Wanderlust Beauty
Local entrepreneur Mari Alejos-Puente first started Passport Polish in July 2018 with a focus on handmade, vegan and cruelty-free polish inspired by different countries around the world. She launched liquid lipsticks in January 2019, and recently launched traditional lipsticks and gel polishes. Most exciting though, is her new Destination Wedding Collection. It includes polishes, lipsticks, press-on nails and accessories with fun colors in names like “Engagement in Saint Vincent” and “Say I Do in Seychelles.” Passport Polish also offers jewelry made specifically for jet-setting brides. passportpolish.com
Gowns Galore!
Unbridaled, a bridal store with locations in Austin and Houston, recently opened a third location in the Lower Garden District. Expect to find independent, emerging designers who push the boundaries when it comes to bridal fashion and trends. Designers include Rue de Seine, Vagabond, Made with Love, Rish Bridal and Alexandra Grecco (among others), and gowns range from $1,200 to $6,000. The store also carries veils, belts and some jewelry. 1810 Magazine St., 504.233.9029, unbridaled.com
A Wise Choice
At the end of 2020, floral designer Kim Starr Wise opened a flower shop in the Lower Garden District, offering opulent florals, luxe botanicals and delightful accents. In addition to pre-made arrangements, The Flower Shop offers one-on-one consultations for custom floral arrangements and inspiration at every turn. When it comes to weddings, Wise will work to plan, source, design and handcraft wedding florals that reflect the aesthetics of the couple — whether that means traditional whites, beiges and pastels or bohemian creations full of wildflowers, warm tones and vintage touches. 2036 Magazine St., 504.390.0563, kimstarrwise.com
Local Charms
Beloved New Orleans-based jewelry designer Mignon Faget has released an heirloom set of sterling silver wedding cake pulls perfect for a classic Southern wedding. For the uninitiated, the charms are inserted into a tier of the wedding cake, and attending single women choose a ribbon to reveal their fortune. The nine-piece set of cake pulls, which Faget designed for her own daughter’s wedding, represent luck, marriage, true love, stability, opportunity, prosperity, eternal beauty, red hot romance and wish come true. $490 for the set, 3801 Magazine St., 504.891.2005, mignonfaget.com
