Real Bride: StarDust Wedding Featured on Style Me Pretty

We love when our brides get a shout-out! Especially when it's as a featured wedding on a fabulous wedding site such as Style Me Pretty!

We shared the lovely details of this classically elegant event here, but you must check out the beautiful coverage SMP gives Tiffany and Bob and their gorgeous wedding at the Crescent!

Floral Inspiration: Pretty Peony Bouquets

Finally, finally, Spring seems here to stay! With the lovely warmer weather we've had, we're inspired by all things beautiful - even more than usual - especially flowers! Peonies are always a bridal favorite, but they seem to be more in demand this spring than ever! Peonies are gorgeously lush, romantic flowers. They are fabulous alone or mixed with other blooms and make great bouquets for brides and their bridesmaids alike. The fragrant blooms come in several different varieties, hues and sizes, making them quite versatile. And because one of the symbols/meanings they are know for is "happy marriage," they are the perfect wedding flower! Feast your eyes on these personal pretties:

 

Do you ladies love peonies as much as we do? Are you using them in your wedding design? We want details!

image sources: Amy Herfurth, Brides, Evantine Designs, Green Wedding Shoes, Matthew Robbins Design, Purple in Wedding, Ruffled Blog, Southern Weddings, and Style Me Pretty

Real Wedding: StarDust Bride Glowing in Romantic Claire Pettibone Gown

StarDust Bride Shalane and fiancé Todd planned a romantic, rustic lodge wedding in College Station in honor of their Aggie roots. Shalane looked absolutely stunning in her "Chateau Marmont" bridal gown from Claire Pettibone.

Shalane looks ethereal in this elegant lace gown!

The vintage styling of the gown makes this photo look as though it could have been taken decades ago! 

Love the intricate detailing of the gown from top to bottom!

We adore that Shalane wore cowboy (or cowgirl!) boots with her delicate lacy gown!

Thank you, Shalane, for trusting StarDust to help you find your dream wedding gown! Your wedding was beautiful, and we wish you and Todd much love and happiness!

For more photos from this gorgeous wedding and of this radiant bride in her fabulous Claire Pettibone gown, check out photographer Matt Montalvo's website.

Trend Alert: Naked Cakes

Okay, so the name is NOT the loveliest…but the cakes themselves sure are! We’re talking about the hottest trend in wedding cakes right now – naked cakes! With the explosion in the whole rustic wedding thing, naked cakes are popping up everywhere! The cakes, which are filled and frosted on top but not the sides, are a great complement to the rustic décor of lots of wood and burlap. We like them best when topped with greenery, sparse flowers or fruit! But some cake designers have started giving these naked cakes a more clean and modern feel. No matter which style direction you take, the end result is truly lovely. Take a gander:

Rustic naked cake with fruit and flowers

Super modern unfrosted cake with clean lines.

Square chocolate naked cake filled with pink frosting and decorated with flowers.

Elegant un-frosted cake with lush, seasonal flowers.

Chocolate exposed layer cake with berries and whipped cream.

Half naked cake with ombre drizzle.

Simple rustic naked cake.

Elegant baby's breath adorned naked cake.

Rustic naked cake with caramel drizzle and pomegranate seeds. 

Dulce de leche unfrosted cake from Momofuku Milk Bar accented with orchids and flowers.

Large naked cake with lush roses.

Clean piped-edge chocolate unfrosted cake with cork initials.

Purple ombre naked mini cakes.

Chocolate exposed layer cake with berries and caramel drizzle.

Ombre unfrosted cake with succulents.

Simple, clean unfrosted cake with fruit and greenery décor.

Large rustic, berry-accented frosting-free cake sprinkled with powdered sugar.

Whimsical square color-blocked frosting-free cake.

By the way, if you simply cannot bring yourself to call this trend “naked cakes,” other acceptable monikers include “exposed layer cakes,” “unfrosted cakes” or “frosting-free cakes.”

Brides, what do you think? Do you like the naked cake or are you more of a frosting girl?

 

image sources: Burnett's Boards, Caitlyn Bom Photography, Colin Cowie Weddings, First Wedd, Glorious Treats, Green Wedding Shoes, Martha Stewart Weddings, Ruffled, Style Me Pretty and Whimsical Wonderland Weddings.

Shop Two Fabulous Trunk Shows this Week at StarDust

Just a little reminder that StarDust will be hosting two FAB-U-LOUS Trunk Shows this week! First up, for a special week-long engagement starting this Wednesday (4/23), we'll be featuring more than two dozen additional styles of one of our favorite Mother of the Occasion designers Ideas by Barbara!

Customized to each mom, these gorgeous gowns range from classical elegance to edgy, and are available in a variety of materials, colors and sizes. Call 972.781.1619 now for your appointment during this special shopping event and save 10% on your order!

Then, kicking off on Friday, 4/25, we'll showcase all sorts of swoon-worthy bridal accessories from Paris by Debra Moreland!

