Contact StarDust:
972.781.1619

Contact LuLu's:
214.871.9610

Contact A Curvy Bride:
972.388.5230

Contact A Bridal Closet:
469-366-0788

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Trunk Show Schedule Winter/Spring 2012

We are so excited about our phenomenal event and trunk show schedule this winter and spring! We have so many wonderful things planned at both Stardust and LuLu's, and we'll be visited by many designers or their reps! Check out our line-up and mark your calendars!

January
Alvina Valenta Trunk Show, January 6-8, at Stardust
*Special Appearance by Representative of Designer
Pronovias Bridal Trunk Show, January 6-8, at LuLu’s
Claire Pettibone Trunk Show, January 13-15, at Stardust
Unveiled: Ultimate Wedding Planning Event, January 15, at Hilton Anatole
Fort Worth Star-Telegram Show, January 15, at FW Conv. Center
Birnbaum and Bullock Trunk Show, January 20-22, at Stardust
*Special Appearance by Designer
Tara Keely Trunk Show, January 27-29, at Stardust
Maggie Sottero Trunk Show, January 27-29, at LuLu’s

February
St. Pucchi Trunk Show, February 3-5, at Stardust
Mon Cheri Bridal Trunk Show, February 3-5, at LuLu’s
Bliss by Monique Lhuillier Trunk Show, February 10-12, at Stardust
Casablanca Bridal Trunk Show, February 10-12, at LuLu’s
Victoria Nicole Trunk Show, February 17-19, at Stardust
Allure Bridal Trunk Show, February 17-19, at LuLu’s
James Clifford Trunk Show, February 24-26, at Stardust

March
Jim Hjelm Trunk Show, March 2-4, at Stardust
Watters and WToo Trunk Show, March 9-11, at Stardust
Lazaro Trunk Show, March 16-18, at Stardust
Matthew Christopher Trunk Show, March 23-25, at Stardust
*Special Appearance by Representative of Designer
Paris Veil and Accessory Trunk Show, March 23-25, at Stardust
*Special Appearance by Designer
Eve of Milady Trunk Show, March 30 – April 1, at Stardust

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Special Holiday Hours and a Reminder

Happy Holidays, friends! Please take note of our holiday schedule:

Christmas Eve (Saturday, 12/24): close at 2:00 p.m.
Christmas Day (Sunday, 12/25): closed all day
New Year's Eve (Saturday, 12/31): close at 2:00 p.m.
New Year's Day (Sunday, 1/1/12): closed all day

Just a little reminder...'Tis the season to get engaged, so if you receive something sparkly as your Christmas gift or New Year's surprise, give us a call! We can help you with everything from stunning gowns and accessories to fabulous expert planning and everything in between!

Warmest wishes for the happiest of holidays from your Stardust Family,

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Wedding Photography Ideas: the First Look and the Day After or Newlywed Photo Shoot

The First Look
The wedding weekend is often full of activities, with brides and grooms moving from one event to the next on a schedule full of to-do’s. It’s nice when a couple takes time to remember that this whole shin-dig is really all about the two of them uniting their lives as one. We simply adore when couples pause to do this in a “first look” mini photo session shortly before their wedding ceremony.

Photographers work with the wedding planner and ceremony coordinator to clear a special area, often the ceremony space itself or a beautiful outdoor setting, of everyone but the groom. His back is turned to where the bride will enter. She walks in and he turns around…and the moment is pure magic! The photographer(s) discreetly capture this one amazing instant in time when the groom sees his stunning bride for the very first time, without the added pressure of him standing at the front with all the guests watching. The resulting photos are extraordinary, beautiful and meaningful, and give the couple precious images to help remember that moment forever.

Don Mamone captured a perfect example of this (not our wedding) that we had to share.

The Day After or Newlywed Photo Shoot
We also love this special idea that more and more couples are embracing: the “day after” or newlywed photo shoot. Wedding photographers are offering this option to couples as another opportunity to capture amazing photos together, memorializing the first days/weeks/months of their lives as husband and wife.

