Amor Verde

There is a Native American Proverb that says, “We did not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” Such is the philosophy of our featured wedding couple, who held their intimate wedding ceremony and reception at their own completely green home in Dallas this past spring.
 
Many of the materials making up the beautiful home of Donna Wilhelm and John Gunn are renewable resources, having been repurposed, reclaimed or recycled. Naturally, this couple, who is passionate about protecting the environment and the earth’s natural resources, took the same approach for their wedding – starting with the 100% cotton invitations from Crane’s.

Donna and John were wed by Reverend Marty Younkin in their spacious living room with approximately 100 friends and family members looking on.

  
At the end of the wedding ceremony, the guests were invited to take a small stone from baskets near the pond in front of the home. They were asked to make a wish for the newlyweds and throw the stone into the pond, leaving a memory for the couple. This “blessing stone tradition” led by Reverend Younkin was so touching, and the couple enjoyed secretly witnessing it by peering from the house through a nearby window, unseen by their guests. Donna and John took great pleasure throughout the evening asking their friends and family what wish or advice had been cast into the pond for them.

It was time for the reception, starting with cocktails…next door. All the guests strolled on a pathway of greenery to enjoy the cocktail hour at the new, equally amazing eco-friendly home of the bride’s daughter (who also served as Matron of Honor) and son-in-law. The guests noshed on hearty passed hors d’oeuvres of beef Carpaccio, salmon tartlets and onion squares before heading back to the bride and groom’s home to continue the celebration.

As guests returned, they were treated to the couple’s first dance and cake-cutting ceremony before the buffet opened and the casual, lively celebration continued. This was an encore wedding for both Donna and John, and they wanted to add special touches unique to their life together, including bringing in their love of travel. Guests were treated to food and music from all over the globe.

Chefs Jonathan Calabrese and Brad Dickens from the trendy – and very eco-conscious – Savory Catering Company prepared Mediterranean chicken with olives and wild mushrooms served on creamy Parmesan polenta onsite while guests toured the beautiful and interesting house, taking in the green elements and fascinating art and sculpture.

The couple had a miniature tiered wedding cake for their cake-cutting ceremony but the guests enjoyed a delightful assortment of cupcakes and tarts for dessert.  All of the food was served on earth-friendly bamboo plates and all the utensils were also made of bamboo, one of our most plentiful, renewable and biodegradable resources.

Music performed by the percussion-driven “Duriye and Friends” drifted throughout the house the entire evening as guests of all ages danced on the patio to the jazz, funk, Latin and Afro-Cuban rhythms, again in tribute to the couple’s international travels and love of various cultures.

The décor was all about nature. The muted pastel color palate was a wonderful way to bring the outdoors in, from green and ivory linens to the natural wood containers filled with lush white, green, peach and yellow flowers fresh from the garden…Junior Villanueva’s garden, that is. Junior of The Garden Gate did a fabulous job of keeping all the décor earthy and in balance with the couple’s lovely eco-friendly home, with his usual stunning style.




As the evening wound down, guests were sent home with hugs and small pots of fresh herbs, which the happy couple hoped they might plant in gardens at their own homes, bringing a little more green into all of their lives.

Vendors

Bamboo dinnerware: Smart Living Companies

Catering: Savory Catering

Florist: Junior Villanueva, The Garden Gate

Linens/chairs: BBJ Linens and Ducky Bob’s Event Specialists

Minister: Reverend Marty Younkin, Love Notes

Music: Duriye and Friends

Photography: Graham Hobart

Wedding cake/ Cupcakes: The Cupcakery

Wedding Planners: Marsha and Staci, StarDust Celebrations

Plan Ahead, Rest Easy

Whether you’re just diving into the process or have been planning your wedding for months, you have probably discovered that everything takes a lot of thought, detail and time – much more time that you might have ever imagined! Choosing and ordering great bridesmaid dresses for your sweet friends and family who have agreed to stand up for you can be an overwhelming task. It’s an important – and time sensitive – piece of the planning puzzle and it deserves your attention! But, in keeping with our philosophy that planning a wedding should be fun, we have created a guide to help you in your quest for the perfect dress for your bridesmaids.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that you should order your bridesmaid dresses four to six months before your wedding to ensure your girls are looking their best. Most of the dresses take three months to come in, and you should also allow additional time for alterations. Attendant gowns are ordered from a size chart rather than made to individuals’ specific measurements, so 95% of all bridesmaid dresses will need to be altered. So, to help you breeze through this process, here is your step-by-step action plan:

1. Let's face it, bridesmaids’ dresses have come a L-O-N-G way – thank goodness! There are so many great designers and beautiful styles, and often the dresses available today can be worn again after the wedding. Because we know every bride has a different vision for her big day, we offer several lines from different designers, and you’re sure to find something to fit your style and budget. So, your first step should be to preview the extensive collections offered at our StarDust Celebrations Salon in West Plano and LuLu’s Bridal Boutique in Uptown Dallas at http://www.stardustcelebations.com/.

