Schedule Appointment Call or Text: 215-491-8500

Featured Wedding Dress: Alyssa by Kitty Chen

Meet Alyssa!

Designer: Kitty Chen

Alyssa dress by KittyChen is a gorgeous strapless mermaid with a plunge neck, gorgeous lace, and a cathedral layered train
Alyssa dress by Kitty Chen

Why we love her: Alyssa is a beautifully crafted statement dress. Hang her in the Louvre because she’s a work of art! Every inch of her is covered in exquisite and elegant detail. Alyssa has a gorgeous mermaid silhouette; she is covered in lace from her bodice to the knees, where a  seamless transition to a tulle skirt adds a dramatic flare.

And speaking of drama, her strapless sweetheart neckline has a deep plunge with lace edging– it’s a perfectly classic yet sexy neckline. The lace edging creates a soft and romantic look to compliment the bold plunge. Alyssa’s lace pattern is breath-taking. It is more of a traditional lace pattern with lines and swirls, but she also has flowers and leaves throughout. Clear sequins are stitched into the lace, adding a gentle sparkle without bulky beading. Alyssa has a layer of glitter tulle underneath, which also adds a little shine without being over the top. She will catch the light and make brides glow!  And if you thought the front of this dress was beautiful, just wait until you see her back!

The back of the Alyssa dress is breathtaking with a beaded upper back and a layered lace cathedral train
The back of the Alyssa dress is breathtaking

Delicate beadwork showcases the quality craftsmanship we expect from Kitty Chen. Alyssa’s back is unlined, which creates a dazzling illusion. There are clear beads, pearls, and sequins with lace applique interspersed. Crystal buttons adorn the center of the back and close the gown up nicely. Boning inside the bodice provides a lot of support while the soft lining in the skirt does not restrict movement. Alyssa shows off just the right amount of skin while still remaining modest and mature.

Alyssa is a gorgeous dress with the perfect mix of lace and beading
A gorgeous dress with the perfect mix of lace and beading

The most striking part of Alyssa is her train, hands down. There is a double-layer look to her train; there is a ring of bold floral applique where the train hits the floor, but the train then continues out in a scalloped shape. It ends with more flowers around the edge. In a word, it is breathtaking. The sequins and glitter tulle from the bodice continues down the length of the train, making it just as dazzling as the rest of the gown. Alyssa is available in Ivory/Khaki, Ivory, and White.     

She’s great for: Alyssa is a perfect choice for brides looking to show off their curves with a timeless mermaid silhouette! She will cinch in the waist with her boning up top, and the flare of the skirt hits at exactly the right spot around the knees. The pattern of the lace elongates brides, making it a great option for brides of any height! She is dramatic and will fit the vibe of elegant and formal venues like ballrooms, mansions, and hotels.

A closer look at the lace train

What makes her special: The back of the dress. Alyssa’s train is an absolute show-stopper! It is regal, romantic, and tastefully bold. She makes such a statement walking down the aisle, posing on staircases, and in from-behind photos. The floral applique, sequins, and glitter tulle seamlessly blend together to create a timeless yet modern look. 

10 New Must See Tuxedos and Suits for 2022

Every year, Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo adds new styles of tuxedos and suits for rent and purchase. We meet many brides and grooms one-on-one throughout the year and discuss their tuxedo and suit preferences and learn a lot. Our conversations help us develop what new styles to offer our customers. Those styles include completely new tuxedos, suits, bow ties, long ties, pocket squares, shirts and shoes.

This year we added 10 new styles, one new pair of brown shoes and countless long ties, bow ties and pocket squares. These are truly must see tuxedos, suits, and jackets!

We just finished up what were the top 5 tuxedo and suit rentals for 2021.  Now we are excited to introduce our 10 new must see tuxedos and suits we’ve added to our inventory for rent and purchase.

  1. Denim Blue Tuxedo by Allure Men
  2. Green Velvet Tuxedo Jacket by Allure Men
  3. Brown Suit by Ike Behar
  4. Heather Gray Suit by Ike Behar
  5. Black Double-Breasted Tuxedo Jacket by Ike Behar
  6. Navy Double-Breasted Tuxedo Jacket by Ike Behar
  7. Black Peak Lapel Tuxedo Jacket by Ike Behar
  8. Tan Suit by Ike Behar
  9. Seaglass (green) Tuxedo by Allure Men
  10. Steel Gray Suit by Ike Behar

1) Denim Blue Tuxedo by Allure Men

Denim Blue Tuxedo by Ike Behar is one of our must see tuxedos!
Denim Blue Tuxedo

Despite the name, this tuxedo is not made of denim!  It is actually a true tuxedo made of an ultra luxurious wool blend with a denim color.  The fabric will assure comfort for all day wearing.  The jacket has a notch lapel, a stitched border where you would otherwise see satin, however there is no satin on this jacket. 

The matching trim fit pants and vest, create a different yet handsome blue addition to our many blue suits and tuxedos available for rent and purchase.  Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo offers this tuxedo for rent and purchase, providing your wedding party the flexibility of owning or renting this beautiful tuxedo.  This has become one of our staff favorites from the moment they saw it and is one of our definite must see tuxedos.

2) Green Velvet Tuxedo Jacket by Allure Men

Velvet Green Tuxedo Jacket
Velvet Green Tuxedo Jacket

As with our other Allure Men velvet tuxedo jackets that we offer, this fabric is truly luxurious.  The green color is best described as emerald and the shawl lapel jacket and fabric are soft as can be.  This is a wonderful formal jacket to wear for a winter, late fall or holiday event.  We think it looks great with our slim fit black tuxedo pants. 

Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo offers this tuxedo jacket as a purchase only.

3) Brown Suit by Ike Behar

Brown Suit by Ike Behar
Brown Suit

Our customers and staff really love Ike Behar suits and tuxedos.  Why?  Because his designs are so precise that no matter what your body shape, this designer’s suits and tuxedos always seem to fit like a custom suit.  Don’t ask us how he does it?! 

This ultra-luxurious textured brown wool blend is something that needs to be seen in person.  When we first saw photographs of the suit, we didn’t think it was anything special.  About a month ago, we received our first shipments of the suit from Ike Behar and we were immediately in love!  The photos just don’t do the fine fabric and detailed texture justice.  The suit is a two-button notch lapel and has matching trim fit pants and vest.  We offer this wonderful suit for rent and purchase.

4) Heather Gray Suit by Ike Behar

 Heather Gray Suit with Scoop Vest
Heather Gray Suit with Scoop Vest

Last year we added a light gray Ike Behar suit to our collection.  This year, we added a few more gray suits from Ike and this one is slightly darker than our light gray Ike Behar suit but slightly lighter than our new steel gray suit from Ike. 

