This Say Yes to the Dress Bride’s Backstory Will Leave You in Tears

When Shaela walked into Kleinfeld bridal with her mom, Lisa, and Matron of Honor, Kellie, she was overjoyed. However, this sweet and special experience almost didn’t happen.

A decade ago, Shaela and her sister were driving home from church when the unthinkable ensued. The young girls were rear-ended at a stoplight by a driver who was under the influence. On impact, Shaela was thrown through the rear windshield of the car and sustained critical injuries. She was just shy of her 16th birthday.

Thankfully, she pulled through, but the accident caused her to permanently lose her vision. At first, her blindness was like a blindfold that she couldn’t take off, and she often had to remind herself of it. As Shaela adjusted to a whole new way of life, she worried that she would never feel wanted or be able to find her person. She viewed her blindness as a barrier for a long time. Little did she know, her dream was much closer than she thought.

She met a boy named Tyler in class and the pair began talking. Tyler eventually asked for her number, sparking a romance that would change both of their lives forever. He made Shaela feel beautiful when she couldn’t feel that way on her own. She went from a young girl questioning if she’d ever find someone who would accept her to a lively, positive-minded bride-to-be.

Watch Shaela find her dream dress and catch new episodes of Say Yes to the Dress on Saturdays at 8/7c!