2. Once you’ve found a few options that you love, come in to the store carrying the dresses you’re drawn to so you can narrow down your search and fill out an interest form, which helps you keep track of the designer(s) and styles you like.

3. Select the bridesmaid dress that best suits your wedding colors, style and season. Be a thoughtful friend and keep in mind the body types of your attendants. For instance, if one of your bridesmaids is a size 18, she probably cannot wear a natural waist, slim skirt dress. Today, many brides select two or three styles and give each maid the option of selecting the best dress for her body shape. The dresses are all then ordered in the same color and fabric. Or some brides even select the designer, fabric and color and allow each girl to choose her own style within those guidelines. Some additional tips when selecting the dress style for your girls: If your maids are “busty”, consider spaghetti straps over strapless; otherwise, you risk a mishap on the dance floor. Lastly, an A-line style dress fits 90% of all body types; if it’s very important to you to have all of your attendants in the same dress, consider selecting an A-line.

4. Whenever possible, bring your bridesmaids with you to be measured the day you place your order. All maids will need to complete their paperwork before the order is placed.

5. Out-of-town bridesmaids will need to download the required forms (PDF format) at www.stardustcelebrations.com/bridesmaid-dresses.htm. Each designer has their own form, so be sure to your attendants select the correct form for your order.

6. Your out-of-town maids will need to fax or e-mail their completed forms back to the Salon or LuLu’s (whichever is the store you order from). We strongly encourage these ladies to have their measurements taken professionally by a local tailor to ensure the size chosen is as accurate as possible. The more accurate the size, the fewer alterations that will be needed, usually saving time and money!

7. A few special order notes to remember: if your maid is over 5’8”, she may need to order extra length; if she is over a size 16, she may need extra sizing; and if you need the gowns in less than 12 weeks, there is usually a rush charge that the designer applies.

8. Be sure to inquire about our discount program! To take advantage, all dresses must be paid in full before the order is placed. A little tip: it’s best to give the ladies a deadline before your actual deadline.

9. We will contact the BRIDE when the dresses arrive or have them shipped to previously specified locations. If your girls are in our service area, they can schedule an appointment with our alterations department to ensure a great fit. We accept appointments Monday through Friday during store hours.

10. Out-of-town bridesmaids should schedule an appointment with a local tailor, making sure they will have their finished dress in plenty of time before your wedding.

Your bridesmaids are probably those closest to you who have been a big part of your life so, of course, you want them to be happy with your selection. By planning ahead, you are likely to find beautiful dresses your girls will feel good about, in plenty of time and you can rest easy – that is, until it’s time to move on to the next to-do on your checklist!

A Family Affair

Years ago, when Jenny and Marsha started StarDust Celebrations, they made a pact that if – and at the time, that was a big IF – their sons ever got married, they would plan each other’s son’s wedding celebrations. Fast forward to early this past spring when on a brisk day, Marsha and Bob received a phone call from their son Jonathan, asking them to join him and his girlfriend Angela at the Arboretum. He invited them under the guise that he was going to propose to Angela, so imagine the Frenches’ shock when they arrived to find they were just two of a handful of family-only guests to attend Jonathan and Angela’s surprise wedding!

While the couple wanted a tiny, simple ceremony, they were open to a larger, more elaborate reception celebrating their marriage. So Jenny, and her right-hand assistant, Staci Freeman, set to work helping Angela plan the event she envisioned: a sweet yet elegant, family-centered dinner party. The celebration was to be a compilation of their children, their community, nature and their friends and family.

The couple has a restaurant (State and Allen Lounge) so amazing food would also be an important element. The delectable station-style dinner was provided by Savory, the restaurant’s catering arm. One other element would cement the whole theme together – green. Green is a way of life for Angela and Jonathan, and their restaurant has earned numerous accolades for the company’s efforts to create a positive impact on the environment. So, not only were some of the wedding elements environmentally green, but green also served as the main color for the reception’s theme.

