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Destination Wedding

A Mountain Wedding: Iconic USA Destinations

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The United States boasts some of the most breathtaking mountain wedding destinations in the world, and it’s no surprise that they are among the most popular spots for couples to tie the knot.

Real Bride Katherine, Wedding in Oregon
Real Bride Katherine, Wedding in Oregon

Aspen, Colorado Wedding

One of the most iconic mountain wedding destinations in the US is Aspen, Colorado. With its stunning mountain backdrop, charming downtown, and luxurious wedding venues, Aspen is a dream destination for many couples. Aspen is also known for its world-class skiing and outdoor activities, making it a popular spot for couples who love adventure and the great outdoors.

Colorado mountain wedding
Real Bride Katie, Wedding in Colorado

Jackson Hole, Wyoming Wedding

Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is another popular mountain wedding destination in the US, especially for couples who love the rugged beauty of the American West. Located in the heart of the Teton Mountains, Jackson Hole offers incredible wildlife and plenty of outdoor activities, including skiing, hiking, and fishing. Couples can choose from a variety of venues, including rustic lodges, elegant resorts, and intimate ranches. Jackson Hole is also known for its Western hospitality, making it a warm and welcoming destination for couples and their guests.

Grand Teton, Jackson Hole, WY is breathtaking for a mountain wedding
Stunning Grand Teton, Jackson Hole, WY

Wyoming is also home to Yellowstone National Park which delivers some of the most beautiful mountain vistas in the country and has the second-highest average altitude in the country.

Lake Tahoe Wedding

Another popular mountain wedding destination in the US is Lake Tahoe, which straddles the border between California and Nevada. Lake Tahoe is a year-round destination that offers stunning scenery, including crystal clear waters, towering pine trees, and snow-capped mountains. Couples can choose from a variety of venues, including lakeside resorts, mountain lodges, and charming chapels. Lake Tahoe is also known for its excellent cuisine, and couples can enjoy farm-to-table dining experiences featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

Montana mountain wedding
Real Bride Jacqueline, Montana wedding (with a heart-shaped cloud!)

Montana, Arizona, and Idaho Weddings

Destinations like Montana, Arizona, and Idaho are stunning as well, however if you’re looking for something on the East Coast there are amazing options on that side too! Mount Mitchell located in North Carolina is the highest mountain in the inspiring Blue Ridge Mountains (part of the Appalachians!) and Mount Rogers in the breathtaking Shenandoah Valley in Virginia are some of the most popular locations for elopements.

Sedona Arizona mountain wedding
Real Bride Jaime, Wedding in Sedona, Arizona

There are many travel agents that specialize in mountain weddings and event who can put together an unforgettable itinerary based on your must-do and must-see lists!

Wedding Dress Types

Our brides who opt for weddings in the mountain tend to prefer dresses with long sleeves to offset some of the cold! One dress our brides love for their outdoor weddings is Kitty Chen Carolina. This fitted beauty has a gorgeous beaded illusion back, lace sleeves, and lace appliques atop a layer of Chantilly lace. A long lace train is the perfect accent for photos atop a snowy landscape!

Carolina
Holly

Another one of our favorites for weddings in the mountains is the Holly gown from Mia Solano. This pretty long sleeve a-line has delicate lace and a layer of glitter tulle that shimmers like snow! The back of this gown is so unique and fun with an illusion back that meets in the middle with some crystal buttons and a small keyhole back that flashes a peek of skin. Holly is lightweight which makes her a breeze to move in as you trek uphill for photos!

We hope this gave you some great ideas for your destination mountain wedding! It’s always best to do your research: you can find online wedding groups to join and chat with other couples to get information, as well as travel agents who specialize in destination weddings.

Featured Wedding Dress, wedding dresses

Featured Wedding Dress: Allira by Sophia Tolli

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Meet Allira!

Designer: Sophia Tolli 

Allira from sophia tolli wedding dress

Why we love her:

As one of the first Sophia Tolli bridal gowns we have in the store, Allira set the bar high– like, really high. From the delicate beadwork, to the intricate lace, to the crisp crepe, Allira is a masterpiece! She is a prime example of why we picked up the Sophia Tolli line.

Continue reading "Featured Wedding Dress: Allira by Sophia Tolli" →

Wedding Dress Fabrics

Let’s Talk About Chantilly Lace

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There are many different types of laces, but one of the most popular for wedding dresses is Chantilly. What exactly is it and how do you identify it?

Chantilly lace wedding dresses are a timeless and romantic choice.

This ornate lace is named after the town of Chantilly in France, where it was first created in the 17th century. It is known for its delicate and intricate floral patterns, which give it a feminine and ethereal look and used to create overlays or appliques on wedding dresses, adding a touch of softness and grace.

Chantilly lace wedding dresses are a timeless and romantic choice for brides who want a touch of elegance and luxury on their special day!

