For more than 70 years, thousands of brides have traveled to Kleinfeld Bridal in New York City to find their wedding day looks. From the moment you walk through the doors, you’ll feel the magic of Kleinfeld. Not only does Kleinfeld have 30,000 square feet filled with the largest selection of wedding dresses in the world, it also has the greatest professional staff of over 200 employees who are dedicated to finding and perfecting your bridal look.
Congrats, future Kleineld bride! You’ve booked your VIP bridal appointment… Now what? Besides counting down the days until you say “yes!” to your wedding dress and your very own VIP wedding (because you’re a celeb in our eyes!), we’re providing you with a complete guide to review that will prepare you for the day you walk through our showroom doors.
Whether you’re beyond excited, somewhat nervous (that’s normal!), or a little bit of both, we’ve got you covered. From how our VIP experience differs from a standard wedding dress consultation to what to expect, how to prepare, what to bring, and what to wear to your bridal appointment, we’ll let you in on all of the details.
A Standard Bridal Appointment v.s. A VIP Bridal Appointment
First and foremost, it’s important to understand how Kleinfeld’s standard bridal appointments differ from one of our VIP experiences. While our standard bridal gown appointments still present the same level of care and intent to find the perfect dress, the consultation occurs over the duration of 90 minutes and a viewing area or pedestal may be shared with another bride and her guests. Our VIP bridal appointments provide an extended appointment time of 3 hours as well as guarantee a private viewing space, beverages and light bites, and most importantly, the utmost quality of service.
For more insight on what to expect regarding our VIP bridal showroom and VIP experiences, we encourage you to review our Day in the Life: Your Kleinfeld VIP Appointment Timeline and Private Suite Shopping: Inside Your Kleinfeld VIP Fitting Room + Viewing Area.
Preparation
When it comes to preparation, a VIP bridal appointment is just like any other wedding dress consultation. We understand that wedding dress shopping may be daunting. So, let’s start with the fun part! Browse Instagram, Pinterest, or Kleinfeld’s online catalog to derive inspiration. Collect a few photos or videos to share with your bridal stylist that convey your vision. Not sure? That’s okay too! Just be sure to do a little homework.
It’s normal if you feel like the looks you love are a little scattered. Your personal bridal stylist will guide you! Our team is there to educate and guide you when it comes to fit, silhouette, fabric, and neckline.
As for you? Connect with your personal style and personality. Consider how you want to look, and most importantly, how you want to feel on your wedding day. Do you want to look classic and chic, sexy and glamorous, or bohemian and whimsical? Try your best to come into your bridal appointment with an overall vision. Remember to trust your gut! It’s okay if you end up saying “yes!” to a gown that surprises you as long as it feels like the elevated version of yourself.
Day Of Preparation
As for the day of your VIP bridal appointment, start it off on the right foot. We encourage you to take extra time and care of yourself. Whether you prefer going on a walk, working out, taking an everything shower, relaxing with your fiancé, or taking a little extra time to sip your morning coffee, do whatever makes you feel your best.
Remember to fuel your body, too. Being well rested, hydrated, and fed will ensure that you make the best decisions, remain present, and are able to fully enjoy the day. Get together beforehand with your loved ones who will be joining you for your VIP bridal appointment and enjoy breakfast, brunch, or lunch together. Celebrate with a toast to the special day ahead!
What to Wear
Wear whatever makes you feel the utmost confidence and comfort. Whether it’s a more laid-back bridal ensemble or full-glam, wear whatever makes you feel the most beautiful. Pro-tip: Wear an outfit that you want to be photographed in. If you plan to post photos with an “I Said Yes to the Dress at Kleinfeld” sign, you won’t want to be wearing the wedding dress you choose!
Similarly, consider booking an appointment with a hair stylist or schedule your hair or makeup trial to create the full bridal vision.
What to Bring
Most importantly, we encourage you to enter our VIP bridal showroom with a positive and open mindset. Invite guests who will bring the same energy! We encourage you to bring your friends or family members who will best uplift, support, and celebrate you throughout your VIP bridal appointment.
Next, come into your wedding dress consultation with a budget. Consider how much you are willing and able to spend on your gown. Be mindful that elements such as accessories and alterations are additional. Be honest with your personal bridal stylist as to a realistic price point that you’re comfortable with and would like us to be respectful of.
As for items to bring, the only item that is required during your bridal appointment is any type of panty or underwear due to state law and for sanitation purposes. Everything else is optional!
Cups and boning within wedding gowns provide structure and support. For most brides, it eliminates the need for a bra entirely. For this reason, our stylists typically suggest forgoing a bra during your bridal appointment. Of course, you are welcome to wear a strapless bra or any type of adhesive bra if it makes you feel the most comfortable. Similarly, any variation of shapewear, especially those that are nude and seamless, is optional but sometimes helpful to gain a better understanding of the vision especially if you plan to wear it on your wedding day. When in doubt, bring it with you! Your personal bridal stylist will provide you with advice on what is best and you can always add or remove an undergarment as you try on gowns.
It is typically best to go barefoot during the majority of your VIP bridal appointment, as it allows you to hop in and out of gowns more easily and quickly. With this being said, socks are highly suggested to protect your feet. Pedestals are available in both your private fitting room and within your private viewing area to provide you with an additional lift. If you do plan on wearing heels on your wedding day, you’re welcome to bring a pair with you! Regardless of whether or not it is the exact pair you plan on wearing the day of, some brides prefer to slip on their shoes once in their favorite gown. We ultimately encourage you to bring a pair of shoes if it will enhance your confidence and overall vision.
Whoever you invite, whatever you decide to bring with you, and however you plan to spend the day leading up to your VIP bridal appointment, we can promise you that you’ll never forget it. We can’t wait to welcome you through our showroom doors, invite you into our VIP bridal lounge, and introduce you to the experience of a lifetime!