Southern Comfort: The Grits Bar

At long last, the cooler weather is here! The snow flurries we experienced just this morning make us want to fill our bellies with warm, hearty goodness. And if you’re hosting a winter wedding, your guests may feel the same way. Enter the grits bar!

Grits have taken center stage as gourmet comfort food has increased in popularity. A grits bar is a wonderful addition to a station or small plates reception.

Another beautiful thing about grits is their versatility; you can serve them for a brunch, lunch or dinner reception! Creamy and delicious but mild, grits are the perfect vehicle for all sorts of delectable toppings. You can offer plain and cheese grits along with toppings such as scallions, crumbled bacon, shrimp, chopped ham, various cheeses and more! Or offer an assortment of already topped grits, such as pimento and cheese grits with ham, low country shrimp and grits and grits with braised short ribs. YUMMY!

Talk with your caterer to see what wonderful grits dishes you can come up with together! By the way, did you know that Texas is in the “grits belt” which stretches from the Lone Star State to Virginia? Stash that factoid in your random Southern trivia file!



Image sources: www.iloveswmag.com, www.moutainsidebride.com, www.southernliving.com, www.theknot.com

Party Perfect Invites: Stevie Streck Designs

Based on the designer’s original watercolor artwork, Stevie Streck Designs invitations are lovely, unique and whimsical. She offers several designs that are just perfect for all of the social events that go along with weddings: engagement parties, wedding showers, bachelorette parties, bridal luncheons and rehearsal dinners. We were so excited this summer to add this collection to our lines we carry in our Stardust salon. Check out some of these simply darling designs!

Soooo cute, right?! Ladies, this is just the tip of the iceberg! Come in to our Plano location to check out our Stevie Streck album full of adorable invitations for every wedding-related celebration you can think of!
p.s. Be sure to check out Stevie’s amazing story; it’s a really good one!

Rehearsal Dinners with Pizzazz!

Historically a mere formality that followed the wedding rehearsal, the rehearsal dinner is intended to give the couple’s friends and families time to relax before the wedding day and an opportunity to get to know each other. Finally, the rehearsal dinner has evolved. Now, while the dinner still is to never overshadow the wedding ceremony and reception, grooms’ families are finally showcasing their own event planning savvy by hosting a fabulous rehearsal celebration.

More mothers of grooms are seeking our planning services to help them design a fun and elegant event, whether the dinner is to be formal or more casual. We help them select the perfect venue, determine a theme and find fun and creative ways to implement it. As with any great wedding reception, timing is important to the rehearsal dinner, so our planners also help them map out the evening’s schedule, working in any special touches throughout the event timeline. Another recommendation we like to make is to engage a professional photographer, or even a videographer, to capture the party. So many special things, such as touching presentations and witty toasts, take place during the rehearsal dinner, it’s important to preserve those memories!
Here are some images from just a couple of the rehearsal dinners we’ve planned with grooms’ families.

This couple had a lot of out-of-towners coming in for the wedding, so we went with a Texas theme. The caterer served authentic barbecue; we incorporated cute Texas-y decor, including wildflowers and bandannas, and brought in a mechanical bull for guests to ride!

Props are always a big hit at rehearsal dinners! We used cute fiesta-themed pinatas as part of the decor at this Tex-Mex rehearsal dinner and the guests had lots of fun with the stick-on mustaches. The groom's family also put together a sweet photo montage for guests to reminisce about the bride and groom.

How 'bout it, brides? Are your future MIL's planning a fun and super-special rehearsal dinner for you? We look forward to seeing this trend continue! Happy planning!

Toni Federici Trunk Show This Weekend

Timeless elegance and sophistication are hallmarks of Toni Federici's gorgeous bridal veils and headpieces. Her stunning wedding day accessories are frequently featured on bridal reality shows and are sought after by celebrity brides. Join us this weekend at Stardust Bridal Salon for a Toni Federici Trunk Show, when we will be joined by a representative of the designer. You must call for an appointment (972.781.1619) and bring your gown to your appointment.

