By Alexandra Godino, a 26-year-old woman getting married in May, sued Say Yes to the Dress for planning to air her episode before her wedding, despite what she claims was an oral agreement to hold it until after the big day (and not ruin the surprise of her dress). But in a Manhattan court ruling Thursday, a judge denied her request, and the episode will air tonight as scheduled.
TheNew York Daily News reports that a Manhattan judge refused to stop the episode from airing. "I appreciate that (airing the show Friday) could take away from the pageantry of the wedding," Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Nancy Barron said. But she argued that Godino signed a contract that gave the producers full control over her image, without any consideration of when they could use it. According to TMZ, the judge asked Godino's lawyer whether she could just ask her fiancé to not watch the episode, and he replied, "She could."
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In court on Thursday, lawyers for the production company, Half Yard Productions, said this issue has come up with brides before, and they will not film brides if they insist on delaying their episode. They said that they told Godino that the episode would air in the spring, but that they don't control TLC's programming schedule. TLC's lawyers said there was no way they could delay the episode, because another bride in Godino's episode appears on the very next show, Say Yes to the Address.
Godino's lawyer says she plans on suing the show for damages. Representatives for TLC and Half Yard Productions did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The network told Good Morning America that many brides have had their episodes aired before their wedding, and airdates are not promised or even set in stone when episodes are filmed.
"It really has kind of whirlwinded into this nightmare," Godino told Good Morning America. "I'm pretty sure every woman who's ever been married or dreamt about getting married would understand."
Update 3/25, 11:35 a.m.: Half Yard Productions responded with the following statement: "We love producing this special show and are proud of its quality and legacy on TLC. Like all the brides we portray, we wish Ms. Godino a happy and successful future."
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