Jump to content

Type keyword(s) to search

Say Yes To The Dress - General Discussion


Recommended Posts

MAX streams all seasons and so out of curiosity I started watching from the first season.

Lea, the "modest" consultant was in the first episode and dressed an Orthodox bride. 

I think the reason why many Orthodox brides might go to Kleinfeld rather than have a custom dress is because they need the gowns quickly and the consultant said that she knows which designers can have a gown modified and delivered in a short time frame - probably those are in New York.

The show was a bit different as it was much less formulaic and much more a "reality" show about a bridal salon. 

  • Like 3
  • Useful 1

Rochel the consultant was almost certainly wearing a sheitel, a wig. Observant married women are supposed to cover their hair but usually opt for headscarves and coverings like snoods. It's generally the Ultra Othodox women who will cut their hair short or even shave it. I remember watching...something where they inteterviewed Hasidic women and this one woman said she loved using the wigs because she didn't have to fuss with her hair. If she had to attend a wedding she just pulled out the fancy wig and popped it on. I did notice the mother had loose hair which leads me to think either 1) she's no longer that observant, or b) she's divorced. 

I wish they had captioned the bride with cerebral palsey because between that and the accent I only caught about half what she was saying. 

I was curious enough about the UK shows to look it up. There were only 2 seasons of SYTTD Lancashire with Gok and it wasn't his boutique, he was only brought on for the show. So we've seen them all and there won't be more :(. Tan's show was fimed starting in 2023 and he and his husband regularly travel back and forth between England and the US, along with their kids. 

  • Like 3
13 hours ago, amarante said:

The show was a bit different as it was much less formulaic and much more a "reality" show about a bridal salon. 

How is S1 @amarante? Is that the one with thr inept consultant? I think her name was Claudia. She thought she was great, was it Dorothy she had run-ins with? Gosh why do I remember that, but can't remember what I wore to work yesterday?

  • LOL 2
(edited)
1 hour ago, BAForever said:

Is that the one with thr inept consultant? I think her name was Claudia. She thought she was great, was it Dorothy she had run-ins with? 

I've been watching the early seasons too. Yes, Clauda is the one who believed that she was doing a great job, but her sales numbers showed differently.  She had meetings with a couple of the managers and one of the owners, but Dorothy wasn't part of all of that.  

The early seasons showed their morning meetings and the business side of things, i.e. you've got to make sales, sales, sales!!  I'm glad they finally toned that down.  I don't need to see them constantly harping on the employees to make their monthly goals.  Just show me the pretty dresses!  😄

Edited by Chit Chat
  • Like 2

In some ways I liked the early seasons. They evolved so the difference is striking in terms of the original concept of "back stage" view

There were less insane situations of brides who were clearly willing to do anything for the 15 minutes of fame. The brides were very much from the area and were the demographic who would be buying at Kleinfelds as there is absolutely no reason for anyone from metropolitan area in the US to fly to New York to purchase a dress.

I am no on Season 2 where Randy makes his first appearance and he is being portrayed as a bit of an intruder AND someone who is actually an employee and not infallible.

Out of curiosity I went to the Kleinfeld site and you now can pay extra to upgrade your experience. For $250 you get just the VIP experience with a 3 hour appointment plus a larger dressing room for up to 4 guests - regular appointments are 90 minutes and only allow three guests. For $1000 you can purchase the Platinum Experience with Champagne and snacks plus a "senior" bridal stylist.

They no longer shoot the show during normal hours so I guess there would be no more shots of other brides in the background 

  • Like 3
  • Useful 2
3 hours ago, amarante said:

I am no on Season 2 where Randy makes his first appearance and he is being portrayed as a bit of an intruder AND someone who is actually an employee and not infallible.

It was a bit of a transition for some of the sales associates.  Some really appreciated his help, but some of them were used to flying solo with their brides, so when he stepped in to help them, it was like he was stepping all over their appointments. 

Randy said on camera that he didn't understand why they didn't want his help. He also said that it's a competition to see who can pull the perfect dress for the client, so I understand their annoyance at first!

