Don Lemonis said to be acting like a total 'bridezilla' ahead of his wedding to his long-term partner Tim Malone this Saturday, with insiders claiming he's micromanaging his guests in a desperate attempt to have a 'perfect' big day.
Tensions are thought to be bubbling behind-the-scenes as the ex-CNN host, 58, prepares to marry Tim, 39, at Ralph Lauren's Polo Bar on April 6, half a decade after they got engaged.
Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, an insider close to the couple revealed that Tim is so unsure of what he will say in his vows that he's been joking about resorting to AI technology for help.
'They are a box of nerves right now and Don is kind of being a bridezilla because he has wanted this picture-perfect fairytale marriage, and he is micromanaging everyone,' an insider told DailyMail.com.
Don Lemon is said to be acting like a 'bridezilla' ahead of his wedding to his partner Tim Malone
The former CNN host, 58, is due to marry Tim, 39, at Ralph Lauren's Polo Bar on Saturday
Sharing details about their big day, which is set to be an intimate ceremony with their nearest and dearest, the insider continued: 'They are both going to wear matching suits with different lapels.
'It won't be a very religious ceremony, but they have written vows they will read to each other.
'Tim was joking with coworkers that he would use ChatGPT to write his.
'Several of Tim's co-workers from Douglas Elliman are going to be there.
'Their dogs are also expected to be a part of the ceremony just as they were a part of their engagement.'
DailyMail.com has contacted the pair for comment.
Don and Tim's intimate ceremony comes eight years after the pair first started dating after meeting at Almond Restaurant in Bridgehampton, New York - and five years after they got engaged.
The duo have been engaged since 2019 but were forced to postpone their nuptials amid the coronavirus pandemic
The couple, who first met at Almond Restaurant in Bridgehampton, will be making sure their dogs are a big part of their ceremony, according to sources
Don and Tim, who works in real estate, then went public with their relationship when they rang in 2018 with an on-air kiss during CNN's live New Year's Eve broadcast.
The following year the duo got engaged when Tim proposed to Don on his own birthday with the help of their beloved dogs Barkley and Boomer.
The two pooches were wearing dog tags that were engraved with the question: 'Daddy will you marry papa?'
Following their engagement, Don, who came out as gay in his 2011 memoir Transparent, told CNN viewers: 'I grew up thinking that I would never be able to be public with my relationships, let alone ever get legally married.
'So for me this is doubly thrilling and just a wee bit terrifying. Guess I have to start thinking about children. Talk about a late bloomer.'
It was previously reported that Don's axing from CNN in April 2023 caused 'arguments' between the lovebirds.
The veteran anchor was sensationally sacked amid a furious controversy over his 'sexist' and 'misogynistic' behavior.
DailyMail.com spoke exclusively to a friend of Tim who said at the time that the scandal had 'definitely been a bump in the road' for the couple - particularly as Don had been warned by his fiancé to 'cool down' his on-air rants.
Don and Tim started dating in 2016 and went public with their relationship when they kissed while ringing in the New Year in 2018
Former CNN host Don was unceremoniously sacked after 17 years at the broadcaster last April
'He told Don many times to just cool it down and go with the flow, but Don is not the type of person to listen,' the source revealed. 'He pushes the boundaries in every facet of his life and this show was no different.'
In February 2023, Don pushed the boundaries too far when he said that Presidential candidate Nikki Haley was 'past her prime' at the age of 51.
He then claimed that 'a woman is considered to be in their prime in their 20s and 30s and maybe 40s' before telling his stunned female cohosts to 'Google it.'
The sexist remark, which led to co-host Poppy Harlow, 41, storming off set, had Don taken off-air for three days and caused a tidal wave of backlash - especially from female staffers who demanded he be fired.
However, while Don's axing has reportedly caused friction between him and his partner, the insider added that Tim was sticking by the former CNN anchor and 'knows that he is not misogynistic.'
'[Tim] says that [Don] is just gay with a very dry, harsh and sarcastic sense of humor,' they said at the time.
In fact, once the pair overcame the shock of Don's sacking, they began to get 'excited' about the prospect of having more time together.
'To be honest, they are actually kind of excited that Don gets to be home with their dogs now, as their dogs are their life,' they added. 'Tim has said that now Don gets to play house-husband.
'Tim says that Don was not happy there for a while and that he was worked to the bone. This is a much needed break for him.'