Some of the perks we see to this fun concept are the ability to capture a wider range of photos together, complete with wardrobe changes (include some pics in your wedding day attire!) and multiple locations; less time spent taking photos on your actual wedding day so you can maximize time with your guests; and the ability to be super creative in getting shots that truly reflect the essence of who you are as Mr. and Mrs.
We love the great and fun pics of one of our sweet couples from Gary at f8.

The day-after wedding photo shoot can actually take place on the day following the wedding or shortly thereafter. Or some couples are opting for a newlywed shoot, a few weeks or months in to showcase the groove they’ve gotten into as a married couple.

Talk with your wedding day photographer about these special options. And have fun with your wedding photos!

Friday, December 16, 2011

Randy to the Rescue a Huge Success in Dallas

Our wonderful team of bridal stylists had the most amazing time this past Sunday working with the one-and-only Randy Fenoli on his new TLC series, Randy to the Rescue! Stardust was honored to partner with Randy and TLC on this fun pop-up salon concept, where Randy rolls into town in his big rig filled with fabulous gowns, ready to style brides from head to hem!
Anxious brides were screaming and chanting his name as the semi rolled in, waiting to see the always dapper bridal style guru. As you’ve probably witnessed on Say Yes to the Dress, Randy is truly fabulous with brides! They just love him and it’s easy to see why – he is genuinely interested in helping chose the best gown for brides that will help them feel their most beautiful on their wedding day.

It was a great partnership for Stardust because our stylists take the same approach! Many of our clients relished the unbelievable experience and said they will never forget it.
We were all in awe of Randy’s energy. He was a real trooper, filming up to 14 hours a day, never seeming tired and always enthusiastic! He even took time to pose for photos with our whole team!
Thank you to Randy, TLC, The Wedding Guys and Half Yard Productions for an incredible adventure! We cannot wait until the show premieres in summer 2012!

Friday, December 9, 2011

Last Chance to Participate in Randy to the Rescue


Hi friends, we just wanted to remind you that this Sunday, December 11, is the inaugural Randy to the Rescue Event! Be sure to buy tickets ASAP for your participation in this exciting, one-of-a-kind opportunity to be styled by the best in the bridal fashion industry! See you there!

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Two More Opportunities for Live Registration for Dream Wedding Giveaway

Did you miss our fabulous live registration event at Stardust Bridal Salon a few weeks ago? You are in luck - there are two more great opportunities to attend a live registration for the Dream Wedding Giveaway, brought to you by the Texas Wedding Guide, CBS Channel 11, Stardust Celebrations and several other wonderful Dallas wedding vendors! See the exciting details below.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Toni Federici Accessory Trunk Show This Weekend

Join us for a Toni Federici Trunk Show, featuring the designer's veils, hair accessories and jewelry. This exclusive event is open only to brides who already have their gown and is by appointment only at our salon in West Plano. Your gown does not have to be from StarDust or one of our sister stores, but you must bring it with you to your appointment. A representative of the designer will join us for a special appearance. Call today to schedule a time to finish out your wedding day ensemble: 972.781.1619.

Monday, December 5, 2011

Friday, December 2, 2011

Guest Book Alternative: The Fingerprint Tree

We saw the most precious wedding “guest book” idea recently and are so excited to share it with you!
An artist out of California draws these gorgeous trees that your wedding guests put their fingerprints on and sign or initial, creating a beautiful and unique memento of your wedding day.
Aren’t they just lovely?! Bleu de toi (means “crazy for you” in French – dreamy, no?) offers these one-of-a-kind gems through Etsy and we think they are just to die for! The artist draws several different types of trees and offers a wide variety of colors in the ink pads. She will customize it with your names and wedding date, and even carves a heart in the tree with the happy couple’s initials!
She also does this adorable rendition with the tandem bicycle where the fingerprints serve as balloons!
Check out all of her beautiful offerings here!

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Stardust Selected as Dallas Salon Partner on TLC’s New Wedding Reality Show

Stardust Celebrations is thrilled to announce that we have been chosen to partner with renowned “Say Yes to the Dress” wedding stylist Randy Fenoli on his new TLC series, Randy to the Rescue! This exciting new show focuses on a pop-up salon concept in several top wedding markets, and Stardust is the first salon partner on the “Say Yes to the Dress” spin-off’s eight-city tour.

