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Wedding Dress Designer Spotlight: Eddy K

September 21, 2021 darianna Leave a comment

As owners of a bridal store, it is most important that what we offer for sale in our store is of the best quality and value, and that the designer cares about his/her product and partners.

We have had the pleasure of meeting designers/owners Kevin Lu from Casablanca Bridal, Kitty Chen of Kitty Chen Couture and Ivoire, and now we can add Eddy K to our list.

Wedding dress designer Kitty Chen at Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo with a real bride. Bride said yes to a dress named "Daria" and was thrilled to meet the designer in person! — Designer Kitty Chen with our bride Kaitlyn who said yes to the “Daria” dress!

We met “Mr. Eddy” at his office in Milan, Italy earlier this month. It was an amazing experience to tour the facility, show rooms, and shipping areas, as well as meet many of his staff members. We also saw the gardens where many of the early photo shoots used to take place.

What was immediately evident was something we didn’t expect. How personal he was! He did not begin with business, he began with the personal – asking questions about us, our children, where we lived in the US, and our backgrounds. I felt like I was meeting a family member I never knew and it was such a nice surprise.

During a lovely lunch, we learned so much about this man. And to say he is a family man is an understatement. His wife, children, in-laws, grandchildren, siblings, and even his friends are what gives him the greatest joy. An incredibly successful business aside, he lit up speaking of his family – especially the “countdown” to see his grandchildren again.

His staff is also like family and have been with him for years. We can relate to that because our staff is like family as well.

We quickly realized that we have a partner who puts people and their feelings way before business and profits. I believe that is the reason he has been so incredibly successful over his lifetime.

Presently there are three Eddy K bridal collections called Italia, Milano, and Dreams. New styles are always on display in the showroom. We have some of these on display in our store right now!

Eddy K show room in Milan Italy displaying new wedding dresses on manikins for viewing and ordering — The show room in Milan with new dresses on display

Because he started out doing bridal photography, Eddy is a master knowing what dresses will look like in the wedding photos. This allows him to design with that in mind – especially knowing first hand that brides are not all one size! This is a real edge for these collections.

Another thing we like about Eddy and his company is that he stands by his work 100%. If there is an issue, or a quality defect, they will replace the dress with no questions asked. It is rare that something is missed in quality control, but it does happen on occasion and knowing it will be fixed immediately is a stress reliever to us!

Franco and Wendy Salerno with wedding dress designer Eddy K at the design facility in Milan Italy — This is us with Eddy K!

There was something inspiring and motivational about listening to him and his travels and life experiences.

It was an incredibly wonderful afternoon with a genuinely kind man. He treated us like family from the moment we arrived and we were reminded how important and memorable it is to be treated that way. We are sure we made the right decision in carrying lines supplied and designed by such a delightful and caring person.

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.

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The Emotions of a Bridal Appointment

November 5, 2020 darianna Leave a comment

You are finally engaged! You have waited so long for this and here you are a bride to be planning your wedding. This is one of the most exciting times in your life! You may find your emotions are all over the place as you begin the task of planning your wedding.

You are also about to embark on the search for the most meaningful garment you will ever wear.

We have done thousands of bridal appointments over the years and there are so many emotions that a bride may experience during an appointment. If you have never looked for a wedding dress, this will definitely help if you experience them during your search!

Anxiety. Most often we find brides have anywhere from a slight nervousness to almost panic when starting out. We do our best before the appointment even begins to put every bride at ease, and most of the time the anxiety disappears quickly and turns into excitement. If it does not, some of the changes we make are easy ones such as offering mom or sister to help in the dressing room, and/or moving the bride to a more private/quiet area. These usually do the trick and allow the bride the space she needs to breathe and think calmly.

Excitement. You have thought about being a bride for so long and the dress search is incredibly exciting! Chances are you have a Pinterest board full of dresses and cannot wait to start trying on!

Wonder/Insecurity. Will it be as amazing for you as the brides on TV make it out to be? Or as great as your friends? Will anything look good? Will you find what you love in your budget? Will you know when its the right dress? How many stores will you need to visit? How many dresses should you try on? Will you cry? Will you have your “moment”?

Shock and Awe. This is a big one. Make no mistake about it, trying on a wedding dress is like nothing you have ever experienced. This is not like trying on a pair of jeans or a jacket. Wedding dresses are magic and you will be shocked at how incredibly special you feel in them! Also, this is the time that the gravity of the situation hits… “Holy sh*t, I’m getting married!!”

Confusion. This happens for a number of reasons. The most common is when you won’t stop looking and you have tried on so many that you don’t know what you want anymore. Another reason is that you have not chosen what silhouette you want and now you have multiple favorites that are completely different and don’t know which to pick. Or, you have started looking over your budget and you don’t like anything in budget anymore. You may be confused with regard to sizing of wedding dresses (they run 1-2 sizes small). This also occurs when you are given conflicting information from multiple stores, and you don’t know the truth. (Just ask us, we are known for our honesty even if it does cost us a sale.)

Overwhelm. This also can happen for a number of reasons. First as mentioned above, you may have gone to too many stores, or perhaps been given conflicting information, and/or tried on too many dresses. But another one we see often is too many people in a group. The search for opinions and approval, lots of pictures, you find the one but you’re told to “sleep on it”, all of these can lead to an overwhelming experience for you. (When a bride hits this stage, we will often suggest the she take a break from shopping for several days and/or return with a smaller group.) Covid has forced us to limit the number of guests allowed in the store, however Facetime calls are unlimited guests.

The Moment. If there was a word for this… priceless? But priceless doesn’t even cover it. You can’t stage, plan, or recreate it. When the moment happens, brides react in ways that surprise themselves. The bride who says, “I doubt I’ll cry when I find my dress,” is often the one who does. On the other side, we’ve had shy brides announce, “This is it, this is my dress,” with absolute confidence and a big smile. Regardless of the reaction, this is a life moment to be embraced and celebrated! You will always remember your moment.