After watching that season, I wondered if the owners let the associates know that he had been hired or if it was sprung on them.  I can understand their frustration, but I suppose that Randy was just doing what the owners told him to do.  Either way, things appeared to calm down and they seem to all get along (for the most part!)  Every workplace has its drama!  

15 minutes ago, Chit Chat said:

It was a bit of a transition for some of the sales associates.  Some really appreciated his help, but some of them were used to flying solo with their brides, so when he stepped in to help them, it was like he was stepping all over their appointments. 

Randy said on camera that he didn't understand why they didn't want his help. He also said that it's a competition to see who can pull the perfect dress for the client, so I understand their annoyance at first!

After watching that season, I wondered if the owners let the associates know that he had been hired or if it was sprung on them.  I can understand their frustration, but I suppose that Randy was just doing what the owners told him to do.  Either way, things appeared to calm down and they seem to all get along (for the most part!)  Every workplace has its drama!  

There was a gradual transition in terms of Randy but at least up Episode 9 of Season 2 he is making very limited appearances and the only one in which he had significant air time was when he almost killed the appointment by bringing in the dress he thought the bride should wear based on her shape.

He was tactful by saying it was meant for a "taller" woman but he was right as she was somewhat barrel shaped and wanted one of those dresses which are tight down to the very low hipline and those - in my opinion really are not the greatest for a women with a thick middle.

 

  • Like 3

I don't know if anyone else remembers a bride from Season 2.

She had ordered a custom Pnini dress for about $20,000 and when it came in she hated it because the cups were opaque. They were desperate to keep her happy so she bought an alternative Pnini for $28,000 but evidently they had reduced the price so it was midway between the $18,000 and the $28,000.

It had a beautiful full lace skirt which she hated and wanted it taken of so the skirt was just tulle. Her father was there and tried to convince her to keep the lace but eventually he just shrugged and it was removed and she said it would be made into a shawl for the ceremony.

As it turns out the family is fabulously wealthy - why they were not getting an haute couture gown is a mystery. Her grandfather had founded the Century 21 chain but the family had also done extremely well in real estate and were no worth about $5 Billion 

Ironically she now is a designer of relatively refined "quiet" clothing

https://hauteliving.com/2019/08/one-on-one-new-york-entrepreneur-kimberly-gindi/673162/

 

  • Like 1
  • Useful 1

Don't remember what season but it was an earlier one. A bride needed a dress quickly so they brought out the ones that had been ordered and then not picked up and I think some dresses used for shows that were one offs. Something she could walk out with and get quickly altered. She ended up with a really lovely  custom design that was an off white with very light brown pinstripes. Perfect for her New Orleans wedding. If I'm remembering correctly. 

11 hours ago, amarante said:

I don't know if anyone else remembers a bride from Season 2.

She had ordered a custom Pnini dress for about $20,000 and when it came in she hated it because the cups were opaque. They were desperate to keep her happy so she bought an alternative Pnini for $28,000 but evidently they had reduced the price so it was midway between the $18,000 and the $28,000.

It had a beautiful full lace skirt which she hated and wanted it taken of so the skirt was just tulle. Her father was there and tried to convince her to keep the lace but eventually he just shrugged and it was removed and she said it would be made into a shawl for the ceremony.

As it turns out the family is fabulously wealthy - why they were not getting an haute couture gown is a mystery. Her grandfather had founded the Century 21 chain but the family had also done extremely well in real estate and were no worth about $5 Billion 

Ironically she now is a designer of relatively refined "quiet" clothing

https://hauteliving.com/2019/08/one-on-one-new-york-entrepreneur-kimberly-gindi/673162/

 

I remember that dress, it was big and ugly.

She has a vanity project and is calling herself a designer, why wouldn't the article include a picture of something from her line?

20 hours ago, amarante said:

There was a gradual transition in terms of Randy but at least up Episode 9 of Season 2 he is making very limited appearances and the only one in which he had significant air time was when he almost killed the appointment by bringing in the dress he thought the bride should wear based on her shape.

He was tactful by saying it was meant for a "taller" woman but he was right as she was somewhat barrel shaped and wanted one of those dresses which are tight down to the very low hipline and those - in my opinion really are not the greatest for a women with a thick middle.