The trim fit one button jacket has a classy peak lapel.  The matching trim fit pants can be paired with a matching scoop vest or a V-shape vest.  We believe this will be popular with those in search of a darker gray suit that does not look black.  We are proud to offer this fine suit for rent and purchase.

5) Black Double-Breasted Tuxedo Jacket by Ike Behar

 Double Breasted Black Jacket
Double Breasted Black Jacket

After a trip to Europe to meet some fashion designers in September 2021, we had the good fortune of getting an inside look of some trends that may be coming out of Europe in the next two to three years.  One designer showed us some design plans of suits and tuxedos that were more relaxed fit and not as form-fitting. 

We believe the new double-breasted suits and tuxedos added this year may be part of what is more to come from Europe.  The double-breasted look is more forgiving around the midsection and torso and is capable of hiding a few extra pounds!  This is a peak lapel with very fine fabric and can be worn with slim fit tuxedo pants or our new Ike Behar black skinny-fit tuxedo pants.  Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo offers this tuxedo for rent or purchase.

6) Double-Breasted Navy Tuxedo Jacket by Ike Behar

Double Breasted Navy Jacket
Double Breasted Navy Jacket

Ike Behar has designed a double-breasted navy tuxedo jacket that is pretty much the same tuxedo as his black double-breasted tuxedo just made with his signature navy fabric.  We already offer two tuxedos by Ike Behar that are navy.  We are excited to offer this third option from Ike Behar. 

Ike has created a complete look by offering a matching satin navy bow tie or long tie, a matching navy V-shape vest and either navy slim fit or navy skinny fit pants.  Again, this handsome tuxedo is offered for rent or sale.

7) Peak Lapel Black Tuxedo Jacket by Ike Behar

Black Peak Lapel Tuxedo Jacket
Black Peak Lapel Tuxedo Jacket

Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo has always offered Ike Behar black tuxedos with notch and shawl lapels.  This year, we are proud to add this smart looking tuxedo jacket in a full peak lapel.  This is truly a slimming jacket with full satin on the lapel.  We think the jacket will pair perfectly with either the new Ike Behar skinny fit tuxedo pants or the more traditional slim fit pants. 

Last year, most grooms chose the more modern V-shape matching black vest.  However, we are seeing more and more customers choosing the more traditional scoop vest for our black tuxedos.  This tuxedo is available for rent or purchase.

8) Tan Suit by Ike Behar

Tan Suit by Ike Behar
Tan Suit by Ike Behar

When we saw that Ike Behar was now offering a tan suit, we knew we had to add it to our collection!  We already have a tan suit from Michael Kors and a tan tuxedo from Allure Men, but we think this tan suit will be popular for destination and summer weddings.  The suit is already a favorite of our tuxedo manager Joe

The super light 100’s wool and luxurious fabric will ensure you are comfortable all day for your warm weather event.  This is a notch lapel trim fit jacket with matching vest and trim fit pants.  This suit is available for rent or purchase.

9) Seaglass Green Tuxedo by Allure Men

Seaglass color Tuxedo
Seaglass Tuxedo

Another of our definite must see tuxedos! Our bridal consultant, Shannon, asks us every week when this tuxedo is coming in from the designer!  She is in love with this tuxedo and wants to buy this for her husband Jack.  This is a very unusual, yet beautiful light green fabric. 

The tuxedo is made with an elegant super 130’s fabric and has a notch lapel.  The border stitching on the lapel emulates satin piping without having any satin!  The fabric buttons on a few of our Allure tuxedos are always a nice touch.  This tuxedo is available for purchase only.

10) Steel Gray Suit by Ike Behar

Steel Gray Suit
Steel Gray Suit

This is yet another gray suit added to our collection from Ike Behar.  This is the darkest of the Ike suits available and has a peak lapel.  The suit is available with matching slim fit pants or wear it with black skinny fit pants. 

As with many Ike Behar suits and tuxedos, we do offer a matching scoop vest or V-shape vest with this steel gray suit.  We believe this suit will be popular all year round.  The suit is available for rent or purchase.

A Word About Double-Breasted Tuxedo Come-Back

The owners of Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo like to keep up on coming trends in wedding and formal wear fashion.  That’s why we like to personally visit designers in the United States and Europe and see what they are creating.  We actually see their design studios and look at the drafts of their drawings to see what may be coming.  

In all honesty, when we were told by a few designers in Europe that they were working on more relaxed fit suits and tuxedos, we were a bit surprised.  We remember the boxy look of some suits and tuxedos about 8 or 9 years ago which obviously since have gone by the wayside.  Now that some of these designers have released a few double-breasted suits and tuxedos, we see that we may be seeing more relaxed fit items in the next couple of years. 

Our opinion is that this may not be very popular in the Philadelphia region.  Why?  Because we meet brides and grooms every day for tuxedo and suit appointments and after approximately 575 appointments in the first 6 weeks of 2022, not many have indicated their desire to rent or purchase double-breasted suits or tuxedos.  The exception has been larger grooms and groomsmen who find the jackets more streamlined for their body types.

After adding another 10 different suits and tuxedos for sale and rent, we have close to 70 different styles available to you.  Most of what we offer is slim fit and skinny fit.  However, we do have several relaxed fit items as well.  We want to make sure we are accommodating everyone’s formal wear needs and will always invest in a mix of different styles and fits for you. 

As always, only time will tell as to what will be the most popular tuxedos and suits.  As we did at the end of 2021, we will certainly write about the most popular tuxedo and suit rentals and purchases for 2022. We hope you are as excited as we are about our new must see tuxedos, suits, and jackets!

Our family business is proud to serve you and enjoy the time we spend with you one-on-one to help you put together your perfect wedding, prom and gala look!

Featured Wedding Dress: Daria by Madi Lane

Meet Daria

Designer: Madi Lane

Daria dress by Madi Lane bridal is a fitted lace over charmeuse wedding dress with a plunge neck and spaghetti straps
Daria dress by Madi Lane

Why we love her: How could you not love her? She is gorgeous! Daria has a bold, embroidered floral lace pattern that pops on top of her delicate layer of shimmer tulle. She is offered in ivory, sand, or nude for the bride who wants to show off that unique and gorgeous lace.

This knockout fit and flare has delicate spaghetti straps and a gorgeous illusion scoop back adorned with buttons.

