Your wedding is coming and how many times a day are you checking that weather map for rain? Oh no, it looks like rain… on your wedding day. Did you know that rain is the number one fear of brides-to-be when planning a wedding.

Is rain really that terrible?

It certainly can be tricky to say the least if you have an entirely outdoor wedding planned, however there are arrangements that you and your venue can agree on in advance just in case!

We’ve had couples get married in blizzards, under threats of hurricane, through ferocious winds, torrential downpours, hail, and lightening. It happens, it’s weather, and there is no sense stressing over something over which you have zero control. You plan for it ahead of time, instead.

Indoor Ceremony Space

If your venue has indoor space, make sure it is large enough to accommodate all of your guests. Find out the details on room set up, views, aisle, and that there is room for the photographer(s) and videographer.  If you have decor such as an arbor, columns, flowers, lanterns, and the like, can they be incorporated into an indoor ceremony? Who will set up? If you know these details in advance it will take off the pressure.

No Indoor Space

If there is no indoor space, discuss options for inclement weather such as tenting (does it have sides to block out wind and rain?), portable heaters, a walkway that won’t involve guests walking through wet grass? Chances are good your venue has been through this before and has a great Plan B option for you.

Photos

Ask your photographer/videographer about his/her experience shooting in inclement weather. What is some of their advice on how to get the best photos? Have you seen some of the adorable bride/groom shots under pretty umbrellas and holding hands and cuddling in the rain? The softer lighting and mist can create incredibly emotional backdrops that photographers are unable to replicate in the sunshine. And, what if you get that rainbow?!

And when it comes to those umbrellas, make sure there are plenty of extras for your guests.

Cover Up & Rain Accessories

Not just your heads with an umbrella! Consider a wrap or pretty jacket to match your dress to keep you dry and warm, and don’t forget shoes! Pretty rain boots might be just the right accessory for you and your wedding party, or consider other options like cute sneakers with no-slip soles. Put some thought into it regarding matching your colors, perhaps customizing the umbrellas with their names.

Let It Go

If you are upset, acknowledge that and then let it go. Breathe and be present. This is the day you are marrying your best friend – for better or worse, through sunshine or rain – and when your day is over you will start your new married life after having had the time of your life. Now go, plan ahead, and get married!

You may have heard the news:  David’s Bridal has recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.  We have brides coming to our store who are worried to purchase a wedding dress from David’s Bridal given the company’s financial difficulties and imminent store closures.

While they say there will be “no disruption”, filing for bankruptcy is the writing on the wall. Remember the brides who lost their deposits and never received their wedding dress from Alfred Angelo and the independent, local Ashe B. store that abruptly closed with no warning?  David’s Bridal filing for bankruptcy is the warning.

As an independent store, we are always heartbroken for brides who find themselves in that situation.  It is very stressful planning a wedding, and you need someone to take care of you, not make you worry.

The Writing on the Web

We figured something was up with David’s Bridal when we began seeing their corporate headquarters on our company website on a frequent basis.  Why would an international, multi-location company,  owned by a hedge fund, need to watch what our family business was doing?

They were watching us.  The only reason they would want to see what we are doing is to copy the recipe. Confident they can never copy our customer service, our commitment to our employees, nor our passion, it ended up making us laugh whenever we saw them back in, poking around.

We are family owned; they are owned by a hedge fund.

We are about people; they are about profits.

Two huge differences that cannot be copied.

Some of the other big box menswear stores are also showing signs of financial troubles.  They are having a tough time maintaining adequate inventory and choices. Two of them offer a total of 9 tuxedos and suits for rent.  Nine?! Again, all about the profits.

We offer 100! We are very happy and very proud to accommodate our customers.

Another unfortunate finding recently was when we came across a local store selling second-hand wedding dresses at higher prices than buying the dress new. That is a scam. Do your research on your vendors and don’t get burned.

Who We Are

We are a family-owned bridal and tuxedo store looking to give our customers a memorable experience.  Sure we could employ some of the financial tricks that others do to increase profitability and margins, but that’s not who we are.  We aren’t trying to squeeze profits to please the shareholders. We are committed to the bridal business for the long run and our reputation matters. In fact, our reputation has put us on the map.

When you come to our store, you will never be pressured.  From our founding, we made a decision to not compensate our employees with sales commissions so there is absolutely no incentive to pressure you to buy or spend beyond your budget for your wedding dress or tuxedos.

We are committed to offering high quality products for all budgets and are constantly researching brands for quality and value. Weddings are expensive and we promise to provide the highest quality for the price.

We support our family with this business and are proud to serve the community.  We are not a franchise or a chain. Darianna is the combination of our daughters’ names: Daria and Deanna. You may even have Daria as your bridal consultant!  Deanna, a little too young still, is not far behind!

We care about you and your wedding day. This is not a job for us, we live and breathe it. We are committed to building this wonderful and fun business the right way.

Direct Access to the Owners

You have direct access to the owners, almost any time of day.  You can text our store telephone number at 215-491-8500. The owners, husband and wife Wendy and Franco, will personally answer your texts, whether we are open or not.  Go ahead try it now!