 

Remember that bride (Season 1 or 2, early on) that wanted to wear the same dress one of the sales people wore to her own wedding, that bride put it on and she looked like a snake that ate an antelope, somebody tried to get her to change her mind but that girl was like, nope this is what I am wearing and I feel beautiful...she did not look beautiful.

I would hope an experienced salesperson would nicely nudge me in to something more flattering to my figure type, that is why they are there, to find something that flatters you, right?

  • Like 2
28 minutes ago, Baltimore Betty said:

I remember that dress, it was big and ugly.

She has a vanity project and is calling herself a designer, why wouldn't the article include a picture of something from her line?

Remember that bride (Season 1 or 2, early on) that wanted to wear the same dress one of the sales people wore to her own wedding, that bride put it on and she looked like a snake that ate an antelope, somebody tried to get her to change her mind but that girl was like, nope this is what I am wearing and I feel beautiful...she did not look beautiful.

I would hope an experienced salesperson would nicely nudge me in to something more flattering to my figure type, that is why they are there, to find something that flatters you, right?

If you google there are quite a few pictures. I don't know if it is a vanity project but I am sure she inherited enough to finance anything she wants. I think the line is Kimberly Taylor but if you google Kimberly Gindi you can look at it. 

  • Like 1
On 4/23/2025 at 8:39 AM, Chit Chat said:

I've been watching the early seasons too. Yes, Clauda is the one who believed that she was doing a great job, but her sales numbers showed differently.  She had meetings with a couple of the managers and one of the owners, but Dorothy wasn't part of all of that.  

Claudia was totally delulu.  The customer would discuss their preferences and Claudia would pick out dresses that were not the desired style and usually about twice the bride's budget.  Then, she'd pout and make snide remarks when the bride didn't like her choices and wasn't willing to blow the budget.  If she didn't make a sale, it was the bride's fault, not hers.

  • Like 2
21 hours ago, Notabug said:

Claudia was totally delulu.  The customer would discuss their preferences and Claudia would pick out dresses that were not the desired style and usually about twice the bride's budget.  Then, she'd pout and make snide remarks when the bride didn't like her choices and wasn't willing to blow the budget.  If she didn't make a sale, it was the bride's fault, not hers.

My favorite was the time the manager stepped in halfway through an appointment, and the manager asked her what the budget was and she had no idea.  The mom wound up finding the right dress, so Claudia counted that as a win, but the manager wasn't quite as convinced. 

On 4/24/2025 at 3:14 PM, Notabug said:

Claudia was totally delulu

As with the other consultants, sometimes they work with brides who have no intention of purchasing a dress that day (unbeknownst to the consultant) which ends up as a total waste of time.  I've seen that happen to a few of the consultants.  In those cases, I feel sorry for them because it's out of their control. 

Claudia's main problem was not listening to the managers and thinking that nothing was her fault.  I was surprised that she agreed to be filmed while meeting with the managers and getting reprimanded several times.  That certainly doesn't help with future employment!  Hopefully she landed on her feet after that experience.

19 minutes ago, Chit Chat said:

As with the other consultants, sometimes they work with brides who have no intention of purchasing a dress that day (unbeknownst to the consultant) which ends up as a total waste of time.  I've seen that happen to a few of the consultants.  In those cases, I feel sorry for them because it's out of their control. 

Claudia's main problem was not listening to the managers and thinking that nothing was her fault.  I was surprised that she agreed to be filmed while meeting with the managers and getting reprimanded several times.  That certainly doesn't help with future employment!  Hopefully she landed on her feet after that experience.

Claudia was a classic example of the Dunning–Kruger effect which is  the tendency of people with low ability in a specific area to give overly positive assessments of this ability. 

She couldn't accept any corrections because in her mind she was excellent in all areas and it was the managers who were wrong.

And to the extent she was failing, it was because she was being given brides who had no intention of purchasing.

What isn't clear is whether the customers are allocated to consultants randomly or whether high performing consultants are given more likely prospects.

  • Like 2
  • Useful 1
21 minutes ago, amarante said:

And to the extent she was failing, it was because she was being given brides who had no intention of purchasing.