Deep plunge neckline with illusion tulle and bold floral applique overtop
Deep plunge neckline with illusion tulle and bold floral applique overtop

The deep plunging neckline has lace overlapping that provides some modesty while still being flirty and fun! While our sample has a lined front bodice, Daria can be ordered unlined for maximum “WOW” factor. The dress can also be ordered without the layer of shimmer tulle – the customization options are perfect for the bride who needs just the slightest tweak to make the dress feel fully her own. Her inner lining is a comfortable, silky charmeuse that our Madi brides absolutely love!

This dress has a little bit of everything put together beautifully.

The pretty back on Madi Lane Daria is scooped with Illusion, lace, and buttons
The pretty back is scooped with Illusion, lace, and buttons

She’s great for: The bride envisioning her perfect outdoor wedding! Whether that be on a beach, in a garden, or on top of a mountain, Daria is certain to fit the vibe. Unlike other fitted gowns, this dress is lightweight which makes traveling with her to your destination wedding painless. The relaxed fit of the skirt makes moving around a breeze, and her sweep train makes for a light and easy bustle when it is time to party!

What makes her special: The Madi Lane Daria dress is actually named after our Daria! And we think that is incredibly special!

This gown is also the sister gown of Madi Lane’s ever popular A-line, Avery. Brides all over the world have loved Avery so much that they demanded a fitted option – and here she is! With the same beautiful bodice, lace, and color options, you cannot go wrong.

 Madi Lane Daria dress is a fitted version of their A-line best seller Avery
Madi Lane Daria dress is a fitted version of their A-line best seller Avery

Madi Lane gowns are both aspirational and attainable, exclusive pieces that look, feel and read modern contemporary couture. Each and every Madi Lane creation features delicate appliqué and embellishments, artfully placed on high quality fabrics and polished in every detail. With personality and personalization in mind, each gown embodies a fierce femininity, fitting individual body as well as it does the individual spirit.

The Ultimate Guide To Renting A Tuxedo or Suit For Prom

It is now 2024 prom season so we’ve updated this blog for new pricing, a few new photos and a couple of new strategies to help you get the right prom tuxedo or suit.

We originally wrote this blog two years ago when parents were calling and texting our store asking many of the questions covered in this blog. Even we were surprised how many people viewed and read this blog and not just parents and prom-goers in the Philadelphia region. This morning someone texted us from the Pittsburgh area asking about how to get a high-end tuxedo for prom at a budget price. Yesterday a mother texted our store’s telephone number from Nebraska asking about one of our suit rentals for her son. Full disclosure: we serve the Philadelphia area! However, we were all too happy to answer their questions they texted us! While most of our inquires for prom suit and tuxedo rentals originate in the Philadelphia area, we now see this blog has been useful to prom-goers all over the country, even if they don’t rent from Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo.

If you are looking for a shorter version of this blog that focuses more on different styles and fit choices, you can read our blog How to Rent a Prom Tuxedo or Suit.

Every year, many parents tell us that this is the first time they are renting a prom suit or tuxedo for their school-age student. They further explain that they have no idea what they are doing when it comes to renting a suit or tuxedo.

Well, you are in luck!

The owners of Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo have children as well so we understand what you are going through. We rent thousands of tuxedos and suits for prom every year and we are happy to give you some guidance with this tuxedo and suit rental guide!

As a local, family-owned business, we want to make this process simple, fun and stress-free.  This blog should give you some guidelines to understand what you should expect when renting a tuxedo or suit and how to make the process easier on you and your prom-goer.

The Basics

When renting a tuxedo or suit for prom, there are several potential pieces to the rental that you should be aware of.  Although you may not want or need all of the rental pieces, this is generally what you can expect to receive when renting:

  1. Jacket
  2. Pants
  3. Vest
  4. Shirt
  5. Long tie or Bow Tie
  6. Pocket Square
  7. Shoes
  8. Cufflinks
  9. Studs

Don’t be overwhelmed by the number of things to choose.  Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo has a simple process of summarizing your choices and will guide you through everything.

When deciding on renting a suit or tuxedo, you will need to choose styles and colors for each of the items above.  In general, once you choose a designer or tuxedo/suit style, you have potentially already chosen the jacket, pants and vest.  This is the bulk of what you are wearing.  The remaining items are just accessories, shoes and a shirt.  Most tuxedo and suit designers make matching pants, jackets and vests for each style that they design and manufacture.  As an example, if you choose the below navy tuxedo by Ike Behar, this designer makes matching navy pants and navy vest to go with the jacket.

Man wearing a full navy tuxedo with notch lapel, white shirt and satin navy bow tie.
Ike Behar navy Sebastian tuxedo

Some prom-goers want a vest that matches the color and style of their long tie or bow tie and pocket square.  More about that decision and subject later.

Difference Between Dressing for a Senior Prom and a Junior Prom

Over the years, we have seen that most junior prom attendees wear a suit for prom, rather than a tuxedo. However that is not always the case.  Some junior prom attendees wear a tuxedo.  It’s entirely a personal choice whether the junior prom-goer wears a suit or tuxedo.  Either one would work and there is no right or wrong answer.  Our past experience shows that about 54% of junior prom attendees wore a suit and the rest wore a tuxedo.  Many junior high school students and parents ask other parents and students to gauge what other students are doing.  This usually forms the basis of how parents or students choose between a suit or tuxedo for junior prom.

As for senior prom, it is very rare that students wear a suit.  Most wear a tuxedo for their senior prom.  Our tuxedo ordering system shows that over the last 11 years, 98.8% of senior prom attendees wore a tuxedo.

Is a Tuxedo Rental More Expensive than a Suit Rental?

The common myth that a tuxedo rental is more expensive than a suit rental is false. The price of a tuxedo or suit rental is driven by the designer chosen and the fabric used to make the suit or tuxedo. A Michael Kors tuxedo is one of the more expensive tuxedos to rent. However a Michael Kors suit rental could be and is often as expensive as a tuxedo rental. You are paying for the designer’s name, high level design of the suit or tuxedo and the high quality fabric used in making the suit or tuxedo. Generally, the higher quality fabric used in making the suit or tuxedo, the more comfortable it will be to wear. You can, however, find tuxedos that are less expensive than some suit rentals because the designer is not as well known and the quality of the design and fabrics are not as high.

Our suggestion is to first figure out if you prefer a suit or tuxedo for prom and then choose a rental that fits your budget and style.

Should I Rent a Suit or Tuxedo for Prom

In our experience and opinion, suits are a great choice for a junior prom.  Why?  Because junior prom is not as formal and by the time you become a senior, it’s great to leave your high school days behind you by going out with a big bang in style!  Wearing a suit for junior prom will allow you to match a majority of the attendees to your junior prom and will ensure that you don’t look too different.  Senior prom is more formal, more celebratory, and should allow you to stand out and shine with a tuxedo.

