Be Head over Heels, not Heels over Head
If you’re getting married this summer and your wedding photography includes stomping around on the grass, check out this must-have genius solution for your bridal heels.
Shop them at Solemates!
If you’re getting married this summer and your wedding photography includes stomping around on the grass, check out this must-have genius solution for your bridal heels.
Shop them at Solemates!
If you’re determined to wear heels on your big day, then go for it. Even if you’ve never worn heels before, you’ve got plenty of time to get comfortable. The best tip for high-heeled elegance is practice, practice, practice. Here’s how the models do it:
Buy your wedding shoes (or another pair of heels of the same height) and wear them around the house every day for a week or 2 for a couple of hours. Also, try wearing them out to places in public. It might feel awkward at first, but after a while of breaking them in you’ll feel more comfortable. Be sure to scuff up the bottoms a bit so that you don’t slip and slide in them.
If you’ve never worn a pair of heels in your life, why start now? Sneakers or tennis shoes offer practicality, personality and comfort. Let your wedding guests glimpse a sneak peek under your traditional gown on your big day as your sprint down the aisle.
The choices are endless. From classic white Chucks, TOMS, and bedazzled Keds to blue Nikes or red Vans. Be empowered. Be who you are. Be comfortable.
Photo Credit: AppleMoon Photography
Photo Courtesy of WeddingDress26
Photo Courtesy of Etsy
Photo Credit: Furious Photographers
Photo Courtesy of YouTube
Photo Credit: Abby Rose Photo
Photo Courtesy of NYTimes
Photo Courtesy of Wedding Design
Photo Courtesy of Elegant
Looking for a fancy, one-of-a-kind wedding shoe? The perfect wedding day heels offer a balance of majestic glam, comfort, and wow while showcasing the individuality of the bride. Check out these epic Instagram heels for a little shoe-porn inspiration.
As the summer’s warmth becomes a fond memory and the crisp coldness of winter sets in, the weather’s probably got you reaching for the warmest clothes you can find. Fur is typically some of the warmest materials that come to mind, and it looks great on clothing too! So, why not use some as a highlight for your winter bridal ensemble? It’s sure to add either some glamour or rustic appeal to your outfit. Remember, faux fur is always an option!
Fur Shrug or Wrap
Photo Courtesy of Athena Crystal Couture
This look is perfect for those of you going for an old Hollywood, super glamourous look. It’s great for those days that are cool but not too cold, and covers just enough arm and shoulder that your mobility isn’t obstructed. Depending on your own aesthetic preferences, you can choose different fur colours. White blends beautifully with white dresses while black offers a striking contrast.
Fur Trim Footwear
Photo courtesy of Pink Dahlia Vintage on etsy.com
Fur trimmed shoes, whether they’re ankle boots or full knee highs, always add a bit of winter magic to any bridal outfit. The fur around the tops of the shoes is reminiscent of the fur royalty would wear, and who doesn’t want to feel like royalty on their wedding day? Again, pick the colour of fur that suits you and your outfit best. Remember, if you’re stuck, that neutrals tend to work with everything.
Fur Cape
Photo courtesy of AveniaBridal
A fur cape is a beautiful accessory that calls to mind fairy tales and Christmas sleigh rides. If the full fur cape is too much for you, fur trim is a great alternative that keeps with the spirit of the former. Warm, fashionable, and completely functional, a fur cape is the choice accessory for the winter bride. Perfect for woodland walks after the ceremony!
– Samantha Muraca
Vintage weddings never go out of style. But sometimes, all you want is a little taste of vintage, just a wee hint of that glamour. The good news is that vintage styles are incredibly versatile and can mix well with other themes. Here are just a few ways that a Bride can add some old-school flair to her fashion ensemble.
The Bridal Gloves
For a glamorous, dramatic, red carpet-style look, opera-length gloves would be quite fabulous. For a traditional look, wrist gloves would look equally glam, and then there’s always the lace (fingerless) hand gloves for a little vintage quirk.
