After five years of running a downtown business, a 琉璃神社 family was busting at the seams to find a new location that would be the perfect fit for their clients.

Then, just this past November, it happened - Bliss Bridal said yes to a new store front.

Owned and operated by mother Sera Graziano and her two daughters Cristina and Maria since 2011, Bliss Bridal has actually been in the community for more than 10 years.

However, Sera has been a part of the company since day one as the seamstress for the former owners who offered the business to her when they decided to leave retail.

According to Cristina, at the five year mark the family decided to take the business to fresh and new space.

鈥淲e were looking to expand and we did love being downtown, but we were busting at the seams in the place we were in,鈥� she said. 鈥淪o Maria was in the area (590 K.L.O. Road) and she saw the new building and we decided to contact the realtor right away, do a walk through and the rest is history.鈥�

The new location offers a separate area for grads upstairs, while brides-to-be have the main floor to try on dresses.

鈥淲e wanted to upscale the experience and make it more modern for our brides and grads,鈥� explained Cristina. 鈥淲e are really excited to have this extra space for grads so they can have their own shopping experience because it is totally different between grads and brides.鈥�

Brides-to-be are offered the same experience as the former location on Bernard Avenue, but without the upscale price point that out-of-town shopping may incur.

鈥淲e were finding a lot of people were making trips to Vancouver with their girlfriends for the weekend, because they want that Vancouver shopping experience,鈥� said Cristina. 鈥淪o that is what we are trying do to, bring that whole upscale shopping experience to 琉璃神社. Each bride has their own private room to try on dresses and their own consultant who works just with them.鈥�

Still working as the seamstress for Bliss Bridal, Cristina鈥檚 mother Sera provides the only in-house alterations at a bridal store in the city.

Now the 琉璃神社 business is offering a chance to check out the location and all it has to offer during a Grand Opening party that will also serve as a fundraiser for the Central Okanagan Hospice Association (COHA).

From 6 to 9 p.m. on March 10 the Grazianos will celebrate their new store as well as achieving their goal of raising $10,000 for COHA.

Bliss Bridal will also be offering grads and brides the chance to enter a raffle and win their gown. To attend please contact events@blissbridal.ca and for more information