If this photo brings a tear to your eye, you should be in this business. Can’t you just feel the emotion?
This isn’t ‘a job’ for us, we do it every day and it never gets old. Every bride has a story and we get to be part of it! Where you say yes does matter, because it is a memory made for life.
Some brides dream of their wedding growing up. A vision since they were a little girl of what their big day would be like; some haven’t thought of it until they find the one. Either way we have you covered. One thing is for sure, even if you have been dreaming of a certain style you never know what you will end up with.
First, having an open mind and trying on different styles and fabrics will only help you find your dream dress! Here at Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo we have many options and styles for Brides and grooms. Even if you know for sure you want a ballgown, trying on other styles will make you confident in your decision. That way you won’t see a mermaid style and think ” what if” you will already know that wasn’t for you.
Second, the group you bring with you will be the people who are there for your big moment. Keep in mind the more opinions to get on the same page the harder it may be. Something we have learned from this pandemic is that some people are only a Facetime away. Many times it helps to show a group once you have already chosen the one, that way there is no debate and yet you still can include a larger group.
Dariana Bridal and Tuxedo store front
The third and biggest choice I will say is choosing where to go for your wedding dress! Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo has an amazing selection of different designers, styles, sizes and colors. All the Bridal consultants are wonderful and most are Darianna Brides themselves. They will be there every step of the way. Also the store owners are only a text message away. Being open 7 days a week lets you know someone is available every day if you have questions. Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo is a low pressure environment, no pushy sales and pulling dresses way over budget. We truly want to see our brides happy and glow on their wedding day. A reason why we have won Best of Bucks from 2013-2020! We cherish our part in your special day and your decision to become a part of the Darianna Family.
When you say YES! with an amazing bridal consultant, supportive and caring store owners, surrounded by family and friends, in a one of a kind environment full of love, compassion, and an understanding of your personal needs and wants, it’s easy to find the dress of your dreams!
The above picture is one of our real brides and her “say yes moment”, surrounded by family and friends! These are the emotional and special life moments we strive for! Give us a call and make an appointment today!
About the author: Jessica Hill is a bridal stylist at Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo when she is back in PA! Relocating over the past few years hasn’t been easy for her, her husband Jeff, and their four kids, but when she’s here Jess knows how welcome she is with us! Loved by her brides and often requested, she works hard to make the experience one you won’t forget. Specializing in making curvy brides look and feel beautiful is her “thing”. Currently in North Carolina, Mrs. Hill misses her brides so much she sent her bride’s photo and this blog. Part of our Darianna family always!
The appointment to find your Bridal gown may fill you with more anxiety than expected. It’s normal! We have several blogs to help make it easier, and this is another to add to the list. We found there are three easy choices to make before you shop!
Shapewear – yes/no
Shoes – high/low
Hair – up/down
The first decision is whether to wear a bra and/or shape wear. Very personal, so here is what to consider before making your decision. First, the bra. Depending on your figure you may feel there is no choice, but there is. Remember, these are bridal gowns and made much differently that any other dress you’ve had on. This isn’t prom or bridesmaid – they are much more expensive because they are constructed far better.
If you have a large bust, there are certain necklines that look amazing (like V-neck or Halter) and will hold you up and in without the need for an additional support piece. If you are considering a strapless dress, the bodice will have corsetting/boning inside to help hold you up. Do make sure the top comes up high enough and gets fitted properly under the arms to keep you in.
V-neck Morilee dress in two sizesHalter neckline
You may still want to wear one and you can! If you feel more secure definitely bring one to your bridal appointment.
If you have a smaller bust and feel you need more to fill out the top, cups can easily be sewn in that look natural and will alleviate the need for a push up bra or extra padding. Sometimes that extra layer can make it more difficult to alter the dress around it.
Again, if you feel better wearing one, bring along! You can always try a dress with and without to see the difference.
Remember: Your bridal seamstress will be able to make custom fits to you. No two bodies are the same and a few tweaks will make it perfect to yours.
Along these lines is shape wear. We have had brides spend a small fortune on shape wear only to find the dress looks and fits better without it! Depending on your dress, shape wear may look good in one area (waist) while making another area look bad (under the arms, in the back).
In addition, it adds a layer underneath, can show under certain fabrics (like crepe), and is generally not necessary. If shape wear is a must for you, then definitely wear it to the appointment.
Next let’s talk about shoes. Your height and the height of your shoes makes a big difference in the look of your dress.
For instance, let’s say you are five feet tall and intend to wear flats… a standard mermaid dress may not the best option for you. If you are a petite in stature and want a mermaid dress, definitely bring a pair of heels to your bridal appointment to see what this silhouette will look like with and without them. You will see that wearing flats will require even more of the skirt to be hemmed off and you will lose much of the shape.
Even a small heel makes a difference in the look of any skirt. Most of the time, brides will need to get a hem of some length. Your skirt should skim the floor when you walk. You should not feel like you have to pull it up by your hands in the front. If you do, it is too long. If you have a hemline that has scalloping, the longest piece should skim the floor.
Scalloped lace should skim the floor with a proper hem
While you don’t necessarily need to bring a pair of shoes to your bridal appointment, it is a very good idea if you are intending to wear heels of any height.