And there is a special skill when dealing with people and turning an objection into a sale.  I would not make a good salesperson.  Kudos to those who have this skill!

26 minutes ago, amarante said:

What isn't clear is whether the customers are allocated to consultants randomly or whether high performing consultants are given more likely prospects.

I wondered about this too.  I would think that the managers would give the more seasoned and productive consultants the clients spending the big bucks.  If you keep pulling the wrong style of dress for a client, then you're going to lose their confidence quickly and are probably more likely to lose the sale.  In other words, you've really got to know your shit when selling the dress and the idea of the fairytale wedding! 

  • Like 1
1 hour ago, Chit Chat said:

And there is a special skill when dealing with people and turning an objection into a sale.  I would not make a good salesperson.  Kudos to those who have this skill!

I wondered about this too.  I would think that the managers would give the more seasoned and productive consultants the clients spending the big bucks.  If you keep pulling the wrong style of dress for a client, then you're going to lose their confidence quickly and are probably more likely to lose the sale.  In other words, you've really got to know your shit when selling the dress and the idea of the fairytale wedding! 

Diana got a lot of "hate" because of her upselling dresses but kudos to her because that is part of being a sales person. 

  • Like 3
41 minutes ago, amarante said:

Diana got a lot of "hate" because of her upselling dresses but kudos to her because that is part of being a sales person. 

Yep, she wasn't always "respectful" of the budget, although I think that was Camille's phrase. Gosh I know too much about this show. Miss the early days of this show before the stripper fairy dresses of Pnina took over.

  • Like 1
  • Applause 1
  • LOL 1
(edited)

I am enjoying my journey through Say Yes - am currently in the middle of Season 4.

I remember a very few of the brides but some I did.

Yesterday there was the extremely sour twin sister who eventually came to the dressing room and told the bride to wrap it up because everyone had other places to be.

And the extremely 'picky" bride who eventually confessed that she had found a dress for under $1000 in New Jersey. Randy was a bit miffed by the duplicity since he felt that if she had been honest at the beginning they could have shown her gowns that might have been contenders at a low price point. Ironically the dress in the photo shown look hideous.

There was a bride in a wheel chair for whom Kleinfeld's had done a special train that attached to the back of the chair. It was lovely and bride looked lovely. Dress was chosen and altered to look good in the chair while seated. 

There was the bride who was getting married in India where you sit on a couch and so she needed the dress long enough to cover her shoes while on the couch.

I like these earlier episodes as they seem more organic and not people who are obviously doing crazy shtick to be on the show. 

ETA And I hadn't realized Dorothy was that large when I saw the early episodes originally. She was generally in the background and since a lot of the women wore smock like clothing in black it really wasn't that obvious in those shows. Congratulations to her. 

Edited by amarante
  • Like 1
(edited)
1 hour ago, Grizzly said:

Does Randy still have his bridal line? There's been no mention of it so far this season.

Funny you should ask this. I was in Edinburgh in November and walking through a covered arcade in Stirling, Scotland, I came upon a bridal gown shop that had a life sized Randy in it, touting his gowns. I was surprised because the other gowns were atrocious and didn't seem like a good fit for his line.

Edited by surfgirl
  • Useful 2
2 hours ago, BAForever said:

 Kenzie picked a lovely dress and I loved her sweet aunts.

I liked both the jacquard dress and the one she chose, but I liked the one she picked just a little better!  They both looked lovely on her though.  I liked the way the bow was done in the back too. Her mother's earrings matched that dress well.  It was nice to see the aunts being honest about the dresses and not trying to override her decision.  I prefer a calm and rational discussion of the pros & cons of each dress!  I loved seeing them light up when she came out in the last dress.   

  • Like 3

As I am traveling back through time by watching the old episodes - now on Season 4 - I realized that there truly are classic timeless designs. They might have some element of trend but they are still elegant in 2025.

Even some of the odder or 'wow' style dresses can be timelessly "quirky". I still liked the dress a Canadian women got whose fiancé was a forest ranger - it was boho and had leaves fluttering on it. It wasn't cutesy as it could have been worn in the 1920's with its somewhat straight lines.

There was the Priscilla of Boston ball gown style with the pockets which still remained timelessly elegant.

