Trend Alert: What's HOT in Spring Wedding Gowns

We could not be more thrilled as the incredible gowns we found at Bridal Market have started pouring in. As we anxiously await the arrival of the last few, we wanted to recap the fabulous trends that you'll see in these beautiful gowns!

Voluminous Skirts with Horsehair

"What in the world is horsehair," you might ask. It's a design element of crinoline nylon that add volume and shape to bridal gown skirts without weight or stiffness. The effect is beautiful, flowy movement that creates an airy, romantic feeling. These wispy hemlines are also a great way to bring in a touch of whimsy!

Alvina Valenta

Hayley Paige

Tara Keely

Stylish Coverage

Practical and fabulous, jackets, shawls and capes are very hot. Whether made of fur (real or faux), lace or tulle, these stylish accessories offer brides the perfect coverage solution to keep them warm when necessary. They also provide versatility to brides interested in two different looks for ceremony and reception without having to purchase two separate gowns.

Matthew Christopher

 

Sottero and Midgley

Off-the-Shoulder Neckline

This sexy yet romantic neckline is perfect for the bride looking to put a touch of va-va-voom into her wedding day look without going over-the-top. Ladies' collarbones are so lovely and the off-the-shoulder neckline is flattering to all women, showing just the right amount of skin. We prefer the styles that are structured without being too restrictive.

Eve of Milady

 

Augusta Jones

Illusion

Backs, necklines and sleeves - oh my! Illusion details are everywhere again and the result is sheer romance. Some of the illusion elements are so delicate, it is hard to see them until very close. Others are punctuated with beautiful embellishments such as appliques, lace and crystals. The result is elegant, soft and oh-so-romantic.

Claire Pettibone

Victor Harper Couture

 

Watters

Jim Hjelm

James Clifford

Long Coordinating Veils

Our philosophy is that a veil is the crowning glory of a bride, the finishing touch that completes her wedding day look. Several bridal gown designers feel the same way and are now creating veils to coordinate with their most popular gown styles. These stunning, cathedral-length veils add to the bride's ensemble without overtaking the gown. Simply breath-taking!

personal pic

Matthew Christopher

Feminine Metallic Laces

Lace is beautiful, elegant and feminine, but pair it with some metallic elements and you've got a fashion-forward, edgy vibe that is still chic and romantic. Absolutely fabulous! From bold gold to subtle silver, metallic laces are a stylish and gorgeous way to set yourself apart from the bridal white crowd.

Claire Pettibone

Matthew Christopher

Matthew Christopher

Subtle Color

Speaking of departing from bridal white, soft color is still very in. Gowns in blushes, baby blues and champagnes can be so very gorgeous and are universally flattering on all skin tones. These subtle shades bring warmth and uniqueness to a bride's wedding day style without being overpowering or distracting.

Lazaro

Jim Hjelm

Sottero and Midgley



Watters

Jim Hjelm

You simply must come in to experience these fabulous trends and beautiful gowns for yourself! Keep up with our arrivals via Facebook, Instagram and Twitter so you can make your appointment when the gowns you want to see come in. Some quick tips to keep in mind as you seek your perfect gown:

• Allow yourself six to eight months' lead time. Gowns take four to five months to make, and you'll want to consider alterations time (allow four to six weeks) and time for a bridal portrait (about two months) if you're taking one.
• Bridal gown sample sizes in the store are typically size 10. Bridal gown sizing is also different from "street sizes" so a bridal gown sample size will probably not translate to a regular size 10. Bridal stylists are experts at helping brides see how the gown will actually fit when trying on, using tools and tricks of the trade.
• Even though your bridal gown will be made according to your measurements, you should expect that at least some alterations will need to be made. At a minimum, you might need a nip and tuck here and there and possibly adjust the length. Expect it, accept it and trust the experts. Again, alterations take four to six weeks, depending on the extent of what needs to be altered.