You will need the exact shoes you intend to wear when you attend your fittings with the seamstress!
Now to another choice that wont necessarily have to be made at this time but should be considered is how you will wear your hair. This may depend somewhat on the dress you choose, however if you are not one who typically wears your hair up, your wedding day may not be the day to start.
There is a good chance you will have a hair trial prior to your wedding and your stylist will want to see photos of the front and back of your dress to come up with the perfect look to show off your features as well as those of your dress. If your dress has pretty illusion lace, beading, and/or buttons up the back, having your hair up (or to the side) shows that off beautifully. If you have a low open back, wearing your hair up or down looks equally lovely either way!
A beautiful lace illusion back with buttons
If your hair is long, you may want to bring a hair tie or clip to your bridal appointment to put it up so you can easily see details of the back of the dress.
These are a few things you can think about before coming to your bridal appointment. There is no wrong answer, it is what is right for you! Have a question? Leave us a comment or text us at 215-491-8500 we will be happy to answer! And as always make your appointment here!
About the author: Wendy Ianieri-Salerno is co-founder and
co-owner of Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo, now in its eighth year in
business. In that time the store has grown from a small bridal boutique
to a full-service bridal store serving not only Bucks County, PA but
the surrounding counties and even border states. With the customer
experience in mind, Wendy steers the company by offering the best
designers and wedding attire while creating a caring, family atmosphere.
A life-long Bucks County native, she currently resides in Warrington
with her husband and co-founder/co-owner Franco Salerno, and their two
daughters for whom the store was named, Daria and Deanna.
Dan the Fireman, our intern, found out just how cool it is working in the bridal business.
We had an in-store event with the (fully vaccinated!) Temple University EMS crew that turned into so much fun and so many great pictures. Read about how these hard workers were able to spend a few hours dressing up as brides and a groom, and letting someone else take care of them for a change!
Dan’s 3rd blog is another “must read” :
How did this event come to be?
When I first began interning at Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo, I would always bounce ideas off the girls at my EMS squad. This would lead into a grand conversation about weddings and dresses which I used to discover what attracts attention to a bridal store the most.
One day I was sharing these conversations with Franco and he invited me to bring them up and try on some dresses. As soon as I told them about this they immediately wanted to participate!
I wanted to capture basically how all of them felt through videos and pictures. When the day finally came, I had no idea how it was going to work but with a little guidance from Franco, Tori, and Wendy I got a good idea of how to keep them all moving and getting the perfect content.
Bridal Stylist Tori picks a dress for Val
It was similar to an emergency scene where I needed to manage where everyone was going and what they were doing, but instead of taking vitals and bandaging wounds I was directing them to take selfies and move back and forth from the bridal dressing rooms!
Dan has Kevin looking sharp in a Cornflower blue tuxedo
As soon as it all clicked we were taking photos and videos constantly and I could see how happy they all were to see themselves look so good in their dresses and Kevin in his tuxes.
What did they think of their visit?
WOW! Rachel looks gorgeous in a crepe and lace mermaid dress!
Rachel said, “I was really excited to try on dresses, and the associates really nailed it on the head with the silhouette that I wanted. As soon as I looked in the mirror I loved the dress and my first thoughts were “Damn, I look good.” The staff was extremely pleasant and made me feel very comfortable. I loved the Bridal Suite, it was really fun walking out where your friends are and feeling like a real bride. I had a great time and it was an experience like no other, I have never been inside a bridal store before so I didn’t know what to expect but I am glad that I was able to come in and try on some beautiful dresses.”
Val is perfection in a fit and flare lace with a sexy low back!
Of her experience, Val said, “I had a wonderful experience at Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo. When I arrived, Franco was very welcoming and friendly. Tori was super sweet and helpful with finding dresses I liked. The dresses were gorgeous and I felt like a queen trying them on! In addition to the room with mirrors on each wall, I also really liked how they had a mirror by the windows so we could take photos with natural lighting, which came out beautifully. Thank you for inviting us to your store and taking such good care of us!”
Beautiful Anjuli strikes a perfect over-the-shoulder pose in a lace and tulle A-line!
Anjuli said, “Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo was such a great experience and everyone was super friendly and helpful. The bridal dress selection was very diverse and the dresses were beautiful! Taking pictures and making videos also made the experience so much fun!”
Abby looks like a professional model! WOW what a perfect dress for her!
Abby said, “I had the most wonderful experience at Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo! Everyone was so friendly and made me feel special. The dresses they picked out for me were gorgeous and suited me very well. I had the best time taking pictures and I’m so glad to have this memory forever! “
Is it Prince Harry? NO! It’s Kevin looking smashing in Cobalt!
Kevin shocked everyone in his tuxedos! Of his visit, he said, “Everyone at Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo was friendly and welcoming! The tuxes Franco picked out for me made me look and feel great! I’m very excited to see what they had in mind for my four wives to be when the big day happens!”
This is one gorgeous group of EMS workers!