What was really amazingly ugly are all of the gowns with the "pickups" - not sure how that design trend for bridal gowns caught on. 

And of course the corset gowns that are see through which seem to have receded to a great extent. Wasn't the Randy version available in blue?

Pnina actually made some non-see through non over the top dresses that were quite elegant. There was an Indian bride who needed a red dress and and the dress was quite subdued with no sheerness or over the top eaters. 

  • Like 3
5 hours ago, Chit Chat said:

I was underwhelmed by this season.  😏

It's like they're not even trying. I mean, why even bother when the brides are all mostly OTT performers, even the UK version seems to have a fake bride every episode.TLC manages to kill its best shows eventually, reached with dumbed down fake bs. SYTTD was always easy breezy fun. Now it feels like they're all being forced to show up. I don't even believe Randy works there anymore.

I miss some of the original cast, but alas, time marches on and people either retire or move on.  Maybe the show needs a revamp, or I've just gotten tired of it.  Last night's episode wasn't bad though.  I'm glad that the bride who is bald liked the veil and was comfortable with it.  Her dress and veil were pretty.  I liked it and the first dress she tried on.  Both were lovely on her.  I fast forwarded through most of the show and mostly watched this storyline. 

  • Like 2

I think the problem is every shopper has to come with some sort of story. There's no more ordinary brides looking for a dress. TPTB don't seem to think it's a good episode if they haven't pulled a tear out of us. We want to see a lot of dresses, not feel emotionally manipulated.

The half Indian bride was stunning in everything. I loved the pantsuit but understand that it wasn't bridal enough. It would be great if she had another type of event and could buy that.

I did not have a Muppet showing up on my bingo card.

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 1
  • LOL 1

Are spoilers a thing here?
I would assume not, since there is no warning, no separate thread and no box to hide it in.

So consider this your spoiler alert if you want to believe in happily ever after.

Maybe it's unusual to know the disappointing outcome of one bride's true love story before the episode even airs - but this season has been in the can for a while.

Mary Lambert's wedding was in 2022, and they separated in 2024☹️.

  • Like 1
1 hour ago, Grizzly said:

The half Indian bride was stunning in everything. I loved the pantsuit but understand that it wasn't bridal enough. It would be great if she had another type of event and could buy that.

I thought the silhouette on the jacket of that pantsuit was gorgeous.  I wanted her to pick it just for that.

1 hour ago, kirklandia said:

Are spoilers a thing here?

I don't think things that happen after the episode are really spoilers as it's unlikely they'll ever follow up on most of these brides, especially if they go kaput.

  • Like 2
(edited)

Uch, first bride? I'm FAMOUS! Yeah, no hun, you're not. And the 'mermaid and muppet' lady? Yeah, nope. Most of these people this season feel so contrived that I don't even know if they are real brides or plants. I felt like I was watching an audition tape for 'whacky gals whi want to play the role of a bride'. I want the folks they used to have on the show. This is not the same show anymore. 

ETA: the bald bride was sweet and her dress and the veil/watteau train was lovely. And the Indian bride steuggling with how Indian ahe wanted to be on her wedding day was lovely too and her choice was perfection. That's the show I love and want.

Edited by surfgirl
  • Like 3
11 hours ago, Grizzly said:

I think the problem is every shopper has to come with some sort of story. There's no more ordinary brides looking for a dress. TPTB don't seem to think it's a good episode if they haven't pulled a tear out of us. We want to see a lot of dresses, not feel emotionally manipulated.

The half Indian bride was stunning in everything. I loved the pantsuit but understand that it wasn't bridal enough. It would be great if she had another type of event and could buy that.

I did not have a Muppet showing up on my bingo card.

As I've posted a few times I am currently rewatching the series as all of the seasons except 23 (current) stream on MAX.

The early shows really were relatively reflective of the women who actually shopped at Kleinfeld's as well as the actual experience. Obviously cameras might  have changed the dynamics but it was a completely different feel.

Now almost every bride has been screened by the producers of the show to be "exciting" in some way. And the people participating also consist of people who deliberately want to be on camera because in general there is no rational reason why they are shopping in NY for a bridal gown as logistically it makes absolutely no sense.

