Influencer blasted for covering fire exit signs at wedding reception

A fashion influencer who tied the knot in a lavish New York wedding, has been criticised for what she did at the reception.

A fashion influencer has been criticised after she hid “ugly” exit signs at her lavish wedding reception.

Bridget Bahl, creative director of fashion brand The Bar, and her plastic surgeon husband Dr Michael Chiodo tied the knot at a luxurious New York wedding.

The ceremony was held outside and officiated by Pastor Ron Carpenter, with the couple asking guests to lay hands on them and worship them during a prayer in their first act as a married couple.

The Dallas-based woman wore an Oscar de la Renta dress from the spring/summer 2019 collection but had a train added.

Bridget Bahl married a plastic surgeon Dr Michael Chiodo. Picture: @bridgezilla/TikTok

Bridget’s reception was held in The Plaza’s Edwardian Room, with the 39-year-old posting to TikTok scenes from the party. Eagle eye fans noticed that the exit signs were covered in gold plates. The word “exit” was still on the signs.

Taking part in a viral TikTok trend, she posted: “I pay attention to things most people ignore (covered all the ugly red exit signs to save the wedding photos).”

A photographer, known as @madisonannestudio, stitched the video, and expressed concern at the emergency exit signs no longer being obvious.

Madison pointed out that photos can be saved through editing, and even shared an example of how she had edited the signs out as a “good photographer” and didn’t “break safety codes”.

People were stunned at the exit signs being covered. Picture: @bridgezilla/TikTok

“Literally speechless – and I promise you, exit signs are not a big deal,” Madison captioned her video.

Bridget has since removed the original video, but it was picked up by social media users who couldn’t decide if they were upset or in agreeance.

“Me as a wedding guest perishing in a fire because I couldn’t find the exit (but it’s okay because the venue is tastefully decorated),” one social media said.

Another defended the bride: “No but there’s still a sign. It says exit just not as boldly.”

“‘Breaking safety codes’ girl it’s not that deep you know where the door is you can see it,” another said.

They had a prayer circle following the wedding. Picture: @bridgezilla/TikTok

Guests were transported on shuttle buses. Picture: @bridgezilla/TikTok

“How selfish! To not consider the safety of others. Just photoshop it out! It’s red and big for the vision impaired too,” another said.

While another added: “Just last week I saw wedding pictures posted by a popular wedding photographer and things like exit signs and cigarette buts weren’t edited out.”

In an interview with Elle, Bridget said she disliked ballrooms, so took advantage of the venue’s less commonly used spaces.

“It’s so funny, because if you would’ve told me ever like, ‘Oh, you’re going to get married one day at the Plaza, I would say, ‘I would never get married at the Plaza.’ It just doesn’t sound like me,” she said.