Your Wedding Advice - StrictlyWeddings.com Blog

GLAM! Kate Spade Shoes Sparkle

These Kate Spade Wedding Shoes, photographed by LA Photographer Ryan Phillips, just screamed GLAM when we saw them. We just couldn’t resist. Of course, if we had shoes like these we’d create places to go to wear them again and again. The bride’s wedding gown by Monique Lhuillier is equally stunning.

Shoes Glorious Wedding Shoes

[Pump]
Always elegant, even the simplest pump can be adorned with jewels, buckles, bows, or beading to represent your style.

[ Sling-back]
For warm weather locations, the closed-toe sling-back pump is a stylish alternative.

[ Sandal]
Another warm weather choice, a sandal in any heel height can work well with either full or column gowns.

[Mule]
More suited to an informal ceremony or to a bride who wants to embrace a more unconventional choice, be sure the shoe is secure enough for comfort.

Wedding Shoe Tip … Purchase your shoes after choosing your gown and before the first dress fitting.

Photograph courtesy of Thisbe Grace Photography

Source: Vera Wang

Wedding Shoes – The Perfect Pair

You have found your dream wedding gown and now you need the perfect pair of shoes to match.  Who do you turn to for the perfect Cinderella shoes? We’ve found that Brides make a fuss over their shoes just as much as they do their gown. All has to be perfect. One of our Photographers, Thisbe Grace, show us several shoes we are in love with.

Source: Thisbe Grace Photography, Jordan Payne Events

Philip Treacy Designer Shoes a Unique Wedding Couture Addition

Our fellow blogger and friend, Jackie from Merci New York, posted these amazing, gorgeous (add your own adjectives here) “shoes” that she came across when she was at Paris Fashion Week. (We use shoes lightly as for some they may be considered a ‘work of art’ and to others an investment). Famed milliner Philip Treacy is the designer behind the elegantly embroidered tulle and lace confections (you won’t find these on his website as they were a collaboration with Valentino, but this designer is such an artist … take a look  through some of his collaborations).

Anyway, they are just now beginning to trickle into some of the fashion boutiques in your area. We think they would be a stunning addition to your wedding couture. Of course, this is high fashion, so nothing comes cheap (average price around $795).

Wedding Shoe Buying Tips

As most women, we love shoes, but finding the perfect wedding shoes may take a bit of time and research. Certain brands and styles will fit everyone a bit differently so you really need to try them on for the perfect fit to your foot.  Here are some great tips from Susan with Left Bank Jewelry & Wedding Shows in Chicago to help you find the best wedding shoes.

• Bring a photo of your dress.
• Choose a style that compliments your dress and your personal style. In the very traditional sense, many feel that a closed toe shoe has a more formal look, but if you love dancing an open toe with a closed back is a better option.
• Keep in mind the time of year of your wedding is, location and the different surfaces you’ll be walking on.
• Shoes crafted with sueded leather soles will offer you the most comfort and are the best choice.
• When deciding on heel height, choose a heel you can comfortably walk in with confidence and wear the entire day. Switching into flats or flip flops later in the evening changes the way your gown falls and affects your posture.
• If it’s difficult to decide on a style, bring a friend or ask your wedding consultant.  However, do not get talked into a style that is not you, be true to your personal tastes and needs.
• Break your shoes in before your wedding and walk around your house in them.  Also test them out practicing your first dance. Do wear a thin pair of socks or hose while you’re doing this since you’ll want them fresh and clean for your photographer to shoot!
• Your alteration person will adore you if you bring your shoes to your initial fitting. Definitely do not bring a shoe from your closet since finding the exact same heel height in wedding shoes may be difficult to find a match for in the wedding shoe world.
• Having inserts on hand such as “foot petals” is a safe bet.  They are a great invention and consider them essential for your wedding day.

Photo courtesy of Rick Aguilar Studios

Tips for Ordering the Right Size Wedding Shoe

We know that we just talked about buying colored, wedding shoes, but one of our partners – Left Bank Jewelry – had this great blog post that they encouraged us to share. Whether you’re a bride or a bridesmaid, finding the right wedding shoes can be tricky. Keep these simple tips in mind when you’re searching for shoes to make your shopping as enjoyable as possible.

• Don’t wait until the last minute. Shoes might need to be ordered in for you in better size and color. Especially if you’re searching for a summer wedding, which is the most popular time, shoes may become back ordered with the manufacturer.
• Go later in the day. Feet tend to slightly swell throughout the day and going later ensures that the footwear will fit you at your “widest.”
• Ask for help. Go to a shop that has a large selection and personal service. Give your associate the size you normally wear and be open to suggestions.
• Try on the shoes you’re interested in, or at least try on shoes by the same designer. Each one is different and sizes aren’t standard.
• If you can’t make it to a shop to try shoes on, check out the designer’s website for a size chart and measure your foot.
• Don’t by the wrong size because you think your feet will “swell” or the shoes will “stretch out” If your shoes are too big, you will be uncomfortable.
• Always try on both shoes. Everyone’s feet are naturally slightly different, so it’s important to feel them on both feet.
• Have fun and don’t get too serious. Shoes should always been fabulous and fun.

