I got a behind-the-scenes tour of Kleinfeld from 'Say Yes to the Dress,' and I was just as impressed by the stock room as I was the floor

Samantha GrindellMar 11, 2023, 18:36 IST

Insider's wedding reporter visited Kleinfeld.Crystal Cox/Insider

I took a behind-the-scenes tour of Kleinfeld, the iconic bridal store from "Say Yes to the Dress."
The main floor where brides try on gowns was gorgeous, but the alterations floor impressed me more.

I'm not a bride, but I am a wedding reporter.

I got to tour Kleinfeld.Samantha Grindell/Insider

I arrived at Kleinfeld on a blustery Friday morning, crossing paths with excited brides-to-be as I entered.

Kleinfeld is in New York City.Crystal Cox/Insider

A glossy reception area greeted me when I walked inside Kleinfeld for the first time.

The reception area was busy.Crystal Cox/Insider

The lobby was full of brides and their loved ones waiting to find their dream dresses.

Many people were in the lobby.Samantha Grindell/Insider

The main floor was spacious and every bit as exciting as it seemed on TV.

The main floor at Kleinfeld.Crystal Cox/Insider

My eyes were immediately drawn to the dresses scattered throughout the space.

There are dresses all over the store.Crystal Cox/Insider

There's also an entire area of the store dedicated to the designer Pnina Tornai's gowns.

Pnina Tornai has a boutique within Kleinfeld.Crystal Cox/Insider

Alongside the dresses, there's a jewelry display on Kleinfeld's main floor that sits on built-in shelves.

There is a jewelry display on the main floor.Crystal Cox/Insider

After we checked out the floor, my tour guide gave me a peek into the veil room.

Kleinfeld has a veil room.Crystal Cox/Insider

The dressing rooms sit just past the floor.

The dressing rooms are quiet.Crystal Cox/Insider

The dressing rooms were more spacious than I expected on the inside.

The inside of the dressing room was more spacious than I anticipated.Samantha Grindell/Insider

I was looking forward to seeing the stock room almost as much as I was the floor.

The stock room has dozens of dresses.Crystal Cox/Insider

It seemed impossible that the consultants would be able to remember where everything was.

Consultants have to keep track of everything at the store.Crystal Cox/Insider

I was also surprised to see there were gowns hanging from the ceiling in the stock room.

Dresses hang from the ceiling.Crystal Cox/Insider

The filing system is controlled from a different room Rubinetti refers to as the receiving room.

It reminded me of a dry cleaner.Crystal Cox/Insider

The entire bottom floor of Kleinfeld is dedicated to alterations.

I saw the alterations floor on my tour.Crystal Cox/Insider

The first step of the alterations process at Kleinfeld is quality control.

Gowns go through multiple rounds of alterations.Crystal Cox/Insider

The alterations fitting rooms were different from the rooms upstairs.

The fitting rooms look different from the dressing rooms upstairs.Crystal Cox/Insider

The fitter then makes adjustments to the dress per the bride's instructions.

Kleinfeld brides have a series of fittings.Crystal Cox/Insider

There are different sections of the alterations floor dedicated to different types of alterations.

Some dresses are almost entirely deconstructed.Crystal Cox/Insider

There was also a space dedicated to preparing gowns to be sent home with brides.

The packing process is more involved than I anticipated.Crystal Cox/Insider

There was also a more extensive shopping area of Kleinfeld on the bottom floor.

Kleinfeld sells more than just dresses.Crystal Cox/Insider

Kleinfeld felt every bit as magical as I hoped it would.

I loved my visit.Crystal Cox/Insider

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