Experience Romantic and Feminine Gowns from Hayley Paige

StarDust is excited to host a trunk show this weekend for the latest beautiful gowns from bridal designer wunderkind Hayley Paige. Ms. Paige brings her passion for lovely things and zest for life into every design she creates, and the results are flirty, romantic and fabulous!

Feminine with an edge, Hayley Paige bridal gowns are fresh, lively and confident. Hayley Paige, head designer of the Blush and Hayley Paige bridal collections, made a jump start in fashion by interning at Elle magazine while attending Cornell University. After receiving honorary attention for her 10-piece bridal collection shown during her graduating year, Hayley delved further into the bridal fashion industry, spending time designing for Jill Stuart, Melissa Sweet and Priscilla of Boston.


Some of the stunning gowns from Hayley Paige's Spring 2014 Collection

Ever so eclectic, her designs capture a romantic and charming aesthetic that balances inner ingénue and sophistication. Her interpretation of worldly influences and desire to dress hopeful romantics have provided a foundation for a fanciful and fresh take on bridal wear. Never taking herself too seriously and fully embracing the adorning history of the bridal industry, Hayley Paige develops her craft from an inspirational place of appreciation and enjoyment.

Call 972.781.1619 for an appointment during the special event at the StarDust Bridal Salon this Friday - Sunday (March 14-16).

Real Wedding: Kristin and Carder's Military Wedding

After meeting through match.com, Kristin and Carder enjoyed a whirlwind romance. The couple became engaged on the beach over Memorial Day weekend and jumped into planning right away. Kristin found her gorgeous Augusta Jones Ali style gown at StarDust, as well as her Toni Federici veil.

Quickly realizing they needed assistance with planning, Kristin enlisted our team of wedding planners to help create her dream wedding.

A pediatric oncology nurse, Kristin was looking forward to becoming a Navy wife to Carder, an Ensign in the US Navy, so she wanted to bring in lots of military details.

We went with a Navy-inspired color palette of sapphire blue, white and silver, which also worked well for the season for this winter wedding.

We created a cohesive look throughout the wedding by incorporating a scrolled frame with various iterations of Kristin and Carder’s names or initials that we put on everything from wedding invitations and programs to the wedding cake and dance floor gobo.

And course, we included traditional military wedding traditions. The couple walked proudly under the saber arch on their way out of the church.

Later, they carefully cut the cake with Carder’s saber. Kristin surprised Carder with an incredible groom’s cake – a replica of an aircraft carrier!

The couple wed at Custer Road United Methodist Church, and the reception was held at the Belo Pavilion. While we kept décor for the ceremony to a simple minimum, the reception site was beautiful with the ballroom awash in dramatic lighting and the space punctuated by alternating tall and short lush floral centerpieces.

Elegant sapphire blue and white linens were complemented by bling accents, including rhinestone napkin rings, bejeweled table number frames and hanging crystals.

Guests enjoyed passed hors d’oeuvres such as mini crab cakes and spicy beef empanadas during cocktail hour, along with a specialty cocktail called Anchors Away. For dinner, the couple chose a relaxed station style, with fun and delicious food options with themes of Southern Comfort, Texas Steakhouse and a Taste of Italy.

Later in the evening, the couple offered a passed snack of brisket sliders and shoestring fries. Guests enjoyed winter-themed cake pops as a final pick-me-up treat on their way out.

At the end of the night, Kristin and Carder were sent off in a flurry of bubbles, which guests shot into the air with light-up bubble guns.

A big thank-you to our wonderful vendor team!

