This Weekend: St. Pucchi Sample Sale and Allure Trunk Show

Stardust Bridal Salon is pleased to announce the St. Pucchi Sample Sale starting this Friday, June 1, and running through Wednesday, June 6. Select styles will be up to 20% off, so call now to schedule your appointment: 972.781.1619!

This Friday, Saturday and Sunday, LuLu's Bridal Boutique will be hosting a trunk show for Allure Bridals! No appointment necessary so make plans to stop by this weekend.

Register Now for our Special Mothers of Brides and Grooms Event

We just love our brides and grooms. We also adore their mothers, who we see tirelessly providing support to their daughters and sons throughout the ups and downs of the entire wedding planning process. In honor of these exceptional ladies, Stardust is pleased to announce our special event, “How to be a Great Mother-in-Law,” to be held at Stardust on June 14.

During this fun midday event, our own Certified Master Wedding Planner Marsha Ballard French (and experienced Mother of a Bride and a Groom!) will enlighten and entertain moms with tips and etiquette to help them navigate wedding planning and beyond. Guests will also enjoy nibbles and bubbles, as well as a fashion show during this exclusive event. RSVP now to reserve your spot!

Details
Thursday, June 14
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Stardust Celebrations
6464 W Plano Parkway in Plano
RSVP to Michelle Green: mg@stardustcelebrations.com or 972.781.1619

Stardust and LuLu’s Closed in Honor of Memorial Day

Both Stardust Celebrations and LuLu’s Bridal Boutique will be closed this Monday, May 28, for Memorial Day. In honor of this patriotic holiday, we thought it would be fun to share some basics on a few of the wedding traditions that make a military wedding special.

One of the most obvious things that sets a military wedding apart from a civilian event is the attire. Military grooms and other members of the wedding party wear their uniforms according to the formality of the wedding and seasonal requirements. If the bride is a military officer, she can choose to wear her uniform as well, but she is also free to wear a traditional bridal gown. Also, a boutonniere is never worn with a uniform, and white gloves are necessary for all saber/sword bearers. Military guests have the option of wearing their uniform to the wedding or they may wear civilian attire.

The Arch of Sabers or Swords is a beloved custom of military weddings and definitely one of the most recognizable. Each branch of the military has very specific regulations as to who is allowed to participate and how and where the arch takes place. We most often see the majestic arch just outside of the ceremony site, where the couple will pass through this symbolic pledge of loyalty to them. Sometimes, the final pair of saber bearers will lower their sabers to detain the couple until they kiss. Then, often the last man on the right will give the bride a gentle swat on the backside with his sword while telling her, “Welcome to the (branch of service)!”

You thought working out your seating arrangements was a challenge…imagine trying to work in military guests according to rank! At the ceremony, the bride’s or groom’s commanding officer and spouse may sit near or with the family, or even in the front pew if the parents are not present! It is also customary that flag and general officers be seated just behind the two families. And at the reception, military guests are traditionally shown to their seats according to rank.

Bella Pictures

At a military wedding, you are likely to hear regimental music, including the branch of service’s theme song, and see more patriotic decorations incorporating flags and standards of the bride and/or groom’s unit(s). But the most memorable reception tradition is the cake cutting, truly the highlight of the celebration! The bride and groom will cut the wedding cake with a saber or sword belonging to the groom if he owns one. The bride takes the lead cutting while her groom rests his right hand over hers on the sword’s hilt and wrapping his left arm around her. Picture perfect!

Happy Memorial Day! With grateful hearts, we humbly thank the men and women who have served our country in the military!

Facebook Founder’s Wedding Shines Spotlight on Bridal Gown Designer Claire Pettibone

By now you surely have heard that Facebook wunderkind Mark Zuckerberg married his longtime girlfriend Dr. Priscilla Chan this weekend in a surprise wedding. Held in the backyard of the couple’s modest Silicone Valley home, the ceremony was a great surprise for the 100 or so guests who thought they were there to celebrate Pricilla’s recent medical school graduation.

And certainly you have also heard the buzz about the bride’s gorgeous Sky Between the Branches wedding gown by the fabulous designer Claire Pettibone, a sexy yet elegant selection for the lovely and slim Priscilla. The new Mrs. Zuckerberg actually bought her Claire Pettibone bridal gown off the rack from a Denver bridal salon under a false name! The beautiful laser-cut floral sheath features a stunning sheer back and matte sequins. While the gown is absolutely gorgeous, there is also something natural and down-to-earth about it, perfect for this low-key bride! Claire Pettibone is known for her unique, vintage-inspired gowns finished with a modern flair. Many of her gowns also feature a definite bohemian vibe!