What a wonderful experience meeting a group of young professionals and being able to show them just what Dan signed up for with his internship at our store. We hope to see them again – for their weddings of course, hopefully not for an emergency…
About the author: Dan Pfeiffer is Darianna Bridal &
Tuxedo’s marketing intern from Temple University’s Lew Klein College of
Media and Communications. In order to receive his degree in
Communications and Social Influence and Strategic Communications, Temple
University requires its students to complete an internship in their
field of study. Originally from Plumsteadville PA, Dan lives in
Philadelphia while completing his degree. He is also an Emergency
Medical Technician for Temple University and a volunteer fire fighter
for the Plumsteadville Fire Department. Dan is versed in many aspects of
social media including Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and TikTok and is
helping Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo offer great social media content.
Read more about Dan here.
Maybe an end is in sight for Covid-19, but it is not here yet. Vaccinations are being done across the country and while many people are starting to relax, our store continues our safety procedures that we put in place upon reopening on June 4, 2020. We continue to take our guidance from the CDC‘s website.
We currently allow 3 guests with our brides and grooms on the weekends, although we have made several exceptions and scheduled those brides during less peak hours. Many times a bride or groom will bring an elderly and/or immuno-compromised guest, and we take their safety extremely seriously. There have been a few instances where our policy was not agreeable to a customer, but we will always side with the safety of all of our guests as well as our staff.
Some of our brides have loved patching in numerous guests by FaceTime and Zoom! We have had some great laughs as well with all of the people in attendance from all over the country. While it is not perfect all the time, it is a great way to be involved and share in the memories!
COVID-19 has changed the way we care for our stock dresses and tuxedo fitting garments. Our dresses are steamed routinely at closing to maintain a germ free environment, our tuxedo fitting garments are steamed and dry cleaned as well.
Masks are mandatory. We were recently questioned on this policy due to some Instagram posts. When a bride says yes to her dress, if she would like a photo of herself and her group without masks on, we allow that in the front of the store with no customers within 6 feet. If you look at the photos as well, you will see everyone holding the mask in their hand. There is no question, masks are required. There are no “religious exemptions” allowed, however, if you or a guest are immuno-compromised and cannot wear a mask, we will be happy to schedule a more private appointment for you. If you are part of a group shopping for a wedding dress, tuxedo, suit, mother of the bride/groom dress, bridesmaid, or prom and you simply do not wish to wear a mask, you are welcome to join virtually!
Temperature checks are done on everyone including our staff upon entry. We aren’t going to lie the temperature scanner is pretty neat! Our contactless payment options have been popular as well! From Apple Pay to online invoicing, we have many options!
Our store continues to be professionally cleaned by Bugajewski Facility Services. If you have not read our blog on our COVID-19 store cleaning policy, this company has always cleaned our store. They are responsible for cleaning numerous local hospitals and rehabilitation centers and have been acknowledged for their extensive education on cleaning and disinfecting for numerous viruses, including the coronavirus.
You can read our blog from August 2020 on New and Safer Appointments here which further detailed our procedures. We know that every one of us is eager to go back to a more carefree attitude, however we believe that everyone needs to do their part to get there faster! Our family business wants you to feel safe coming to visit us! If you have any questions about our Covid-19 policies, please text us at 215-491-8500!
About the author: Wendy Ianieri-Salerno is co-founder and co-owner of Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo, now in its eighth year in business. In that time the store has grown from a small bridal boutique to a full-service bridal store serving not only Bucks County, PA but the surrounding counties and even border states. With the customer experience in mind, Wendy steers the company by offering the best designers and wedding attire while creating a caring, family atmosphere. A life-long Bucks County native, she currently resides in Warrington with her husband and co-founder/co-owner Franco Salerno, and their two daughters for whom the store was named, Daria and Deanna.
After a year of cancellations and virtual runway shows, Bridal Market is back in a brand new, safer environment!
For those not in the wedding industry, Bridal Market is essentially a convention where designers come together under one roof to show stores their newest collection in person. Due to COVID-19, designers are requiring appointments to reduce the amount of people who can be in their booth at one time.
I was one of the lucky ones who was able to attend the Chicago Bridal Market Pop Up Show this past weekend, and it was a blast! I am here to report back on some of the newest trends for our 2021 brides to keep an eye out for.
Some dresses have not been shown to the public yet so we can’t either, but watch our social media and you’ll be the first!
Casablanca While Bridal Market runs over the course of a few days, I packed all of my designers into one day starting with Casablanca Bridal. Casablanca and Beloved Bridal is a line that our brides have loved for a long time! We walked into a room with tables spaced appropriately to allow for social distancing and a small runway for models to walk down.
Nicolette by Casablanca Bridal
The show kicked off with the newest collection from Beloved, and it did NOT disappoint. Brides looking for unique florals, exposed boning, off-the-shoulder sleeves, and sparkle should absolutely keep their eye out for this new collection.
Beloved Bridal
There are some killer fit and flare gowns with unique, geometric patterns, boho a-lines with delicate floral lace, and a sparkly ballgown that is to die for. We are so excited to get some of these beauties into the store for our brides to make theirs!
Madi Lane Our next appointment was with our ever-popular Madi Lane Bridal line! When I tell you that there is NOTHING like a Madi Lane dress, there is seriously nothing like the beauty and detail of a Madi Lane dress. There is a dress for every bride in this new collection!
Bea by Madi Lane
If you are a bride who likes a more simple and sophisticated look, be on the lookout for one of their newest fit and flares that we are obsessing over! For brides who like the bold and boho dresses of collections past, there is no shortage of their signature floral laces. It is truly amazing how their founder and head designer, Liz Young, can create dress after dress that is so unique and gorgeous without looking the same as past collections. We are even introducing a few of our favorites in new colors and sizes, so stay tuned!
