The days of wedding dresses matching the special day's cake are long gone. When Carolyn Bessette married John F. Kennedy Jr. in a simple Narciso Rodriguez silk crepe bias-cut gown in 1996, it signaled a shift away from frills. More than a decade later, the pared-down bridal look is just starting to go mainstream here.

It's still not easy to find sleek gowns in Honolulu. One shop is trying to change that. Modern Pacific Weddings, which launched as a wedding-planning company two years ago, just opened an oasis of a store in Chinatown, and tonight it holds Muse, a designer-gown fashion show, from 7 to 10 p.m.

"Muse is the woman who inspires you. I'm trying to inspire brides to consider other options for their wedding gowns, not the typical," says Regan Schultz, who runs Modern Pacific Weddings with her husband, Ken Schultz. "I have brides say, 'You mean I can just wear this?' I want to inspire them to make their own personal expression in the wedding gown they choose."

The fashion show will feature gowns from Nicole Miller, Kristie Kelly's Disney Fairy Tale Weddings Collection, Jules Bly and Tamara Catz. The dresses, made of fabrics such as classic silk and ultramodern metallic taffeta, range from $600 to $2,500.

In addition there will be cocktails, pupu from Downtown@HiSAM and music by KTUH DJ Mr. Nick.

While organizing weddings, "We heard there was a need for more gown selections, specifically Nicole Miller," says Schultz. "She makes great lightweight, more casual gowns, yet they're very affordable."

The lighter, simpler dresses are better suited for beach weddings, which are becoming increasingly popular, said Schultz.

"It makes the wedding a lot more affordable — and it's so beautiful. You can get such amazing photos. And since you're not paying for a venue, you can spend more on food or a reception hall."

Schultz said there is also growing interest in environmentally friendly events. In the past month, she has received several calls from people asking if she does "green weddings."

From using recycled paper for invitations to making favors from organic, local products, Modern Pacific Weddings offers many ways to keep a wedding's footprint small. Schultz will give out a free green-event guide at Muse.

And if you have an upcoming gig as a bridesmaid and don't want to get stuck with a seafoam green dress you wouldn't be caught dead in, drag the future bride to Muse.

"The Nicole Miller bridesmaid dresses are so cute and don't look totally wedding," says Schultz. "Bridesmaids can feel happy they're getting a dress they can wear again."

What a novelty.

Reach Lesa Griffith at lgriffith@honoluluadvertiser.com.