Photo Courtesy of OneWed
The Veil
Vera Wang says “The wedding veil is at once sacred and seductive” and there is nothing more feminine than luxurious fabrics with decadent designs that allow you to play a romantic game of peek-a-boo with your betrothed. To add a vintage vibe, consider lacey edges.
Photo Courtesy of TrendsEve
The Shoes
The lace covered Mary Jane is a dainty taste of nostalgia mixed to perfection with all the needs of a modern bride. Comfort, quality and a variety of styles to suit your tastes.
Diane Hassall Wedding Shoe Photo Courtesy of Uwebus
– Catherine Thorpe
Although many people don’t realize it, shoes are an important part of a bridal outfit. If your gown is floor length, simpler (but still elegant!) shoes will do. However, shorter dresses often need one showstopper of a shoe to help pull the whole look together. If you’re planning a fairytale wedding and need some ideas for footwear, here are some looks to get you started.
Bejewelled
Photo courtesy of Solee Shoes
Shoes with a little bit of dazzle are always a great way to add some flair to any ensemble. Whether they’re pumps, flats, or strappy sandals, a little gem-work goes a long way. Remember, those little flashes of light are sure to catch the eye, so make sure you’re comfortable with people staring at your feet!
Lacy Cutout
Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Blonde & Oh My Vogue
If you’re not into the sparkly look that gems provide, there are other (just as beautiful!) options on the table. Lace detailing, whether it’s actual lace or leather that’s been worked and cut to resemble a lace-like pattern, is a great way to include exquisite detail without all the flash. The shoes in the photo, in case you were wondering, are a particularly beautiful design, “Impera”, by Christian Louboutin.
Bows
Photo courtesy of Creations Photo
For something that’s a little sweeter, although no less feminine, bows are a great addition to any bridal getup. They’re elegant, simple, and classic, with just a touch of childhood whimsy to them. This look is for the bride who wants a little extra something without the added flair being too overpowering.
– Samantha Muraca
Wearing high heels on your wedding day isn’t an absolute must. Thanks to designers all over the world, brides everywhere now have the option of wearing any sized heel, including flats, on their wedding day. Flats are a great option if you just aren’t a fan of wearing high heels, or if you want a pair of dancing shoes to change into later in the day. Check out six gorgeous pairs of wedding-worthy flats below!
David Tutera – Blossom
Photo courtesy of ShopStyle
Vera Wang – Jewelled Satin Flats
Photo courtesy of David’s Bridal
Kate Spade – Fanna Slippers
Photo courtesy of Kate Spade
Handmade Rhinestone Flats
Photo courtesy of Elfinacreation/Etsy
BHLDN – Lillie Flats
Photo courtesy of BHLDN
Betsey Johnson – Scallop for Anything Flat
Photo courtesy of ModCloth
– Rosemina Nazarali, Editor
Photo courtesy of SJP Collection/Instagram
Sarah Jessica Parker has added a bridal collection to her footwear line. The collection consists of satin pumps and, in true SJP fashion, ivory isn’t the only colour option.
Reminiscent of the blue Manolo Blahnik’s that Carrie Bradshaw wore when she married Mr. Big in Sex and the City, SJP’s collection is adorned in gorgeous details, such as a blue ribbon in the back and bejewelled brooches at the toes. The collection is also a celebration of the colourful bride, with pumps available in blue, plum and pale green.
The actress turned designer donned a black gown at her own wedding in 1997 to Matthew Broderick, and has since designated it as her “biggest fashion regret.” She recently told Martha Stewart Weddings that she would now much prefer something more traditional.
“If I were getting married today, I’d likely wear cream, just to have that bridal experience,” said. “Now I would want my dress to have an Oscar de la Renta feel, pockets below the waist, a very fitted bodice, a huge skirt, in taffeta or duchesse satin. That silhouette appeals to me because it’s old-fashioned yet can look very modern.”