How Much Should I Spend on a Tuxedo or Suit Rental

That’s a great question!  Many parents and students call or text our store around prom time and ask how much it costs to rent a suit or tuxedo.  Here’s where we like to give a word of caution to students and parents.  We found that a lot of tuxedo and suit rental shops charge for each item that you want to rent (i.e. shoes, pants, vest, tie, etc.) .  Pricing often given is “bare bones” pricing and doesn’t really include much, but there is more about that in the next section.

At Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo, we have always done package pricing.  We include everything in the rental and our pricing: Jacket, pants, vest, shirt, bow tie or long tie, pocket square, shoes, cufflinks, studs, and damage waiver – no surprises!  Yes, we even include shoes!  We don’t think you should be going to prom barefoot!  We have seven different price points ranging from $169 plus tax all the way up to $273 plus tax.  There are several price points in between those two high and low prices so you will have plenty of choice.

The way we do pricing at Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo is that once you choose the tuxedo or suit style, the price stays firm no matter what accessories or shoes you choose.  We like pricing this way so there are no surprises after choosing all of your accessories.

Beware of the $99 Rental Advertisement

Every year, we see tuxedo and suit rentals advertised for $99. This is a teaser rate offering very low end pants and a jacket and nothing else, however they don’t tell you that in the advertisement.  When I say low-end, I mean a jacket and pants that feel like a burlap sack and usually do not fit very well! No exaggeration here. Once you arrive at the store offering “$99” tuxedo rentals, you are then asked to choose a shirt, vest, tie, pocket square, shoes, cufflinks and studs. Each time you add an item, the price increases.  Some even then add a damage waiver fee and a cleaning fee.  Oftentimes the price will well over $300 after all said and done.

Our advice to you is choose a local place that has an honest, good reputation that has fair pricing.  Look at online reviews to see what others think and ask around for recommendations in your neighborhood.

Renting Items Piece-Meal

Some parents call us every year to tell us that their son owns a tuxedo jacket, pants and shirt and just needs to rent the bow tie, pocket square, colored vest and shoes.  This is a great idea if you are comfortable with the tuxedo you already own.  However keep in mind, sometimes the savings is not as great as you may expect.  Why?  Because package pricing when renting a full tuxedo or suit with all accessories can sometimes be not much more than renting a few accessories. If you are okay with saving $30 – $80 by renting only the accessories, then by all means, we encourage you to do that.  We, however, don’t want you to be fooled that you will save $150 – $200 by just renting the accessories.

Book Your Suit or Tuxedo Rental Early

Prom season can be very busy for formal wear and tuxedo shops.  In addition to a lot of rentals for prom, stores are also very busy with spring weddings.  There is often a lot of pressure on the tuxedo and suit inventory and popular styles and colors can become scarce during the prom rental season.

The best way to combat this is to get into the store and choose and secure your preferred suit or tuxedo as early as possible.  You may not even have a date for prom yet or know the color of your prom date’s dress. This is not a problem, later you can choose your accessories once you know the colors that you want. Coming early allows you to order and secure the jacket and pants styles and sizes that you need.

Aside from popular colors and styles running out the fastest, the less expensive tuxedo and suit rentals, especially in the smaller and larger sizes tend to run out more quickly.  We have a very large warehouse with a lot of suits, tuxedos and accessories however no business is exempt from running low on supply during high season. Your best strategy is to visit your tuxedo shop as soon as you can, get measured and choose your style.  You can later update the order with your chosen accessories.

Can a Female Wear a Suit or Tuxedo?

Of course she can!  Every year, we have females who prefer wearing a suit or tuxedo for prom.  We have experts who measure and size females to help them look their best.  The 70+ suits and tuxedos we have for rent and sale are suitable for females as well.

Female from goer rocking a navy Paisley tuxedo jacket, suspenders, floral bow tie, and black pants, with added Open-toe, black slingback heels
One of our female prom goers rocked this look!

Prom Accessory Tradition

One of the longest running traditions in prom attire is that the bow or long tie, vest and pocket square often match the prom date’s dress color.  As an example, if the girl has a blush prom gown, the guy often chooses a blush long or bow tie, blush vest and blush pocket square.  This helps tie the couple into each other and shows that they are together.  It makes for great pictures too!

Years ago, most prom-goers matched their tie, vest and pocket square to their date’s dresses. Back then, in about 10% of the prom couples, we saw that the tuxedo or suit vest chosen was the same color and fabric of the tuxedo or suit itself and only the bow or long tie and pocket square match the prom dress color.  As an example, if the guy rents a gray tuxedo, his vest will be the same gray color and fabric as the tuxedo. However, in the last two years, we see more prom-goers, over 70%, now choosing a vest that matches the color and fabric of the suit or tuxedo. Only about 30% are choosing a color coordinated matching vest, tie and pocket square.

How Do I Match the Accessories With the Prom Dress Color?

The best thing to do is to get a small swatch or piece of the dress to compare to our long tie, bow tie, vest and pocket square swatches. The easiest way to do this is when the prom dress is altered, ask your prom date to have the seamstress give her a piece of the fabric.  Most prom dresses need to be shorted (hemmed) and the remaining fabric is disposed of by the seamstress anyway.  Bring a piece of this fabric to our tuxedo store and we will be able to match it perfectly.  If you do not have a swatch of it, we often ask the prom date to come into the store with the dress so that we can match it.  A final and last strategy is to have a photo of the dress.  Unfortunately, photos of the dress don’t always reflect the true color of the dress but it’s better than nothing!

In Store Tuxedo and Suit Rental Process

When you visit Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo, the first thing that you will do is choose your tuxedo or suit style, bow tie or long tie, shirt, pocket square, shoes, cufflinks and studs.  Once everything is chosen, we will have you fill out a form with your name, address and phone number.  We will take your basic measurements and then have you try on a jacket, pair of pants, shirt, vest and shoes.  This process will ensure the perfect fit.

Picking Up Your Tuxedo or Suit Rental

Every formal wear shop arranges for your rental pick up differently.  Some have you pick up 1 – 3 days before the event.  Find out what the pick up policy is wherever you are renting.  We highly recommend that you pick up your rental as soon as it’s available.  It’s a very good idea to try everything on at the store to make sure everything fits properly.  This is especially important for young renters who are still growing.  The formal wear store needs time to make any changes to your rental.

We also recommend that you provide a phone number that allows a voicemail to be left by your tuxedo shop.  Some customers choose not to have their voicemail setup or their voicemail box is sometimes full.  Keep an eye out for a missed call from your tuxedo shop because it can be challenging if the shop cannot leave you a message.  We write about this because this is one of our most challenging aspects of notifying customers that their rental is ready for pick up!  And it goes without saying, if you received a voicemail, please listen to it!

Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo texts each person once his or her tuxedo or suit rental is ready. In the past, we would always leave a voicemail if the option was available. If our customer did not give us a mobile number for texting, we will call and leave a message when the suit or tuxedo is ready for pick up. Not all stores have the capability to send and receive texts so it is important to keep an eye out for a call from your chosen store.

Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo calls or texts you 4 – 12 days before your prom notifying you that your rental is ready for pick up.  Come as soon as you can.  There is no additional charge for having the tuxedo or suit that far in advance.

Returning Your Tuxedo or Suit Rental

As with any rental, there is a defined return date.  Your tuxedo shop will provide you with a rental agreement that you signed.  That agreement spells out in writing when the tuxedo is due back.  If you are unsure of the return policy, ask the staff at the tuxedo shop.  They are most likely very well versed in the precise return policy. 

Returning your tuxedo or suit rental late often results in late fees.  It’s usually a per day charge and can add up quickly.  We highly recommend that you return your tuxedo or suit rental in a timely manner to avoid any additional charges.  The “I didn’t know the rental was due back yesterday” often does not help in reducing the late fee.  Many garment bags containing your rental also have the return policy clearly printed on the front of the bag.

Lost or Non-Returned Items

In addition to needing to have your rental returned on time, all items need to be returned as well.  Items that are not returned, are charged at the full retail rate of that item.  The pricing and rules are usually spelled out in your rental agreement.  The most common things not returned from a rental are the tie, shirt and shoes.  We highly recommend that you check your car, room, and the place where you got dressed for prom to ensure that you haven’t left anything behind. You would be surprised how easy it is to drop something or forget to pack it into your garment bag for return.

If you accidentally pick up someone else’s tuxedo jacket at prom and someone else has yours, if the original jacket isn’t returned to the original shop where you rented, you will be charged for the jacket.  It doesn’t matter that you returned a jacket.  There’s a high likelihood that the other jacket is not part of your tuxedo shop’s inventory and is of no use to them.

Most garments have a barcode on them so that the tuxedo store can scan them when the items go out for rental and are returned.  These inventory systems are very sophisticated and can track what has left the store and what has been returned.

So, the lesson here is to make sure you return everything on time!

Other Considerations

Tuxedo Store Hours

Many formal wear stores are closed 1 – 2 days a week.  Students and parents are all busy so you will need to find a store that can accommodate their schedule.  Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo is open 7 days a week to help accommodate your busy schedule.

Parking

Not all stores have ample or free parking.  Check your chosen formal wear store’s website to see if they offer free and convenient parking.  Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo has a private, large, free parking lot steps from our front door.

Saving Money On A Tuxedo

Some tuxedo stores throughout the country offer free tuxedo and suit rentals to what are called Tuxedo or Suit Reps. In some instances, a student will receive physical discount coupons to give out to other students at their or other schools. The coupons have a code on them to identify the specific tuxedo or suit rep. Once 5 or 10 students come to the shop to rent a tuxedo or suit, the student rep is offered a free rental. Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo gives away about 30 prom tuxedos every year to their tuxedo and suit reps! We have a fun way of doing this all through social media and text messaging. Interested in becoming a tux rep for Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo? Text us at 215-491-8500 and we will get you set up in the system. It’s fun and easy!

Conclusion

We hope you found this tuxedo and suit rental guide useful.  Now you will know a lot more than most parents and students when you are ready to rent your prom suit or tuxedo.  If we haven’t answered all of your questions, text us at 215-491-8500 or click on our chat button and the owners of Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo will personally answer your questions. We are also now on WhatsApp!

Happy Prom Season!

What’s Hot? Three Prom Colors For 2022!

Prom colors and trends change every year. After a major disruption in 2020 and a skittish 2021, we were curious how this year would play out. For Prom 2022 it is exciting to see a little bit of – dare we say it – normalcy back in the prom dress shopping arena! Prom season started right on time last month and has been heating up daily with girls on the hunt for their perfect dress.

We noticed we quickly sold out of dresses in light purples. The prom colors wisteria, orchid, and lilac were sold out immediately and just as quickly we learned they are pretty hard to come by when trying to reorder.

Any of the light purple colors mentioned above plus lavender, violet, and heather are very popular so far this year! It is such a delightful color for the spring proms and really looks beautiful with coordinating bouquets.

Heather is one of the trending prom colors for 2022! This dress with lace flower details and beaded straps is perfect for prom from JVN by Jovani
Heather dress from JVN by Jovani

We are excited to match the tuxedo accessories to these pretty purple shades as well! While some may not want a bow tie, all of these are available in long tie as well with a matching vest and pocket square.

Wisteria, Amethyst, Lilac, so many beautiful purple hues can be easily matched

Interesting to note that we saw the light purple dress shades explode in popularity for bridesmaid dresses in the spring of 2019 and we were expecting it to last for some time, but then Covid canceled so much in 2020 that there really weren’t many color trends to speak of… We are happy to see this color revived in prom 2022!

Amethyst mood board with flowers, shoes, and tux inspiration
Amethyst prom mood board

Another color that is also being asked for frequently and that is the beautiful deep emerald. Emerald, hunter, evergreen, in silky satin or sparkly sequins is a very hot color. This one is also super pretty to accessorize with as every flower will pop against this lovely shade.

Emerald green one-shoulder wrap dress by JVN from Jovani. Green is another one of the hot prom colors for 2022
Emerald green one-shoulder wrap dress by JVN from Jovani

Our Prom Consultants put mood boards together for our social media and the green one is stunning:

Evergreen mood board for inspiration
Evergreen mood board for inspiration

Tuxedo accessories are equally stunning in this color!

The third most popular of the prom colors so far this year is not a surprise because it is popular every year. You may be thinking I am going to say black, which would be close because yes, black is very popular for many events, but not always for prom. The color always popular is red!

Red JVN dresses in our store, sparkly A-line and a sexy red cling with diamond straps
Red JVN dresses in the store

Red is a wonderful color that never goes out of style. It is formal, flattering, and easy to accessorize. It really makes a statement – especially at senior prom.

Matching your date is easy when you are wearing red! A swatch will help match to a true red, a dark apple red, even a candy red floral!

Red tux accessories including patterned and floral bow ties and long tie, each with a matching vest available
Red tux accessories including patterned and floral bow ties and long tie, each with a matching vest available

White flowers with a red ribbon look outstanding with a red dress! Add a few diamond accents with your shoes and nails for an unforgettable ensemble!