Deflate. You’re in the moment, relishing it as well as the dress you can see yourself walking down the aisle in!! And then someone says, “You can’t say yes today, you have to sleep on it.” You are forced into two places, disappointment (“But, I came out to find my dress?!”) and confusion (they don’t like it, I look bad, I’m making the wrong choice, etc.). While you can still have a great memory saying yes to the dress at a later time, you will never recreate the moment.

Nervous. You get the call that your dress is in! You waited months for your dress, will you still like it? Will it fit? Will it be as amazing as you you remember? (Yes, yes, and even better!)

Anticipation. You LOVE your dress! You have your perfect accessories. You have the perfect hairstyle and your make up trial was flawless. Now you have to wait for your best day ever!

The stylist team at Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo

You could experience any or all of these emotions while you search for your perfect wedding dress! If you do, they are all normal, and you are not the first bride to experience them. We know how to make your bridal appointment fun and we have dresses for every bride! Make your appointment with us!

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Bridal Appointment FAQs

August 15, 2020 darianna Leave a comment

You’re engaged and making appointments to find your wedding dress, how incredibly exciting! As Bridal Stylists, we know It can also cause anxiety. It is fear of the unknown with question after question running through your head! This blog will answer our most frequently asked questions and hopefully put your mind at ease coming to us.

When should I buy my dress?
We recommend buying a dress 9-12 months out from your big day. Dresses take 4-5 months to arrive and 1-2 months for fittings with the seamstress to make it just perfect! See our blog When to say “Yes to the Dress!” for more details.

Is this dress white?
A fun fact is that all of the gowns in our store are actually in ivory (except for one which helps to show our brides the contrast!) Ivory is a beautiful, soft, and classic bridal white. We also have gowns available in a different combination of ivory to emphasize dress details and applique including champagne, mocha, blush and much more!

Do I need to bring shoes?
You don’t need shore for your try on! Shoes are important when you begin the alteration process with your seamstress. However, if you are planning to wear heels, it isn’t a bad idea to bring them along to show the skirt proportion because you will need less of a hem. If you are wearing flats or a low heel it isn’t necessary to bring them along. It is your choice though if you’d like to bring shoes!

How long will my dress take to come in?
Dresses take approximately 4-5 months to come in from the designer.

How long will my veil take to come in?
Veils – and most accessories – can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 4 months depending on the designer. It is best to order your dress and accessories at the same time.

What’s a bustle?
A bustle holds up and supports the train of a gown. The gown train is typically worn down for photographs and the ceremony, and then bustled and gently tucked up for the cocktail hour and reception. This allows the bride to freely move around.

Do you do alterations on site?
We do not do alterations on-site but we have two fabulous, local seamstress professionals that handle our bridal gowns. You will have a private fitting in their studios. They are amazing!

Should I wear a bra?
You do not need to wear a bra for bridal gown try ons or the day of your wedding. Most all of our dresses have built in corseting and cups, and of course, you can get these customized in your gown during alterations!

Do you clean and preserve gowns?
Yes, we can take care of this for you after your wedding! Just contact us after our wedding and we will take care of it – dress and veil included!

Do brides buy on their first time out/at the first store?
This is the question brides wrestle with so often. The short answer is YES. I could list many so brides who asked this question but couldn’t pull the trigger. It takes some a few days, some a few weeks, and some even a few months, to return to buy that first dress from the first store.

How do I store my gown?
When you pick up your gown we will send your gown home safely secured in a Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo cloth, zipped dress bag. Simply store your dress away from sunlight, children, pets, and your fiance (of course!) in a closet and it will be safely stored and secured until you head to alterations, where your dress will be held, pressed, and steamed for your pick up day!

What other services do you offer?
We have tuxedo & suit rentals, bridesmaids dresses, and mother of the bride dresses (arriving soon!)

Can I add or remove sleeves to this?
You may be able to add or remove sleeves on a dress-by-dress basis. Depending on the dress, your consultant will give you the best advice for the ability to customize a dress and and or remove sleeves, which would happen during alterations.

What sizes do you carry?
Your wedding dress size will not be your normal size. Everyone questions the size of the dress. Bridal runs small. Whatever your regular size is you will be one size up, sometimes two sizes up depending on the style of the dress. Do not get upset over the size! Having said that, we carry sample sizes from 4 to 28!

Another helpful blog is our bridal and tuxedo glossary with common terms in the bridal industry that you may not be familiar with.

Have a question about our staff? I think it’s always helpful to see the faces of the team members that may help you. This link will show our super friendly staff who will never push you into purchasing. We all want every bride to find the dress of her dreams and we know we have it! Look at these faces of our real brides and read our reviews, you will feel right at home with us.

Make your appointment with us to find your perfect dress and let us share in your excitement! We can’t wait to welcome you to our family!

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Should I Wear a Tuxedo or Suit for My Wedding?

August 6, 2020 darianna Leave a comment

Tan Tuxedo — Allure Men Sandstone Tuxedo With No Satin

Tuxedo or Suit for the Wedding?

Probably one of the top questions we receive from brides and grooms is whether the wedding party should wear a suit or tuxedo for the wedding. We can guarantee you that the bigger question from many of our customers is: “what’s the difference between a tuxedo and a suit”? So let’s start with that information first. Then we can quickly and simply answer your question about whether you should wear a tuxedo or suit for your wedding.

What is a Tuxedo?

Many, if not most tuxedos have satin on the lapel, pockets and buttons. Some, but not all, tuxedo pants have a satin stripe down the side of each pant leg as well. The stitching of the fabric may also be more detailed and fine. However, the largest difference between a tuxedo and a suit is usually the existence of satin on the tuxedo. The satin tends to give a more formal look with a bit of sheen. Satin is shiny and has a very distinct look.