Evie Young If you have yet to hear of Evie Young, this is definitely a designer you want to remember. Evie Young is Madi Lane’s sister label, created and designed by Liz Young, that features the most unique patterns and exquisite fabrics on the market. If your style is bold and you want a dress that is uniquely yours, the new Evie Young collection is for you!
Lake by Evie Young
Evie Young takes bohemian to the next level with geometric patterns and divine laces. For the bride who may want to don a few different looks on her big day, the detachable sleeve and cape options that many of the new Evie gowns feature may be up your alley! There are even gowns in the collection that are a bit more simple and relaxed for those who prefer a more classic look over the bohemian feel. This is a line that you will not want to miss so stay tuned for your opportunity to try these beauties on as soon as they get here!
Morilee Brides of all tastes are going to be thrilled to see the newest collections from Morilee by Madeline Gardner! There is a dress for every bride and we cannot even wait to get our hands on these. From ballroom brides to beach brides and beyond, you will adore these new dresses.
Bonnie by Morilee
There are plenty of simple gowns for the classic and elegant themes, leafy and floral laces for the rustic or boho weddings, and lightweight and shimmery for brides who want to celebrate on the beach after a year in lockdown. We cannot wait to freshen up our gallery with some of these stunning new pieces!
Accessories I would be lying if I said accessories weren’t as much fun to look at as dresses.
Bridal belts
The sparkle and design of belts and headpieces gets me every time! And yes, many of these accessories will be showing up over the next several weeks :
Bridal belts and garters
MOB/MOG Don’t think we forgot about the Mommas out there too – the new MGNY Mother of the Bride and Groom line is INCREDIBLE. Madeline Gardner designs these gowns with every mom in mind and offers an incredible variety for women of all shapes, sizes, and styles! Her beaded beauties shimmer like no other and the long sleeve laces are comfortable and on trend. This new collection (and entire line) is for all of the moms who have said “I don’t want to look matronly” in regards to their dress for their son or daughter’s big day! These dresses will be arriving late summer so be sure to check them out – you won’t be disappointed.
Don’t forget to check our events page for upcoming trunk shows just for moms!
These designers are just a few of the amazing collections that we carry here in store. While we haven’t had the chance to see some of the new gowns from designers like Kitty Chen, Stella York, or Eddy K at bridal market, we are confident that this new season is going to be the best yet!
Follow us on social media to see these new arrivals as they hit the store, and make your appointment to say yes to the dress of your dreams here at Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo.
About the author: Daria Capaldi is the manager of Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo and one-half of its namesake. On the cusp of the Millennial/Gen Z divide, she is uniquely suited for understanding the wedding industry both from a business perspective and a bride’s planning perspective. A graduate of James Madison University and a participant in the Disney Internship Program, Ms. Capaldi upholds the customer experience as key. A Warrington, Bucks County native, she resides in Huntingdon Valley with her boyfriend Jeff and her adorable pup Eva.
Born out of a pandemic and a seemingly temporary fix, the Minimony and Micro Wedding appear to have taken hold as smaller, meaningful, and more intimate ways to tie the knot.
A minimony, also called a micro wedding, is simply a smaller wedding ceremony, usually with a luncheon or dinner celebration afterwards. Some couples will plan a large reception for a later date, or better yet, have a big 1-year anniversary party! Such a great idea!
So while all of this is a great idea, it leads us to the attire: what to wear for the Minimony and micro wedding?
You are still the bride, even if the wedding is scaled down. You will still walk down the aisle, you will still have pictures taken, and the formality of the tradition is no less important. So what are some good options?
Taking into account the season, location, and your wishes, the options are wide open! These are some of our most popular.
Aiden by Madi Lane: and all over crêpe square neck fitted dress with chapel length train is a perfect choice. Sophisticated and classic, you can wear with a belt, and also the sheer tulle jacket with pearls. This dress is so smooth and looks perfect with your flowers, they really pop!
Aiden all crepe dress by Madi LaneAiden all crepe dress with jacket by Madi Lane
A popular choice for an outdoor Minimony is Lillium from the Blue collection by Enzoani. A lovely cap sleeve, plunge V-neck, and banded waist lead to a lightweight and flowy skirt that moves perfectly whether walking down the aisle or twirling at your first dance. If you are into BoHo, add a flower crown to this and it is perfection!
Lillium soft lace from Blue by Enzoani
Another great choice for an outdoor micro wedding if you prefer your arms covered is Bea byMadi Lane. A layer of charmeuse underneath gives some fullness to the skirt and the sheer sleeves include the vine-like lace applique. Bea also has a scooped out back adding a little fun to the design!
Bea long sleeve boho by Madi Lane
A perfect summer or destination Minimony and micro wedding dress is this darling creation from Stella York. A smooth crêpe front that can be worn with or without a belt or sash, plunge neckline, and an open back with a wrap tie for added support and a pretty bow detail!
Crepe tie-back with buttons from Stella York
Lovely and lightweight is this piece from Morilee. A cut-in halter neck beautifully shapes the full bodice, and the lined chiffon skirt adds even more sophistication. Peek-a-boo slit to show off your shoes!
