Wanna Get "Jacked Up" By Lori?

Weddings are big business. Huge in fact. That's probably why we're already on Season 7 of Say Yes To The Dress: Atlanta. Weddings can catapult one to media frenzy status a la Kimye, or internet ridicule like some more questionable brides. It's the avenue of regal princesses and 'zillas alike. Naturally, that's why our TV screens are littered with wedding shows. But if there is one thing reality television has taught me, take any show to Atlanta and it will immediately be the best version of the franchise hands down. Enter the successful TLC spinoff, which is on its seventh season.

As fans know all too well, the show stars Lori Allen, owner of Bridals by Lori, alongside her trusty team of stylist Monte Durham, bridal manager Robin Gibbs, and bridal assistant manager Flor Waters. Allen is no stranger to the reality grind. She's appeared on four different shows, including three Say Yes franchise offshoots: Allen appeared on Platinum Weddings on an episode featuring her daughter Mollie's nuptials, then there's of course Say Yes: Atlanta and Say Yes: Bridesmaids. Allen's only departure from the wedding genre was in her own dedicated special Say Yes to the Cure, chronicling her personal cancer journey.

While Allen's been around the block, that got us wondering about the ins-and-outs of one of television's best known boutiques. We've collected our five favorite must know facts about the Say Yes to The Dress gang, including tips on how to be their next television featured bride.

1. WHY DO THEY CALL IT "JACKING UP"?

Jacking Up is the sophisticated process by which the show's staff "help" a hesitant bride make her purchase decision by drowning her into a flurry of emotion and razzle dazzle. In the video above, Allen gives a tour of her store, including a stop in her favorite section, "The Jack Up Room." It's filled with veils, earrings, and blingy things all designed to dress up a gown a bride is not yet sure about and make her feel like it's the one. Allen insists the term is positive. It is the South after all, so accessorizing to the max is an honored pastime.

2. WHY DOES EVERYONE PICK LAZARO?

There are so many other designers available, ladies. However, Lazaro (who rocks a sweet studded belt buckle of his own name in the clip above) appears to be a friend of the show, with descriptions on the show's website specifically referring to him as Durham and Allen's friend. How much is fabricated for TV remains to be seen, though Lazaro clearly has the big Southern glamour thing down pat, so we bet Atlanta brides wouldn't have it any other way.

3. IF I VISIT WILL MY APPOINTMENT BE ON TV?

Sure, but only if you apply ahead of time and are approved. You can apply straight from the boutique's website, but do be warned: if you're looking for your fifteen minutes and some celeb perks, that's not necessarily the deal. The dress shop's site takes care to mention SYTTD: Atlanta doesn't reimburse for things like travel, nor do they comp the cost of the dress just for being on the show. There is, however, no obligation to buy a dress, so you're not on the hook for a major purchase just because you appear on the program.

4. DURHAM AND ALLEN ARE THE BEST MUTUALLY SASSY DUO

Durham is the resident sass master, telling brides what needs to be told, telling it like it is down on the bridesmaids floor, but Allen dishes it right back. You can also tell they're totally the kind of friends that have loads of dirt on each other. Watch out though — they're going to use all of that banter to join forces and jack you up.

5. THEY HATE YOUR ENTOURAGE

You wouldn't go to a coffee shop with your friends, then gang up on the barista about how good a single cup of coffee you're not even drinking is, would you? Yet at bridal boutiques the world over, hordes of bridal entourages walk in, assuming they are better at the whole stylist thing than the person who's been doing it for years. Allen and company don't mind if you don't find your perfect dress at their store of course, they just prefer you figure it out without the help of your own personal peanut gallery, and let them work their magic.

Images: TLC