Trend Alert: Seasonal Cocktails

We love this beautiful time of year when the weather is finally cooling off, everything is changing colors and the holidays are ushered in with a flourish. The fall and winter offer a multitude of opportunities to incorporate some seasonal flair in your wedding day. One of the biggest ways to include seasonality in your wedding is through – what else?! – the food! Restaurants change their menu offerings to reflect the best foods of the season, and most caterers and reception venues do, as well. Not only does the in-season produce provide a framework of a sensational menu, but it also lends itself to creative and unique cocktail inspiration. Today, let’s focus on cocktails!

Some of the most luscious fruits are at their prime during the fall or winter: apples and pears, all varieties of citrus, cranberries, and some more “exotic” options such as quinces, figs, persimmons, kumquats and pomegranates. Your cocktail choice doesn’t have to be a completely new creation; you can use these fabulous seasonal options as a twist on a classic cocktail: Citrus Sangria, Pomegranate Martinis or Mimosas, Orange-Cranberry Gin and Tonic, Cranberry Mojito? Yes, please! Or go a little off the beaten path with something like a Pear-Basil Sipper, Apple-Ale Wassail, Frozen Cranberry Margaritos (a mojito-margarita hybrid) and La Vie En Rouge.

Of course, you can always go with the tried and true holiday favorites, as well. Your guests are bound to enjoy beverages such as seasonal sparkling punch, creamy gingerbread or candy-cane inspired cocktails, frothy eggnog concoctions or some warm buttery drink. Mmmmm, is it 4:00 p.m. anywhere yet?!

We hope this has inspired you to embrace “Fall” or “Winter” when creating your wedding day celebration and the cocktails that go with it. Put your holiday-inspired, party-minded head together with your caterer or bartender to develop the perfect seasonal cocktail for your wedding reception. Or, call us to meet with our fabulous wedding planners; they are experts at helping brides map out a seamless vision of an incredible wedding from beginning to end. Cheers!

Incredible Deal on Ralph Lauren Tuxedo Extended

This summer, we put together a great promotion on one of our most sought-after wedding tuxedo styles. The discount has been so popular that we have extended it into next year!

As an authorized dealer for Ascot Formal Wear, Stardust offers all of the popular wedding tuxedo choices including traditional black (many styles), gray, tan (for destination weddings) and the new look, white dinner jacket with black pants. Stardust is now extending our very special deal on the stylish black 3-button Ralph Lauren tuxedo with notch lapel and includes shirt, shoes and your choice of vest and tie (either bow tie or long tie) for the extraordinary price of $100 + tax.

Stop in soon to check out the extensive collection of Stardust tuxedos and build your wedding day look!

Victor Harper Bridal Gown Trunk Show This Weekend

Join us at the Stardust Bridal Salon this Friday, November 30 through Sunday, December 2, for a trunk show for one of our newer fabulous new bridal gown collections: Victor Harper! This incredible wedding gown line features gowns of drama, refinement, femininity and elegance. Call now to make your appointment to experience these stunning Victor Harper bridal gowns: 972.781.1619.

Something to be Thankful for: Two Great Trunk Shows this Weekend!

We are thankful for a wonderful year serving our lovely brides and their entire wedding community. We look forward to continuing to work hard through the end of the year and into the next, helping make all of your wedding dreams come true. To that end, we bring you two more fabulous trunk shows this Thanksgiving weekend, November 23-25!

Lazaro is one of our most popular designers, and it is no wonder! His current bridal gown collection is representative of the incredible, uber-stylish designs he is known for. Make your appointment now to ensure your time with these stunning wedding gowns. Call our Stardust Bridal Salon: 972.781.1619.

Allure Bridals is another fabulous bridal gown line that brides clamor after. LuLu's Bridal Boutique is hosting a trunk show for the extensive collection this weekend. No appointment is necessary, but make plans to come in and see what beautiful styles Allure has to offer.

