Blushing Brides

Reality TV wedding expert lets Houston brides in on all his secrets: Insider wedding gown tips

Bridal designer and TLC star Randy Fenoli is the darling of brides-to-be across the country. So it's no surprise that each time he appears at Houston's Bridal Extravaganza he addresses an adoring sellout crowd. Such was the case last month, when 15,000 poured through the turnstiles at the George R. Brown Convention Center.

Granted, not all 15,000 could sit in on his lecture or garner those all-important selfies, but once again his take on the wedding dress drew an SRO crowd. As flamboyant and as fun as ever, Fenoli shared a bit of his wisdom on wedding dress selection and his view of up and coming trends in bridal gowns.

Three points to remember in dress selection, according to Fenoli:

* Brides should follow their personal look and their "story," be who you are rather than re-invent yourself for that walk down the aisle.

* When selecting the best dress, remember that it is all about proportion. A bride with full hips should balance her look with a fuller base of the dress while a petite bride should focus on smaller proportions and smaller accessories.

* Most brides would insist on this in any case, but Fenoli advises that the bride try on the dress to insure that the silhouette is proportionate to her body type.

As for trends in the wedding gown market place, Fenoli mentioned five new or expanded approaches to wedding gowns:

* Straps and sleeves are being favored in place of the strapless gown. However, Fenoli doesn't think it's a trend that will last as, he believes, sleeves and straps prohibit freedom of movement as in they can't raise their arms, particularly for fun dancing. He says that glamorous shrugs are being favored over sleeves.

* Dramatic silhouettes are in favor with brides wishing to make a bigger statement with their gowns.

* Trains are going short, veils long as brides forgo the cumbersome train in favor of freedom of movement.

* Some brides are going for a Bohemian style in their gowns.

* Adding a pop of color in accessories is growing in popularity, such as a hint of color in the wedding pumps or gown trims.

New episodes of TLC's Say Yes to the Dress, staring Fenoli as dress designer, begin airing March 6.

Party designer Darryl Murchison, left, and Randy Fenoli at the Bridal Extravaganza.

News, Shelby, Randy Fenoli, Bridal Extravaganza, February 2015

Photo by Erin Wiese

Party designer Darryl Murchison, left, and Randy Fenoli at the Bridal Extravaganza.

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A Clear Choice

Texas handbag brand Consuela debuts clear collection for stadium use

Photo courtesy of Consuela

These bags fashionably comply with stadium rules.

Transparency is key for this new stadium-friendly product line by Austin handbag brand Consuela. The new line recreates the brand's top-selling silhouettes in a clear material that makes them easy to carry at venues with long security lines.

This is the first time Consuela has produced clear bags, press materials say.

It's certainly possible to pack any small bag and spend a minute on a security check at the gate, but if attendees want to carry more, sometimes venues require a clear bag; at Reliant Stadium, for example, a non-see-through bag can only be four-and-a-half inches by six-and-a-half inches or smaller.

Conseula clear bags You don't have to put bags in the "tool bag" silhouette.Photo courtesy of Consuela

Each clear Consuela bag has a bit of personality thanks to a printed, opaque strip of material across the top and a colorful strap that's interchangeable for different carrying styles: wearing the bag crossbody, on the shoulder, or as a clutch. Leather accents also elevate each piece, which contains interior pockets, a credit card holder, and a removable piece that gives the base structure or, when it's removed, allows the bag to collapse.

With three shapes and three patterns or colorways, there are nine distinct bags in the collection. The largest style is 11 inches by nine and a quarter inches, with a three-inch depth. Two smaller styles are more clutch-sized. The top material can show off a colorful paisley-like design, leopard print, or an understated cream leather to match the rest of the trim.

Conseula clear bags Grouping items in smaller cases can make a clear bag look neater.Photo courtesy of Consuela

The new collection ($125-235) is available now at consuelastyle.com. Shoppers can also check the bags out in person at Consuela's Katy store at 23501 Cinco Ranch Boulevard. Other retailers selling Consuela bags can be found through the brand's store locator.

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