Jewelry, veils and accessories by the famed designer will be highlighted during this special event. Ms. Moreland herself will attend the trunk show and provide style consultations to brides during their appointments! Call 972.781.1619 to secure your spot!

Special Mother of the Occasion Trunk Show

We are pleased as punch to tell you that April 23-30, StarDust will host a trunk show featuring beautiful Mother of the Bride and Mother of the Groom gowns from Ideas by Barbara. This special add-on Trunk Show brings us 25+ more dress styles in addition to our store's regular Ideas by Barbara gowns for the Moms to choose from - at a discount of 10%! Here is a sneak peek of just a few of the exquisite styles we will have during this special shopping event:

Call now to reserve your appointment during this fabulous trunk show for the Mothers in your life: 972.781.1619.

Clothes Make the Man - Styling the Men in Your Wedding Party

We've all heard it said that "every girl's crazy 'bout a sharp-dressed man!" ZZ Top's wisdom aside, there is definitely something about a man in a tuxedo that sets ladies' hearts aflutter. We focus a lot on brides around here, but the fellas deserve some attention, too! As an authorized Ascot Tuxedo Retailer, StarDust has just as much to offer your groom and his wedding party guys as we do you and your girls. We simply adore dapper gents, and your groom and his men will look simply dashing in any one of these stylish tuxedos.
 
Lauren by Ralph Lauren Moet

A new classic look from Lauren by Ralph Lauren, the Moet is a two-button tuxedo
featuring peak lapels and slim styling cut from high-quality Super 130's material.
It's the perfect formal choice for every event.

Jean Yves Steel Twilight

For the couple wishing to make a dramatic statement, this tuxedo is a sophisticated, formal
alternative to black. The satin besom pockets, notched top collar and lapel on the two-button jacket
end a sleek accent to the gray. A matching Jean Yves Steel Twilight Vest is available.

Ceremonia Suit in Sand

This sand-colored suit is perfect for a beach or ranch destination wedding. This
formal two-button non-vented tux jacket with besom pockets and notch lapel perfectly
complements any wedding calling for something a little different.

Classic Black Full Dress Peak Tails by Doni Barassi

Doni Barassi's six-button styling on this elegant, formal peaked lapel tuxedo jacket
with tails is the perfect complement to the wedding party going all out in class and
style. A graceful choice for the most discriminating bride and groom.

Michael Kors Two-Button Notch

This new tuxedo by Michael Kors is a modern fit tuxedo featuring a single-breasted two-button front,
satin notch lapels, satin besom pockets, side vents and is fashioned from luxuriously soft Super 130's Venetian Wool, for that extra touch of luxury and sophistication Michael Kors is known for.

Jean Yves Slate Blue Allure

The Allure Men by Jean Yves Tuxedo provides luxury and comfort with an open cut
two-button jacket, slim fit and modern lapel. Skinny trousers complete the sleek look.

Doni Barassi Black Label Slim Fit Shawl

This new tuxedo is a thoroughly updated classic style, with its satin shawl and slimmer fit,
perfectly suited to basic flat front or skinny pants. The tux, featuring a single-button
non-vented jacket with besom pockets, is elegant with an edge.

Grey Stroller by Doni Barassi

Your gentlemen attendants - and especially the groom - will stun in this debonair tuxedo
from Doni Barassi. It's the classic formal daytime wedding selection, with a non-vented
two-button jacket, besom pockets and peak lapel.

These handsome styles are just a few of the many we carry at StarDust Celebrations. Call us at 972.781.1619 to schedule a consultation between the bride, groom and one of our tuxedo specialists. Our experts can help guide you through the nuts and bolts of gentlemen's apparel and the tuxedo rental process.

By the way, you have probably hear the oft-quoted quip, "clothes make the man," but did you know that the full quote from Mark Twain is actually, "Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society."? Now go and wow your wedding party with that awesome bit of pop culture trivia! Happy planning!

Tie One On! Get Your Guys in Real Bow Ties for Your Wedding

We. {Heart}. Bow. Ties.

image: Mandy Busby via Southern Weddings

Bow Ties are not nearly as challenging to tie as you might think. Seriously. And they are really cool. You should have the gents in your wedding party wear them. Seriously. They are sooooooo much more attractive than the pre-tied option! Check out these dapper fellas:

image: KT Merry via Style Me Pretty

image: One Love Photography via SMP

image: Lauren Kinsey Fine Art via SMP

image: Q Weddings via Southern Weddings

Bow ties make great gifts for your groomsmen and ushers or could be a fun way to ask your friends to be your wedding party guys.


image: Yunhee Kim via Martha Stewart Weddings

Any reputable gentlemen’s shop will carry them (Brooks Brothers comes to mind), and there are also several specialized bow tie companies selling them online, such as The Tie Bar or R. Hanauer. Now that you know where to get them, time to figure out how to tie one on! Check out this fab video from The Art of Manliness on tying a bow tie!

What do you say, ladies? Will your man and his fellas rock bow ties for your wedding?