Update: Fall 2012 and Spring 2013 Trunk Show Schedule

We have been busy adding trunk shows to our schedule to bring you the very best selection of and greatest shopping opportunities for the most fabulous bridal gowns and wedding day accessories. Check out our updated schedule and mark your calendars. Please note that we have several special shows where a representative of the designer or the designer him/herself will attend the show! It is always great fun for brides to have their photo taken with the designer of their wedding gown - what a wonderful memento!


Happy bride with the incomparable Lazaro; he also signed a sketch he drew of her in her Lazaro bridal gown.

And, you will not want to miss that Victor Harper Fashion Show in February! Save the date now to experience firsthand the glamour and drama of Victor Harper bridal gowns! Remember, you should call for an appointment during a Stardust Trunk Show (972.781.1619), but LuLu's does not require appointments. We hope to see you soon!

BRIDAL TRUNK SHOWS

2012 - 2013

November
Lazaro and Noir by Lazaro Trunk Show, November 23-25 at Stardust
Allure Bridal Trunk Show, November 23-25 at LuLu’s
Victor Harper Trunk Show, November 30- December 2 at Stardust

December
Toni Federici Veil and Accessory Show, December 7-9 at Stardust*
          *Special Appearance by Representative of Designer

January
Augusta Jones Trunk Show, January 4-6 at Stardust
Pronovias Trunk Show, January 4-6 at LuLu’s
YSA Makino Trunk Show, January 11-13 at Stardust*
          *Special Appearance by Designer
Allure Bridal Trunk Show, January 11-13 at LuLu’s
Alvina Valenta Trunk Show, January 18-20 at Stardust*
          *Special Appearance by Representative of Designer
Victoria Nicole Trunk Show, January 25-27 at Stardust*
          *Special Appearance by Designer
David Tutera Trunk Show, January 25-27 at LuLu’s

February
Watters and WToo Trunk Show, February 1-3 at Stardust*
          *Special Appearance by Representative of Designer
Birnbaum and Bullock Trunk Show, February 8-10 at Stardust*
          *Special Appearance by Designer
Casablanca Trunk Show, February 8-10 at LuLu’s
Jim Hjelm Trunk Show, February 15-17 at Stardust*
          *Special Appearance by Designer
Victor Harper Fashion Show, February 21 at Stardust*
          *Special Appearance by Designer
Victor Harper Trunk Show, February 22-24 at Stardust*
          *Special Appearance by Designer

March
Matthew Christopher Trunk Show, March 1-3 at Stardust*
          *Special Appearance by Designer
Paris Veil and Accessory Trunk Show, March 1-3 at Stardust*
          *Special Appearance by Designer
James Clifford Trunk Show, March 8-10 at Stardust*
          *Special Appearance by Designer
Lazaro Trunk Show, March 15-17 at Stardust
Hayley Paige Trunk Show, March 22-24 at Stardust

April
Tara Keely Trunk Show, April 5-7 at Stardust
Claire Pettibone Trunk Show, April 19-21 at Stardust

Special Groom’s Gift: Wedding Day Cufflinks

Brides, are you looking for a great gift idea for your beloved? Guys can be tough to buy a wedding gift for, what with their love of all things sports and electronics. We love these cool cufflinks that make a great sentimental gift for the groom that’s not over-the-top sappy. Check these out!

Customized these with your wedding date and each of your initials

To make them more practical, just have your groom's monogram stamped onto them

Love your dogs and trying to find a way to incorporate them into the wedding day?

A subtle way to incorporate meaning: the infinity symbol or love knots

Your names and wedding date make these extra special

Give a nod to your two hometowns with these unique map cufflinks

A sweet and subtle wedding day memento



LOVE these wood cufflinks made from Civil War era reclaimed barnwood;
the darling heart with the initials is so classic and sweet



Another classic - vintage initial links with a stone

What do you think, ladies? With some imagination, you can come up with your own custom version of cufflinks for your groom!


image credits: Cuffart, Green Wedding Shoes, Groom Stand, Onewed, Blue Nile, Recycled Bride

Creative Marriage Proposals

In just two short weeks, Thanksgiving is upon us. For the wedding biz, that means one thing: proposal season! That’s right; the 12 weeks or so between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day make up the time when more couples get engaged than any other time of the year.