Satin Tuxedo — Navy Tuxedo with Black Satin Lapel

However, over the years, some tuxedo and suit designers have gotten the message from certain brides and grooms: not everyone likes satin. In this particular case designers like Allure have created tuxedos that have no satin at all! The buttons are covered in the same fabric that the tuxedo is made of and there is a stitching along the lapel that creates an outline of where the satin would typically be incorporated into the tuxedo however there is absolutely no satin. This design is often referred to as a self fabric edging that creates a border on the lapel for a more formal look without the satin.

Allure Men Blue Tuxedo — Cobalt Blue Tuxedo with No Satin

So now that we told you that tuxedos have satin and suits do not, that is not always the case. Of the seventy or so tuxedos and suits that we offer, Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo has 4 different styles of tuxedos with no satin on them.

What’s a Suit?

Suits definitely have no satin to be found on the fabric and most of the suit buttons are plastic. At one time, we could argue that all tuxedos had more luxurious fabric than suits but that is no longer the case for all designers. Some of our designers like Michael Kors, Ike Behar and Allure make suits with fabric that is as luxurious and sometimes even more luxurious than some of our other tuxedo designers.

As mentioned in the prior paragraph, we now have very creative tuxedo designers that have created tuxedos with no satin on the jacket, pants or vest. They stitch a visible outline of where satin would normally be on the tuxedo lapel thus giving it the appearance of satin without the sheen. The buttons are often the same fabric and color of the tuxedo itself. Brides and grooms who do not like the shininess of the satin appreciate these designs because they want a tuxedo for their wedding without the satin.

Now that you know more about tuxedos and suits than most people, let’s talk about whether you need to choose a tuxedo or suit for your wedding.

Let’s discuss some things you need to consider that will help you to make a tuxedo or suit decision.

Where Are You Getting Married?

One of the initial questions we ask our brides and grooms is where are they getting married? Is it a barn wedding or a formal ballroom? Maybe it’s neither place. We often recommend the attire needs to match the setting and venue.

If you are having a very formal wedding with elaborate flowers in a stately location and fine china, we often recommend having the wedding party wear a more formal tuxedo.

However, as mentioned previously, some of the suit designers we carry make very handsome suits that look as formal as a tuxedo. That formality includes very fine and textured stitching, high fiber count wool blends and an overall fitted look.

How Formal is the Bride’s Wedding Dress?

Another question we ask during our suit and tuxedo consultation is how formal is the bride’s wedding dress? Fortunately, most of the time, the bride already said yes to her dress at Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo so we can look up in our system the type of dress she is wearing without disclosing the information to the groom. This allows us to immediately advise appropriate styles of suits and tuxedos to better pair the bride and groom on their wedding day.

The analogy we like to give when making this decision on whether to wear a tuxedo or suit for your wedding is this: if the bride is wearing a very formal bridal gown with a lot of ornate lace and a long train, you wouldn’t want to put the groom in jeans, would you?! Each should be dressed as formally or informally as the other. Your wedding photos will come out better and you will feel more comfortable throughout the day.

We can help you decide how formal the bride’s dress looks. We see and have a lot of wedding dresses so this will be very easy for us.

Start with What You Had in Mind.

If you had your heart set on wearing a suit then begin your in-person or video appointment with us looking at suits. If you find something, great! We’ll prepare those suits for your free groom try on so you can see what you look like well before your wedding.

If after looking at our suits, nothing interests you, then allow us to show you our 60 or so tuxedos we have available.

If you were leaning towards wearing a tuxedo for your wedding before consulting us, let’s start by looking at tuxedos first.

Bottom Line

In the end, wearing a tuxedo or suit for your wedding is entirely your choice. Our goal is to try to keep your wedding pictures timeless so that, say in 10 or 20 years, you don’t regret having worn something that is out of place.

Essentially, here are the things you need to consider when choosing between a tuxedo or suit for your wedding:

How formal is your venue?
How formal is the bride’s wedding dress?
Do you like satin or not?
Do you prefer a suit or tuxedo?

Tell us what you prefer, a tuxedo or suit.

Make your appointment with Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo and let us show you our tuxedos and suits. We arrange to have any out of town wedding guests measured anywhere in the country for free and can even ship them their tuxedos or suits. Have a question: you can even text us at 215-491-8500.

Uncategorized, wedding planning

Let’s Shop For Engagement Rings!

July 20, 2020 darianna Leave a comment

If you’re looking at diamond engagement rings online, chances are you are close to that rock being on your finger! While you know what you like when you see it in a picture online, there is definitely investigation required when you are in person at a jewelry store to make sure you are getting the best diamond or gemstone for the price you are paying.

There are probably some terms you will hear while shopping that you are unfamiliar with. This blog will give you a head start in learning more to help you make the best decision. In this blog we are not going over the shapes of diamonds, rather the features of diamonds and bands.

The “Four Cs” – these include cut, color, clarity, and carat, and they determine the value of the stone.

Cut – A specific style or shape into which a gemstone is formed. Most cuts intend to alter or maximize how well the stone will sparkle and reflect light. Common cuts include princess, brilliant, Ascher, cushion, emerald, heart, oval, and pear. Some cuts work better with certain gemstones more than others.

Color – The diamond color is based on the absence of color. A chemically pure and structurally perfect diamond has no hue, like a drop of pure water, and consequently, a higher value.

Clarity – Evaluating diamond clarity involves determining the number and size of internal and external blemishes created upon formation of the diamond. No diamond is perfectly pure, but the closer it comes to purity, the better its clarity.

Carat – To put it simply, it is how much a diamond weighs. Diamond price increases with carat weight because larger diamonds are rarer. However, two diamonds of equal carat weight can have very different prices depending on the three other factors above!