White flowers with rhinestone centers wrapped with red satin ribbon and rhinestones
White flowers with rhinestone centers wrapped with red satin ribbon and rhinestones
 Red satin shoes with rhinestone pattern heel
Red satin shoes with rhinestone pattern heel
 Lovely nail detail with rhinestones and roses
Lovely nail detail with rhinestones and roses

Whatever prom colors you choose to wear will be perfect for you. The choices are vast with light-dark hues in any color. Just make sure to allow enough time to choose the perfect accessories and have your hair done to highlight your dress neckline for a magical night!

You will remember prom forever so make it worth every moment!

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.

Featured Wedding Dress: Omarra from Blue By Enzoani

Meet Omarra!

Designer: Blue by Enzoani 

Omarra from Enzoani Bleu is a layered tulle ballgown with spaghetti straps, sparkle and applique
Omarra from Enzoani

Why we love her: One of the newest additions to the store, Omarra is a total work of art. Her floral appliques, delicate beadwork, and layer of sparkle tulle come together seamlessly to create a perfectly romantic, whimsical dress.

Omarra has a full a-line silhouette; the top layer of tulle is sewn with pleating, adding volume to the skirt without adding weight to the dress. This makes her a great choice for brides getting married in the summer or at a warmer destination. Omarra’s skirt has a layer of sparkle tulle underneath; it’s a shimmering mix of different sizes of glitter. It’s unique yet subtle.

Omarra's Beaded lace and sparkle bodice has a tightly cinched waist for a super flattering shape
Beaded lace and sparkle bodice

Omarra’s bodice is supported by boning and thin spaghetti straps. Floral embroidered applique covers the bodice and drips down the skirt. A mix of flowers and leaves, there are clear beads and silver sequins throughout the design. The mix of these two materials gives the dress a dazzling sparkle without being over-the-top. There are cutouts under the arms to avoid uncomfortable rubbing. The straps, neckline, and cutouts are lined with beads. The sheer bodice adds a little spice to this very sweet dress. 

Omarra’s back is just as special as her front. She has a deep V-shaped back with a beautiful illusion. The same beads that line her neckline and straps continue down the back of the V shape. There are a handful of buttons on the back of the bodice as well.

Omarra's Low back and gorgeous ethereal layered train adds drama without weight and makes for a easy and lovely bustle
Low back and gorgeous, ethereal layered train

She has a stunning train, with the embroidered applique and sparkle tulle creating an ethereal vision. When it’s time to party, bustling this lightweight train will be a breeze and still allow the appliqués to be visible!

Omarra is available in ivory/nude and all ivory. 

She’s Great For: brides who want the vibe of a ball gown without wanting the heaviness of ball gowns. Omarra’s voluminous skirt is the result of pleating in the tulle, not layer upon layer of crinoline. She’s light, she’s dreamy, and she’s sparkly; perfect for spring and summer weddings!

What Makes Her Special: the unique design in Omarra’s sparkle tulle layer!

Blue by Enzoani uses different sized glitter and sparkle to create a stunning yet subtle glow. Adding to that glow is the delicate bead work across the bodice. Without being gaudy or over the top, this dress perfectly combines appliqué, sparkle tulle, beading, and sequins. She has total fairy tale vibes in the best way possible! 

Enzoani has world-renowned designers and highly-experienced pattern-makers and beaders who work tirelessly to keep them at the cutting edge of bridal design. They produce gowns that fit perfectly, utilize the latest and most premium materials available – the highest grade fabrics and Swarovski crystals – to make each bride feel beautiful. There is no compromise when it comes to quality and construction. Each wedding dress produced by Enzoani is custom designed and custom made. The dresses are hand-beaded, and most dresses require several hundred hours to create!

Staff Appreciation Spotlight: Courtney Malland

It’s crazy how much I love writing about our team members. In this blog I am really excited to feature Courtney Malland.

Courtney started with us in our tuxedo department almost 2 years ago and while she was very good at helping couples bring their vision for the guys to life, we quickly learned we would need to rehire for that position. This girl was drawn like a magnet to wedding dresses. She would get sucked into the dress gallery whenever possible. Sparkles to plain, lace to satin, ballgown to mermaid, she loves ALL of them. Because she is engaged herself it certainly made sense, so she moved into bridal and connected immediately to brides on every level of wedding planning and the dress search.

Wedding dress consultant Courtney models the Dior dress by Madi Lane bridal
Courtney in Dior by Madi Lane

She is pretty much instantaneously best friends with every bride she works with. They follow her like the Pied Piper and I know part of the reason is her enthusiasm to show off our dresses since she has literally (and I’m using that word correctly here) tried on every single dress from our own inventory and every dress from every single trunk show. It doesn’t matter what size, she tries on everything. This girl knows wedding dresses.

Routinely and randomly I get a photo dump of 30+ pictures of Courtney in wedding dresses. I love it because I use most all of them in our social media and also because she is doing her job. It’s research. She can tell brides exactly what these dresses are, why they should try, and what they will like about each one.

The other reason why brides love Courtney is because she is a sweetheart. Now that’s not to say she doesn’t have a sassy side – which is actually quite amusing – but her genuine style is very much from her heart. She has a great aura, a joyful spirit, and an infectious giggle, who wouldn’t want to be around that?

And… getting back to her leaving her tuxedo post and us needing to rehire… long story short: her fiancé Rob replaced her, took that part-time job to a full-time one, and we are delighted! Our family business has little families inside! I feel so blessed because I feel like a Mama to all of them!

Here’s what some of her other team members have to say about her:

Sarah: Courtney is such a sweetheart, and she makes me laugh every time I talk to her. She bonds super quickly with all her brides, and her knowledge of our gowns helps her brides find their dream dresses without stress!

Daria: Courtney is so easygoing, happy, and fun! She’s so helpful with navigating our crazy packed weekends and does it with ease.

Suzanne: Courtney always has an upbeat, positive attitude that puts our brides immediately at ease. She is genuinely excited and invested in each bride that she works with.

Franco: Courtney is kind, compassionate, and intuitive. She connects right away with anyone she works with, in bridal AND tux!

Sunday Squad L-R Daria, Shannon, Rob, Paul, Saharrah, Molly, Sarah, and Courtney

So Courtney, our spirited girl with the cutest hair styles and the best nails, a Jersey girl not to be tangled with, and a beautiful soul with a burden I wish I could lift, we are truly grateful you are part of us. Thanks for giving us Rob, too. And keep jumping in those dresses and dumping the photos on me. We can’t wait for your big day!!

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.