While a traditional, intimate marriage proposal is always in style, we love that guys are getting very creative in making BIG plans to ask their girlfriends to become their brides. Here are a few precious proposals we’ve enjoyed, and we hope you will, too! Grab a few tissues, as there are some truly tear-inducing emotional moments!











Aren't these just awesome?! What do you think - do you have a favorite?

Your Wedding Online: JLM Couture Real Weddings

We haven’t met many brides who mind a little “press” about their wedding day; just a little shout-out of recognition that shares their beautiful wedding with the world. JLM Couture wants to give that opportunity to lovely brides who have worn Alvina Valenta, Blush by Jim Hjelm, Hayley Paige, Jim Hjelm, Lazaro or Tara Keely.

JLM Couture’s Real Weddings showcases brides and their bridal parties who have worn wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses by one of their renowned designers. Submit your story with photos via their website to be considered.

Check out a few Stardust brides who have been featured! Aren’t they just beautiful in their JLM bridal gowns?!


Stardust bride Kristin chose this stunning Lazaro for her Vegas wedding.



Elegant bride Melissa found her Jim Hjelm at our Stardust salon; her bridesmaids wore Jim Hjelm Occasions.



This stylish Stardust bride added her own embellishments to her gorgeous Lazaro gown. Another Vegas wedding!





Radiant bride in an over-the-top Lazaro found at Stardust!

  We hope to see your wedding on JLM's website soon!

Matthew Christopher Trunk Show This Weekend

Join us at StarDust Bridal Salon November 9-11, for a bridal gown trunk show for the fabulous Matthew Christopher! Matthew Christopher is known for his passion and superior service, with his gowns sought after for their drama in every detail and the careful construction that gives each bride an impeccable fit. Call today to schedule your appointment during this exciting shopping event: 972.781.1619.

Mind Your P’s and Q’s: Being Grateful

It’s been awhile since we’ve covered an etiquette topic here so we thought today we would focus on gratitude. During the course of your wedding planning, you are likely to be helped by numerous friends and family members, as well as the vendors you have hired for your big event. Not only that, you’ll also receive dozens of gifts, often from people who will travel great distances to help you celebrate your marriage.


The bottom line of our advice today is simple: be grateful. That’s it. Simply be gracious and appreciative. In the midst of all of your wedding preparations – the fittings, the planning meetings, the parties and all that – don’t forget your manners. A sincere and heartfelt “thank you” goes such a long way, whether it is for a gift, a thoughtful act or an encouraging conversation that helped you keep perspective in the middle of your wedding-planning-induced mania.

While drafting a nice thank-you can seem overwhelming, it is really quite easy. There are just a few elements of a meaningful thank-you note:

Make it timely. There is misinformation floating around in the wedding bubble that claims brides have a year to write a thank-you note. That is not correct, nor is it accepted etiquette. While your wedding guests have up to a year to send a wedding gift, you have three months to send a thank-you note. If at all possible, try to write a note the day you receive a gift; your note will be more sincere and frankly, flat-out easier to write. If that is not feasible, try to not let them pile up and overwhelm you. Make a goal of writing three or four a day and you’ll be done before you know it! And by all means, enlist the help of your new hubs. Most of those gifts were given to you as a couple, not just to you, the bride!

Make it personal. It’s a fact: with technology at our fingertips today, our handwriting quality is suffering. BUT. You really must handwrite your wedding-related thank-you’s. And write your note in your own style, just as you would speak. It’s not necessary to attempt some lofty missive that sounds nothing like you. Your gift-giver just wants to hear from you, that you received their thoughtful gift and are greatly appreciative of them.

