DIY -- Embellished Shoes

We all know those commericals for the Bedazzler. Tacky, right? Maybe not, if you take it down a notch. Love designer shoes but can't love the price tag? Bridesmaids throwing up at the thought of dyeables? Try adding a little sparkle to a plain pair of pumps or sandals.

While searching for something completely unrelated I found this tutorial for Swarovski Embellished Shoes. Substitute Swarovski crystals for anything you want: pearls, beads, small gemstones... And you could turn a pair of Payless Shoes into something a little more designer. Check these out for inspiration:



(Above images from Neiman Marcus.)

Paying for designer shoes is one thing. Even I'm tempted sometimes by a nice pair of Pucchis or Oscars. But if you're really in the mood for shelling out big bucks for crap, check out Wedding Tennies.com, where for upwards of $100 you can buy the same pair of white flip-flops you could get at Old Navy with stuff glued on (left). I'm against flip-flops as formal wedding wear, but if you absolutely must wear them, take 5 minutes to glue them yourself. I just can't live knowing that a site like Wedding Tennies.com is actually encouraged to exist.

Shoes

Any bride out there who thinks she can wear sneakers or flip-flops to her wedding because "no one will see them anyway," think again. Your feet will be seen. In the photographs of you getting ready. When you're walking. When you're sitting down. When you dance. And you do those things a lot over the course of the wedding. It's not all standing at the altar and standing for portraits.

If you are wearing a sundress for a beach ceremony, then yes, certain flip-flops are acceptable. If you are an Olympic gold medalist in track and field, then sneakers may qualify as whimsical. But if you are wearing a long wedding gown and your groom is wearing a suit or tux, then your event is formal enough to warrant nice shoes. (Are you making your bridal party wear nice shoes? Then you should suck it up and do it, too.)

They don't need to be high heels, and they shouldn't be if they'll make you physically uncomfortable. There are millions of nice flats and sandals on the market, and in all price points, so there's really no excuse for not finding a pair.

I had the same attitude and I was agonizing over my shoe choices. But ultimately I'm glad I took the time to find the right pair of sandals. Comfortable, a little bit of heel. (And ubiquitous enough as a white summer sandal that I will wear again.) My photographer loved them, loved my toenail polish color, and loved my ankle tattoo, so lots of pictures were taken of that area that I thought no one would see. And you know what? One of my favorite pictures from the evening is of my foot! I was going to wait and publish this post once I have all the jpgs to sort through and I could include my favorite shoe photo. But Mike and I found my foot on our photographer's website last night. It's the bottom right photo. See? That's why you should wear nice shoes for your wedding.

On the topic of shoes...

I'm having a hard time deciding on what to get. I love shoes. Why is this so hard?

What makes a bridal shoe a “bridal” shoe? Anything other than it’s white? Or ivory? A couple quick searches at Zappos.com reveal pretty much the same results, whether you search for “bridal,” “white,” or “ivory.” Seems like the bridal shoe industry is another offshoot of the wedding industry racket.

Since it’s my special day can I get away with treating myself to navy satin Pucci pumps (left)? Even though they don’t match the rest of the wedding in any way? I promise I’d wear them all the time to make the purchase worthwhile. (I’ve already designed a black and navy wardrobe around them.)



Or, since my dress is a Vera Wang design, should I treat myself to Vera Wang shoes (right)? They, along with the Puccis, are a bit out of my price range.






Do I have to buy shoes that will only be worn on my wedding day? I’d really love something more wearable. I’m not tied to white or ivory; anything that looks good with the dress would be fine. There's the cheap disposable pair of shoes (left). Under $60. No commitment; no guilt.


I’d prefer not to wear sandals. That way I won’t have to get a pedicure. I hate when people touch my feet, and not choosing a nail polish color is one less decision I’d have to make.

Is this one of those decisions that can wait until, like, a week or two before the wedding to make?

Finding Your Glass Slipper

These days shoes are a really important piece of your wedding day ensemble. The arrival of the Sex in the City girls and their love of shoes skyrocketed the idea of an ‘it’ shoe to many women. Myself? I love them. I think they are cute, but I loathe shopping for them. I always end up airing on the side of practicality. Boring I know, but I have huge feet and I think shoes are overpriced. So sue me.

There is a lot to be said for finding a good shoe for your wedding day. Chances are your fiancé’s shoes will be rented or his ones he already owns. Yours however need to meet some all-important criteria. Really, ladies, do you want to spend a whole day wincing in pain just because a shoe was adorable on the shelf? Here is a rundown of what you need to know. Listen up! Print it out, clip it into your wedding planner or what have you, and get thee to a shoe store or bridal department. If you are lazy like I was though, just order them online and figure it all out in the comfort of your home.

First and foremost, comfort is essential. Remember this when you find those sparkly wonders that have lots of flesh-squeezing straps. You’re going to be standing posing for photos all day in these babies and having to smile beatifically for prosperity. The shoes should not be something you would never normally wear. If you like and can handle super high heels then go for it. If not, your wedding day is not the day to try those bad boys out. Stick to what you know. Some brides wear sneakers under their dresses. Some choose a basic low-heeled pump or ballet flats. Once you find a shoe that, you like the look of and one that fits you comfortably, test it out on the second step. Key note here too- shop at the end of the day as your feet have swelled. You’ll get the best fit.

The second step in finding your wedding day shoes. They should compliment or match the style and color of your dress. You will need to bring your shoes with you to all your dress fittings. The height of the heel will impact the fall and length of your dress. The fabric on the shoe is important too. Often bridal shoes come in silk or satin. These easily stain or can tear so once you own them keep them in safe, clean place until your wedding day. If you aren’t wearing a white or cream-colored dress then just find a shoe that matches the color you are wearing. It’s your day; show your style regardless of the color dress you are wearing! Get funky and down with your bad self in the shoe department. Find a shoe that screams YOU!

So now, the shoes are bought and paid for. You have brought them home and tried them on for your friends, your dog, and maybe the UPS man. There’s one more thing you need to do before you store them away in their safe, clean space. Scuff the hell out of those soles. That’s right; take them out for a spin on some asphalt. I walked around my driveway and sidewalk on a sunny, dry day. I avoided anything that looked damp and icky on the ground, but I twisted my feet and sashayed up and down the path until I had scuffed the soles well and good. There would be no slipping for me on my big day.

That’s it really. It just takes some forethought and not buying just any shoe that a designer says you must have or a bridal magazine throws at you. It’s again all about taking care of you and remembering what you need.