As you can see in these fabulous photos by the talented Gary Donihoo and Kym Skiles of f8studio, the results were just beautiful.

The reception was held at the historic Filter Building on White Rock Lake, in the community where the couple lives and plays. The cool, funky Filter Building is just across the lake from the Arboretum, where Angela and Jonathan “eloped”. The location overlooking the lake and the vintage industrial vibe lent an urban elegance to the celebration that was just the right style for this hip, casual couple.

The space was transformed by a juxtaposition of banquet and round tables with Chivari chairs brought in by M&M Special Event Rentals. Junior Villanueva of The Garden Gate dressed the tables with lilac and apple green lamour linens. The green theme was punctuated by bushels of Granny Smith apples, bouquets of green hydrangeas and punches of bright pink and purple scattered throughout. Tommy Evans, DJ and owner of Specialty Sound, arranged the lovely lighting that finished the space design with warmth and softness; Tommy also kept guests of all ages on the dance floor by playing casual, lively music throughout the evening.

The couple wanted something more fun than just the traditional guestbook so they brought in a photo booth for guests to have pictures made to put into Angela and Jonathan’s bright green photo album along with some thoughtful words.

Because children are very important to Angela and Jonathan, the tables were named after children in their families, including the three they have between them. Also in a nod to the kids (and the young at heart) in attendance and their free-spirited style, the couple chose whimsical cupcakes in a multitude of colors and flavors as their wedding dessert. As the evening grew dark, a more grown-up touch appeared on the outdoor terrace when a professional cigar roller started hand-rolling cigars in the traditional Cuban fashion for guests to enjoy.

On their way out, guests were presented with delicious favors of caramel green apples Angela and her friends had made. And in keeping with the eco-friendly theme, the couple was sent off with streamers attached to wands, leaving no litter left behind after their departure. 

This was truly a family affair all around, as Angela and Jonathan were surrounded by their loved ones in a celebration that was uniquely them – full of love and laughter, good food and dancing…and a touch of green!

Vendors

Catering: Savory Catering

Cigar Roller: The Cigar Roller, Sabino

Entertainment/DJ and Lighting: Specialty Sound, Tommy Evans

Floral/Décor: The Garden Gate, Junior Villanueva
Linens: BBJ Linens
Make-up: Elan Make-up Studio, Anita Haar
Photo Booth: boothBOOTH
Photography: f8studio, Gary Donihoo and Kym Skiles
Rentals: M&M Special Event Rentals
Stationery: letterpress invitations from Crane
Transportation: Superior One Limo
Valet: DFW Access
Venue: The Filter Building on White Rock Lake
“Wedding Cake”: The Cupcakery

What's New?

We just returned from Bridal Market in NYC this past week.  The couture gown trends were very distinct and seen in almost every designer line.  Ruffles, finely pleated organza, multi-tiered skirts, the return of the ballgown, and architectural details on bodices were incorporated in many of the beautiful gowns we saw.

An awesome Lazaro gown had a corset bodice that was transparent but embellished in all the right places.

Tulle was used on many gowns, either as the full skirt or as a tufted embellishment to a skirt.  Pleated organza was seen at the hem or in frothy skirts that alternated tiers of ruffles and pleated organza.  Another skirt detail was the flower or rosette formed by folding fabric onto itself.

We're happy to see the return of the silk satin ballgown.  There's a new designer line - Victoria Nicole - that features gorgeous duchess silk satin ballgowns with lace.  We'll see these gowns in our store this Fall and we'll post some pictures as soon as they are released for publication.

As always, bridal market for Fall did not disappoint.  There are gorgeous gowns at every price range for every bride.

The countdown continues... 9 more days until the premiere of the new series "Girl Meets Gown" filmed here at Stardust Celebrations!   April 25th on WEtv at 9 PM CST.

Please Be Seated

A “seated” wedding reception means that there is full seating or, put another way, a seat for every guest. We recommend that there be full seating for guests whenever possible. Even if your reception is a cocktail party or just cake and punch, providing insufficient seating puts the burden on the guest to find a place to sit or set down a plate or purse. Who hasn’t attended a wedding where you couldn’t find a seat and left early because of this?