Eager brides will line up around city blocks for their chance to get advice from one of the most trusted names in wedding style, Randy Fenoli. On every episode of this splashy new series, Randy will roll into a different city in a tractor-trailer packed to the gills with wedding dresses. The first stop is Dallas on December 11 at the Hilton Anatole, and the concept will feature Fenoli, working alongside Stardust bridal consultants, styling brides in his signature “head-to-hem” approach.

Here are the details on the opportunity to work with Randy and our wonderful Stardust team to find your gorgeous wedding day look!

Randy to the Rescue
Sunday, December 11, 2011
9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Hilton Anatole
2201 Stemmons Freeway
Dallas, TX 75207
Purchase tickets

Stardust is joining a stellar team of collaborators on this exciting new project: The Wedding Guys®, Half Yard Productions and TLC. Check back often on our blog, Facebook page and website for updates!

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Wedding Details: Washi Tape

If you are living anywhere close to “Weddingville”, you have probably seen Japanese Washi Tape on wedding blogs and in the mags. Washi Tape is basically masking tape made pretty. We simply adore the lovely paper detail and the dozens of ways you can incorporate it into your wedding design! Here are a few delightful options:

Candle holders, guest book, flagged drink stirrers and favor boxes from Martha Stewart Weddings

Washi tape garland and place card flags from www.projectwedding.com

Escort card tags from www.haystackneedleonline.com


Washi tape favor bags, table numbers, vase decor and stationery embellishment from www.intimateweddings.com

You can find abundant designs to personalize your wedding at http://www.cutetape.com/ and http://www.happytape.com/, among a multitude of other sites. Let us know of any special ways you’ve incorporated Washi Tape in your wedding design and details!

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Real Wedding: Haire-Griffith

On a warm and beautiful Sunday evening over Memorial Day weekend, we excitedly implemented the months of wedding planning we mapped out for a precious couple in the lush gardens of Marie Gabrielle.

Courtney and Brian had a few special requests for their late spring wedding: outdoor ceremony; same venue for both ceremony and reception; and the color red to figure prominently in the design.

We had an absolute blast working with this couple to make all of this happen, and the result was a beautiful and fun wedding!

Some of our favorite personalized touches from this lovely wedding included:

the red Toms Courtney and her bridesmaids changed into for dancing the night away,

the scrumptious cupcakes in lieu of a traditional wedding cake,

the eclectic mix of floral arrangements on tables throughout the dining area and

the country CD favor the couple sent home with their guests.

Thank you, Courtney and Brian, for entrusting your special day to us. We so enjoyed working with you and wish you a lifetime and love and laughter!

And a big huzzah to our wonderful team of vendors:
Band: ZuZu Peddals
Bridal gown and bridesmaid dresses: Stardust Bridal Salon
Ceremony Music: Guitar, Chris Carrington
Ceremony and Reception site: Marie Gabrielle
Cupcakes: Sugar Queen
Florist: Branching Out, Debby Jewesson
Lighting, Sound and MC: Brian Prescott, Simply Music
Make-up: Elan Makeup Studio, Anita Haar
Officiant: Love Notes, Larry Maughan
Photography: Gary Donihoo, F8
Photo booth: boothBOOTH by F8
Transportation: Blue Diamond Limos; Party Animals for the horse-drawn carriage for send-off
Wedding Planner: Marsha Ballard French, CMWP, StarDust Celebrations

Friday, November 25, 2011

Featured Friends Friday: Marcus Rollins

We are thankful for the many wonderful vendors we enjoy working side-by-side with to execute beautiful and imaginative weddings for our wedding planning clients! Here is the scoop another of our talented friends, Marcus Rollins.

Vendor name/company: Marcus Rollins Entertainment and Lighting

Services offered: Entertainment and lighting for wedding receptions and corporate events.

How did you get started in the wedding industry and when? I got started doing weddings in 1987.

