A Curvy Bride Website Has Launched!

Huzzah! Our A Curvy Bride website is live and ready for you to learn all about the passion we have for our newest salon and the beautiful brides we serve!

You can book your appointment, learn about our fabulous designers and get a glimpse of what to expect from the magical A Curvy Bride experience! We cannot wait to make your wedding gown shopping dreams come true!

Tips on Wedding Day Tipping

photo by Mi Belle via Style Me Pretty

This is the only tip jar that’s appropriate at a wedding! This cute twist on a guest book asks guests to give their best marriage tips to the happy couple on a card and drop it into a “tip jar” for the newlyweds to read later. Seriously adorbs, right?!

photo by Brandon Kidd

And speaking of tipping, here are some good general tips on tipping: the who, when and how much:

Wedding Hair Stylist and Makeup Artist

Protocol: Expected
The Standard: 15%
When to Tip: at the conclusion of your service

 

Wedding Ceremony Officiant

Protocol: Expected (depending on Officiant)
The Standard: Donate $350 - $500 to the church. For a non-denominational Officiant, expect to tip $50 - $100.
When to Tip: at rehearsal

 

Wedding Musicians

Protocol: Optional, yet preferred
The Standard: $20
When to Tip: At the end of the reception.

 

Wedding Reception Emcee/DJ

Protocol: Expected
The Standard: $50-100 per person
When to Tip: At the end of the reception.

 

Wedding Reception Captain/ Maître d’

Protocol: Expected
The Standard: $100 for the wedding butler and $100 for the Captain
When to Tip: At the end of the reception.

 

Wedding Reception Bartenders

Protocol: Optional, based on contract
The Standard: $50 - $100 per bartender or waiter
When to Tip: Tip only if reception is at home. Otherwise, the service is included in the venue’s payment. Tip jars are not appropriate.

 

Wedding Transportation

Protocol: Expected
The Standard: $20.00 per person
When to Tip: At the end of the night or after the last ride.

 

Wedding Delivery People, Bell Staff

Protocol: Expected
The Standard:  $3.00 to $10.00 per trip, depending on item
When to Tip: At the time of service.

 

Wedding Parking Attendants

Protocol: Optional
The Standard: $2 - $3 per car
When to Tip: Each guest will normally provide a tip.

 

Wedding Photographer, Videographer and Florist

Protocol: Not Expected

You should put the appropriate amount of cash for each person (or group, if you’re having a band) into envelopes with names or titles on them. If you have hired a wedding planner, he/she will distribute your tips for you, usually at the end of the night. A few exceptions to that rule are the Officiant (the groom or sometimes the best man will handle this), beauty services, delivery/bell staff and obviously, the parking attendants.

We cannot stress enough - you should NEVER have a cash bar or allow a tip jar at the bar. Treat your guests the same way you would if you were having them in your home for dinner. You would never charge them for their beverages or expect them to tip for a drink or meal in your home, so don't do it at your wedding. Just. Don't.

Wedding Gowns with Fabulous Backs!

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you probably know all about how wedding gowns are bringing sexy back! Okay, that's a dated reference, to be sure, but these gowns with plunging or open backs are so HOT! Seriously, have you seen some of the spectacular backs that bridal designers are coming up with?! They are out-of-this-world gorgeous! And we are delirious here at StarDust where we currently have more than 20 fabuback (ha – see what we did there?) styles that brides are drooling over daily. Why don’t you take a gander? And then make a plan - stat! - to book your appointment to see these lovelies!

Alvina Valenta 9407

 

Alvina Valenta 9405



Alvina Valenta 9400



London by Augusta Jones

 

Stella by Augusta Jones



Arabella by Amanda Wakeley

 

Cleopatra by Amanda Wakeley

 

Cressida by Amanda Wakeley

 

Julia by Robert Bullock

 

Jessica by Robert Bullock

 

Antoinette by Claire Pettibone

 

Eloquence by Claire Pettibone

 

Iris by Claire Pettibone

 

Viola by Claire Pettibone

 

Wren by Claire Pettibone

 

Eve of Milady 1528

 

Hayley Paige 6302

 

Hayley Paige 6350

 

Jim Hjelm 8359

 

Jim Hjelm 8404

 

Jim Hjelm 8350

 

Lazaro 3360

 

Tara Keely 2357

 

Ghila by Watters

 

Real Wedding: Oved-Milwicki

A spotlight on this FAB-U-LOUS wedding is long overdue! We gave Ketty and Alon’s gorgeous event a nod in our 2013 planning highlights post, but this is one wedding that definitely deserves a standalone shout-out!