Awards, Reviews, and Accreditation

When we say do your research on your vendors, we are serious!

Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo is accredited by the Better Business Bureau and have an A+ rating.  We even have 5-star reviews on the BBB site. Google  “Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo” and see our reviews on Google, Facebook, the BBB, The Knot, Wedding Wire, and Yelp.  We were even featured on the TLC wedding show Say Yes: Wedding SOS. Take a look at our Rave Page to see some of the many awards we have won, most recently 2018 Pick of the Knot, and our 5th straight win of the Casablanca Bridal Diamond Award.

We Are Committed to You

Unfortunately, some businesses fail.  Brides and grooms need to feel confident with and be able to trust the bridal and tuxedo store they choose.  Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo will build that trust with you from the time you text us, to the time you walk into our doors, and ultimately walk down the aisle.

Bottom line: We are here for you.  We will take personal care of you and you will have a lot of fun visiting us.  No worries!

Thank you for supporting our small business!  Make your appointment with us online. You can even text our store telephone number at 215-491-8500. Our family is here to serve all of your bridal and tuxedo needs far into the future.

As a family-owned bridal and tuxedo store in Bucks County, we have a lot to be thankful for all year round.  This time of year is especially sweet for us because we get to look back at the many great brides and grooms we dressed for their weddings throughout the year.  It is a brief moment of reflection because bridal season starts all over again for us on January 2nd since many get engaged over the holidays.

This year we saw the entry of our beautiful daughter, Daria, into our family business. She is a natural and loves working with brides and grooms. Chalk it up to a very smart millennial working with millennial brides-to-be! We are extremely proud that next year she will also become a wish granting volunteer for the Make-A-Wish foundation, an organization for which she interned during her college years.  We are thankful for having her to help continue our mission at Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo.

Our little Deanna, who puts up with us being away so many hours, is a busy 5th grader.  She plays guitar and loves video and editing. She has done several videos for us already with plans for many more that we can’t wait to see. We are obviously thankful for our funny, fiesty Deanna and hope we can get her to come into the store more next year.

We are thankful for our wonderful new bridal consultant Esther Hughes. Both sweet and knowledgeable, she fits our company culture to the letter.  We love having her and are very proud that she was able to join us and spread her cheer on our brides.

Joe, our tuxedo and suit department manager has really bonded with our customers.  We are very thankful for his dedication and service. His easy-going personality is a perfect fit for our store, and for helping plan a wedding. Joe has very exciting news coming in 2019 so you’ll have to stay tuned for his announcement!

Suzanne is a true wedding pro.  There is nothing she doesn’t know about wedding dresses, accessories, wedding etiquette and more.  When you are assigned Suzanne for trying on wedding dresses, you’ll get an entire education on weddings! Plus, her sense of humor keeps our store laughing and lighthearted. We are very thankful that we have Suzanne.

Anyone who has met Shannon knows that she is a ball of energy.  And she probably knows somebody you know (she knows everyone!). Kind and capable, Shannon will help you try on wedding dresses, fit you for a tuxedo, talk about our large inventory of bridesmaid dresses, and find that perfect prom gown for you.  Thank you Shannon, we are grateful for you being with us and doing everything!

Paul is another newcomer this year in our tuxedo department. With his prior experience in the formal wear world, he knows as much about tuxedos as he does about dresses and fabrics!  Paul’s knowledge, fitting capabilities and reliability make us all thankful everyday he works with us.

And let us not forget Nick!  After several years of working with us, part time during the school year and full time in the summers, Nick thinks the pastures are greener at Penn State in State College!  However, we have good news, he is still working with us during the holidays, including this Thanksgiving. Stop by to say hello to him and take that obligatory selfie with him.  We are thankful to have Nick back for the holidays!

Anyone who has worked with us, knows how special our entire team is.  They are kind, hard working, fun, and just plain good-hearted. We would argue they are the nicest in the bridal business, but we’ll let you see for yourself!

Since the founding of Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo, we have always had a policy of being closed on all major holidays.  Our staff deserves this. We would like them to be home, enjoying time with family and friends.

Yes, we know, how can a retail store be closed during the holidays?  We’ve heard this many times over the years. Our staff is part of our family and we value and appreciate them far more than a few extra sales over the holidays.

With that in mind, we would like to inform everyone that we will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday.  We will reopen on Saturday, November 24th at 10 AM.

We have many weddings occuring during the weekend of Thanksgiving.  The owners are still available if you need something either for your wedding, would like to ask a question, would like to make an appointment or would just like to say hello.

Need to get a hold of us during opening and closed hours?  There are many ways:

1. Text our store telephone number at 215-491-8500, even on holidays.  The owners will personally answer your text.
2. Do an online chat with us at https://www.dariannabridal.com/
3. Make an appointment online: https://www.dariannabridal.com/appointments
4. Message us on google: https://www.google.com/search?q=Darianna+Bridal+%26+Tuxedo&ludocid=7498584596071933676
5. Message us on Facebook @dariannabridal
6. Message or text us via Instagram @dariannabridal
7. Or call us at 215-491-8500.