Any other tips you think we missed or things that helped you shoe shop?

Wedding Shoes – a colorful statement or new wedding trend?

If you’re looking to do something a little different for your wedding, have you considered wearing colored shoes instead of matching your wedding shoes to your wedding dress? It’s a trend that’s catching on in more ways than one, and even better, you can wear your shoes again after your wedding day.

Spice up your traditional dress, if not with colorful shoes, then consider ribbons, rhinestone shoe clips or a colored under slip. Color should not be a faux pas! It IS your wedding, so you get to pick what kind of bride you are.

You can match the color of your wedding shoes to your wedding’s colors and theme, your bridesmaid dresses, your favorite color (go purple!), or as the “something blue” in your traditional getup. Whatever you decide, when you look back on your wedding photos it will be with a smile whenever you see that sudden burst of color peeking out from under your wedding dress!

Green Shoes’ photograph courtesy of Jordan Payne Events. Shoe clips’ photo courtesy of The Left Bank Jewelry, Chicago

Shoe Clips – New Trend to Dress Up your Shoes

Looking for a way to add some color and personality to your wedding shoes? Grab a pair of colored shoe clips! Dyeable shoes are great, but shoe clips are one of our favorite new wedding trends for 2010. You get the lovely look of a silk shoe to match your wedding dress and a little sweet spot of bling-y color. Grab a pair in blue for your “something blue,” or match them to your bridesmaid dresses or wedding accent color. They’d also look gorgeous on black bridesmaid shoes. The possibilities are endless! Source: EverythingButTheDress.blogspot.com | Photos courtesy of The Left Bank Jewelry, Chicago

Wedding Shoes of Another Color

Wedding shoes have an enchanting history that continues to influence the look of the footwear that today’s brides choose for their stroll down the aisle.

Famous Footsteps

Cinderella, the most famous princess bride, married her prince wearing sparkling glass slippers. Catherine de Medici, one of the first brides in history to walk down the aisle in high heels, inspired a fashion trend that continues today. Anglo-Saxon brides tossed shoes rather than bouquets to bridesmaids who hoped to be the next to marry. Brides in merry old England followed the directive that they wear “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue — and a sixpence in her shoe” by tucking coins into their wedding slippers.

Queen Victoria inspired millions of modern-day brides by choosing a white gown and white shoes for her wedding in 1840. Until then, blue was the color of choice for bridal ensembles. Princess Diana, a statuesque 5 feet 10 inches tall, chose low-heeled, pearl-encrusted, ivory silk flats for her wedding, so as not to tower over Prince Charles.

Contemporary Styles in Wedding Shoes

Today’s brides make the journey from once upon a time to happily ever after in all manner of magic slippers — high heels, low heels, sandals, pumps and even bejeweled flip-flops, says Anna Pezik, senior editor at Brides.com.

“These days, wedding shoes make a real fashion statement. No one wants a cookie-cutter look,” says Pezik. “Brides are choosing their gowns and their accessories to reflect their own individual style. They’re taking bridal shoes a step further than the traditional white satin pump.”

In response, designers such as Vera Wang, Jimmy Choo, Stuart Weitzman, Kenneth Cole and Manolo Blahnik have filled shelves with wedding pumps, slingbacks, sandals and ballet flats in bronze, silver, gold and pewter metallic shades and soft pastels, as well as ivory and white. Detailing includes bows, beading, embroidery and lace. Heel heights and silhouettes range from flat to stiletto. Toes can be open, closed, pointed, rounded or squared.

“Are you planning a romantic wedding? A glamorous event? Bohemian rhapsody? Beach casual? A destination wedding?” Pezil asks. “Your gown and your shoe choice will help create the atmosphere. Wedding shoes are so gorgeous that no one wants to wear them for just one day and then put them in the closet,” Pezik says. “Brides are choosing shoes that they can wear again.”

Brides planning beach weddings have stylish choices that go beyond the humble rubber flip-flop.

“Stuart Weitzman makes an adorable jelly sandal with crystal accents and kitten heels,” Pezik says. “You can also find bridal beach footwear with wedge heels and platform heels.”

Even for the trendiest brides, tradition still plays a role. Several designers, including Fifi, line bridal footwear with azure-colored fabric to meet the “something blue” requirement.