Archives for July 2012

Real Wedding: Haddad-Nagy

07.16.12

After meeting through mutual friends and getting to know one another through weekly tennis games, Sheila and Allan started dating in December 2008. Their courtship culminated in a surprise proposal in June 2011, launching them into five-month whirlwind engagement. Enter Marsha French, Stardust’s Certified Master Wedding Planner, who walked them through planning a gorgeous and fun wedding celebration with ease, even given their relatively short planning time frame.

Marsha helped Sheila and Allan plan a beautiful fall affair with a leaf motif branding all of the wedding’s stationery and infusing the décor. Their stunning, sunset-inspired color palette of gold, bronze and coral-tinged orange was punctuated by pops of chartreuse green, giving the fall color scheme a fresh, modern twist.

The event began that evening with an outdoor wedding ceremony on the fantastic Event Lawn at the Four Seasons, for which they could not have asked for better weather! Sheila has always been her “Daddy’s little girl” so the sentimental father of the bride seemed to struggle with giving his daughter away – so precious!

The sweet ceremony was followed by an incredible reception in the Pavilion where guests noshed on an amazing five-course meal featuring a beef and bass duo surrounded by lush décor.

Sheila and Allan delighted their friends and family with a beautifully choreographed first dance, and then guests packed the dance floor all night, alternating between rocking to the band Signed Sealed Delivered and grooving to Persian music spun by DJ and Emcee Marcus Rollins. Later, the couple participated in the sweet reception tradition of cutting the cake – isn’t that cake created by the Four Seasons’ pastry chef elegant?!

Marcus kept the party rolling at the couple’s Austin-themed after party in the Carpenter Room. The couple is moving to Austin and wanted to bring in the city’s casual vibe with their after party’s “Sixth Street Lounge”.

A life-sized cutout of Texas Governor Rick Perry welcomed guests to the party, where the dancing continued and party-goers later fueled up on a late-night snack of build-your-own breakfast tacos!

We absolutely loved working with Sheila and Allan on their fabulous wedding! Special thanks to our wonderful team of vendors who helped us bring the magic to life!
Bakery: Four Seasons
Bridal Gown: Matthew Christopher, Stardust Celebrations
Ceremony Music: European Strings
Ceremony Site: Four Seasons Event Lawn
Drapes: Leland’s
Hair: Cynthia Rogers
Florist: Fete des Fleurs
Linen: BBJ
Lighting: Marcus Rollins
Makeup: Elan, Anita Haar
Photographer: Dorothy Gautreaux
Reception Music: Marcus Rollins, DJ/MC; Signed Sealed Delivered
Reception Venue: Four Seasons Pavilion; after party, Carpenter Room
Videographer: Clayton Stringer
Wedding Planner: Marsha French, CMWP, Stardust Celebrations

Good Luck/Bad Luck: Wedding Superstitions and Traditions

07.13.12

On this Friday, the 13th, we thought it would be fun to share some wedding-related superstitions with you.

Of course, we all know the ubiquitous “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.” This phrase is believed to have originated in Victorian times. The “something old” symbolizes continuity with the bride’s past and her family and traditionally is often a garter of an older family member who has been happily married, trusting that her good fortune would be passed on. The “something new” symbolizes the hope and optimism the couple has in their future and often can be the bride’s jewelry or even gown.

“Something borrowed” is on loan from a happily married family member or friend and can be something like jewelry, a veil or a handkerchief to carry. Finally, “something blue” represents love, modesty and fidelity and hearkens back to ancient Rome. The blue can often be found in the bride’s bouquet, sewn into her dress, a ribbon on her garter, or even her shoes can be her blue, thanks to the huge trend of colored bridal shoes.

There is an often left-out verse in this rhyme – “and a sixpence in her shoe”. The sixpence is an English coin (equivalent to about 6¢), and it’s placement in the bride’s shoe represents wealth and financial security.

Here are a few more interesting superstitions to ponder:
According to Greek tradition, for good luck, a bride should slip a sugar cube into her glove, which will ensure a sweet union.

English tradition and folklore says that Wednesday is the best day to marry while Monday is for health and Tuesday is for wealth – and that Saturday is the unluckiest day to marry! We think millions of brides would disagree since Saturday is, of course, the most popular day for weddings.

Another English belief is that a spider found in a wedding dress is good luck! Eek!

The tradition of the groom carrying his bride over their threshold is to protect her from evil spirits. Awww!

Hindu tradition claims it is actually good luck for it to rain on your wedding day and representative of children in the couple’s future.

It is said to be best to marry on the half hour, when the clock hands are moving up rather than at a time when the hands are moving down the clock, symbolizing the marriage going downhill.

There are so many more funny wedding traditions and superstitions that we could just go on, but we’ll leave you with this last one for now: it is said to be bad luck to shop for wedding rings on Friday, the 13th. Not sure if we believe that, but we are wishing you all the best of luck in your wedding planning and marriages!

“Cheep Cheep” Clearance Starts Tomorrow!

07.10.12

Our cute Cheep Cheep Chick reminds us that the Stardust Celebrations Annual Sale starts tomorrow and runs until July 25. This year, we’ve got two parts to this stylish savings event:

Summer Sale: Save 10% on most apparel orders; some exclusions may apply. Select sample gowns will also be available for purchase off the rack. The discount on orders will be offered at both the Stardust Bridal Salon and LuLu’s Bridal Boutique.

Clearance Sale: Get 30-75% off of specially priced merchandise offered at Stardust, such as jewelry, accessories, gifts and more!

Again, the “Cheep Cheep” Clearance Sale will run July 11-25, 2012, but make plans to attend early for the best selection!

Happy Shopping!

Dallas Episode of Randy to the Rescue Airs Friday

07.04.12

Randy Fenoli fans – at long last, the Dallas episode of Randy to the Rescue is airing THIS Friday, July 6, at 9:00 p.m. Central time on TLC. It was such an honor (and a blast!) to be chosen as Randy’s salon partner for Randy to the Rescue in Dallas. We loved working with him and watching him work his magic, transforming brides from head to hem! Set your DVRs to record this delightful show.

Check out the TLC website for sneak peek and behind-the-scene clips. This is also a fun segment on the Today Show featuring Randy the week Randy to the Rescue premiered. The wedding gowns he shows to demonstrate trends are all from bridal gown designers we carry at Stardust Celebrations!

p.s. We love his “three E’s” approach – educate, elevate and empower! Brides, we also believe it is all about you and helping you be your absolute best on your wedding day! Let us know what you think of the show!!!

Archives for July 2012

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