So once you have your stone picked out then you are going to pick your setting. The most common are:

Bezel – The gemstone is protected and secured by being completely surrounded by the metal on all sides.

Claw/Prong – A claw setting holds a gemstone in place with little prongs or “claws”. Most rings have 4-6 prongs.

Channel/Pavé – These styles have multiple gemstones implanted into the ring band, but so closely that no metal can be seen in between. Alone these can be referred to as eternity bands:

Halo – The halo setting refers to the placement of diamonds around a center stone. The halo setting makes the center stone appear larger and increases the sparkle.

Tension – The tension setting is named for the tension of the metal band that secures the diamond in place; the result is that the diamond appears suspended between the two sides of the shank.

What about the band? Which is really just another term for the ring itself.

Bands can come in a number of different metals:

Alloy – most jewelry pieces are often sold as a mix of multiple metals because precious metals are not durable for the long term. For instance gold on its own is very soft and if it is alloyed with other metals it will last much longer. Often gold is mixed with other metals to create a different color such as mixing gold with copper to produce rose gold or with white gold to produce platinum.

What about diamond shapes? To make it easy here is a graphic with the most popular shapes:

Some other terms you should be familiar with are:

Bridal Set

A matching set of rings, such as the engagement and wedding ring, which are meant to be worn together. A common bridal set includes one solitaire ring and an enhancer that creates the illusion of having two additional side-set stones.

Facet

This refers to a flat side (or layer) of a gemstone that results from it being cut into a certain style. Generally speaking, at least with diamonds, more facets mean better light reflection. The brilliant cut, which intends to maximize the sparkle of a diamond, features 58 facets.

Karat (K)

Sometimes misspelled as carat, but appreciated with a K. This term is used specifically for silver or gold, in reference to how pure the metal is. It may be accompanied or replaced by a stamp that shows the purity in percentage. Here are some examples for reference:

14K = 58.5% pure, or 585
18K = 75% pure, or 750
24K = 100% pure, or 1000

Satin Finish

Also known as a brushed or matte finish, a satin finish features many micro parallel scratches, which give it texture. It is popular in men’s rings.

Solitaire

A solitaire ring (or another jewelry piece) simply means that there is only one, single gemstone set upon it.

Now you will be armed with all the info you need to find the perfect symbol of your love! And after you get that beautiful ring, come to us and let us find your equally beautiful wedding dress!

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When to Say Yes to the Dress!: Your Go-To Gown Shopping Timeline

June 21, 2020 darianna Leave a comment

Congratulations on your engagement! This is such an exciting time for you, your fiance and your family! One of the first things that comes to mind for a newly engaged Bride is of course, to get THE dress!

You made the decision to commit a lifetime together and now it’s time to pick out your dream gown to say YES to forever in! We are honored to be a part of one of the most exciting experiences as a soon-to-be Bride and we are here to help make the process fun and stress free, and provide an efficient timeline to make the wedding dress process a total success so you feel confident on when to say YES!

The best timeline to buy a dress is 9-12 months from your big day. This gives enough time for the dress to come in from the designer, as well as efficient time to schedule fittings for alterations. We do get your measurements to order your dress so it fits as perfect as possible. Many of our designer’s gowns are made-to-order. It’s very important to give yourself adequate time to avoid late fees and so we can get the dress you love in. If you are working with a shorter lead time or engagement of 4-6 months, it’s no problem. They are typically considered rush orders, and may just incur expedited shipping fees.

There is no right or wrong order as to what sequence in the wedding planning process you get your dress. It may be the first priority on your wedding check-list, or it may be after you select your venue to fit an overall style and feel. Every bride has their own unique approach and we welcome you with open arms whenever you are ready to make your appointment!

Before you come in for your appointment, we recommend you browse some style dresses you like. This is the time where you can get inspired by Pinterest and create a Wedding Gown board! You can get lost in Pinterest for hours… maybe even days! When we schedule your appointment you can even send us a link to your Pinterest Board or you can share images of dresses you like. This allows us to envision exactly what you are looking for and help us find the perfect dresses for you to try on when you get in!

Now that you know the timeline you should be dress shopping, it’s important to know WHEN to say yes to the dress. You will absolutely know WHEN you have your moment. There will be tears, oooh’s, ahhs, and cheers! Our biggest piece of advice is once you have THE gown picked out that you absolutely adore and cannot live without DO NOT second guess it. Stop looking for dresses. Second-guessing will only stress you out, over complicate the situation, and set-you-back in the dress selecting process.

Once the dress is into our store, you get to come in for a try on appointment! Which truly is the most magical moment because you are trying on YOUR own wedding gown for the very first time!! We know how important this is for you, and we even give you an estimated time of arrival via text.

Then voila! You get to bring home your gorgeous gown and can get alterations so it fits your silhouette ever so perfectly. Here at Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo we also have tuxedo and bridesmaid dresses to complete the full look. Text the owners directly at 215-491-8500 for more details!

Uncategorized, wedding planning

The Bridal Registry: What To Ask For

May 8, 2020 darianna Leave a comment

Have you started your registry for your wedding?

I have some advice for you and it comes from a good place because after our Deanna was born (and before our store opened), I wanted a part-time job so guess what I did? I went to Bed Bath & Beyond and became one of their Wedding Registry Specialists!

Yep, I worked with brides and grooms helping them choose the best items for their registries!

When I say “best” I don’t mean most expensive, I mean the best for the couple. If the couple is into cooking, then yes, register the cookware that you want even if it is expensive. If you love to entertain, then get a complete and really good barware set, a great grill, or outdoor furniture!

There are many stores to register with and at the end of this blog I have included a link to a comparison of the most popular. Today the #1 registry site is Amazon which makes sense because many couples are already set with their household needs and will register for items they want versus duplicates of what they already have.