Top 5 Wedding Tuxedo and Suit Rentals 2021

Every year, we like to see what were the most popular tuxedo and suit rentals for the entire year. Last year, we saw an abundance of formal event activity: proms came back, although not fully, galas started to creep back and of course weddings were incredibly popular.

We generally can see what is trending in the men’s fashion area because we rent so many tuxedos and suits.  However, when we run reports from our rental system, we are sometimes surprised what makes it into the top 5 category!

With many 2020 weddings postponed due to COVID-19 and even some 2021 weddings delayed, we saw an immense number of weddings in 2021.  So what were our top 5 tuxedo and suit rentals during 2021? Let’s not waste any more time and get to our list!

TUXEDOS

  1. Ike Behar classic black tuxedo with notch lapel
  2. Ike Behar full navy tuxedo with notch lapel
  3. Michael Kors light gray tuxedo with notch lapel
  4. Ike Behar navy tuxedo with black peak lapel
  5. Allure Men cobalt blue tuxedo with notch lapel

# 5 Allure Men Cobalt Blue Tuxedo

At the beginning of the year, we did not expect this tuxedo to be so popular.  However when you look at the vibrant and beautiful blue fabric of this tuxedo, we should have known better!  The tuxedo has no satin on it, rather a border stitching on the notch lapel to emulate a satin border and fabric buttons.  This was the perfect tuxedo for grooms who wanted a modern and striking blue color that went well with our brown shoes.

Cobalt Blue Tuxedo with Bow Tie
Allure Men Cobalt Blue Tuxedo

# 4 Ike Behar Navy Tuxedo With Black Peak Lapel

This tuxedo is the same exact fabric and style of our full navy Ike Behar tuxedo with notch lapel.  The only difference is a black peak lapel and black buttons to match that lapel.  Often, brides and grooms want to help distinguish the groom from the bridal party and fathers.  One of the most common things we saw during 2021 was the groom wearing this tuxedo and the groomsmen wore the full navy tuxedo.  This was a great choice to help dress the groom a little differently and help distinguish him further from the groomsmen.

Navy Tuxedo Blake by Ike Behar with Black Peak Lapel
Ike Behar Navy Tuxedo “Blake” With Black Peak Lapel

# 3 Michael Kors Light Gray Tuxedo with Notch Lapel

Even we were surprised by this ranking!  This light gray tuxedo with the thinnest of satin running down the notch lapel was popular with our spring and summer weddings.  Although when we set out to rank our most popular wedding tuxedo rentals, we had no idea this one was number three, or even made the top 5 list!  Part of its popularity, we think, is because of the Michael Kors name, the light gray color goes very well with warmer weather weddings and events, and it goes beautifully with most every bridesmaid color!  We can say though, that the fabric is quite comfortable and luxurious and that could have swayed our brides and grooms.  Nonetheless, a great tuxedo choice for a wedding.

Light Gray Tuxedo with Gray Long Tie
Michael Kors Light Gray Tuxedo

# 2 Ike Behar Full Navy Tuxedo with Notch Lapel

Before we ran the numbers in our tuxedo and suit rental ordering system, the staff at Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo was trying to guess the most popular tuxedos rented by our wedding parties.  We all guessed this tuxedo to be the most popular one.  We were close but this tuxedo came in second.  We can say, though, that it’s by far our most pinned tuxedo on our Pinterest page.  This is a very handsome navy color with very luxurious fabric that provides all day comfort for grooms, groomsmen and fathers.

Ike Behar "Sebastian" Full Navy Tuxedo with Notch Lapel
Ike Behar “Sebastian” Full Navy Tuxedo with Notch Lapel

# 1 Ike Behar Classic Black Tuxedo With Notch Lapel

There is no surprise at the popularity of this fine tuxedo.  However, when we were trying to guess the top tuxedo rentals, we had no idea that it was our most popular wedding rental in 2021.  We knew it would make the top 5 list but had no idea it would be number 1!  The classic, timeless look, luxurious fabric and perfect fit have always made this a favorite for just about anyone for any occasion.  We found that brides and grooms who were interested in creating a timeless look tend to choose this tuxedo.  We always advise that it’s a good idea to keep your wedding photos timeless so in 25 years you don’t question what you wore for your wedding!  This tuxedo would certainly help you with that goal.

Ike Behar Classic Black Tuxedo with Black Bow Tie
Ike Behar Classic Black Tuxedo with Black Bow Tie

TOP 5 WEDDING SUIT RENTALS

In some instances, brides and grooms prefer to dress the groom and groomsmen in suits rather than tuxedos.  That approach is evident in the number of suits we rent every year for weddings.

  1. Erik Lawrence steel gray suit
  2. Ike Behar navy suit
  3. Erik Lawrence black suit
  4. Erik Lawrence french blue suit
  5. Ike Behar light gray suit with peak lapel

Okay, first things first: we were REALLY surprised that the Ike Behar Yale blue suit did not make it into the top 5!  It was number 6.  It seemed that so many wedding parties wore this suit in 2021 but I guess when you are doing thousands of tuxedo and suit rentals, it can be challenging to keep track of which is precisely more popular.  In addition, we all thought that the Ike Behar navy suit would have come out on top.  In fact, it came in as the number 2 most popular suit rental for weddings.

# 5 Ike Behar Light Gray Suit

Brides and grooms who wanted a gray suit for a warmer weather wedding, tended to choose this suit.  The fabric was soft, light and comfortable.  And of course, as with all Ike Behar suits and tuxedos, it fits perfectly every time.  The peak lapel on this suit adds a bit of style and flair to the look.  Some wore it with the scoop vest, others did without the vest and may have added suspenders.  We saw most rentals for this suit for Spring and Summer weddings.

Ike Behar Light Gray Suit With Peak Lapel
Ike Behar Light Gray Suit With Peak Lapel

# 4 Eric Lawrence French Blue Suit

Coming in at number 4 is our French blue suit.  Again, before compiling our totals, we thought this one would have been in the top 3.  We were close!   The striking bright yet dark blue color of this suit is what attracts most of our brides and grooms to it.  Wedding photos come out vibrant and defined when the wedding party is dressed in this suit.  We predict this will be a popular suit for many years to come.

A bright French blue suit with notch lapel, matching French blue vest and pants, lavender floral long tie and matching pocket square and white shirt.
French blue suit with notch lapel, matching French blue vest and pants, lavender floral long tie and matching pocket square and white shirt.

