Gown 221D47 is an absolute stunner. Full stop. Reminiscent of the glamorous gowns of 1930’s Hollywood, this gorgeous mother of the bride dress is perfect for any wedding celebration or lavish event.
What are some things you should consider when choosing a tuxedo shop?
For most people, choosing a tuxedo shop to rent or buy your tuxedo or suit can be confusing because it isn’t something you shop for often and every store offers something different. Your needs and wants will drive where you choose, but there are certain basic things to consider before walking into a store or searching online.
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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.
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!
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!
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.
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!
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!
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!
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:
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
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.
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!