Other popular registry stores are Target, Bed, Bath, and Beyond, and Crate and Barrel. Zola is another online option. Some couples register for money toward their honeymoon. A great idea to have the experience!

It has been a while since my registry days but I remember them well and quite fondly. Let me take you through the process:

China: This was always first because traditionally, you HAD to have a set of china. You might get pressure to register these pieces but if you are not interested, do not bother. Don’t put gifts on that you don’t want and aren’t going to use. If you do want china, however, there are gorgeous patterns and you can register all the pieces!

Cookwear: This is another area that can put some expensive gifts on your list. As I said, if this is your thing and you always wanted a certain brand, DO IT. Guests may go in on gifts and be excited to get it for you! If it’s not a big deal, my advice was – and still is – don’t go for the least expensive, look for a reputable brand that is reasonably priced but will last.

Flatware: Ahh, aside from picking china patterns, this was my favorite. Choosing the daily forks and spoons… no one cared much and would always pick the cheapest ones, I never knew why. They would blow off this section, until I got to do my demo. I would take a spoon out of the package they wanted to register and bend it right in half with no effort. “That’s what you get with this brand.” It was so funny to see the reactions! If you are in the position of purchasing or registering flatware, give the bend test a try, and think of me 😉 You should NOT be able to easily bend a spoon in half. You can’t eat ice cream that way for heaven’s sake!

Truly, get something of quality, you use these multiple times daily. You can get a second, even more formal set as well (especially if you get a set of china), and if you do, make sure to get the beautiful box to store it!

Bedding: Another favorite of mine. GET THE GOOD SHEETS. Wherever you register, ask for or read the comparisons between the different fabrics and once you select that, make sure you get a high thread count. It makes a big difference.

Dinnerware: Or “everyday plates” – this can be tricky. Couples would fall for a great pattern that wasn’t inexpensive, but the material it was made from was cheap. While I could get away with bending spoons, I wasn’t always able to demonstrate how easy it was to knock a chunk out of the rim of a plate. Some I could tap on a shelf and a piece would fall off, it was that easy. Ask what it’s made of. A very strong material you should look for is bone china which is actually a porcelain made with cow bone ash. If you want an everyday set that will last a long time and not chip, go for bone china.

Barware: Tons of options here, from full bar sets to crystal wine glasses and decanters, this deserves some thought. Maybe you’re more into beer and want separate pilsner and lager glasses and if so, register them! This section is very popular for guests and many times one of the first sections completed on the registry.

Bath: Your bath and hand towels are personal choice and usually are chosen by color. Make sure to register a bath mat, shower curtain, and any accessories that match like tissue box, soap dispenser, candle holder, etc. Guests can purchase two or three of those for you and have a great gift that you want and stay in their budget!

Other points to consider:

Your fiance may not be interested in parts of this process. It can take hours to complete. It works best when you get the big pieces done first and then return at another time for the smaller things like kitchen gadgets, everyday glasses, picture frames, candles and holders, etc.

Some helpful advice before you begin:

Discuss before you go what you want to get registered first so you don’t waste time and energy.
Eat before you go.
Don’t bring children.
Make sure to register gifts in a variety of price ranges.

Choosing your registry should be an exciting experience that symbolizes the start of your life together as you pick what you both want. Click the link below to compare options before you go:

https://www.businessinsider.com/best-wedding-registry

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Hardship & Kindness

April 29, 2020 darianna 25 Comments

We have all faced hardship at some point in our lives. No one is spared from life’s difficult lessons. Thing is, you usually can’t plan for them and they hit out of nowhere. Then you find your support, your strength, your true friends, and your grit.

Dealing with the virus certainly hit us all, some far worse than others. As of this writing, I know of only two people personally who have had it, I know no one who passed from it. I am incredibly fortunate in that regard.

Others are not only dealing with the quarantine, but have illnesses of their own, compromised immune systems, chemo treatments, therapies, etc., who are struggling even harder. Many are out of work now because of it and struggling to make ends meet.

We are all going through this hard time together – some worse than others – and we will get through and hopefully find better, kinder versions of ourselves on the other side.

I wasn’t going to write this. I hoped I could heal before our store reopened and no one would know, but maybe it will help someone going through a different hardship right now.

On March 5, I wasn’t feeling well and wound up fainting early in the morning. When I came to I was bleeding from the head, could not sit up, nor move at all from the waist down.

After a two hour emergency surgery we were told I had a 50/50 chance of walking again. I badly injured C6 on my spinal cord. I fractured my neck.

I was a perfectly normal functioning woman with a family and a great business. A few days prior, my husband and I were featured speakers at a Chamber of Commerce meeting. We were helping our brides and grooms whose weddings were being postponed due to COVID-19. I was reading with my youngest and welcoming my eldest’s new puppy into the family.

In an instant, I was in the intensive care unit with staples in my head and paralyzed from the chest down.

Fortunately, I believe the very strong medications I was on kept me from panicking for the first week. In addition, it was determined that my injury was “incomplete” meaning there was a better chance I would be able to walk again. I was moved to a rehabilitation center for the next month.

At rehab it was determined that all the pathways were getting signals from my brain, a very positive sign! Now came the hard part – relearning everything.

I heard people say that before, that they had to “re-learn” how to do something very basic and I always wondered what that meant. I understand 100% now and it is exactly that. My injury affected everything from chest down, but C6 is responsible for wrist and hands. While I was fortunate to have some control of my left hand, my right was completely numb and would not work at all. I couldn’t hold a spoon to feed myself. Brushing my teeth was near impossible, brushing my hair was impossible, as was everything else from normal bodily functions to getting dressed or even sitting up.

