Kelly Bensimon said “yes to the dress” while fighting back tears.
The “Real Housewives of New York City” alum — who is engaged to financier Scott Litner — tells Pvnew Style that she almost broke down while trying on gowns at Manhattan’s Kleinfeld Bridal last week.
“Literally, when I was trying on the dress, I almost started crying,” she says, recalling the moment she found the perfect garment for her big day and reflected on her overwhelming feelings.
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“I was just like, ‘I’m just so emotional’ — just because it’s so beautiful and everyone here has been so supportive and excited for me,” she continues, giving props to the Kleinfeld employees who helped her pull options.
“I’m just very moved by the whole process.”
The reality star-turned-real estate maven, who was previously married to famed photographer Gilles Bensimon from 1997 until 2007, emphasizes that she never envisioned herself exchanging vows again.
“I’m getting married later in life and I never thought this would happen,” she shares, “and I just would not change this day and the leading up to it.”
While Kelly got choked up at the sight of herself in the wedding dress she chose — which has yet to be revealed — she jokes that her fiancé will be even more verklempt when he watches her walk down the aisle.
“I know he’s going to be bawling his eyes out,” she tells us, predicting that she will have to urge her groom to “stop crying, laugh and smile!”
While Kelly isn’t revealing which dress she ultimately decided on for her “I dos,” she teases that she picked several garments to where throughout the intimate ceremony set to take place in the backyard of Litner’s family home this year.
“It’s all pearl dresses, lace dresses, taffeta dresses, longer dresses, shorter dresses, tighter dresses, bigger dresses,” she says of the Kleinfeld experience, noting that it was “impossible” to land on just one look.
“Everything is so unique and it’s so much fun. It’s like a fairytale. It’s literally unbelievable.”
The “I Can Make You Hot!” author — who tried on sophisticated and skin-baring styles from bridal brands like Netta Benshabu, Nicole + Felicia and Pnina Tornai — says she was open to different silhouettes.
However, Kelly’s only sartorial rule was the need to feel like a royal.
“Obviously, I’m a queen — but I want to play like a princess,” says the mother of two, who shares daughters Sea, 26, and Teddy, 24, with ex-husband Bensimon, 80.
“So I needed both vibes. I needed to definitely give off my queen vibes but also be my playful self.”
The former model, who got engaged July 2023 at Lake Geneva, Wis. after a year of dating Litner, says the wedding dress she selected for her nuptials is full of “regal” flair.
“I didn’t realize how excited and beautiful I would feel in the dress. I wear a lot of dresses. I’ve modeled since the Ice Age,” Kelly quips before adding earnestly, “I’ve worn a lot of beautiful clothes and putting on [this] wedding dress is magic.”