Bakery (wedding cakes): Fancy Cakes by Lauren

Bakery (cake pops): C.Marie's Sweets

Bridal gown: Augusta Jones, StarDust Celebrations

Bridal veil: Toni Federici, StarDust Celebrations

Ceremony: Custer Road United Methodist Church

Florist: The Garden Gate

Lighting: Dallas Drape and Lighting

Linens: S.E.A.T. by Design

Makeup: Elan Studios

Mother of the Bride Apparel: Ursula of Switzerland, StarDust Celebrations

Music, Ceremony: CRUMC Organist Kay Sendry

Music, Reception: Mars Hill Band, Marcus Rollins as DJ/Emcee

Photographer: Graham Hobart

Reception: Belo Mansion and Pavilion

Rentals: DFW Dance Floors, Celebration Event Rental

Transportation: Blue Diamond

Videography (Ceremony Only): CRUMC, David Lucas

Wedding Planning: Marsha Ballard French, StarDust Celebrations



The Great Social Media Debate

To Instagram or not Instagram…that is the question!
Let’s face it, we live in a 24/7 social media world. People are tweeting, posting and sharing more and more aspects of their lives online. In the wedding industry, we’re starting to see a great divide – brides who embrace this regarding their weddings and those who do not. As a bride, you must decide which side of the fence you fall on and go with it – whole-heartedly.

Super-charged Weddings

If you are super-techy or just love sharing your life via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, this is the way to go. If you have some guests who are non-digeratis, you may consider explaining to them before the big day what a hashtag is and what all of this sharing is about, encouraging them to give it a try.

#spreadtheword

If you decide you want your wedding promoted via social media, go for it. All. The. Way. Create a custom #hashtag for your wedding (#WillandKatesRoyalWedding) and spread the word on your wedding website, with signage at your wedding, in your programs and signs around your reception space, asking guests to tweet, post and tag away!

Power Up

Include a charging station at your reception. But it doesn’t have to look industrial or jumbled. Make it pretty! Dress up your power bar with linens and floral. Include a sign with your custom hashtag to remind guests to share, share, share!

Unplugged Weddings

If you’re serious about having an unplugged wedding, stand firm in your convictions. It is your wedding, after all, and hopefully your guests will respect your wishes. Again, spread the word by including your choice on your wedding website, on signage at your ceremony site and in your programs.

Encourage In-the-Moment
You can just succinctly explain that you wish guests to be truly present at your wedding and ask them to please refrain from taking photos or video during your ceremony. Your ushers can also remind guests as they’re seating them that your desire is for your guests to really focus on being in the moment during your wedding and ask them to please turn off their phones and cameras and keep them tucked away. You can also ask your officiant to make an announcement before the ceremony begins, or even send some kiddos down the aisle with a reminder!

Phone Check

If you think your guests will go for it, you can even institute a phone or device check (like a coat check) at the entrance to your ceremony, a la Michael Jordan at his Palm Beach nuptials last year. If you decide to go to this extreme, it is important to inform your guests beforehand (via your website, word of mouth and perhaps even in your invitation suite). You also should be prepared for some unhappy guests who might be resistant to leaving their phone at the door. Enlist trusted friends to be your advocate in encouraging these rebels to honor your wishes.

Whatever you decide, weigh the pros and cons, discuss it with your fiancé and possibly your parents and consider your guests beforehand. It is your wedding, but considering your guests’ feelings will go a long way toward a fun and happy night for all.


image sources/credits: theknot.com, Mindy Weiss via Instagram, itsabrideslife.com, Southern Weddings, Etsy, weddingpartyapp.com, the Offbeat Bride, A Practical Wedding, Time Photos, Sarah on the Blog, Pinterest

Three Great Trunk Shows this Weekend

StarDust Celebrations is hosting three trunk shows this weekend, offering you prime opportunities to shop fabulous bridal goodness from Jim Hjelm, Pronovias and Bel Aire Bridal Accessories!

First up, the latest gorgeous bridal gowns from Jim Hjelm will be featured at the StarDust Bridal Salon in West Plano. Call now for your appointment during this special shopping event: 972.781.1619.

We have two events at LuLu's Bridal Boutique in Uptown Dallas this week, showcasing the Crystal Collection from Pronovias, as well as beautiful accessories from Bel Aire. No appointment is necessary to shops either of these collections.

Make plans today to come see us this weekend! Even though we all feel like hibernating today, it's going to warm back up this weekend, making it perfect wedding planning and shopping weather!