Unable to do most everything, learning it all over was an extremely large and bitter pill on it’s own, but just one day into rehab I was fed a larger and more bitter one. I was told that visitors were not allowed due to the Coronavirus. I wasn’t going to be able to see my family.

At first I felt like I couldn’t breathe, but I remembered reading about the Corona patients who couldn’t see or speak with their families, and the families of the victims who passed away that couldn’t have a proper funeral. I felt fortunate not to have the virus and grateful to be able to speak with my family over the phone. Others were in far worse places.

I will spare you the rehab details but tell you I worked my ass off to the point of tears almost daily. I purposely watched no television or social media, I focused solely on getting better. In fact, I was reprimanded numerous times for exercising in my room alone (not allowed because I was a fall risk) and overheard a nurse refer to me as “cocky” for continuing to do it.

Because of my progress (score 1 for the cocky girl), I was able to come home early to continue my physical – and mental – therapy with my loves. Home Sweet Home.

The accident was two months ago. I can walk, my hands are improving, and I’m off all but two of the (ridiculous) 13 medications they had me on. I feel physically stronger every day and mentally, well, I’m getting there, too. My family is incredible, celebrating my ups (I love hearing, “Good job, Mommy!”) and encouraging me through the downs.

Franco has been by my side every minute, walking with me, pushing me farther, making sure I’m properly fed, and safe and sound. My beautiful girls help with my hand exercises, cheering me on, and keep me laughing! The addition of adorable puppy Eva (look at that face omg) completes the family and was the perfect addition, especially while I was away. It is a very long road ahead as recovery lasts up to a year, but this is my life and part of my story. I am no different from anyone facing hardship. We all have our cross to bear, some heavier than others.

Having the right support, attitude, determination, and grit is determining my outcome and I believe I will be a better person on the inside for this. I hope when the world reopens we will all be a little kinder, softer, and understanding.

Everyone will face hardship in their life, some are going through very difficult times right now. Please be kind and you will help their journey without knowing you made that difference. When it happens to you, you will appreciate that smile or the kind words.

The fact that we are shut down during my recovery has been an incredible blessing and coincidence (are there really any coincidences?) but I can’t wait to get the green light to reopen! I miss being open! While I may not be able to do appointments right away, I will be there helping and cheering when you say YES!

Thank you for reading and sharing in my story. I’d love to hear yours.

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How To Write Your Wedding Vows

February 27, 2020 darianna Leave a comment

One of the decisions you will make as you continue planning your wedding is that of wedding vows. Will you use the traditional or will you write your own?

We are all about writing your own vows, making them uniquely suited to your relationship. While they can be serious with a hint of silly, or downright funny with a true understanding of the gravity of the union, these are some of the most important and meaningful words you will ever speak.

You speak of the past, the present, and make promises for the future.

So you’re all set to write them and now what? What is coming to mind sounds ridiculous, canned, corny, and not at all what you want to convey. Help is here 🙂

Figure out what you want first: do you want short and sweet promises, more personal and intimate vows, traditional, religious, poetic or lyrical?

Then start with a statement of who your fiancee is to you (your love, your heart, best friend, world, etc.) and talk to him/her.

How have you changed, how has your life changed? Where were you before, where are you now?

Perhaps tell a short story to have your guests understand a meaningful event in your relationship. Maybe a song, a quote, or something just between the two of you that means a lot.

Continue with what you promise for the future! Here you can add something witty (“I promise not to hog the covers”) and if you are having a more religious ceremony, insert your favorite scripture verses as well.

Include gratitude, that you will always be there, that it is forever, for better or worse!

And end with a promise of “as long as we both shall live” or “all the days of my life”.

Once you start writing let it flow and don’t worry how long it is at this point. Get out a lot of what you want to say, then go back and cut it down to a manageable length. You can read it with a timer and see how long it is.

Consider sharing with your partner the “style” of the vows you wrote (if you are writing them yourself) – just in case he/she is also suffering from a little writer’s block!

Here is a sample of a traditional wedding vow:

I, [name], take you [name], to be my [husband/wife], to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; until death do us part.

Here is a sample of a personalized vow:

{Name}, I promise to respect and support you, to be patient and loving towards you, to work by your side to achieve the things we value and dream of, and to savor our time together. I pledge to you all of these things from the bottom of my heart for the rest of our lives.

Whatever you say, say it loud and proud, and BE MARRIED!

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Welcome To Prom Tuxedo Season

February 21, 2020 darianna Leave a comment

At Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo, we love dressing you in your tuxedo or suit for prom. As a local, family owned business with children of our own, we understand how exciting and important this day is for you. We’ve been working with all of the local schools and dressing high school students for a long time and we are proud to serve the community. We’ve got you covered for prom and will take personal care of you.

Why Did We Write This Blog?

For parents and students who are going through the tuxedo and suit rental process for the first time, this may seem overwhelming. We feel that it’s an exciting time and the process should be a wonderful experience with a touch of fun. The purpose of this blog is to give you some guidance on making it the best for you and your son. We will make this process as easy as possible for you. Parents who have already been through this may also find this blog useful since it’s not everyday that your child attends prom.

We promise to take personal care of you and make this a stress free experience for you.

How is This Blog Organized?

Over the years, we have been asked many questions about renting a prom tuxedo or suit. What follows is a collection of the most frequently asked questions that we have received from parents, students and prom-goers over the years. Immediately following the question, we provided detailed answers that should help you easily shop for your tuxedo and suit rental from Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo. Feel free to find the exact questions that pertain to you. You will easily have your question answered on the spot. If you still have questions, please text us at 215-491-8500. We will be happy to assist you.

Where are We Located?

We are located in the Valley Gate Shopping Center in Warrington, PA. Our address is 241 Easton Road, Warrington, PA 18976. If you’ve ever driven by, you can’t miss us. We are the center store located between Buffalo Wild Wings and Red Robin. We are very visible right from route 611 just north of County Line Road and south of Street Road.