SJP’s bridal collection is now available at Bloomingdales.com, Nordstrom.com, and ZapposCouture.com. Check out the collection below.
*Images courtesy of Vogue UK
– Rosemina Nazarali, Editor
You’ve heard of custom cake toppers, place cards, napkins and even personalized mint boxes as party favors but what about custom shoes for your wedding day? There are some great reasons why this fashion trend is catching on with brides, most all because they are breath-taking works of art made just for you. While your wedding dress will always be the show-stopping piece of your wardrobe, get off to the rest of your life on the right foot with some custom heels.
Unique
[Photo Courtesy of Custom Wedding Shoe]
Who wouldn’t want to say that they own the only pair of a certain style of shoes? Maybe your dress or your bridesmaids’ dresses are an interested color that is hard to match and we all know how many different shades of “white” shoes there really are. Many websites allow you to design your own shoes and provide a variety of ways that you can decorate them, like with lace, satin, rhinestones, glitter and details like flowers, butterflies or bows. Whatever your style may be, you are sure to find a pair of shoes you will love if they are your owndesign.
Sentimental
[Photo Courtesy of Custom Wedding Shoe]
Another great thing about designing your own pair of shoes is being able to add something personal to you on them. It could be your husband and your names, the date of your wedding, the date you met or the names of family or friends who couldn’t make it but are in your heart. It is a wonderful way to add a touch of sentiment to your wedding.
Fashion Forward
[Photo Courtesy of Cocopunkz]
Wedding style isn’t everyone’s favorite; the frills and lace, bells and whistles can be a little overwhelming to some. These hand painted shoes are perfect for the creative fashionista in you and will surely add some edge to your style. They come from a Vancouver-based company called Cocopunkz and with their designers you can come up with stylish one-of-a-kind hand painted shoes guaranteed to be the coolest pair of wedding shoes out there.
Dawn Lo is a contributing writer to the Bridal Guide.
There’s a rumor going around that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie will finally tie the knot on a private cruise ship surrounded by their 50 closest friends and family. It seems like a great idea and we’re sure that their iconic nuptials will inspire other couples to do the same.
Here’s what you should know about Brangelina’s rumored wedding and all the information you will need to start planning your own cruise ship wedding.
Brad and Angelina’s Wedding Plan
The idea for a cruise ship wedding came from Maddox, the couple’s 11-year-old son, reports The Sun. Maddox chose the gorgeous Hebridean Princess cruise ship, which sales around Scotland when he looked back at old family vacation photos.
The family has cruised with the ship before and they also loved their stay at the Carnell Estate in Ayrshire, Scotland, so the ship seems like a perfect fit. Even the Queen of England took a ride on the 50-year-old luxury cruise ship.
Privacy is more of an issue for the A-list couple than money, so they plan to pay over $400,000 to rent out the cruise ship.
Is a cruise wedding right for you?
You may not have the means to rent out an entire luxury cruise, but you can host your wedding either on the ship or on the beach when the ship docks. Either way, a cruise ship can be the perfect setting for your wedding, especially if you were already planning a destination wedding.
One of the benefits of getting married at sea is that the pressures of getting a license are lessened. In many cases it’s easier to get married in the water around a foreign country than it is to get married on land. Anything that makes your special day less stressful is worth considering.
Destination weddings in general are less stressful because your wedding is a package deal—you don’t have to worry about dinging a caterer, getting flowers, hiring a DJ, and getting a cake all from different vendors. Overall, it seems like a great option, as long as you don’t get sea sick.
Brad and Angelina have already picked their cruise line and destination, so if you’re just starting your cruise ship wedding planning that’s a good place to start.
Jillian Zacchia is a contributing writer for The Bridal Guide.
Did you know that most brides wear white wedding dresses because Queen Victoria was married in a white gown? Well it seems that in this century Princess Kate Middleton it setting a trend of her own: long sleeved wedding dresses.
