read more about Mara and Ronald

Mara and Ronald

CO-OWNERS OF KLEINFELD BRIDAL

Years ago, when I wrote my first wedding book and started spending time in NYC, I was invited to Kleinfeld to meet Mara and Ronald. Having come from the west coast I had no idea what to expect, nor any idea where I was going. A car picked me up from my hotel in Manhattan and before I knew it, I was headed over the bridge and arriving in Brooklyn, somewhere I had never been. Needless to say, I was completely surprised, and incredibly impressed with what I saw. I’d heard of Kleinfield from many brides, but until actually seeing their operation in person, I had no idea what they did and how personalized their service really was. When I walked into the store I was immediately greeted by one of Kleinfeld’s professional attendants, offered a drink, and given the grand tour. There were hundreds of dresses by top name designers around the world. Many names I recognized and many names I had never heard of before. Basically, there was something for everyone. But what impressed me the most was the individual attention each bride received to make her feel special; whether she was spending thousands of dollars or hundreds of dollars. I now understood why brides traveled from all over the states to visit Kleinfeld; it was as much about the selection of dresses and designer names as it was about being made to feel special. Not just when the dress is selected, but fitting after fitting, every time a bride walks through Kleinfeld’s door, they know they’ll be treated with grace and of course, look their best on their wedding day.

Kleinfeld has since moved to Manhattan, but their store is just as special, personal and welcoming as their first one in Brooklyn.



      

Tips from Mara & Ronnie

• Research - Start looking for gowns in magazines and websites and bring the photos to your appointment. It will give your bridal consultant a general idea of the kind of dress you like; traditional, straight, empire, princess ball gown, etc.
• Plan - Make sure you have enough time - it can take 6-12months to order a designer bridal gown. “It’ll take anywhere from nine months to 12 months to order your dress,” says Urshel. “Sometimes six months is OK, but in that case you will be limiting some of the dresses that can be available to you.”
• Budget - Know your budget…A lot people forget that they have to pay for alterations, a headpiece, a veil, or undergarments. There are a lot of extras, and sometimes those extras can add up to more than the gown.
• What to Wear - Wear appropriate undergarments as you will be undressing in front of a sales consultant you have never met before. You may also want to wear a strapless bra or the salon may have samples for you to use.
• Trust Your Instincts – You’ll know it’s “the one.” If you have to be reassured that the gown looks great on you, it's probably not “the one.” Is this how you pictured yourself looking as a bride? Does the gown suit your personality? Are you comfortable enough in it to enjoy your wedding day?