Continue reading "Let’s Talk About Chantilly Lace" →

Darianna Brides, wedding dresses, wedding planning

How to Pick and Pack Your Destination Wedding Dress

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A destination wedding at a beautiful and exotic location requires equally beautiful and exotic wedding dress.

Whether you’re traveling two hours by car or two days by plane, your gown is a very important part of your big day and it’s important to pack and transport it with care. Here are some tips on how to pick and pack your destination wedding dress:

PICKING:

When choosing your gown for a beach wedding, consider lighter weight fabrics like organza, chiffon, English net, and charmeuse. Shimmering beads and light sequins can create a magnificent glow from sunrise to sunset. Tropical locations with lush foliage and big colorful blooms can be thoughtfully matched with bold floral and/or leafy vine lace appliques on the dress.

Continue reading "How to Pick and Pack Your Destination Wedding Dress" →

Featured Wedding Dress, wedding dress shopping, wedding dresses

Featured Wedding Dress: Floriana by Morilee

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Meet: Floriana
Designer: Morilee

Morilee Floriana is a lace and beaded fit and flare with crystal straps and then open back, comes with detachable sleeves
Morilee Floriana
Morilee Floriana with detachable sleeves

Why we love her: 

Floriana by Morilee definitely has it all; sparkle, lace, buttons, tulle…everything! Yet her design comes together in such a way that it all works in perfect harmony. She is a beautiful blend of classic details with modern features. Everything about her will have brides shouting “yes!” the moment they put her on.

Floriana has a sweetheart neckline held up by crystal beaded straps. Her bodice is adorned with mixed beading on top of Alençon lace. The Alençon lace is regal and elegant; motifs of swirls, leaves, and roses decorate Floriana and her train. The unlined bodice is supported by boning, which helps give her structure as well as a corset-style look. Exposed boning is trending right now, but the classic silhouette and embellishments make sure that Floriana will stand the test of time!

Continue reading "Featured Wedding Dress: Floriana by Morilee" →

Darianna News

I Want To ReOpen

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I really do. My role will change somewhat for a time until I’m all healed up and the new Covid-19 procedures need to be strictly adhered to for the safety and protection of all, but still, I’m ready to reopen. Whenever that is…

Our bridal store is relatively young when we compare this industry. Before we came along we researched local stores and stores across the country to get an idea of what wasn’t working for brides.

The show “Say Yes To the Dress” set a precedent for bridal stores to step it up and put more emphasis on the excitement of being engaged, planning a wedding, and finding the perfect dress. When we opened in 2013, our focus was (and continues to be) on excitement.

Which brings me to today’s thought – why I can’t wait to reopen: I miss the excitement of the bridal appointment.

Having a packed schedule makes us feel so privileged and grateful! Watching the brides filter in (usually full of nervous energy) is so fun, I can’t wait to welcome everyone and put them at ease. Letting brides and their guests “shop” for dresses along with their consultant allows everyone to be part of that excitement. We have had so many brides tell us that they loved being able to see and choose the dresses they tried on as they were unable to pick their own from other stores.

Sometimes we have brides who find their dress but feel they still need to keep looking. We tell them, “When you’re ready to say yes to this dress, come back and let us celebrate with you!” Now with the virus changing the way we interact, you need to be really smart about shopping. It’s not in anyone’s best interest for a bride and her family to keep going from store to store trying on over and over with multiple people. When you find a dress you love, say yes.

If you have been in our store when a bride says “yes!”, you know firsthand that the entire store erupts in cheers and claps – from our staff, the bride’s family, customers who never met you, even from the guys in the tuxedo area!

There is nothing quite like saying “yes!” and joining the Darianna family. We can help you with maids and of course suits and tuxedos!

I know our different approach (be kind, don’t lie, don’t high pressure sell, keep store and dresses clean, etc.) changed up the vibe in our area. We have had numerous owners and employees from other local stores wander into the store ‘undercover’ (one even made an appointment) to see why brides love the Darianna experience. The answer is simple: our staff is equally as excited as brides and grooms about their wedding day. That is something that cannot be taught in training.

Our staff isn’t only there for a paycheck, watching the clock to leave. We know who’s coming in for the first time and we know who’s coming back in the store again, we know whose weddings are coming up quickly and we know the excitement of each one. There is nothing phony or judgmental at our store. When our brides send their fiancees for tuxedos, we then get to meet everyone – family and friends – right up to a few days before the wedding. We share in it and it never gets old!

We are excited to reopen and reunite our Darianna family! If your wedding is postponed, hang in there! You’re not alone. Call or text us anytime with questions 215-491-8500. If you are ready to make your appointment,  Can’t wait to see you!

New Store, Uncategorized

Five Years In

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I could start as Once Upon A Time, but then it wouldn’t be real. Sometimes it really doesn’t seem real that we are five years into a business that we dreamed up and executed, but anyone who has ever started or owned a business knows the feelings. Franco and I have lived and breathed Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo every minute of every day since signing that lease in 2012.