Brandy halter lace top on chiffon skirt by Morilee
Similar in shape to the dress above is this pretty V-neck. A fully beaded bodice and a wide banded waist are very flattering and easy to wear. Gorgeous skirt made of layered English net. A lovely and popular dress from Sincerity.
Beaded bodice on English net skirt from Sincerity
One of our favorites is this halter neck, all over lace A-line from Casablanca. The lace pattern is beautiful, and the bodice offers much support. A stunning wedding dress that is beautiful and flattering on everybody!
All over lace halter from Casablanca
Another very popular dress with sleeves is this Stella York. Such a clean dress with a beautiful chiffon skirt make this a very popular choice for brides holding an indoor or outdoor Minimony and micro wedding events!
Long sleeve lace on chiffon by Stella York
These are just a few of our popular Minimony and micro wedding dresses, there are so many more to choose from! Make your appointment here to see for yourself!
About the author: Wendy Ianieri-Salerno is co-founder and co-owner of Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo, now in its eighth year in business. In that time the store has grown from a small bridal boutique to a full-service bridal store serving not only Bucks County, PA but the surrounding counties and even border states. With the customer experience in mind, Wendy steers the company by offering the best designers and wedding attire while creating a caring, family atmosphere. A life-long Bucks County native, she currently resides in Warrington with her husband and co-founder/co-owner Franco Salerno, and their two daughters for whom the store was named, Daria and Deanna.
Pinterest is every wedding vendors dream tool. When brides and grooms come to us with a vision, trying to describe exactly what they want or the vibe they are going for can be challenging. Pinterest has made it easy for them to collage together what they are thinking and show their vendors exactly what they are picturing rather than trying to find the right words.
Whether you are a bride, groom, maid of honor, or wedding planner, Pinterest is definitely a site you will want to use to make your planning run smoothly. Follow along to learn how to create the most efficient wedding Pinterest board!
Step One: Designing your Board
First thing’s first, you need to make a board that is dedicated to solely wedding related content. This board is going to contain only pictures, ideas, and blogs that you like and inspire you, so keeping all of your relevant content in one space will make it easy to find when you are looking for it.
This board is something that can be created regardless of if you are engaged or not! Many women start their wedding boards before they even find “the one”. The earlier you start it, the more you learn about your wedding tastes and preferences.
Step Two: Creating Sections
You have your wedding board that you will be adding all of your inspiration to, but you can’t leave them all jumbled together! Creating a section for each sector of your wedding makes it simple for you to store and find exactly what you are looking for.
Pinterest board dedicated to bridal flowers
Say you are ready to come say “yes!” to your dress at Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo and you want to show us pictures of what kinds of dresses you have been liking online. Since you created a “Dress” section underneath your wedding board, it is a breeze to hand the phone over to your consultant and then let her take it from there pulling dresses that are similar to the ones that you have saved! It allows you to have a very productive appointment without spending too much time trying to describe what it is that you have been looking at.
Step Three: Begin Pinning
Now that you have your places to store all of your inspiration, it is time to go find what you like! You can always start with a very broad topic like “wedding” to see what comes up that may help you find what you like or even what sections to create that you may not have thought about before. Once you start to narrow down what you are looking for, search for more specific topics.
Madi Lane Birdie, an A-line dress with a cross back
For example, you may start with a search like “wedding dress”. Once you start seeing all the different types of dresses and notice which ones catch your eye, you may want to try a search like “fit and flare lace wedding dress”. If you have found a designer that you like, you could even try “Madi Lane A-line wedding dress” and see other styles that the designer has that you have not seen yet!
Step Four: Follow your Vendors
Once you book a vendor, it is a good idea to follow them on all social media platforms to get the best inspiration and stay up to date with what is happening with them. Following your vendors on Pinterest is a great idea to see what is unique to their business and what they are showcasing from their actual weddings prior. This give you a good idea of the realistic possibilities for your own wedding!
Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo models walk in a bridal fashion show
As a bridal store that is active on Pinterest, we have brides from all over the world watching our consultants model our gorgeous gowns. We often send incoming brides to our Pinterest page to get an idea of what dresses we have in the store that they may want to try on! Make your feed more personal to your wedding by filling your feed with all of the people who are contributing to your wedding!
Step Five: Clean up Your Sections
If you have had your wedding board for a while, you may have experienced a shift in tastes or have found that your original ideas no longer fit the theme that you have created. It is always worthwhile to go through all of your sections and delete pins that are either outdated, repetitive, or no longer relevant to your wedding. Trends can change fast as can tastes! Keep your sections as fresh as possible by thoroughly scrolling through each one. While you are cleaning them up, you can also see if you have a number of pins that look similar or if your section starts to look repetitive. This can help clarify what you are really looking for in your flowers, dress, cake, and decor!
Congratulations – you have the perfect Pinterest board! You are ready to share it with your maid of honor, vendors, and wedding planner. Make sure you have the Pinterest app downloaded to your phone so you can take your board with you to give them the best idea of the feel you want every component of your wedding to have! And when you are ready to make your appointment to dress shop, send your dress section over to the consultants at Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo and prepare to say “yes” to the dress of your dreams!
