The Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta episode “Paying It Forward” follows bridal dress consultants Lori Burns Allen and Monte Durham as they tend to a bride who needs special attention. Bride Alyssa is in the hospital — both her kidneys have failed. When Lori and Monte hear the news, they decide to pack up the Mercedes with two dozen wedding dresses and transform a hospital waiting room into a magical bridal dressing room. It’s a big bridal surprise and Alyssa couldn’t be more impressed and grateful.
Lori knows what it’s like to fight a disease. In Season 4 of Say Yes to the Dress (2012), Lori announced that she had breast cancer. She struggled to tell her family — and to tell her co-workers who are like family to her. “You don’t want people to feel sorry for you. That’s the last thing I want.” Lori had a double mastectomy and is now cancer-free.
Don’t worry, bride Alyssa’s future is bright following her life-threatening battle with kidney disease. The day of surprises organized by Lori and Monte is just the start of Alyssa’s brand new journey. Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta airs Saturdays at 8pm on TLC, right before I Want THAT Wedding at 9pm.
