Kleinfeld Bridal Stylist Admits Appointments Can Be an Emotional Roller Coaster: ‘Sometimes I’m Half Therapist’ (Exclusive)

Anna Henk has worked at the iconic bridal studio for a year and a half

NEED TO KNOW

• Kleinfeld stylist Anna Henk shares that forming intimate connections with brides is an unexpected part of her job
• She adapts to different personalities and cultural norms, often acting as a therapist during emotional appointments
• Henk advises brides to set boundaries, avoid decision fatigue, and approach dress shopping with an open mind

Anna Henk knew that as a bridal stylist she would spend her time pulling dresses, hosting appointments and helping brides find their perfect wedding-day look.

After growing up watching Say Yes to the Dress, the 27-year-old landed her dream job at Kleinfeld in New York City. However, she tells PEOPLE there were parts of the role that she didn’t initially anticipate. 

“You form a very intimate relationship with the brides and you get to know them,” she shares. “They’re naked in front of you in the fitting room. You become close very fast and you talk about personal things.”

“Sometimes I’m half therapist in an appointment because there are family issues maybe going on or just personal things, and they feel safe enough to speak to me about it,” she adds. “By the end of the appointment, I feel very close with every one of my brides. It’s a cool unexpected thing about the job.” 

Henk has worked at the famous bridal salon for over a year and a half. She shares that one of the most challenging aspects of her job is “adjusting to different personality types.”

“The biggest trait you have to have to be a bridal stylist is to be a chameleon and adjust to different personalities. I’ll have one bride that’s the nicest person in the world. The mom and sister are super supportive. Everyone’s having a great time,” Henk shares. “Then an hour and a half later I have an appointment where everyone’s quiet, people are rude, the sister’s picking on the bride, the mom’s picking on her, and then I have to adjust [and say], ‘How am I going to turn the mood around?’ ” 

Learning to “adapt to different personalities” has been crucial, as people travel from all over the country to visit Kleinfeld, so she has to understand “different cultural norms” and “different communication styles.” 

The job is not without its rewards, of course. Henk says appointments when she and the bride are “just vibing” make it all worthwhile.

“We’re having so much fun. The mood is just amazing and we find the dress. Then you have to ask the question: ‘Do you say yes to the dress?’ and the celebratory feeling of that is amazing,” Henk shares. “Sometimes there’ll be scenarios where maybe the bride has lost a parent or something like that. It’s a very sentimental, intimate moment for the family, and being able to witness that is really cool.”

“To know that I brought a little bit of happiness into the situation always feels good,” Henk adds.

As for advice for brides, she encourages them to narrow down their preferences beforehand and hopes they don’t “overwhelm” themselves “with too many options,” which can lead to “decision fatigue.”

“You’re going to see too many things. Everything’s going to blend together in your brain and you’re not going to be able to pick one and then you’re going to start being really nitpicky,” she shares. “I try to get my brides to get in the headspace of ‘It’s just a wedding dress.’ “

“I know that sounds crazy coming out of my mouth, but if you feel beautiful, if you’re excited to wear it on your wedding day, if you’re excited for your fiancé to see you in it, that’s all that matters,” she emphasizes. “You don’t need to get too nitpicky.”

Henk notes that it should be a fun experience and encourages people not to “put too much pressure on yourself.”

“When there’s too much pressure, it tends to lead to decision paralysis. Then I’ve seen brides freak out and start crying in my room because they just feel so much stress,” she shares.

She wants her brides to come in with an open mind, not too many expectations and not too many past appointments.

“Just have fun with it. It’s just a dress you feel pretty in and you’re excited to take pictures in and the world will go on. It’s okay. It’s not a life-or-death situation. We’re not performing brain surgery here. So just taking some weight off of it is my advice,” Henk says.

She also emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries and expectations with the people coming along to the appointment. Henk notes that, despite it being a fun experience, it can also be “physically demanding, getting in and out of the dresses.” On top of that, when brides start to get “hungry” and “tired,” everything can “start to look the same,” making who they come in with even more crucial.

“I think who you bring with you to your appointment is very important, but not just who you bring, but also setting boundaries and expectations with the people that you bring. Maybe saying, ‘Okay, I’m going to come out in each dress and I’m going to speak first before you guys speak.’ ”

“I’ve had brides who are amazing and they have set very clear boundaries with their people and then it’s a very smooth appointment because the family knows we’re not going to say anything until she speaks because when they interject it can mess everything up,” Henk adds.