Real Wedding: StarDust Bride Liz is Stunning in Matthew Christopher

This lacy trumpet gown is magical. It is Matthew Christopher's Sofia , hands-down one of his most sought-after bridal gowns. And it looks tailor made just for beautiful Liz - she is breath-taking in her bridal portraits. Below are several faves of this pretty StarDust Bride. p.s. these gorgeous photos were captured by the lovely Lauren Guy at Gather and the Cotton Mill, both in McKinney!

Gown: Sofia by Matthew Christopher, StarDust Celebrations
Photographer: Lauren Guy Photography
Hair/Makeup: The Styling Stewardess
Floral: R Love Floral
Locations: Gather in Downtown McKinney and the McKinney Cotton Mill

Trends We Love: The Turndown or "To-Go" Gift/Favor

Welcome bags have long been considered a "must-have" for any wedding couple expecting lots of out-of-town guests. At Weddings by StarDust, we still do quite a bit of them for our wedding planning clients, but another fun trend we've been seeing more is the turndown gift or the to-go favor. Brides and grooms will pay the hotel staff to place a small token of appreciation on the pillows of their wedding guests as a nice surprise when they return to their rooms. Some ideas: chocolates or an eye mask.

This is extra-cute with a note wishing your guests Sweet Dreams!

Encourage your guests to sleep tight with a room darkening eye mask.

Another twist on this is the to-go favor. Newlyweds enlist the valet team to place a little special something in their guests' cars or on the shuttles to hotels. Some ideas are a CD of special songs that will remind guests of the evening's celebration, a late-night snack or breakfast in a box or a hangover or recovery kit! Get creative - your imagination is the limit!

For a fun surprise, have the valet put the CD on to play when the guest gets in the car!

What could be better than having breakfast at your guests' fingertips first thing the morning after?!

Donuts make a great late-night snack or breakfast the next day.

Mmmm...donuts and milk - the perfect marriage!

Wedding reception recovery kit: vitamin water (plain water will do), Tylenol, mints, Alka-Seltzer, Vitamin C and anything else you can think of to make the morning after easier on your guests.

If you love the idea of incorporating special touches like these throughout your wedding weekend but aren't sure where to begin, considering consulting one of our fantastically creative wedding planners! Weddings by StarDust planners make wedding planning easy and fun! Book your appointment for a consultation online.

Let Us Feature You in Your Wedding Gown (and a Holiday Closure Reminder)

Calling at StarDust, LuLu's and Curvy Brides! You may have noticed we love featuring our beautiful real brides on our blog, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! Case in point, here are just a few of our lovely brides we've showcased in recent months:

photo: Jennifer Mooney

photo: Shaun Menary

photo: The Mamones

photo: John Gibson

photo: Lightly Photography

photo: Brilliant Studios

photo: Jillian Zamora

If you are a StarDust Bride, LuLu's Bride or Curvy Bride, we will show you some social media love if you share your photos with us! Just email your name, photographer's info, wedding date and your fave pics showcasing your gown to social@sdcbridal.com or tag us in your photos on Facebook.

Aaaaannddd, just a reminder that this weekend, we will be closed on Sunday, April 5, for Easter. But we'll be back on Monday morning with bells on! Enjoy your weekend!

Real Wedding: Beautiful Curvy Bride in Watters

Sending a heartfelt THANKS to lovely bride Melanie for sharing a few pics of her in her Watters Austin wedding gown. Melanie found her soft, romantic dream gown at A Curvy Bride and she had some kind words for our fabulous team there:

"Thank you to A Curvy Bride and Altered for the Altar By: Nouvelle Vie Bridal for helping make my last-minute wedding dress dreams come true! Especially to Courtney, Ruth and Rylee Calvert - couldn't have done it without you amazing ladies! My fiance and I ended up having a tiny ceremony on Miami Beach and then whisked away on a cruise ship set for the Bahamas. I just HAD to take the fabulous dress with me to the Bahamas for some shots. Much love, (now) Mrs. Melanie Dizdar"

Check her out!

Thank you for sharing a few photos with us, Melanie! You look absolutely wonderful! Congrats to you,  and we wish you a long, happy marriage!

Find Your Perfect Destination, Garden or Boho Chic Gown in Our Bridal Garden

The Bridal Garden is now open at our StarDust Bridal Salon, located downstairs next to Bridesmaids. The Bridal Garden features romantic, flowy gowns perfect for a wedding on the beach, at a ranch or farmhouse, in a garden - or any other destination wedding! What makes these beautiful gowns even more lovely is their price point: these beauties range $1,000-2,000. The Bridal Garden features designs from Love Marley by Watters, Romantique by Claire Pettibone, Rosa Clara Soft and Ti Adora by Alvina Valenta. Whether you desire lace, crystals, tulle, an open back, illusion details or color, The Bridal Garden is sure to have a gown for you! We are adding to our collection regularly, but here are some styles we currently have available:

 

 

 

 

 

To check out these ethereal gowns in person, make an appointment now online or by calling the salon at 972.781.1619.