When her salon is crunched for staff, she calls upon her son, Alex, to pitch in. Despite his psychology degree, Alex spends much of his time surrounded by lace, crystal tiaras, and needy bridesmaids. Will he be able to resist the charms of these surgically enhanced femme fatales?

10. Beverly Hills is where it’s at!
No other American city matches Beverly Hills for pure glitz and excess! Everything here is definitely bigger. Brides are high maintenance, image conscious, and self-obsessed. In a town where everyone thinks they’re a star, brazen spending, and obnoxious behaviour make for great TV. Don’t miss out!

Written by: Jackie Middleton

Please check out Jackie’s blog at www.losethatgirl.com.

Top 10 : Renee Strauss, Brides of Beverly Hills

Top 10 Reasons to Watch Brides of Beverly Hills