Ep 5. Rolling with the Punches

Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta season 5 episode 5 is titled "Rolling with the Punches" and is all about throwing out the old and embracing the new when it comes to dress shopping. The special guest is the recently engaged roller derby queen, Meryll, who is shopping for a dress that highlights her tough yet feminine personality.

The episode starts with Meryll, accompanied by her passionate mother and grandma, walking into Bridals by Lori to plan her perfect wedding. She is an ambitious athlete with a full-time job, and so she wants a dress that helps her manage her active lifestyle while not compromising on her beauty. Her small budget for the dress also adds to the challenge.

Meryll tries some fittings, but none seem to hit the right note. She has pinned an image of a dress with a slit leg, hoping to combine beauty and practicality. However, the dress she tries before that has no slits, and she complains that the proportion doesn't make her look daring. Monte, the consultant, reminds her that sometimes, it's not a bad thing to accept a deviation from the original plan so long as the changes still meet the objective. After a while of Meryll's stubbornness to go with the old plan, Monte suggests a form-fitting trumpet dress with a front slit, which positively surprises everyone, including herself. She loves the dress but worries about its modesty considering its exposure. Monte adds a detachable sheer fabric to be worn with it, which makes her feel more secure and adds a touch of innocence to the original design.

In a similar vein, Emilee is a bride-to-be who has encountered a few setback changes in her wedding arrangements and thus resigned to bending to a new plan. Monte takes her through the store, identifying the subtle differences that set each dress apart. They all look similar, but the cut and fabric are unique to each. Emilee finds one that she loves, but she's not so sure how it would fit in with her wedding's new scenery. Monte suggests adding removable straps to give her some flexibility, and when she wears it, none could tell that the straps came as additions.

Finally, Julio is a bride-to-be who has arrived with her family while having an unclear idea of what style she's after. Her first dress is a lace fitting mermaid design, but her mother thinks the gown is not "weddingy." She's clashing with their ideas, and Monte intervenes, asking for her to explain what she feels. Julio is not impressed with the first dress, but it does have elements that she would like to include in her dream dress.

Overwhelmed by too many styles, Lea sees her visiting party reduced to some of her closest childhood friends. She's been searching for a dress for over two months. She starts by trying a dress that's been in her mind for what feels like forever. However, she feels like the dress doesn't scream "wedding" enough, but she likes the gown's fit. Monte suggests a more elaborate dress: an A-line dress with elaborate embroidery and a skirt with multiple layers of tulle detailing that gives her a fuller skirt. The dress is unusual for her, but it encapsulates everything she wants.

In conclusion, Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta season 5 episode 5 is all about adapting to changing situations and being open to new suggestions. The show highlights the power of compromise when everything else fails. It's the difference between being stuck in a rut and finding success. The episode conveys the message of flexibility without sacrificing on vision.