What sets you apart from other vendors? Creativity, talent, attention to detail, and taking the time to ask the right questions.

What do you do for fun besides weddings? Competitive softball, dirt biking, motorcycle touring, fishing, and just about anything outdoors.

Why do you enjoy working with wedding planners? They can take an enormous amount of tension and stress off of the bride and groom and they also make my job more fun.

What is your favorite thing about working with a Stardust Celebrations (SDC) planner? They always know their stuff, they’re a blast to work with, and they let me do my job!

Do you have any funny or memorable stories you can share about working with one of our planners? Yes, but you’ll have to ask me in person!!

What is the best single piece of advice you could give to brides? Hire a SDC planner!!

We love your advice, Marcus! Learn more about Marcus on his website: http://www.marcusrollins.com/.

And don't forget about our two awesome events this weekend! Designer Rani will make an appearance at the St. Pucchi Trunk Show at Stardust Bridal Salon in Plano. And we heard a rumor that there may be an Elvis sighting at our 50's Swing Event at LuLu's Bridal Boutique in Uptown Dallas. Hope to see you there!

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Two Special In-store Events this Thanksgiving Weekend

Join us at LuLu’s Bridal Boutique for our fabulous 50’s Swing Social this Friday, Saturday and Sunday!
Everything in the store not previously marked down will be 10% off! We’ll have awesome entertainment from some of Dallas’ super-talented wedding vendors! You won’t want to miss the fun and savings at this spectacular event!

And don't forget about our fabulous St. Pucchi Trunk Show at Stardust Bridal Salon:


Monday, November 21, 2011

Designer Appearance at St. Pucchi Trunk Show This Week

We are thankful for the honor of hosting a trunk show this weekend for uber-fabulous St. Pucchi at our Stardust Bridal Salon in West Plano! Lovely designer Rani Totman will join us during this spectacular event featuring her stunning couture bridal gowns! Call for your appointment: 972.781.1619.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Wedding Day Shoes for the Glam Bride: Angela Nuran's Starletta

Check out these G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S shoes from Angela Nuran that we carry in our Stardust Bridal Salon!
This beautiful style is called Starletta. We offer them unadorned in a version called Pearl or with the 4¼ inch heel covered with hand-applied Swarovski crystals in the very aptly named Glitz iteration. Talk about va-va-va-voom!
The sexy Starletta sports a one-inch hidden platform along with the lofty heel and features the fabulous comfort elements Angela Nuran is known for, including a super-padded “pillow top” insole made of ultra suede, perfect for hours of dancing at your wedding reception!

And, if you’re interested in adding that pop of color to your wedding ensemble via your shoes, we can send your Starlettas to Angela Nuran to have them dyed to virtually any hue your heart desires!
So get to steppin’ and come by to grab your uber-glamorous wedding shoes today!

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Stardust to Host Live Registration for Dream Wedding Giveaway


Stardust Celebrations is honored to be part of an amazing team of generous vendors joining together to bless one deserving couple with their dream wedding! We are partnering with The Texas Wedding Guide (TWG), CBS DFW Channel 11 and several other Dallas wedding vendors to give a wedding of a lifetime to an engaged couple who has had their wedding plans hampered by a major life challenge.

This Thursday, we are thrilled to host a live registration event at our salon in west Plano. Join us between 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. to submit your application and have your entry video professionally taped by Randy Ro Entertainment. Meet some of the wonderful TWG team and CBS’s Teresa Frosini, who will be onsite interviewing brides-to-be.

The winning couple will be gifted a ceremony and seated dinner reception at the lovely Omni Mandalay Las Colinas and the bride will wear a stunning bridal gown from Stardust! Learn all of the details on this incredible contest here.

