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Darianna Bridal Real Bride: Allison Barrett-Ferraro

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The Meeting:  Alex and I first met when we were introduced by a mutual friend during our sophomore year at Gettysburg College. It wasn’t exactly love at first sight, and we only chatted briefly before going our separate ways.

Two years later, we were reintroduced by another mutual friend, and as we got to know each other better I developed a crush on Alex. With the encouragement of my girlfriends, I got up the courage to ask Alex to my sorority’s formal. Alex agreed to be my date, and I was thrilled when he also asked me out to dinner.

We started dating in March 2012, two months before our college graduation. After graduation, Alex moved to Pittsburgh for law school and I moved home to Philadelphia and started working at an advertising agency. It wasn’t easy being so far apart, but I knew he was the one so the countless hours spent in the car driving across the state to visit each other were worth it. Continue reading "Darianna Bridal Real Bride: Allison Barrett-Ferraro"

Here’s to Cocktail Hour

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Gracie Giedgowd and her partner, Marielise, enjoying cocktail hour at Osteria via Stato in Chicago. Photo by Andrew Barkulus Photography.

 

There’s no requirement that you include a cocktail hour at your wedding, but it’s definitely a great way for your guests to settle in and get into the party mood. They can grab a drink and a few snacks, and mingle with other guests while you are having some more photos taken.

Here are some great ideas for planning a cocktail hour your guests won’t forget.

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Showering the Bride

planning a bridal showerIt’s a long-standing tradition: Before the wedding, we shower the bride with love and good-wishes.

In the months or weeks before the wedding, the brides closest friends and family gather together to offer her gifts and celebrate the start of her new married life.

When planning a bridal shower, there are many things to consider. What will you serve? How should you decorate? What can you do to keep your guests entertained and make it a fun day for the bride? Do we make party favors?  And — last but not least — who pays for it?

There are a lot of questions, but don’t worry, we have you covered! Here is Darianna Bridal’s go-to guide for bridal shower success.

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Selecting Your Maid of Honor

selecting your maid of honorIn some cases, selecting your maid of honor is a no-brainer. You may have known for years who you’d choose to be your right hand woman (or man) at your wedding. It could be your sister or your best friend from grade school, even your mom or your brother.  

Perhaps it’s not an easy choice for you at all.  Either way, selecting this VIP should be done wisely!  They should know what is expected if they accept this position in your wedding.

An unmarried MOH choice would be called your maid of honor. Typically a married choice would be a “matron of honor,” but some  women do not like the word “matron” and keep the “maid” title.  Some brides choose a man to fill this role and he is called the “man of honor.”

They will be involved in your wedding from start to finish.  You need someone in whom you confidence and that you trust making decisions for you.  An easy-going disposition will be a must for you both if (when) things get a little stressful.  Read on to determine if your selection will be the right person for the job.

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Darianna Bridal Real Bride: Dianna Hansen-Cichonski

wedding6The Meeting:  Justin and I met in 4th grade at St. Timothy’s Catholic School.  We went to our first boy/girl party at a friend’s house and he got down on one knee and proposed to me with a mood ring!  

Unfortunately, the romance did not last, and we moved on without contact until…

May 1, 2007 at another party.  We spotted each other from across the room. Justin came up to talk to me and we have been inseparable ever since.

Continue reading "Darianna Bridal Real Bride: Dianna Hansen-Cichonski"

So, You’re the Mother of the Groom

mother of the groomThere’s an old adage about the mother of the groom and the role they play in weddings: “Be quiet and wear beige.”

We beg to differ. If you’re the mother of the groom, you have a very important role in this wedding.  You brought the groom into the world, and helped make him the person he’s become. You have the right to be beautiful, confident, and — we dare say — sexy.

You might get along fabulously with everyone involved in the wedding and feel like you have free reign to do what you want to do and wear what you want to wear.

Or you might feel anxious, not sure what to do. If that’s the case, here are a few etiquette tips to help you make your son’s wedding a wonderful day:

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How to Have a Wonderful Bridal Appointment

Bucks County wedding dressesFinding your gown is one of the most magical experiences you will have.  You are going to get married in that dress, and that’s extraordinary!

To keep that floating on air feeling, Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo offers some tips for a successful bridal appointment:

When do I start looking?  The best time to shop for and purchase your gown is 9 to 12 months before the wedding. You will see the newest collections and you still have enough time for it to arrive and to be sure the dress fits.

What day of the week?  If you don’t mind a crowd, Saturday is the day for you.  Saturday is the busiest appointment day of the week!  If you are a private, low-key type, a weekday afternoon would be perfect for you.

How long will my appointment last?  At Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo, you’ll spend 90 minutes with a bridal consultant who is dedicated and professional, but also fun.

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Featured Darianna Bridal Bride: Jessica Carter-Rudnet

Jessica Chose the Jordan gown by Enzoani. Jim chose the Parker tuxedo by Ike Behar. Attire by Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo, Warrington PA.
Jessica Chose the Jordan gown by Enzoani. Jim chose the Parker tuxedo by Ike Behar. Attire by Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo, Warrington PA.

Jessica called Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo after spotting one of our Enzoani Jordan bridal gowns.  As soon as she tried it on, she knew this was the dress she’d wear when she would marry her best friend, Jim Rudnet.  We invited Jessica to tell her love story here.

Our Meeting:  Jim and I met working together at Longhorn Steakhouse during college in Warrington, PA.  He was a bartender and I was a hostess.

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The ring, courtesy of Pennsylvania First Precious Metals, Warrington PA

The Proposal:  During our first vacation together in the Bahamas, Jim proposed to me on the balcony of our hotel room overlooking the beach.  I was completely shocked, I didn’t even know he was looking for rings!  We spent the next 5 days in the Bahamas celebrating.

Our Ceremony: We wanted a Catholic ceremony without the difficulty of going back and forth from church to reception. We found St. Miriam Church which allows a shortened Catholic ceremony outside of an actual church.  We met Father Joe and he was exactly what we wanted, humorous, kind, and easy going, while also still incorporating Catholic beliefs. Continue reading "Featured Darianna Bridal Bride: Jessica Carter-Rudnet"

We’re thrilled to introduce our new bridal shop!

Just six months after we opened our bridal shop in January 2013, we knew we bridal shopneeded to expand. Our brides and their families were so incredibly supportive and the word of mouth spread like crazy around Bucks and Montgomery counties and the Philadelphia area.

While it took more than a year to find and build our location in Warrington, it was so worth it!  Our new store now features more than 3,000 square feet with a private bridal lounge and viewing area, along with room for hundreds of bridal gowns, a great tuxedo area, and a special section for moms too.

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