About the author: Daria Capaldi is the manager of Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo and one-half of its namesake. On the cusp of the Millennial/Gen Z divide, she is uniquely suited for understanding the wedding industry both from a business perspective and a bride’s planning perspective. A graduate of James Madison University and a participant in the Disney Internship Program, Ms. Capaldi upholds the customer experience as key. A Warrington, Bucks County native, she resides in Huntingdon Valley with her boyfriend Jeff and her adorable pup Eva.
After nearly a decade of being a bridal consultant, I can safely say that I have THE best job ever. Working with brides who have been envisioning this day since childhood bring that vision to life is absolutely incredible.
No two brides are the same and, even now, each one teaches me something new that allows me to help other brides. With so many newly engaged brides reading our blogs to begin their research, I want to best prepare you to start searching for the dress of your dreams!
Here are confessions from a bridal consultant:
Honesty is KEY
Honesty is THE most important policy when it comes to bridal gown shopping.
Being honest with yourself is crucial when planning your wedding and, specifically, dress shopping. Many brides who are beginning the process decide that they want to include their entire squad in the process. If you are a bride who is a little more timid or can become overwhelmed easily, the best advice I can give you is to go shopping either by yourself or with a trusted loved one who will support you so you can be honest with yourself about what YOU like versus your group. Find out what YOU love rather than your family or friends. Listen to your gut, stand your ground, and do not feel bad about hurting feelings. You can bring the whole group back to reveal YOUR dress!
The next person to be honest with is us – your consultants! If you feel that you need to go out shopping alone first and then come back with your group, let us know prior to coming in. We have worked with a number of amazing solo brides and then scheduled another appointment for them to come with their group and acted like we had yet to meet the bride! At Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo, your consultant only wants what is best for you and your day, so make sure to tell us what it is that will best help you.
If you come into our store with a dress to beat, tell us and show us a picture! Do you have no idea what style you want? Tell us! Knowing where you stand from the beginning only allows us to target your appointment that much better. Pictures and Pinterest boards give us amazing places to start to discover your style or to allow you to try on more of the styles you have been loving! Don’t be afraid to be upfront with us – it only benefits you in the long run.
We understand your insecurities
Every woman in the world has insecurities – even your trusted consultant! If you are a bride who has been dreading dress shopping for whatever reason, tell us. We want to know if you are worried about how you may look or if there is something you would not like showing. We have tried on EVERY dress in this store and we know how they fit or what can be done in alterations to make the dress uniquely yours. We know which dresses we love based on our own insecurities, too. We have heard brides tell us countless times how we helped them feel incredible when they never thought they would. Let us help you, too!
We know these dresses like the back of our hands
We try on EVERY dress, our #mirrorselfies are popular!
As mentioned before, there is no dress in this store that one of our consultants hasn’t tried on! Some of these dresses even belong to our consultants for their own special days. We can’t sell what we haven’t tried for ourselves! If you have seen our Instagram, Tik Toks, or YouTube channel, you have likely seen us twirling around the store in them, but more importantly, accessorizing them. We will add belts, tuck or add straps, play with veils, and create new looks to figure out what you can do with every dress to help brides make their very own look! Trust your consultant if they pull something that you wouldn’t choose yourself – we have spent enough time in these dresses to know if we can make a dress fit your vision.
The bride is ALWAYS right
Amazing news, right brides? This is your day and what you say goes! But sometimes you will have a well-meaning relative or friend who makes you second guess your decision. Every now and then, we will see a bride who is ready to celebrate her “yes to the dress” moment until someone says “you should really sleep on it” or “this is only your first time out” and you see the sparkle in her eye go out. When you know, you know. If you know in your heart that you found your dress, don’t let someone take that moment from you! If you have doubts, keep looking.
We have THE best job
Consultants and friends – Jess, Shannon, Courtney, and Caitlin ready for Sunday Funday! The latter 3 are Darianna Brides!
If you have ever been in our store, you can tell that our team absolutely loves what we do! Most of our consultants are actually Darianna brides turned employees, and we even have staff that we hired on for prom who have come back to us years later as bridal consultants. The entire staff at Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo is a tight-knit group, and we will often work together during appointments to provide the best experience possible for our customers! If you have yet to come into the store, follow our social media to see our staff in action. We have a ton of fun in here which creates a pleasant and fun atmosphere in the store – you can feel it as soon as you walk in!
Our bride super happy after saying Yes to the Dress!
Our brides are the best brides and become our friends, too. It’s amazing to put on that sash and have brides hold up that sign – what a memory! We really do take care of every one of our customers 🙂
Experience us for yourself! Make your bridal or tuxedo appointment here or call/text us at 215-491-8500.
About the author: Daria Capaldi is the manager of Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo and one-half of its namesake. On the cusp of the Millennial/Gen Z divide, she is uniquely suited for understanding the wedding industry both from a business perspective and a bride’s planning perspective. A graduate of James Madison University and a participant in the Disney Internship Program, Ms. Capaldi upholds the customer experience as key. A Warrington, Bucks County native, she resides in Huntingdon Valley with her boyfriend Jeff and her adorable pup Eva.
Congratulations! You are one of the lucky ones the bride has decided to bring dress shopping with her. As dramatic as this may sound, it is an honor when the bride includes you as a guest in her dress shopping process. This means that you are a trusted loved one whose feedback is important to her!