Lucky for you lovely brides, you can order Sky Between the Branches from our Stardust Bridal Salon! Stardust Celebrations is the exclusive salon for Claire Pettibone bridal gowns in Texas and we carry several Claire Pettibone couture bridal gowns featuring feminine, ethereal and romantic details. Call and schedule your time to come in and try on our gorgeous collection of Claire Pettibone wedding dresses!

Available in Texas exclusively at

Stardust Celebrations

6464 W Plano Parkway

Plano, Texas 75093

972.781.1619

photo credits: AP/Facebook

Trend Alert: Gourmet Sliders/Slider Mania

The term “slider” used to conjure up an image of a tiny ham- or cheeseburger that looked pretty much just like its normal-sized counterpart. Thanks to the creativity to several fabulously talented chefs, these tiny burgers have exploded far beyond the typical ground beef fare and have elevated the humble slider to positively gourmet!

White Castle is credited with the origin of the slider.

Caterers and venues are offering a wonderful assortment of tiny sandwiches, and there is truly something for everyone – even vegetarians! Some of the incredible offerings we have seen include: “lighter” versions of sliders such as crab or lobster cake sliders, mini turkey burgers, grilled or fried chicken sliders or Greek sliders with lamb and feta; sliders made of fried green tomatoes, caprese salad or grilled portabella mushrooms – perfect for our non-meat-eating friends; and variations on the traditional beef such as tenderloin sliders, barbecue pulled beef or pork and even sloppy Joes!

These tasty little fellas can be offered as passed hors d’oeuvres, delivered in multiples as a plated entrée or, as we’re seeing more often, served up from a station featuring an assortment of fillers and condiments. The toppings options are endless as well, offering delectable treats such as blue cheese, bacon, truffle oil, flavored aiolis, sautéed mushrooms and onions, tapenades, pestos, special slaws and relishes…oh my! Truly mouth-watering! And of course, passed sliders and fries make a great late-night snack – especially paired with a mini milkshake! They can be just the thing to keep your guests dancing long into the night!

If you are a fan of the tiny sandwich, talk with your wedding planner or caterer about how you can incorporate this fun, nostalgic treat into your wedding day meal plan! Bon appétit!

Color Splash: Pantone's Pastels

A few weeks back, we shared a bold inspiration board featuring Pantone’s luscious and bright Tangerine Tango, Cabaret and Solar Power. Veering toward the other end of the color spectrum, today we are excited to show you a beautiful board featuring fresh pastels: Margarita, Bellflower, Sweet Lilac and Cockatoo!

Soft and romantic, these gorgeous pastel hues are just the ticket to a cool summer event. Take a look and let us know what you think!

Alvina Valenta Trunk Show at Stardust This Weekend

Alvina Valenta fans, rejoice! Stardust Bridal Salon is hosting a trunk show for this gorgeous bridal collection this weekend. Call now for your appointment: 972.781.1619.

Trend Alert: The Group Wedding Guest Portrait

Wedding photography is all about capturing the important and unique memories of your special day in a beautiful way. One trend we’re seeing more often is the all-guest wedding portrait. We simply adore this! What a fun and spectacular way to remember your wedding and all of your friends and family members who were there! The panoramic photo can be taken at the church or reception site, outdoors or in and it can be more formal or a little wacky. Just consider your group size when selecting your location and discuss this with your photographer plenty of time before the event so together you can develop a great plan to make this happen. Here are a few sweet examples.

image source: realsimple.com

www.josephmark.com

www.kimgrubb.com



image source: theknot.com

Have some fun with this and nab you and your fiancé a wonderful keepsake from your wedding day!

Recap of Bridal Market for Fall 2012 Gowns

Bridal Market has come and gone, and our heads are still spinning with all of the gorgeous fashions we saw!

It was so cool to see some of our favorite trends still going strong for the Fall 2012 bridal collections and really fun to see some emerging styles that we think you will LOVE! So, without further ado, here are what we consider the top trends!

Unique Straps/Sleeves
Many brides are still moving away from the strapless gown and looking for straps and sleeves. But not just any strap or sleeve – they want something unique! We are seeing more one-shoulder straps, straps made of decorated or embellished materials and different strap configurations, all giving brides numerous options in making their bridal gown different and memorable.

Coupled with this is the ever-strong trend of Illusion Necklines and Straps. Gowns incorporating illusion necklines and straps are the best of both worlds, offering brides a bit more coverage without being matronly. Some of these illusion elements were completely sheer while others were embellished with crystals, appliqués or lace. Simply gorgeous!

