How Bethenny Frankel's Wedding Planner Pulled Off Her Dream 'I Do's'

By Michelle Ruiz Posted Jul 9th 2010 08:30AM

While it may prove to be one of the most beautiful shotgun weddings of all time, Bethenny Frankel's nuptials on Thursday's 'Bethenny Getting Married?' were far from painless for New York-based wedding planner Shawn Rabideau. Tapped by Bethenny's assistant, who found him on the popular wedding website TheKnot.com, Rabideau was thrust into Bethenny's manic world and asked to create her dream wedding -- at an unattainable location -- in four weeks flat. The newly-minted Bravo reality star chats with PopEater about his cake-tasting skills, Bethenny's threats to maim him and what really made him want to vomit before her big day, after the jump.

We finally got to see Bethenny's big wedding. Was it everything you and Bethenny hoped it would be?
First of all, I've never planned a wedding in four weeks, so I think short of putting Dixie cups on the table, I think we did a fabulous job. Not that we did put Dixie cups on the table. I was very pleased with it and I think viewers have seen all the hard work and now they're going to see the pay-off. There are a lot of wonderful, beautiful moments.

There were also some not-so-beautiful moments, like during Bethenny's now-infamous hair trial. We love Bethenny, but she was being wicked to you! We thought maybe you might quit after that.
I equated being in the hair salon to Bethenny being like a Dementor from 'Harry Potter.' You know those specters that suck the life out of you? I felt beat down and for a fleeting, like, half a second, I thought about saying "forget it." But, you know what? I wasn't giving up and I knew I could do this and I was going to work my butt off and do an amazing job.

The world wants to know: How did you get the Four Seasons restaurant on four weeks notice, after they initially swore they were booked?
I don't know if it was because I called 20 times a day and literally was begging them. How we got it, I still to this day am not sure how or why they said yes. They did, that's all I care about. After that, I was like, "Fine. The world could crumble down around me. I could care less. I got her venue."

Bethenny even suggested that you should sleep with the owner of the Four Seasons, Julian Niccolini. Is it safe to say you did not do that?
Oh god, no. I did not. But I might have considered it, had it come to that. I said on my blog that I would do anything, including sleep with Julian, and every time I say that, I kind of wanted to vomit in my mouth.

There was also the business of Bethenny's red velvet cake. Did you really go to her favorite bakery in New York and taste the cake so you could duplicate it exactly? She seemed doubtful that you did.
I really did, yes. I got my passport out and I made the trek to the Upper East Side and I tasted the cake. I have a very good photographic memory and so do my taste buds, so yes, I did. I knew if I didn't, I would be losing my "produce section."

Yes -- Bethenny did threaten to maim you a lot.
She did. And for all the times that Bethenny threatened me, Cookie, her dog, took the action. I call Cookie Kujo.

What is up with Cookie? She seems absolutely terrifying.
You have to know I'm a dog lover. I have two dogs myself and I grew up with dogs. I've literally been able to walk up to a Doberman pinscher that was snarling at me and make them my best friend. There's no reasoning with Cookie. I don't know why, but she terrifies me. I swear, every time I hear her bark, I break out in a cold sweat. She can smell the fear in my veins.

It appears in one of the previews that Bethenny is peeing into a garbage can of some sort before walking down the aisle. Were you aware of this?
Um, was I aware of it? I was there, so I was very much aware of what was happening at that particular moment. Which is why I love doing weddings -- they are so unpredictable.

Are you and Bethenny friends now?
You mean, like, do we do each other's hair and nails every night? No, we do not. But I think we have a great respect for each other.

It's been brought to our attention that you look like Tony Hale, the actor who played Buster Bluth on 'Arrested Development.'
When I first heard that, I was a touch mortified and then I kind of chuckled. I think it's hysterical. I've been compared to Pee Wee Herman, although I don't necessarily think that's the case.

