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Brides love stephanotis.  Maybe its because the small blossoms seem to fit in anywhere and they can be all dressed up with pearls, gems, glitter or paint.  Stephanotis can also be dyed if fresh, or turn up in colors if silk, but lets face it, pure white is what we know and what we love.  This trellis climbing plant is also known by its more romantic name: Madagascar Jasmine.

Below some samples of this plant, wedding ideas and our own tropical look bouquet with gemmed stephanotis added.

I haven’t been featuring much in the way of bridesmaid dresses for the upcoming Spring 2010 season.  The reason…I just don’t really like much of what  I am seeing.  Although the new, more casual look, offers designers the opportunity to create truly special dresses which can be worn again later, most of the designs just don’t speak “wedding” to me.  Dark colors and lackluster creations seem to dominate the Spring collection.  However, below are some stand-out dresses from an otherwise dull bridesmaid season.

Alfred Angelo incorporates new elements of the Spring 2010 season like the one-shoulder look, flowered adornment and swirling fabric.  The result: a dress you wish you owned.

The very “wear again”,  ”Little Jacket” dress is done nicely by Aria Bridesmaids and again by Watters and Watters.

The Melissa Sweet creations hone in on detail and serve up dresses that say “special” in every way.

Below:  Two gorgeous dresses by Priscilla of Boston.

Our custom order cake toppers start at $25.00.  For a price quote go to FREE QUOTE  Or you can buy the one pictured at our Bohemian Garden Store in the right-hand column…just click on any item.

Priscilla of Boston’s “Jewel” collection lives up to its name with carefully placed bling embellishments.  To dress up a simple dress, add a rhinestone belt or brooch.  We’ve also included a belt by Lazaro, one of several designers creating detachable belts.  Rhinestone belt at rhinestonejewelry.com; Brooch at Americanbridal.com.

This Alfred Angelo look is soft, young and flirty.  Attention to detail is the hallmark of all the top designers for Spring 2010 and this dress is no exception with its jeweled bodice.

Badgley Mischka does a different turn with ruffles on this halter dress.  The look is more feathered and dramatic.

A giant sheer bow adds some unexpected style to this dress from Douglas Hannant…a nice touch.

I love any dress from Ines DiSanto but this one goes all out with the latest looks from the one-shoulder to beaded detail and ending with a feathery skirt.

The form-fitting dress from Jim Hjelm takes detail to extremes and produces a design that is simply beautiful. Romona Keveza styles with swirling fabric while adding gems for detail.

The Maggie Sottero design below is elegantly beaded but the shoulder straps give it a pure unique beauty.  Monique Lhuillier always creates stunning designs but the one below takes simple elements, puts them all together and comes up with a true original.

Oscar de la Renta does his own style with a huge bow and shows us how cute head gear can be.

Other photos: Shirring and gems from designer Piccione; a wisp of a dress from Rinadi Montella Bridal; a rich confection all gemmed out from St. Pucchi; layers and layers of lovely from Vera Wang.

There is no scarcity of unusual wedding chapels and venues deep in the heart.  You can go for traditional, mix it up with Tex-Mex or flat out do it western style.

Photos:  The historic Ball-Eddleman-McFarland House in historic Ft. Worth offers facilities for weddings.

A western wedding cake from AZCakes.com

The charming Briscoe Manor wedding chapel in Richmond, TX.

Colorful Mexican paper flowers.

Castle Douglas in Rockwall gives you a real chance to be a princess for a day or go for the quaint Rose Cottage at Butler’s Court Yard in League City.

All lite-up is the not-so-ordinary Heather’s Glen in Conroe.

Offer your guests a taste of Tex-Mex like the pork ribs below.

Parador House is an historical landmark in Houston offering up lots of wedding day charm.

Throw together an outfit with the flirty little dress below paired with a hat and wedding boots from Satnspurs.com

Other photos: Marbella, Houston, TX; Chapel Dulcinea, Houston; Villa Antonia Chapel, Austin.

At Pylones.com, ordinary kitchen items take on a whole new dimension.

Crisp white or beige linen suits, shirts and pants can brighten up a summer or beach wedding and leave the groom looking and feeling great.

The elegant designs from Paula Varsalona range from ultra-sophisticated to casual bohemian.  There is something just a little different about a Varsalona dress which sets it apart from the ordinary.