Katherine (Ketty) and Alon met in the most modern of ways: on Match.com! But they decided to celebrate the start of their marriage together in a Jewish tradition-rich ceremony and reception at the beautiful Anatole Hotel. The couple was planning from afar so they enlisted help from our dream team at Weddings by StarDust. Fortunately, we were able to provide some serious turnkey service for Ketty and her entire wedding community.

In addition to stellar wedding planning, Ketty found her stunning YSA Makino gown at StarDust, as well as her accessories, and gowns for her bridesmaids and some of her family. And we were happy to dress the gents to the nines in some of our dapper tuxes! We had so much fun helping this fun-loving couple with all of the details of their big day!

 

With a rich color palette of blues, blush and shades of white established, StarDust enlisted the talented Junior Villanueva from the Garden Gate to bring the glamorous vintage design to life. The elegant chuppah was simply stunning, constructed of actual branches and adorned with lush greenery and bountiful flowers!

The sumptuous décor continued into the reception, with lush florals accented by lots of crystal, silver elements and regal blue lighting.

 

 

 

 

Another stunning design element was the display of the gorgeous blue wedding cake, featuring rich linen, lots of elegant sheer draping and its own chandelier!

 

And in a fun twist on the groom’s cake, Alon opted for apple crisp in mason jars (you know how much we love food in jars!!!).

A sweet sendoff for this fall wedding included hot chocolate favors for guests – amaretto flavored, no less!

And did we mention how fun this couple was – see for yourself!

 

 

We enjoyed this couple and their wedding so much that we selected it to be featured in D Weddings:

And apparently, the couple was happy as well, since Ketty posted this sweet review on Google:

“StarDust Celebrations made wedding planning so easy for me and my family. I started planning my wedding while living out of state and they helped me narrow down venues and even took my mom and sister to check them out without me to even further decide. They took the chaos and headache out of everything, and whenever I had questions or concerns, they were super prompt in responding and easing my mind. I would definitely recommend StarDust! Cannot say enough good things!”

Thanks, Ketty and Alon, for the love, but more importantly, for entrusting us with your beautiful day! We wish you a lifetime of love and laughter!

Our Awesome Vendor Partners:

Bakery: Frosted Art

Bridal Gown and Accessories: StarDust Celebrations

Ceremony/Reception Venue: Hilton Anatole

Florist: The Garden Gate

Lighting: Marcus Rollins

Linens: SEAT by Design

Makeup: Elan Makeup Studio

Music: Ceremony/Reception DJ/Emcee - Marcus Rollins, Reception Band - Cuvee

Photography: Helmutwalker

Rentals: Ducky Bob's and Liland's

Videography: A Very Special Day Video

Wedding Planning and Design: Weddings by StarDust

Shop StarDust and LuLu's for Your Bridesmaids

Once you've found your dream gown, it's time to turn your attention to the lovely ladies who will be standing by your side on your big day!

Not only do we carry some of the most gorgeous bridal gowns at StarDust and LuLu's, but we also offer some of the most stylish and flattering bridesmaid dresses from the top designers! Pop in either salon today to check out our fabulous selection of the hottest trends, such as boho chic, neutral color palettes and plenty of options to create a mix-and-match or an ombre bridal party look! And keep your eyes out for the latest to arrive in store any day now: sparkly bridesmaids!

We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of these sparkly beauties from Watters!

No appointment is required to shop Bridesmaids, so just plan to drop in at your earliest convenience so our stylists can help you perfect your wedding party's style! Here is a bit of inspiration for you from some faulous StarDust and LuLu's bridesmaids:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

photo credits: Andrea Polito, Anna Routh, Braden Harris, Caroline Jurgensen, Celina Gomez, f8studio, Jess Barfield, Jessica D'Onofrio, John Christopher, Joseph Mark, Lightly Photography, Mint Photography, On LocationPortraiture, Shaun Menary, Stacy Reeves, Tara Welch, Thisbe Grace, Tracy Autem