We are not far from the Wegmans in Warrington and we are in the same shopping center as the Walmart in Warrington.

We are only 6 – 10 minutes from Doylestown PA, and less than 20 minutes from Buckingham.

Here is more information on directions, locations and hours.

Who Do We Serve?

We serve Bucks, Montgomery, Hunterdon and Philadelphia Counties. We have served students from all of these schools for over 7 years:

Central Bucks South High School
Central Bucks West High School
Central Bucks East High School
New Hope Solebury High School
William Tennent High School
Council Rock High School North
Council Rock High School South
Hatboro-Horsham High School
George School
La Salle College High School
South Hunterdon Regional High School
Plumstead Christian Academy
George School
Lansdale Catholic
North Penn High School
Bensalem High School
Pennsbury High School East
Pennsbury High School West
Palisades High School
Pennridge High School
Archbishop Wood High School
Upper Moreland High School
Cheltenham High School
Abington High School
And more!!

Do You Have Parking?

We have a free parking lot! Tons of parking spots that will allow you to park right in front of our store. No need to pay for parking or drive around forever looking for a space! Feel at ease that your car can stay where you left it as long as you want at no charge.

Who Are We?

If you’ve ever met anyone who has been to our store, you’ll know that we are a fun and calm place to be. We will treat you like family and help you choose the right look for one of your biggest days in high school. We’re not a stuffy bunch! We are a little silly, we will make you laugh and we assure you that you will feel comfortable in our beautiful and large store. If you want to learn about the owners, feel free to click HERE.

We are a family owned, local business who employs locals like yourself. Many of you may already know some of our employees. Some of you already know Wendy and Franco (the owners) because you’ll see them out and about in the Bucks County area at local restaurants, grocery stores and attending their children’s events.

We are not a franchise or a chain. When you deal with us, you deal with the owners and our long-time employees. Darianna is the combination of our daughters’ names: Daria and Deanna. In fact, Daria may even help you with your tuxedo or suit rental. Deanna is still in school so she is not quite working with us yet (except for the occasional video that she makes for us!).

Our Employees

Wendy, Franco, Daria, Joe, Shannon, Tori, Marissa, Sharon, Paul, and Isaiah are always on hand to answer any of your questions and help you match the color of your date’s dress. In fact, your prom date may have already purchased her prom gown from Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo so we probably already know the color of her gown!

In addition, several of our staff members currently attend local high schools so they understand exactly what choices you need to make and will guide you every step of the way.

Franco is fluent in Italian. Isaiah is fluent in Spanish. Our store is quite large and our customers diverse so we have all of these fine people to help you!

How Can I Get a Hold of Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo?

You can actually text us at 215-491-8500! Yes, you read that correctly! Wendy and Franco, the owners of the store will personally answer your texts whether the store is open or not. No one else answers those text messages other than the owners so you will not be speaking with a chat bot, computer or an outsourced service provider.

Of course you can always call us, submit an inquiry on our website HERE, message us on Facebook HERE, message us on Instagram HERE, message us on Google HERE, or do an online chat from our website HERE. There are plenty of ways to get a hold of us, whether we are open or not. We are always here to serve you. Yes, it is a commitment to provide all of these lines of communication to you but the owners feel that you deserve this level of service.

And for all of you who want to see some fun videos, we are on Tik Tok now: @dariannabridal

Do I Need an Appointment to Rent a Tuxedo or Suit for Prom?

No appointment is needed at all to choose and rent your prom suit or tuxedo from Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo. We are open 7 days a week and you are welcome to come in any time. Here are our Store hours:

Monday – Thursday Noon to 8 PM

Friday Noon to 5 PM

Saturday 10 AM to 6 PM

Sunday Noon – 5 PM

How Many Tuxedo and Suit Choices Do You Have?

We have 68 different tuxedo and suit styles available for rent with over 1,100 different choices in vests, bow ties, long ties and pocket squares. Most other places have no more than 7 to 9 choices.

We have tuxedos in all kinds of great colors: black, navy, cobalt blue, french blue, yale blue, hunter green, gray, burgundy,mulberry, red, ivory, white, and more! We have patterned tuxedos, classic looking tuxedos and suits and some really fun and wild looking ones! Nowhere will you find a better selection with a friendly staff to help you choose the best styles and colors for you.

How Long Does It Take to Choose a Suit or Tuxedo?

We’ve gotten really good at this! Our highly trained and experienced staff will take you through our large selection. They will save you time by showing you only what you are interested in. Are you only interested in navy tuxedos? Then they will only show you navy tuxedos or suits. Do you want gray, then they will give you a guided tour of our gray tuxedos. Do you want to stay within a certain budget? Perfect! We will only show you tuxedos or suits that fit that budget. We won’t waste your time or money on something you are not interested in.

Typically, people spend about 10 – 15 minutes choosing a style of tuxedo and accessories. We will advise you on what will look good with your date’s prom dress. We have an enormous choice of colors and styles of vests, bow ties, long ties, and pocket square. One piece of advice: try to bring a swatch of her dress or a picture of her dress. This will help us match her color more closely. If you don’t have a picture or a dress swatch, we will do the best we can to match it to one of our 1,100 different swatch colors.

How Long Does It Take to Get Measured for a Tuxedo or Suit Rental?

It only takes about 10 minutes to get measured for a tuxedo. You’ll love our unique method where we will have you try on a pair of pants, shirt, vest, jacket and shoes to make sure everything fits perfectly. Our fitting garments are specifically made to determine precise measurements. You’ll understand exactly what we mean when you go through the process. It’s quite a clever system that we use!

How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Suit or Tuxedo?

At Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo, we don’t like surprises. The good news is that the prices we give you include ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING! NO surprises! Our pricing includes: jacket, pants, any vest, any long tie or bow tie, any pocket square, an upgraded microfiber shirt, any shoes, cufflinks and studs. The pricing even includes damage waiver! With hundreds of accessory choices, you won’t have to compromise on choice because of price.

A word of caution: we often hear of stores offering pricing that seems too good to be true. And as you guessed it, the pricing is too good to be true. Beware of pricing that sounds quite low. It never includes everything that your son will need for prom and often will ultimately cost you more than the stated price due to add ons and premium accessory choices. Fortunately, our pricing includes any accessories your son chooses and all and any garments that he wants, including the 10 different pairs of shoes that we offer. Once you choose your suit or tuxedo, that will be your price at checkout and no more.

If you happen to come across one of our tux reps in the area, there is an additional discount offered through them. Search around on social media to see who the local tux reps are. They will show you how to receive an additional discount!

For Prom 2020, we have 68 different tuxedos and suits for rent at 7 package price points.

For an all inclusive package for designer tuxedo or suit rentals, we have plenty of choices and this year they range from Standard at $140 plus tax all the way up to Ultra at $240 plus tax with 5 price points in between. Again, NO Surprises. These prices include everything you will need to attend prom. We like to say that all you will need are underwear, socks, and tee-shirt!

Would you like to earn a completely free tuxedo or suit rental for prom? This can be done by being one of our tux reps. It’s fun and really easy. Text us at 215-491-8500 and tell us you’d like to be a tux rep. We’ll get you started right away! We give away a lot of tuxedo and suit rentals under this program every year. The free tuxedo even includes our high end rentals! Wouldn’t it be cool to attend prom in one of our Michael Kors tuxedos that you earned as a Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo rep?!

What If I Don’t Need To Rent Every Item For Prom?

Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo does have partial-package rentals! We will give additional discounts when you don’t need to rent shoes or a vest. You can also rent individual items from us at a lower rate. Let’s say you only need to rent a bow tie or just a vest or even a few items like a shirt vest and bow tie? We have pricing for that as well but since we have thousands of options, you would need to come into the store to find out the pricing of the individual items you are looking to rent. We would be happy to help you with that as well.

If mom and dad are looking to save some money for the 2020 prom season, items one and two below give you an idea of the cost of renting a partial package:

Partial: Black tuxedo jacket, black tuxedo pants, microfiber shirt, cufflinks and studs, damage waiver – $99 plus tax
Partial: Black tuxedo jacket, black tuxedo pants, microfiber shirt, any vest, any long tie or bow tie, pocket square, cufflinks and studs, damage waiver – $125 plus tax
Full/Standard: Black tuxedo jacket, black tuxedo pants, microfiber shirt, any vest, any long tie or bow tie, pocket square, shoes, cufflinks and studs, damage waiver – $140 plus tax

Because our pricing is so appealing, we can only offer them while supplies last so we suggest that you come in to secure your tuxedo as soon as possible.

We also have gray, navy, cobalt blue, paisley, red, psychedelic,velvet, white and ivory tuxedo and suit jackets!

How Old Are Your Tuxedos and Suits?

Our tuxedo and suit rental inventory is virtually new. At Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo, we have a very unique electronic inventory system. Every single garment (jacket, pants, ties, shoes, etc) has a barcode on it. When a garment is returned to our store, we scan the barcodes and the system checks the items back into our inventory system. Each time a garment is returned, the inventory system reduces the number of times a garment can be rented. After the garment reaches the maximum number of rental times, we either sell it second hand, donate it or discard it. We love supporting all of the local schools by donating our suits and tuxedos to band, choir and theater productions and often that’s where some of our inventory finds a permanent home. Most of our inventory is between brand new (never worn) to a maximum of 1 year old. You’ll be stunned by how new all of our items look. We have a vigorous quality control system to make sure you will have the best looking suit or tuxedo for prom.

When Will My Prom Tuxedo Be Ready For Pickup?

Depending on when you order your tuxedo for prom, we typically have your tuxedo ready for pick up 4-7 days before prom, sometimes more, sometimes less. The timing also depends on how popular a style you chose to rent. You are able to pick up the suit or tuxedo as soon as we notify you that it is ready at no additional charge, even if it is ready 10 days before prom. It’s a great way to make sure you are not scrambling right before prom to pick up your suit or tuxedo.

We will either call or text you as soon as your suit or tuxedo is ready for pick up. So make sure your voicemail is set up and your mailbox is not full!

When Does the Tuxedo or Suit Rental Need to Be Returned?

We request that you return your entire suit or tuxedo rental the day after the prom. This will allow us to dry clean and prepare the rental for the next prom goer so he too can enjoy our wonderful tuxedos and suits. Returning the suit or tuxedo late will cost $40 a day so we recommend that you have mom, dad or someone else return it if you are not available after prom.

When Should I Come in to Rent My Tuxedo or Suit?

With spring weddings and proms, this can be an intense time of year for everyone. The sooner you come in to choose your tuxedo or suit, the more likely you will be able to rent your first choice. Best case scenario is to come in 2 – 4 weeks before prom. Of course, we’ve had guys come in the week of prom or even a day before prom and we were able to help them, but again, if you come in sooner, you’ll have a better chance of wearing what you want to prom and mom and dad will most likely save more money. Our lesser expensive tuxedos tend to run out faster. With a 55,000 square foot warehouse, we have more tuxedos and suits than anyone. However, even our inventory sometimes feels the strain of spring weddings and prom.

We try to make this as convenient as possible by being open 7 days a week.

Thank You for Your Time!

Thank you for taking the time to read our prom tuxedo and suit rental blog. Never hesitate to text us at 215-491-8500 with any questions. We would be proud to help you.

Our family can’t wait to meet you!