The type of seating offered—full or partial-- is an important distinction when asking a venue about the number of guests it is able to accommodate. The question to always ask: “is that for full seating?” You’ll often find that the capacity quoted by a venue is not for full seating and you will be very disappointed if you were planning on providing a seat for every guest!


A decision to have full seating does not necessarily determine how food will be served. Meal service may be either a served, plated dinner, or buffet/stations.


Seating may be assigned or open. Sometimes it is best to have a combination of the two with reserved tables for the wedding party and immediate family, and open seating for all other guests.


If there is assigned seating for all guests, it is communicated in one of several ways:


Escort cards – these are cards that include the guest’s name and table number. There are many creative ways to provide this information and samples are found in just about every bridal magazine.  The cards are always arranged alphabetically by last name. If the escort card is also a favor consider giving on to every guest. If it’s just a little card, you can include married couples on a single card (for example, Mr. and Mrs. John Smith). Plus-ones should have their own card if you know the name. Unnamed plus-ones may be listed with the named guest bringing them (ie. Mr. John Smith and guest).

Seating Chart – this is a chart listing the guest names alphabetically and indicating the assigned table number. The seating chart can also include a layout of the room with numbered circles representing tables to assist in finding the right table. The seating chart is used instead of an escort card.

Place cards – these are cards put at the actual place setting to indicate exactly where at the assigned table the guest is to sit. It is usually sufficient to only assign a table and let the guests chose their own seat at the assigned table. But if you need to be very specific about who sits next to whom, place cards are the proper choice. The place card is used in conjunction with either the seating chart or the escort card.


Whew! Deciding where to seat guests can be a lot of work and you may decide to just offer open seating. If so, please keep these few tips in mind:


Always provide reserved seating for the wedding party and the immediate family. These folks are usually busy with photos right after the ceremony and remain busy greeting guests at the reception. By the time they are ready to sit-down, there may be no seating available! It’s a simple task to reserve several tables for family and the wedding party.


With open seating, you are letting all of your guests chose where to sit and with whom. Relatives, neighbors, school friends, etc. like to sit with each other and don’t always neatly add up to a table for eight or a table for ten. The result is that some tables may end up having chairs and place settings added and other tables may have open seats. It’s important to provide enough tables and chairs to accommodate what may be an irregular seating pattern. We always plan for at least one more table than we think we will need when there is open seating.

Finally, please be sure and watch the premiere episode of "Girl Meets Gown" on WEtv Sunday, April 25, 9 PM CST.  Check it out on http://www.wetv.com/girl-meets-gown

Please Manage Your Lovely Children

Having children in the wedding is a preference issue. There are no right or wrong answers, as well as no hard and fast rules. There are some considerations however, that the planning bride may want to consider.

1. Children under four are unpredictable. If a flower girl or ring bearer is young, he or she may not follow through with walking down the aisle, even if rehearsed perfectly the evening before. So brides-- always be prepared to implement a contingency plan.

2. For the ring bearer, regardless of the age, the rings on the pillow should be “pretend”. The real rings are usually given to the honor attendants or to the clergy. Two disasters can occur if the real rings are attached to the ring pillow. First, the knots must be secure in order to avoid becoming untied, this usually means the best man cannot get the knots untied during the ceremony. Second, the rings are not tied securely and they fall off the pillow.

3. Children like to run and play which usually leads to getting tussled or dirty. The stress parents place on children to “act nice’ and “not get dirty” is sometimes not a pretty sight. Weddings are often formal and are considered worship services so keep this in mind when selecting children. If a child usually follows instructions, he or she will probably be great. Conversely, children who usually misbehave do not suddenly become well-mannered after being invited to participate in a wedding ceremony.

4. Guests who bring infants or small children are usually considerate and leave the ceremony if crying begins. However, there are those who believe that sound of a crying child is perfectly acceptable. As a matter of fact, you the bride may share this view. If you do not want to hear children speaking loudly or crying, you may want to alert your greeters or house staff to direct parents to a nursery if necessary. If you know in advance that many of your guests have children, it may be a good idea to hire a sitter for the hour during the ceremony. While some children can sit quietly for an hour, most cannot.

5. It’s a good idea to have the parents sit in the first row of the temple or sanctuary, in order that children participating in the ceremony may sit during the wedding service, after the processional. If possible the children can always walk out during the recessional or be escorted out after the mother of the bride and the mother of the groom at the end of the ceremony.