Shout out to all of the wonderful vendor partners on this very important and special project:
The Adolphus
Allie-Coosh
Amy Karp Photography
Bachendorf’s
CBS DFW
Doodle Dog
ES Events
Fancy Cakes by Lauren
Lilium Floral Design
Omni Mandalay Las Colinas
Randy Ro Entertainment
The Texas Wedding Guide
Toni & Guy

Live Registration Details:
Thursday, November 17, 2011
4:00-7:00 p.m.
Stardust Celebrations
6464 W Plano Parkway
Plano, Texas 75093
972.781.1619

Be sure to bring:
-a photo ID
-a photo of you and your fiancé
-your story to share on video

Monday, November 14, 2011

Matthew Christopher Trunk Show this Weekend - Special Designer Appearance

The Stardust Bridal Salon is thrilled to host a bridal gown trunk show this weekend for the incomparable Matthew Christopher. Call today for your appointment during this special in-store event: 972.781.1619. The talented designer will make an appearance during the show!

Fabulous and Fun Food Idea: The Chip Bar

Racking your brain for something a little unexpected for your cocktail hour? Why not do a Chip Bar?! We are simply mad about this fun and whimsical option for hors d’oeuvres. Offer guests white and blue tortilla chips with an assortment of dipping delights…queso, pico de gallo, bean dip, roasted salsa, guacamole, salsa verde…the sky is the limit! Serve alongside a margarita or some other tequila-inspired concoction for a decidedly spicy cocktail hour!


Or maybe you’re looking for something with a little less kick. With the nearly infinite variety of flavored potato chips available now, how about a buffet featuring the nostalgic spud treat?


Barbecue, sour cream & onion, salt & vinegar and cheddar are just a few of your flavor options. Of course you can serve these with a multitude of flavored dips as well, such as ranch, French onion and sun-dried tomato & bacon, just to name a few. Look at this cute chip bar using framed bags as labels (via the fabulous Mindy Weiss)!


Have fun with this one! You can make these buffets as chic or casual as you like, and this idea also works great as a late-night snack! Happy munching!

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Wedding Cake Ribbon Pull

We just heart fun, old traditions that make their way back into the spotlight. One charming example is the incorporation of The Wedding Cake Charm Pull! The Cake Pull or Ribbon Pull is a sweet little ceremony you can do during your wedding reception right after your cake cutting or at your bridesmaid luncheon. While this tradition has its roots in Victorian England, Southern brides have claimed it as their own!


If you have never seen this, here is how it works: The charms – one for each bridesmaid – are tied to long satin ribbons. The charms, usually made of sterling silver, are inserted in your luncheon or wedding cake by your baker, with the ribbons are left streaming out of the cake. At the appointed time, you have your bridesmaids each chose a ribbon and pull. Each charm has a special meaning attached to it and they tend to run along some general themes.

Here are just some examples of the dozens of charms to be used for this fun and special tradition:

True love/happy marriage/next to marry
Heart
Wedding cake
Ring
Wedding bells
Flower

Contented/prosperous/successful life/wealth
Fleur de lis
Anchor
Highchair
Moneybag
Wreath
Rocking chair
Captain's wheel

Happy/healthy family/children
Baby carriage
Baby
Picture frame
Baby shoes

Adventurous/travel-filled life
Airplane
Hot air balloon
Passport
Sailboat

Eternal beauty/life full of style and fashion
Butterfly
High heel
Seashell
Rose
Crown

Good Luck/well wishes/good news
Four-leaf clover
Wishing well
Telephone
Shamrock
Horseshoe

We hope you have fun finding a way to include this sweet tradition into your wedding festivities!

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Designer Rep to Attend Watters/Wtoo Trunk Show this Weekend

You are cordially invited to our Watters and Wtoo Trunk Show this weekend at Stardust Celebrations. We are honored to be joined by a representative of the designer during this special event. Call for your appointment: 972.781.1619.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Fall 2011 Bridal Market for Spring 2012 Recap

What an adventure New York Bridal Market was! We enjoyed SO many fashion shows highlighting stunning new collections by fabulous bridal gown designers. There is truly something out there for everyone! Many of the trends carried over into bridesmaid dress designs as well, which makes for a stunningly cohesive wedding style. Here, in a gorgeous and bursting-at-the-seams nutshell, is what we saw:

Modern Lace
My oh my, lace, have you come a long way from Granny’s doilies! Designers are creating completely new lace fabrics and designs and are using them in thoroughly modern ways. Laces are being laser-cut or are designed in different mediums, giving them a lighter, fresher feel.