The brides aren't amusing - people like Vanisha and her entourage are but are just awful. I don't believe for a second that anyone actually staged a surprise wedding at Kleinfeld's nor did I have any interest at all in watching it. 

I think the show has run its course and they should stick a fork in it and be done.

  • Like 1
  • Sad 1
  • Applause 1

Maybe Randy will rethink his line of 'if you're not wearing a veil, you're just another pretty girl in a white dress.'  Not to pile on because he looked genuinely upset (and who hasn't said something we wish we could take back?), but it's a good lesson that he can learn from.  Not everyone can or wants to wear a veil.  I'm glad that he found a solution for the bride because it seemed to make her happy.  

  • Like 4
3 hours ago, Chit Chat said:

Maybe Randy will rethink his line of 'if you're not wearing a veil, you're just another pretty girl in a white dress.'  Not to pile on because he looked genuinely upset (and who hasn't said something we wish we could take back?), but it's a good lesson that he can learn from.  Not everyone can or wants to wear a veil.  I'm glad that he found a solution for the bride because it seemed to make her happy.  

Totes agree @Chit Chat. The last two weddings I attended, both of the brides wore small flower arrangements in their hair. They looked lovely. Of course Randy wants brides to buy a veil, lots of money to be made on them. 

  • Like 2
18 hours ago, BAForever said:

Totes agree @Chit Chat. The last two weddings I attended, both of the brides wore small flower arrangements in their hair. They looked lovely. Of course Randy wants brides to buy a veil, lots of money to be made on them. 

Yes, veils, beaded belts, changing and combining two parts of gowns, alterations, accessories are a huge part of their business.   

  • Like 2

They sure scraped the bottom of the barrel with the first "bride" tonight.  I mean, marrying herself?  Come on!!!  And lighting whatever that idiotic thing was that she did in the dressing room was so rude because the smell could linger for a while and annoy others.  Of course, it was lovely to see Debbie back working with the wheelchair bride.

  • Like 4
  • Thanks 1

I thought I'd hate "marry myself bride" but I actually ended up liking her and the gowns she tried on. It was a bit gimmicky but it felt less gimmicky than the woman marrying a ghost on the London version.

The wheelchair bride was a good choice for this show because the fact that she will be seated for the ceremony does present challenges they normally don't experience when they're in the trying on stage.  I would think some of that bunching would go away on all of the dresses with altering but I've never been in a wedding dress so I don't know for sure.  But it did make it difficult for her to envision.

I was susprised Tan didn't do both brides in his show.  The jacket on the pantsuit was kind of cool but I'm glad the lesbian bride chose the dress.  I did think it was a little bit funny the mother said she never sees her in a dress but I am pretty sure both women were wearing one in the proposal video.

I am somewhat suspicious of the Only Fans bride.  We did see them get married so that's good but given how cheap her budget was, I think her sole purpose in buying it was to do the porn scene and ruin it there.

For those who are curious, while next week is some kind of retrospective, Tan France's version of this show has two more new episodes left. 

  • Like 1
  • Useful 1
On 4/24/2025 at 8:57 AM, Baltimore Betty said:

<snip>

She has a vanity project and is calling herself a designer, why wouldn't the article include a picture of something from her line? <snip>

Here's her company's IG. She models the clothes she sells herself:

https://www.instagram.com/kimberlytaylorgindi?igsh=MWQxYWY2MjlxM3Fnag==

 

9 hours ago, woofy said:

And lighting whatever that idiotic thing was that she did in the dressing room was so rude because the smell could linger for a while and annoy others. 

Lighting up in a business would be a big no-no, especially in a bridal salon that could go up very quickly.  The Fire Marshall would probably have something to say about that!    

  • Like 3
  • Applause 1
(edited)

When she brought out essential oils and then sage I worried about it getting on the dresses  and I’m sure Kleinfelds wouldn’t allow that. Even if you wash your hands, oils linger a bit. I’m betting that scene was actually filmed when they were all done and she wouldn’t be touching anything. I liked seeing the wheelchair bride and appreciated how difficult it is to even try on dresses.

Edited by Madding crowd
  • Like 1

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...