You may think that your job is just to go and tell the bride what you think of each dress, but there is much more to your job than that. We are here to give you tips and tricks to be the best guest with constructive feedback!
Let the bride speak first
This may be the most important piece of advice we can offer. You may be very eager to tell the bride exactly what you think of each dress, and why wouldn’t you? That’s why she brought you, right? That is correct to an extent, but picture this:
The bride puts on a dress and it is love at first sight. She tells her consultant in the dressing room that it is everything she wants and she can see herself walking down the aisle in it. She thinks this could be the one, she’s got that feeling, and she can’t wait to show you! She walks onto the platform and a guest says “I don’t like that one at all!” before she even has a chance to tell you she loves it.
We know you didn’t mean to hurt her feelings, she is someone you deeply care about. But you just told her the dress she loves and thinks is “the one” couldn’t possibly be it. We have seen this exact scenario play out in front of us.
Once the bride admits her feelings, the recovery can be extremely awkward and she is then insecure about herself and her dress vision. Let the bride tell you what she thinks first before you give your opinion. If the bride tells you she doesn’t like it, by all means, share your feelings with her! But keep it centered on the dress itself rather than the dress on her. Keep her happiness and vision in mind as you formulate your feedback.
Be gentle with your words
This falls hand in hand with the last tip. Know your bride and how she responds to criticism before you go into appointments with her! If you have a bride who is a bit more sensitive, saying things like “that’s ugly” or “that looks awful” can make her shut down and even question if you will be chosen to accompany her at any future appointments. There are ways to say what you want to say that are delicate and constructive without hurting feelings!
You may not realize that what you want to say would be something that she would take personally, but comments about body shape or features that the bride cannot change should be thought about prior to being spoken.
If you have a self conscious bride, focusing comments on the dress rather than how the dress looks on her is typically a great way to avoid any hurt feelings. For example, “that dress is cut boxy” rather than “that dress makes you look boxy” is a very easy way to tell her that there are dresses that are more flattering without her feeling insecure about her shape.
Some brides are very direct and genuinely want feedback like “that makes you look boxy”. This is absolutely fine to say if that is the type of comment the bride really wants to hear. There is nothing wrong with brutal honesty ONLY if the bride asks for it and is proven to handle criticism well. Being gentle with your words is really personal to each bride and the dynamic you have with her. Stay in tune to her attitude and emotions during the appointment and adjust your feedback from there!
The bride guides the appointment
Bridal gown shopping is an extremely exciting time and we love when the bride’s guests are equally as excited for her! Sometimes this well-meaning excitement can lead to a little bit of overstepping and the appointment stops being directed by the bride. Your bride and her consultant should be the ones who determine what styles she wants to try, her budget, and the small details of her dress.
Every so often, we will have an excited guest who will pull a dress for her to try that is over budget or completely out of the realm of what she is looking for without the bride’s consent. There are also guests who want to take part in dressing her up with veils and belts, even after she has expressed “I don’t want to wear a veil”, is not looking for a belt, or doesn’t like the dress she has on. If there is something you think the bride should consider, ask her first.
Most suggestions can be formulated into questions to plant the idea you have but to give the bride control over it. For example, rather than saying “try on a mermaid dress just for fun!”, ask her “have you considered trying on a mermaid dress to be sure that isn’t what you want?” This shows the bride that you are interested in helping her find “the one” rather than overwhelming her with the idea that she needs to try on dresses that she didn’t ask for.
As far as pulling something over budget goes, we recommend steering clear of that unless you discuss with the bride. We do not suggest trying on a dress that is out of budget because if she falls in love with it, the dress can be hard to forget about or she will end up spending outside of her means.
This doesn’t mean to hold back from suggestions that may help her – you know her better than her consultant does! Dress shopping, along with every step of the wedding planning process, can be extremely overwhelming for the bride. Be receptive to see if the bride is looking for guidance or just some extra feedback to support what she feels. Let her make the decisions and evaluate what she needs from there! Just remember to frame all suggestions and feedback in a way where the bride keeps the control of her appointment. This is her time.
Do not be the one to steal her moment from her
After an amazing appointment where the bride has successfully narrowed down styles, she is now standing in her favorite dress and is head over heels in love! She feels confident, beautiful, and ready to say “yes!” to the most meaningful dress she will ever wear. Everyone is telling her that this is her dress, but before she can soak up her moment, one well-meaning guest says, “You can’t say yes now, you have to sleep on it!”
Nothing pops a bride’s balloon like this.
There are few moments in life like this one. A memory of saying yes to her wedding dress is huge. She has the group that she loves around her and she wants to be celebrated. She is so ready to make that memory and savor it forever …
“You have to sleep on it” makes the bride feels as though it’s the wrong dress and that she should second guess the dress she is in love with. Her “yes” moment is gone, replaced with confusion and stress because she feels she’s incapable of choosing. She wanted validation but got the opposite.
What the bride can expect after saying “yes” to her dress is basically exactly what you see on TV. The excitement of her family and friends, maybe some tears, all kinds of goodies, and pictures so she can post on Instagram to tell the world that she said yes to the most perfect dress! Now she can finally envision herself in her dress at her venue – everything falls easily into place after these two major factors are set in stone. She will be over the moon excited and have another check mark on her wedding planning checklist! But now that moment is gone.