Feel free to choose the contact method that works best for you.  

From Wendy, Franco, Daria, Deanna, Joe, Suzanne, Shannon, Paul, Esther and Nick, we would like to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!

The Meeting

My husband and I met at work in Delaware. I had only been working there for a few months, but he had been pursuing me ever since he met me during my first interview. Our first date was a “non-date date”, he convinced me to hang out with him so I could meet his dog. After that, we pretty much spent every single day together. 

The Proposal 

Ken and I planned a trip to visit Laguna Beach, CA for a quick weekend getaway to be a part of a friend’s engagement. I had no idea that the engagement was going to be for us, so I went along throughout the weekend thinking I was helping to surprise someone else! Ken proposed on a cliff overlooking the ocean and shortly after that revealed to me he had flown in my parents, his parents, and our best friends. After the surprise of the proposal, our friends had a party for us at their house. I was extremely thankful that Ken spared no detail in making sure I had on a new dress, my nails done, and a photographer to catch our proposal in action!

The Pre-Planning Details 

We both wanted to have a springtime wedding with indoor options for the ceremony and the reception. Ken and I both wanted to have a unique venue and share our love of travel with our guests. We decided to get married in Nashville, TN since it is almost a halfway point in the U.S. for California (where Ken is from) and Pennsylvania (where I am from). I chose French Blue for the bridesmaids dresses and picked pale pink and peach for the flowers for a nice spring feel. I had five bridesmaids and Ken had four groomsmen.  

The Venue

We both liked the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville because they had multiple space options and great architectural features. We decided the venue was a perfect compromise for Ken’s love of country music and my love for museums. We also loved that the venue was one block from Broadway so our guests could check out the best bars in Nashville before or after the wedding! 

The Dress

I had my mom, my future mother-in-law, both grandmothers, my sister, younger cousin, and two of my bridesmaids attend my first appointment. I was extremely lucky that Darianna’s was able to handle such a large party and keep everyone’s opinions in line! I was pretty sure of what I did not want in a dress since I worked at a bridal store in college. After trying on over twenty dresses, I realized my previous opinions were wrong! I wound up picking a dress with everything I did not want; it was strapless, more of a ball gown shape, and had a lot of tulle!

I only went to Darianna’s and had only one appointment to find my dress and everyone agreed on the dress in less than two hours! We were extremely lucky to get the dress picked out on the first appointment because two weeks later I moved across the country to Arizona! 

The Pre-Wedding Parties

Eleven months before the wedding, Ken and I had moved to Arizona. We wanted our bridal parties to see our new house and visit Arizona since many of them had never even been here! Both of us had very low-key bachelor/bachelorette parties and spent our weekends showing off our new city Phoenix to all our friends! For the Bridal Shower, my mom and bridesmaids were wonderful and planned everything for me in Pennsylvania. I flew home for a weekend and they surprised me with the Bridal shower at a country club! 

The Day Of 

The day of the wedding was extremely relaxing, we stayed at a hotel attached to our venue and we had a wonderful hairstylist and makeup artist. For my something old, I had the pearl necklace my grandmother gave to me repurposed into a bracelet, my something new was the hair pins my mother-in-law bought for me, my something borrowed was my mom’s earrings, and my something blue were my undergarments. 

The Ceremony

We were very happy to have chosen an indoor venue since it rained the day of our wedding. For our pictures, we were very excited to be able to take pictures in any part of the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum and our first look was in the Ford Theater. We had so much fun taking pictures with our entertaining bridal party and they calmed our nerves for the ceremony! We had a quick ceremony in the Rotunda of the Country Music Hall of Fame which is an extremely unique space. We also were fortunate to have one of Ken’s best friends officiate our wedding, which put us both at ease during our vows. 

The Reception

The Reception was so fun but seemed to go by so fast! Our guests loved the photo booth we had, the cupcakes we had instead of cake, and the popcorn and candy bar at the end! Our favorite moments were dancing with our friends and seeing all of our guests hangingout together! We loved that our friends were able to meet each other (we had guests come from eleven different states!) and go out to the bars on Broadway after the wedding! 

Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo is a multi award-winning bridal & tuxedo store located in Warrington, Bucks County, PA.  Call or go online to make an appointment with us!

We are so excited to announce that our daughter Daria has joined the Darianna team as the Director of Communications. She will be taking over the marketing and public relations responsibilities for the business. This includes our social media, press releases, partnerships, and networking.

This is exciting for our company and our family! Bringing on a Communications Director is a vital position to help us manage our fast growing business.  We are proud to continue the legacy of our family-founded bridal and tuxedo store.  Daria is the perfect professional to help us exceed our goals and grow even further.

Daria graduated from James Madison University in 2017 and has her bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies and Writing, Rhetoric, and Technical Communication. She recently completed an extended internship with The Walt Disney Company in Orlando, Florida and is thrilled to bring their superior guest service concepts to the family business.

To get in contact with Daria, call 215-491-8500 or e-mail daria@dariannabridal.com.