Do you see the resemblance between you and Tony Hale?
I gotta be honest and I feel bad for him -- I really do. I was going through a few photos online and I was like, "Is that me or Tony Hale?" I'm curious if we were separated at birth somewhere down the line. I don't know if he feels the same, so I cannot speak for him. He's probably like, "Who the hell is this person?"

Tags: bethenny frankel, Bethenny Getting Married, Shawn Rabideau

Comments

(16)

Friday 09 July

By blondemom3a

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I love her ..what a card she is and so witty, my husband and I watch the show and laugh so much..we love the way Hoppy is so good with her , she is always into something like a puppy and he has to watch her behave and not hurt herself...we cried at their wedding...wow thanks for giving us a show we enjoy togetether..my husband thought the pool seen at the wedding and the way she handled it ...was priceless...you go!! both of you deserve hoppiness!!!...Garry AND Rayana

By cbsnv

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We too hubby & I watch it together & luv the show. She is just so funny, truthful & never seems to care what any1 say about her. We just luved watching her get married. It was beautiful.

By jaybird57

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Shawn Rabideau is a saint!

By StevieBaby

Great woman, fantastic style. I knew her from seeing her in the neighborhood years ago. Still the same warm, sincere person with the added bonus of having a new husband, baby and super sized and well deserved business success. Continue on, you deserve it all. P.S. shame on Jill who I also have dealt with for being a typical Do-no-wrong, spoiled, NYC stereo-type

By Joyce

I saw Ramona's husband at the wedding but didn't see Ramona. Was she invited; did she attend? Anyone know?

sorry, yes Ramona was there in a fabulous red gown.

By Colorado gal

The show last night was fabulous!! Seeing her walk down the aisle brought tears to my eyes. Her new mother-in-law is a sweetheart. We all should have one just like her. Bethenny is SOOO much better than that ugly acting, nasty Jill. Just leave Jill out of your life, Bethenny, and enjoy your husband and that new baby.

By Deb

I'm super happy for them, The Wedding was beautiful!But was saddened to not see that Jill and Bobby were not on the guest list.

By marcia

Im sorry you feel that way. Jill has shown herself to be a hurtful person, and Bethenny needs to cut her out of her life. Jill treated her so badly, hurt her so much....how many times did you see poor Bethenny crying over the hurt Jill caused her...can you imagine how many times we did not see?

I am afraid to say that I used to like Jill, but I fear that the only reason she finally wanted to make up with Bethenny was because it was clear that Bethenny was on the way up in her success, engaged, pregnant, and Jill would have liked to have been in last night's show.

It's hard to relate to unless you have been through it yourself, but when you grow up in a lot of pain, you learn to move away from people who cause it to you.

Jill certainly hurt this dear lovely girl.

By sevenvans

If you don't get your own show, "The Wedding Planner," I'll be surprised. You are priceless, and smart and appealing to watch. It would be a fun show, I'm sure.

Sunday 11 July

oh, my loved the show. I love Bethenny so much, and I relate to her a lot as I grew up with a family that was no family as well, and I am so happy she has found so much success in her life. It is so difficult to go through life alone; believe me I know. But we are all so in love with you, Bethenny (well, those of us who count!) and I hope you feel it and know it.

As for Shawn Rabideau, well you could not have done a better job, nor been a better person. I am sure you will reap many rewards from the show...and you well deserve it! I am in the midst of a terrible divorce, but if i EVER decide to make this mistake again, I will certainly call you !!!!!!

OK, bottom line, let's keep watching Bethenny....and let's have Shawn's show!

Saturday 10 July

By nancy

Who is she? sounds like the wicked witch from the east

By thefavoredbride.com

Love her show! The wedding was just amazing!

By lulu

The wedding was beautiful. Elegant, polished and warm. The wedding planner did a great job. Especially when you consider it was all pulled off in four weeks.
I watched, laughed, cried and wish with all my heart that the couple have a long, happy life filled with love.

By bethwdg

Where is cotton candy experience!!!!!!

Sunday 08 August

By marge

How sad that such a wonderful event turns into Barfenny peeing in a tash can- thats all people will remember.

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