Could she come back later to say “yes”? Absolutely! But it’s not the same. The excitement of finding the dress after a great appointment of narrowing down isn’t there. Her reward after a day of uncertainty and hard decisions was prolonged. She will still love the dress and get all of the goodies and pictures, but the entire energy from the initial appointment is different. She brought you there to celebrate with her, but now there is a return trip involved and it’s never the same as saying yes in her moment.
Now I’m not saying that the bride should not sleep on it if she wants to. Every bride is different and some need the time to process! But that is not a guest’s decision to make for her. You may be someone who needs to sleep on things, but this bride might be ready to commit and start celebrating. Most brides know what they want and are not afraid to commit to it when they see it! Don’t take the moment from her, celebrate with her.
Phrases to avoid
After doing eight years worth of bridal appointments, we have heard so many beautiful statements of love and encouragement said to brides! The guest support can be amazing, positive, and helpful. We have also heard statements that have hurt brides more than they have helped. Here are some phrases/comments we recommend staying away from:
“You look fat/pregnant” “That looks horrible on you” “I don’t like anything you have tried on” “I always pictured you in a _____ dress so it’s hard for me to like anything else” “I am paying for the dress so I get a say in what you pick” “You will need to lose weight to wear that” “Are you serious? You like that one?” “Why would you want to wear THAT?” “Your partner will hate that”
Helpful phrases to use
You are almost ready to be the best guest of all the rest! Here are some great phrases to support your bride through her dress shopping process:
“How do you like/How do you feel in this one compared to some of the other ones you have tried?” “You look beautiful in this dress! I think some of your other favorites flatter your body better, though” “Out of your favorites, my personal favorite is _____, but you will be a beautiful bride in any of the ones you have picked!” “I think the other dress would really fit your venue/theme/color pallet, too!” “I want you to be happy in whatever dress you choose, and (fiancee) will love whatever you pick!” “I like some of your other choices better” “Do you know in your heart that this is your dress?”
Now you know how to be the best guest ever and can share in one of the most magical and memorable moments in a bride’s life!
Click here to make a bridal or tuxedo appointment online or call/text 215-491-8500.
About the author: Daria Capaldi is the manager of Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo and one-half of its namesake. On the cusp of the Millennial/Gen Z divide, she is uniquely suited for understanding the wedding industry both from a business perspective and a bride’s planning perspective. A graduate of James Madison University and a participant in the Disney Internship Program, Ms. Capaldi upholds the customer experience as key. A Warrington, Bucks County native, she resides in Huntingdon Valley with her boyfriend Jeff and her adorable pup Eva.
Details, Details, Details… Week 2 of my bridal industry experience has shown me that details are what these dresses and tuxedos are really about.
Monday was a productive day as we delved deeper into the marketing strategies used to make Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo so popular. I won’t bore you all with the details since it is far more interesting to see with your own eyes than read about a program written by an intern who still has only a brief understanding of it himself…
What I will say is that after all of the learning about the marketing programs, Franco told me to take a couple of pictures around the store and “see what you can see”.
Now, I have been in this store three times and I was thinking to myself “They have been here for 5 years what am I going to find that they haven’t?” I walked out of the room and immediately inspiration hit me like a train.
Hall of Brides
I don’t know if many people know this but at Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo, the back hallway in the office area is covered in pictures of brides in their wedding dresses with their name on the bottom of the picture. They are all hanging by pieces of string and it proved to me how much the staff at Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo really care about their brides. They ran out of wall space and now fill photo albums! So… I took a panorama of it and hopefully you can all see it.
As I moved further through the store I found myself attracted to the small things on the shelves and on the clothes.
Sparkly belts on display caught Dan’s eye during Week 2
I found that the embroidery on dresses was far more intricate than I would have imagined. I always thought that dresses were white and that’s about it, why look closer? Well, a closer look proved me wrong and I was continuously proven wrong moving about the store.
Shoes are part of the package, even for the little guys
I took this picture of shoes… When I tell you, it is my favorite picture I took I am completely serious, I don’t know why but I love it for no discernible reason. The point is that you can walk into Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo and see just a bunch of white dresses and suits, but open up your eyes a little bit and look a little more closely and you will begin to understand why finding the perfect dress of the perfect tux is important and so much fun.
The next time you are here I urge you whether you really wanted to look at the dresses or you need to find the perfect tux, I urge you to just take a look around. You may even find beauty in the strangest things, like a bunch of randomly placed shoes. Thank you for reading about my bridal and tuxedo Week 2, follow and learn with me along my journey!
About the author: Dan Pfeiffer is Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo’s marketing intern from Temple University’s Lew Klein College of Media and Communications. In order to receive his degree in Communications and Social Influence and Strategic Communications, Temple University requires its students to complete an internship in their field of study. Originally from Plumsteadville PA, Dan lives in Philadelphia while completing his degree. He is also an Emergency Medical Technician for Temple University and a volunteer fire fighter for the Plumsteadville Fire Department. Dan is versed in many aspects of social media including Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and TikTok and is helping Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo offer great social media content. Read more about Dan here.