We opened in January 2013 in that adorable little old house on Easton Road. “Next to the Candy Shop,” we used to tell customers who weren’t familiar with the address. How do I convey just how much I loved that store – and how much I cherish the feelings I have when I think of those original days?  It just makes me so happy.  And proud.

I clearly remember one evening just a few months after we opened, standing behind the desk with our little Deanna hanging on my leg like a koala bear, a store full of people, and thinking, “We’re gonna need a bigger boat.” It was simultaneously thrilling and petrifying. Just the way entrepreneurship is: thrilling and petrifying.

So while we went and got ourselves a bigger boat, we decided to keep the original location and made it all about Prom! For two years, we opened seasonally for our prom customers and it was so much fun to have a “junior” version of Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo.

With every new year comes changes and decisions to be made and this one is no different. Our biggest decision for 2018 was hard: Do we keep the original store as prom or do we combine them?

As owners, our main goal is customer service and how we can make the shopping experience fun, offer great style options, assist with alterations, and make new friends while doing it. A list of pros and cons came down to one thing – having the owners present in the store. We couldn’t be at both places at once and that is too important for us to ignore.

We made the decision to combine them and we are thrilled to be all under one roof again – in a bigger boat!

 

Our little store turned into something pretty big. Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo is in the middle of major stores like Red Robin, Buffalo Wild Wings, Pet Valu, VisionWorks, Hair Cuttery, and GNC. Our sign is in the same sign cabinet as Walmart. Talk about not seeming real! This store offers so much more space with the same great service, same great selection of dresses and tuxedos (this year some amazing prom prices, too!), same convenient 7 day/week store hours, owners and managers on site, and the same fun-filled environment.

 

While I am a little crushed to say goodbye to our original Darianna baby, it needs to happen. One of my favorite photos ever taken is the Love sign over the original Darianna Bridal sign (thank you Sophia Yanik!) – a sweet and lovely little picture, just like that store, just like all our girls who worked there. Our very first prom staff (Class of 2013) is now a year out of college – Gabi, Dani, Jenn, Sophia, Brit, Nicole, and of course Daria! I taught them how to steam dresses and they taught me things like NEVER text back “K”. All those laughs I will keep.

Most decisions aren’t as difficult as this, but the right decision is rarely easy. Like with all babies, at some point, you have to let them go…

We can’t wait to see all of you for bridal and prom seasons in 2018!

Seamstress / Alterations

The Seamstress

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The dress of your dreams can turn into the stuff of nightmares with the wrong Seamstress.  Read on for tips to ensure your spot-on, perfectly-fitted dress!

In the weeks leading up to your wedding day, you will be meeting with your seamstress for any necessary alterations to make your gown fit like a glove.  These can be anything from a hem, bustle, take in, let out, and strap adjustments, to additional work to personalize your dress such as sewing in a handkerchief or other sentimental piece, adding buttons, changing the neckline shape, and more.

Some bridal stores charge a flat fee.  This is okay if you need lots of work done and multiple fittings, but definitely not great if you only need a few  changes.

Whatever alterations your wedding dress requires, there are some very important things to do prior to starting them.

  1. First fitting.  Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo recommends scheduling this 4-5 weeks before your wedding because you are closest to your wedding shape and weight.  You will put your dress on and consult with the seamstress on adjustments.  The communication must be clear and you must feel confident that she cares about you.  She will pin areas where the work will be done.  Also, bring your shoes for hemming and bustling purposes.
  2. Find out an estimate of costs prior to having the work done.  Hemming dresses with numerous layers, doing beadwork, removing/replacing appliques, these can add up so find out approximate cost first.  (If your bridal store charges a flat fee, reconfirm there are no additional fees involved.)
  3. If you feel like that particular seamstress is not a good fit for you, find another one.  Recommendations from other brides, community groups, and online searches/reviews can lead you to another who may provide you the peace of mind and confidence required.
  4. At your last fitting, make sure to take someone along for bustle instructions.  The bustle is the lifting of the train of your gown (using buttons or hooks) that is done prior to the reception, allowing you to dance and move about without stepping on your train.  You may even want to take a video of it, just in case a few glasses of champagne get in the way of remembering…

An idea to consider is to schedule your hair/make up trial just before your fitting, so you can see your look come together!

Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo has trusted and experienced seamstresses doing fittings both in-store and in-studio.  We also have relationships with numerous others who may be more of a fit for difficult schedules, locations, etc.

In addition, we work with bridal vendors who will do custom sizing, changes, petite cuts,  custom lengths, and various other changes directly to your dress as it is being made and this can lead to real savings in your alterations costs.

The outstanding women we work with – our bridal consultants and our seamstress partners – are committed to making your dress perfect so you feel beautiful and confident on one of the most special days of your life.  From the dressing room to the aisle, make your bridal appointment with us, find your dream dress, and let us take 5-star care of you.

 

 

Darianna Brides

Featured Darianna Bridal Bride: Jessica Carter-Rudnet

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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.

bridal gowns
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" →