# 3 Ike Erik Lawrence Black Suit

Okay, this is somewhat of a surprise to us!  Why?  We didn’t think a black suit would have made it into the top 5 suits rented for weddings.  Given the extreme popularity of the various shades of blues and grays that we rent and sell, we thought that those colors would have outpaced the black suit rentals.  However, that’s why we run reports that summarize the thousands of rentals we do every year to see who are the clear winners!  This is a very handsome, timeless suit.  The trim fit jacket, slim fit pants and matching vest all create a very professional and modern look.  In addition, the pants are both adjustable and have belt loops for grooms and groomsmen who like to wear a belt.

Black Dress Suit by Eric Lawrence
Erick Lawrence Black Suit

#2 Ike Behar Navy Blue Suit

Again, no surprise here, even though we thought this would have been the number 1 most rented suit in 2021.  Instead, it came in at number 2.  Many of our brides and grooms love our Ike Behar full navy tuxedo but do not want any satin.  This suit solves the problem by replicating the navy tuxedo without satin.  The slim fit and classic dark blue color make this a favorite for our wedding parties.  I personally love this suit and have ordered one for myself.  Many of our grooms purchased this suit while the remaining groomsmen rented it.  The sheer number of groom purchases of this suit alone is a testimonial of how great it is!

This was definitely the suit for a bride and groom who wanted a different kind of blue.  This blue shade is very pleasing and that’s before we get to the fact that it’s an Ike Behar.  The fabric is super luxurious, very comfortable and fits like a custom suit.

Classic Navy Dress Suit
Ike Behar Navy Suit

# 1 Erik Lawrence Steel Gray Suit

This darker gray suit was very popular with many of our wedding parties.  We found that brides and grooms were choosing this suit no matter what season it was.  This is a very professional looking suit that has both style and comfort.  The gray color is a true dark gray and is not mistaken for black.  The matching trim fit jacket, slim fit pants and vest make great attire for your wedding party.  We also found that many grooms purchased this suit rather than rented it.  Grooms have told us that they like the suit so much that they would rather be able to keep this suit for future use.  More frequently, the groomsmen rented the suit rather than purchased it.

Erick Lawrence Steel Gray Dress Suit
Erick Lawrence Steel Gray Suit

So what was more popular for weddings, tuxedos or suits?  We can say that last year, more tuxedos were rented than suits.  70% of our rentals were tuxedos and 30% were suits.  It seemed that brides and grooms were going for a more formal look, thus choosing tuxedos more frequently for their wedding.  That’s not to say that suits do not look formal.  In fact, some of our suit rentals look more formal than certain tuxedos.  However, our best advice to you is choose a style that you like and are comfortable with, regardless of whether it’s a suit or tuxedo. 

Another thing to consider is to try to match the feel and look of the bridal gown.  If the wedding dress is very formal, you may want to choose tuxedos for the wedding party.  If the bridal gown is less formal, perhaps a suit is more appropriate.

So there you have it!  Our Top 5 wedding tuxedo and suit rentals for 2021.  With 9 new tuxedo and suit styles being added to our 60 or so already on offer, we are curious what will make the top 5 list for 2022.  I guess we will have to wait and see!

Are you curious what father’s should wear to the wedding. Read our blog with advice on dressing father for your wedding.

About the author: Franco Salerno is co-founder and co-owner of Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo, now in their ninth year in business. In that time, he built the tuxedo department into a force rivaling big box stores by providing expertise, caring service, and beautiful, quality formal wear. Personally invested in every transaction, Mr. Salerno provides customers with the utmost trust and confidence, assuring their wedding or formal event attire will be perfect. A native of Philadelphia with extensive international business experience, he currently resides in Warrington, Bucks County with his wife and store co-founder/co-owner Wendy, and their two daughters for whom the store was named, Daria and Deanna.

Featured Wedding Dress: Evie Young Winter

Meet Winter!

Designer: Evie Young

Winter by Evie Young, full lace and long sleeve wedding dress with a plunge neck ans chapel train
Winter by Evie Young, full lace and long sleeve wedding dress

Why we love it: There is no dress more perfect for a winter wedding than Evie Young Winter! Her timeless design is perfect for elegant brides with a little boho side. She is covered in intricate lace from top to bottom. The detailed, geometric pattern of the lace adds a modern touch to a classic style – the perfect blend of edgy and sweet!

Intricate geometrical patterned lace over a charmeuse layer
Intricate geometrical patterned lace over a charmeuse layer

Winter has a gentle fit-and-flare silhouette; she hugs your curves while allowing you to walk and dance comfortably! The inside lining is so soft and comfortable, making her easy to wear all day long. And as with all picture-perfect winter wedding dresses, she has long sleeves that add a beautiful and soft touch. The lace continues unlined down the length of the sleeve, creating a striking illusion that shows the intricacy of the lace pattern. There are some adorable buttons on the ends of the sleeves as well. 

The V-neck neckline has a deep yet narrow plunge. It’s modern, it’s sexy, and it won’t offend any grandparents. The plunge runs almost the length of the bodice, and it gradually narrows down into a point. The plunge, and the neckline in its entirety, is lined with a finely cut crocheted lace. The neckline leads down to a waistband with diamond-patterned crocheted lace that hits at the natural waistline, giving brides a beautiful silhouette! Winter’s sweep-length train means no bulky bustles or heavy material following brides around all night.

Plunging neckline leads to the bandedbnatural waist with seed pearls
Plunging neckline leads to the defined waist

Her train and the hem around the rest of the dress is scalloped, creating a soft and romantic finish to this modern-style dress. 

Available in Ivory/Nude, Ivory/Sand, and Ivory/Ivory (shown).

What she’s great for: Winter is a perfect fit for modern brides with a boho side. Her silhouette works well with brides looking to show off their curves. With fuller coverage, this gown is appropriate for ceremonies in religious spaces. And is it too obvious to state that Winter is a great dress for winter weddings?

Keyhole back with illusion lace makes a sexy statement!
Keyhole back with illusion lace makes a statement!


What makes her special: The superb intricacy and detail in the lace, which makes up the entire dress, is truly a work of art. The lace pattern is eccentric yet tasteful; the geometry of it invokes a mandala-esque vibe. Winter brings a little heat with a keyhole back! In a unique triangle shape, the keyhole back is lined with the same crocheted lace as the neckline. It’s another stunning feature on this captivating gown. 

Evie Young is a label of modern contemporary wedding gowns that embody synergy and femininity. The collections are harmoniously representative of the women who wear them – beautifully diverse and supremely exceptional and the creations feature in-house designed exclusive laces, earthen textural layers and innovative silhouettes. With a focus on the multi-faceted diversity of beauty and all that is feminine, our label is akin to a montage of individual love stories. They are consistent in our dedication to making their footprint smaller in all creative and business processes in solidarity with ethical and mindful production principles.