Back Details/Interest
Gowns with back interest or details were also quite prevalent again! Some gowns featured bold, plunging backs, allowing brides to show some skin. If you’re not quite so daring, never fear… keyhole backs covered with lace, embroidery or appliqués are sexy but modest and perfect for the demure, romantic bride.

 Designers also went for drama on the backs of skirts, adding details such as unique trains or lots of gorgeous fabric elements. Designers are taking a 360-degree approach, focusing on every angle of their gowns since guests will see the bride both coming and going!

Slits
Remember Angelina Jolie’s stunning gown that got people talking at Oscars? It was a great precursor to a huge trend in wedding gowns this season – the slit! Designers are daring to go all the way to here…And confident and stylish brides looking for a gown with a little sex appeal will love this design feature.

Beaded Bodices vs. Twinkle
We saw several gowns again featuring the beaded bodice, with gorgeous crystals and heavily embellished designs. These intricate designs are now mostly paired with a more simple skirt, a striking combination.

But an emerging sister trend we loved was the twinkle effect, in which gowns were adorned with subtle elements that when hit with light give off a beautiful shimmer or slight sparkle. Designers are using sequins and understated shimmery materials to perfect this element. This is a lovely look, very soft, romantic and beautifully ethereal.

Peplum Skirts, Tiered Skirts and Textured Bottom Mermaids
Interesting skirts continued to grow as a trend and we saw a lot more peplum skirts this season. The peplums can be more structured but there were also several more softly draped designs, as well as…wait for it…removable peplums! This is another nod to the convertible gown movement with designers providing options for the bride who would like more than one look for her evening but may not want to buy two gowns.

fabulous Hayley Paige gown Sloane, shown with and without removeable peplum

 In addition to peplums, there were also more tiered skirts this season, and we also saw quite few textured bottom mermaid style gowns. These gowns are great for brides looking for some drama and glamour in their gowns!

Cotton
With the huge explosion in vintage style weddings, it was no surprise to see more gowns catering to this trend. One way designers are answering this demand is through cotton bridal gowns! Cotton, “the fabric of our lives,” may seem like an odd choice for bridal gown material, but you would not believe the gorgeous execution! We are not talking about t-shirts here, ladies! These beautiful – and yes, comfortable – gowns were elegant and charming, and are offered in designs that could accommodate many wedding styles, including rustic barn to destination beach to boho chic and more.

Lace Bodice
We saw so much fabulous lace again this season! Lace bodices are a huge force and again, this is not the conventional stuff of years past. The lace we’re seeing now, especially on gown bodices, is fresh, floral and graphic. Inspired by the Duchess of Cambridge, the new lace is sexy with a touch of tradition. Even with this new edge, lace is romantic and soft, and transports us ever so slightly away from our modern world. Once again, we saw more of that gorgeous metallic lace as well. It is just beautiful!

beautiful metallic lace

Color
Of course, it came as no surprise that color is HUGE again! Brides are really taking to the color offerings outside of white and ivory and the designers are again stepping up. The hues continued to be soft – like latte, petal, oatmeal, blush and violet – but a few designers have put out stunningly bold colors for brides looking for a very dramatic bridal entrance. What do you think, ladies? Are there any of you who plan to wear a red or black wedding gown?! Yes, they are really an option, thanks to some cutting edge designers!

Victoria Nicole's offerings of color include latte, light ivory, pearl and petal

Simplicity
You have to know by now that bridal trends can be contradictory. That’s because, thankfully, designers know that each bride has a different personality and style; some brides are bold and modern, while some are traditional and demure and others still are somewhere between. So while we saw a lot of details and drama on gowns, we also saw a glorious return to simplicity. Clean lines, uncomplicated designs and unadorned fabrics were all featured in several designers’ collections. Oh, so beautiful in their simple elegance!

While those are the biggies we observed, some other trends we saw included dropped waists, origami details, bohemian gowns, scoop necklines and gowns inspired by the Mad Men rage.

dropped waist ballgown by Lazaro

dropped waist gown by Victor Harper



This gorgeous Jim Hjelm gown features origami detailing on the skirt



Claire Pettibone's Abbey is a gorgeous boho style

Beautiful Lazaro gown perfect for the bohemian bride

Augusta Jones' aptly named Marilyn gown has a feeling of times gone by

We cannot wait until the fabulous gowns we ordered start arriving! Be sure to like us on Facebook as we will add photos of our new gowns as we receive them in-store. Let us know what you think! What trends will be a must for your wedding day look?