We are especially in love with the metallic laces that we saw on both bridal gowns and bridesmaid dresses!

We also adore the paring of a lace bodice with a simple or unadorned satin skirt, a simply stunning combination!

Texture
Once again, texture was everywhere! From appliqués and cut-outs to pleats and feathers, on both skirts and bodices, texture made an appearance in just about every show. Unique beading, ruffles, cut organza and dimensional floral accents give depth and richness to gowns. Gowns with a lot of texture are a great option for the bride looking for glamour and drama!

 And a little texture for the bridesmaids:

Draping of Fabrics/Asymmetry
Designers are doing amazing things with fabrics. We continue to see bold uses of draping and pleats, and the styles feature a lot of asymmetry. These gowns are beautiful, interesting and dramatic!

We even saw a lot of this on bridesmaid dresses.

Layered and Peplum Skirts
Again using fabrics in spectacular ways, designers showed off lots of layers on skirts and started incorporating a peplum element. Gowns had tiered skirts, pick-ups, high-to-low hemlines and peplum details. These were paired with both embellished bodices and more simple designs, and either way, the look is just gorgeous!

Look at the use of the horsehair on this skirt on the left. And we love this flirty skirt on this sexy little number on the right: 

Straps/sleeves
We were so excited to see the trend of straps and sleeves still going strong! Cap sleeves, illusion sleeves, thick or thin straps and even long sleeves graced many gowns showcased, and we think brides will continue to clamor for them! Boleros and jackets are also still present, giving brides the best of both worlds.

Another interesting element along these lines was the capelet, especially in lace or tulle, worn over a strapless gown. This fashion forward accessory gives a bride a little coverage, along with the ability to pull a “gown change” by removing it for the reception.

Dropped Waist
Nearly all the designers had at least a gown or two with a dropped waist. The element varied, though, between hitting higher on the hip or lower and being straight across or at an angle, so there are many options within this trend to play with. These flattering gowns are glamorous and can work on many body types!

Structure vs. Floaty
A study in extremes, gowns seemed to fall in one of two categories: they were either quite structured or very airy and floaty! Gowns featuring a more architectural style are formal, elegant and striking, while the airy gowns with more movement are youthful and whimsical.

Bridesmaids have more options here as well: 

Color
Color continues to creep in subtly in sweet accents like belts and bling or make a splash by making up the entire gown. Colored bridal gowns were mostly made up of flesh or earth tones with names such as like butterscotch, sherbet and oatmeal! While going with a wedding gown of color may seem bold, many of the shades are still subtle enough for even traditional brides to consider.

One other interesting trend to note is that while the details on bridesmaids dresses were kicked up a notch, we saw the colors as more subdued, making the gowns’ designs the focus. So cool!

Dramatic details and accents
You may have noticed a theme of drama for this Bridal Market. We saw a lot of theatrical gowns featuring over-the-top details such as large embellishments, oversized bows and the use of haircloth or horsehair, a stiff fabric designers incorporated to create flair.

Bridesmaids also get to bring the drama with details such as illusion necklines or horsehair accents:
And talk about bringing sexy back…dramatic gown backs are HUGE! Even gowns that were seemingly simple in the front sent jaws dropping from behind with their plunging cowls and keyhole or sheer backs. In addition to the incorporation of striking keyhole or illusion backs on bridal gowns, illusion necklines are still going strong. Illusion backs and necklines are a great way to give brides a bit more coverage and sophistication while still allowing them a little sexy factor. Ooh la la!

 Designers are doing this on bridesmaid dresses, too! Tres chic!

Wow, to relive the details of this fall’s New York Bridal Market was so fabulous; thanks for letting us share them with you! We simply cannot wait until we start getting these gowns in next spring! Rest assured that we will let you know when these beauties start arriving in store!


Photo credits: John Aquino, George Chinsee, Thomas Iannaccone, Robert Mitra, and our own Michelle Green.