6. Bringing children to the reception is a touchy subject. The bride needs to think of what kind of event she has in mind. Children can change the tone of the reception. This can be good or not so good, depending on personal preference. Some brides love the inclusiveness of all generations, others believe that receptions, like dance clubs, are no place for children. And a note for brides, if children are on the dance floor hopping around, adults will usually not dance. Someone will have the dreadful task of asking parents to keep the children off the dance floor.

7. Also during receptions, children are sometimes left to run wild. This can be dangerous not only for the child but also for wait staff and other vendors trying to provide services. So, if children are to be invited, consider engaging a sitter to keep them occupied. They can watch videos, play games or nap, while the parents can have a great night out with good music, great food and no need to worry about the children.

Lastly, some brides want lots of children participating in the wedding ceremony. For those weddings, consider having the children enter two-by-two holding hands. I have seen children come down the aisle being pulled in a wagon, still others have marched down in perfect unison while carrying candle lighters or ringing bells. This April, I know a mother of a bride who will be escorted by her 6 year old grandson. These and other ideas help to create an intergenerational ceremony and children almost always are adorable. Be creative, yet as mentioned earlier be FLEXIBLE because children will always be children.

Spring 2010 Bridal Trunk Shows

Stardust Celebrations is 10 years old! We are celebrating our 10th year with 10% off all merchandise and gowns during the 1st week of 2010.  It's our "10 in 10" Sale.

The Spring 2010 wedding gowns are beginning to arrive at Stardust.  It's so exciting to finally receive the gowns we chose during NY Bridal Market last October. 

January through April is the busiest time of the year in the bridal salon.  We feature a different designer every weekend by hosting bridal trunk shows.  It's called a "trunk show" because gowns used to be shipped by the designer to the stores in actual trunks.  Sadly, the trunks have been replaced by corrugated shipping cartons but it's still very exciting to open the boxes and put a designer's entire new line on display.  Often the designer or the designer's rep will be onsite to work directly with brides to find the perfect gown.  Prices are usually discounted and the designer will often waive change fees or rush charges.  Here's a listing of our Spring Trunk Shows at both stores--appointments are strongly recommended:

January 2-3
No Ordinary Bride Bridal Trunk Show                     Stardust Celebrations
"10 in 10" Storewide Sale                                         Stardust Celebrations and LuLu’s
January 8-10
Birnbaum and Bullock Bridal Trunk Show                Stardust Celebrations
Casablanca Bridal Trunk Show                                LuLu’s
January 15-17
Rina di Montella Bridal Trunk Show                         Stardust Celebrations
Rina di Montella Special Occasion                           Stardust Celebrations
Maggie Sottero Bridal Trunk Show                          LuLu’s
January 22-24
Monique Lhuillier Bliss Bridal Trunk Show               Stardust Celebrations
Pronovias Bridal Trunk Show                                   LuLu’s
January 29-31
Simone Carvalli Bridal Trunk Show                          Stardust Celebrations
February 4-7
Semi-annual Clearance Sale                                     Both Stores
February 12-14
Alvina Valenta Bridal Trunk Show                           Stardust Celebrations
Aire by Rosa Clara Bridal Trunk Show                    LuLu’s
February 19-21
Jim Hjelm Bridal Trunk Show                                  Stardust Celebrations
Mori Lee Bridal Trunk Show                                   LuLu’s
February 26-28
James Clifford Bridal Trunk Show                            Stardust
JCH Bridal Trunk Show                                           LuLu’s
March 5-7
Eve of Milady Bridal Trunk Show                             Stardust Celebrations
March 12-14
Watters Bridal Trunk Show                                      Stardust Celebrations
WTOO Bride Bridal Trunk Show                             LuLu’s
Toni Federici Veil Trunk Show                                 Stardust Celebrations
March 19-21
Lazaro Bridal Trunk Show                                        Stardust Celebrations
Rose Taft Boutique Special Occasion                        Stardust Celebrations
US Angels Flowergirl Trunk Show                            LuLu’s
March 26-28
St. Pucchi Bridal Trunk Show                                   Stardust Celebrations
Maggie Sottero Bridal Trunk Show                           LuLu’s

April 2-4

Two by Rosa Clara Bridal Trunk Show                    Stardust Celebrations

The filming for the new season of "Girl Meets Gown" on WEtv is almost complete.  The series will air this year and we'll post the premier date as soon as it's finalized  We can't wait to share our brides' stories with everyone!

Happy New Year!