BEHIND THE VEIL: ‘SAY YES’ SECRETS
Most memorable moments revealed as NYC shop’s hit show celebrates 10-year anniversary
For generations, New York City brides-to-be trekked to Bay Ridge to shop for wedding gowns at Kleinfeld. Now, women from all over the world flock to the bridal salon thanks to the TV show “Say Yes to the Dress.”
The TLC reality show this year is celebrating 10 years on the air, with its 15th season hav- ing premiered Feb. 25.
When “Say Yes” began, the idea was to go behind the scenes of the world’s largest bridal shop, owned by Ronnie Rothstein and Mara Urshel (whoare partners in business and life). The35,000-square-foot store, which moved to Chelsea in 2005, employs 250 people and sells some 10,000 dresses a year.
Over the years, though, “it went from being a behind-the-scenes docuseries to ‘House Hunters’ for wedding dresses,” said Abby Greensfelder, co-CEO of show creators Half Yard Productions. “Say Yes” airs in more than 150 countries and territories, and brides come from as far as Africa and Hong Kong to shop at Kleinfeld today. It has also coined a catchphrase, “Are you saying yes to the dress?” which is used around the world. The series has changed the experience of
shopping for a wedding gown, too. “Before the show, the girl came with her mom, her grandmother and her best friend. [Now] there are large groups of people going to share the experience with a bride,” said Rothstein. “[That] make sit more difficult because there are more opinions. That’s really been one of the effects of the show.”
In celebration of the show’s anniversary, here are 10 of the top “Say Yes” moments.