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A New Designer Addition: L’Amour by Calla Blanche

One of the great perks about working in a bridal store is seeing all of the dresses from all of the designers. One of the difficult tasks is choosing which dresses from which designer to include! We want to bring all of them in, but there simply isn’t space to do that.

We are so excited to announce that we are adding the line L’Amour by designer Calla Blanche to our inventory this fall! Dresses will be in by the end of the summer and we cannot wait to get them on display and on our brides!

Calla Blanche has four lines that retail in the United States and all over the world. With a fashion-forward approach to creating unique wedding dresses, you won’t find the basic, traditional wedding dresses that look like a million others that you have seen before.

L’Amour designer dresses apply new and inventive elements to classic designs including using color, textures, and luxurious fabrics and textiles. And that is a main reason we chose them! We want to offer the most unique designs to our brides, in the perfect price points – starting at $1,150!

Let’s feature two of our favorites that literally stopped us in our tracks when we saw them at New York Bridal market. The first one is Maisie:

Maisie dress by designer Calla Blanche from the L'Amour collection, this wedding dress has a lace bodice with a plunge neckline and off the shoulder lace sleeves, a satin belted waist and a beautiful chiffon skirt with a slit
Maisie by L’Amour

Such an on trend dress is Maisie with a much sought after chiffon skirt, as well as the slit and the satin banded waist. Combined with a lace bodice, this dress works for any venue. The plunge neck is held tight by nude mesh, and the beautiful lace off the shoulder sleeves give it the romance that every bride is looking for. Lightweight, clean, and elegant. A gorgeous choice that will stand the test of time without being dated or “traditional”.

The second dress is Amber:

Amber by L’Amour

Harkening back to decades past with it’s gorgeous bell sleeves and BoHo lace, the Amber dress was a must for our store. Light weight and a pretty lace pattern combine beautifully with a modern deep plunge neck and low back. We can picture brides getting married in the garden with nature elements surrounding them in a dress like this. The perfect flower crown accessory would complete this look perfectly.

There are dresses we have also chosen that are too new for us to even feature yet! We hope you will all keep an eye on our Instagram for these new beauties… And if you remember any dress name, remember Sutton… because it was the dress that made us grab the line.

There are always new dresses coming out and our focus is to keep them unique, ensure the quality of the fabrics and the construction, allow for proper ship dates, and in the right price points. There is nothing worse than a bride that goes from store to store seeing the same thing over and over. When they gets to us, they are excited again to start trying on! Or a bride who finds a dress at double the budget for half the quality. We have done that research already and can verify our designers are top-of-the-line without breaking the budget!

Generally you should purchase your wedding dress 9 to 12 months prior to your wedding date. Coming out to early means you will miss the latest season of designer dresses, coming out too late can put you at risk for rush fees or the inability to order the dress you want in time.

And the best part is the introductory trunk show event is scheduled for June 11 through June 13! We cannot wait to have these dresses on display for our brides to try!! Make your appointment with us here. We can’t wait to help you find your YES!

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.

Where You Say Yes To Your Dress Matters

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.

Store front of Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo with wedding dresses and tuxedo mannequins in the window, purple curtains, flowers, white tuxedos lit up at night time. Ready to say yes to the dress!
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!

3 Things To Consider For Your Bridal Appointment

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!

  1. Shapewear – yes/no
  2. Shoes – high/low
  3. 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.

Lace V-neck dress on two brides into different sizes. Featured is the Rosa dress by Morilee in a size 6 and a size 18. Dress has lace straps, a double banded waist, and a layered tulle skirt
V-neck Morilee dress in two sizes
Lace bridal dress with a halter neck line, sparkles, a line, tulle skirt
Halter 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.

ivpory colored alencon lace with beads and a scalloped shape
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!

Back of a lace wedding dress with illusion lace, buttons, lace straps, organza skirt
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.

Call the Ambulance! They Look Too Good!

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 chooses a lace fit and flare wedding dress from the gallery of dresses for Val to try on
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!

EMS workers from Temple University Dan and Kevin model blue suits in the front window
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?

Bride taking a selfie in the mirror wearing a perfectly fitted mermaid dress made of crêpe and lace with a V-neck and beaded straps, and a gorgeous lace train
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.”

Bride in a full lace fit and flare V-neck dress with a low back having photo taken in the mirror
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!”

Bride looking over her shoulder wearing an A-line wedding dress made of lace on the top and a tulle layered skirt
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!”

Bride in a perfectly fitting plunge neck V line with floral lace leading to a beautiful A-line skirt in a mocha color
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! “

Groom trying on a cobalt blue tuxedo with a petal pink bowtie and matching pocket square, brown shoes, and white shirt
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!”

Groom in a cornflower blue color tuxedo and four bridal models looking over their shoulder in lace dresses both fitted and Eileen
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.