Make it specific. Be sure to mention the specific gift and how you will use it. Or if you’re writing a note to your wedding party members, a vendor who went above and beyond, a shower/party hostess or anyone else that performed a kindness for you during your wedding planning journey, be sure to thank them for what they did and how it blessed you. And if you choose to send gift acknowledgement cards, do not think this replaces a personal, sincere note. They are just a tool to let guests know you received their gift and an official “thanks” will be on its way.

The best advice we can give you is to not look at writing thank-you notes as a chore. Remember that your friends and family love you and are excited to be a part of your wedding. Writing a short and sweet note expressing your gratitude for them and their involvement should remind you that you are privileged to have such wonderful people sharing your life. For more tips and suggestions on writing winning thank-you notes, use a trusted wedding etiquette resource such as Crane’s Wedding Blue Book or Emily Post’s Wedding Etiquette. We have both of these excellent books available at our Stardust salon.

Tara Keely Trunk Show This Weekend

We are so excited to invite you to our trunk show this weekend for the uber-fabulous Tara Keely bridal gown collection from the incomparable Lazaro Perez! Tara Keely wedding dresses are chic and alluring and embody the bridal industry's hottest styles. Call the Bridal Salon at Stardust for your appointment: 972.781.1619.

Fabulous Favors: Dessert on a Stick

Let’s face it…we are all just too busy! These days, people are on the go-go-go, so everything better be portable! We’ve got our smart phones, iPads and coffee. With the explosion of food trucks, even restaurants are mobile now!

We sure do love our to-go coffee, smart phones and food trucks!
The iPad mini is expected to sell like crazy! Portable is king!

As far as weddings go, we’ve made it no secret here that we think mobile dessert is just about the best thing ever (cake in a jar, whoopie pies, donuts, etc.). Seriously, who doesn’t love a sweet treat? And to have it to easily take with…well, that’s just genius! So, with that in mind, we present to you all manners of dessert on a stick, ideal for wedding treats and favors!

The dessert-on-a-stick craze seems to have started with cake balls on a lollipop stick.
Thank you, Bakerella, for this brilliant evolution!

A little twist: shaped cake pops! The cupcakes are cute, but the wedding cakes are fabulous!!!

Then came oh-so-amazing cake push-ups or push pops!
The perfect balance of cake and frosting, these are like smaller versions of cake in a jar!

Look at the gorgeous ways you can display your cake push pops!

Brownie pops for chocolate lovers!

Look at these cheesecake pops! Pretty and delicious!

Who doesn't love the timeless combo of peanut butter and chocolate?!

or cookie dough?! Cookie dough truffles, yummy!

Macarons are still huge - why not combine two red-hot trends with macaron pops?!

Fall is perfect for pie! What could be more seasonal than pie pops?!
Guests would go crazy over such cute and scrumptious favors!

Go nostalgic with s'mores pops!

or jazzed-up rice crispie treat pops! Talk about good memories...

What about these absolutely precious mini pop tart pops?! Just darling!

Or you could always go for a variety of skewered dessert options!

It seems that you can miniaturize almost any treat and put it on a stick! Let your sweet tooth and creativity guide you to see what you can come up with for fun portable dessert favor ideas!


image sources: Bakerella, The Knot, Pinterest, Red Raspberry Cakes, Wedding Bee, Cake Central, Martha Stewart Weddings

Stardust and LuLu's Present Two Great Shopping Events This Weekend

This weekend is a great time to shop for bridal gowns! We are excited to offer brides two fabulous shopping opportunities to find THE. DRESS.

Stardust will host a trunk show for the fabulous Jim Hjelm bridal gown collection. Call to schedule your appointment to shop this gorgeous wedding gown line: 972.781.1619.

The fun ladies at LuLu's Bridal Boutique will dress up for the holiday and their exciting Halloween Sale. Bridal gown orders will be up to 10% off - spooky savings, right?! Some exclusions will apply. Stop by Saturday for a scary good time and frightfully fab deals!