Who could forget the gorgeous gown Kate wore to her wedding to Prince William? Thousands of brides wanted a ‘Kate Middleton’ dress for their own wedding after seeing how gorgeous she looked in the Alexander McQueen gown.With the wedding long behind them (and a baby due this weekend) her dress is still setting the standard for iconic weddings around the world.
Last weekend Canadian actress Elisha Cuthbert married Toronto Maple Leaf Dion Phaneuf in the country’s east coast. The bride looked gorgeous in a conservative yet becoming long sleeved wedding gown that made her look as classy as Princess Kate.
Before the Royal Wedding, Nicole Richie wore a long sleeve gown in 2010. The reason Nicole broke with the strapless trend was because they were going for a very upscale classy look and because Richie is very fashion forward. Aside from Kate’s dress that has been replicated in countless stores, one of the most iconic long sleeve wedding dresses came from a movie. You may be familiar with the fictional character, Bella Swan, who wore a long sleeve dress to marry her vampire boyfriend, Edward Cullen, in the blockbuster film Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 1.Even if you aren’t a fan, which many are not—since the film is a bit below the age bracket for most brides—the wedding dress has stood out and been recognized beyond the film. Replicas of the intricately handcrafted gown have been shared thousands of times on Pinterest and beyond. Brides love the unique back and spine of the dress and they want to get a similar look.
Kate Middleton was expected to wear a long sleeve gown because she was getting married at Westminster Abbey and she needed to be covered up. She may have needed sleeves, but her elegance inspired so many brides and now long sleeve dresses are becoming increasingly more popular.
Long sleeved dressed are special because they showcase the bride’s body in a mature and elegant way—which for many brides is ideal. If you want a classy look for your wedding, the long sleeved trend may be just want you’re looking for.
Jillian Zacchia is a contributing writer to The Bridal Guide.
A helpful guide to help you find your perfect wedding shoe style.
Traditional
When it comes to weddings, there’s nothing wrong with being traditional. Most traditional brides choose white or beige heels to go for a classic look. In addition to the colour choice, they also chose a traditional style. If you’re the type of bride who thinks, “Why buy something fancy when no one will even see it?” it’s possible that traditional wedding shoes are for you. There’s no bling and no special design, just classic elegance for a beautiful bride.
Open Toe
The most popular wedding shoes right now are open toe heels. If you always have your toe nails manicured and painted, you should want to show them off! Open toed shoes are likely your first choice when you walk down the aisle.
Sandal
Sandals give brides the option of having a uniquely shaped shoe. Instead of a traditional silhouette, the straps create a more intricate look on your feet. By choosing a sandal you can add a lot of personality and flare to your wedding shoe. Sandals are perfect for summer brides who want to show a bit more style and originality.
Flat
Flats are a great choice for several types of brides. They are great for taller brides who don’t want to tower over their husbands. They’re also great for brides who value comfort. Wearing flats doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style, there are many gorgeous wedding shoes that are feminine and flirty without a heel.
Sparkle
Most brides want to feel like a princess on their wedding day. What better way to feel like Royalty than with a touch of sparkle? Having jewels or sparkles on your wedding shoes is a great way to be flashy and fun but it’s also a good way to feel like a princess. These shiny shoes will look lovely on young and outgoing brides who want to dazzle.
Pop of Colour
Many non-traditional brides opt for colourful shoes on their wedding day. This is a great way to incorporate ‘something blue’ into your wedding outfit. It’s also a great way to show your personality. If you choose a colourful shoe, you can work in your theme or colour scheme, you can match your groom, or you can make a trendy bold statement. The best part about opening up your colour pallet is that almost any shoe becomes a potential wedding shoe. Colourful shoes are for unconventional brides who think that white shoes with a white dress are just too bland.
Bows
It’s hard to find a trendy wedding shoe this season that doesn’t have a bow on it. Whether it’s an actual ribbon or a jeweled design, bows are popping up on all different types of wedding shoe styles. If you love keeping up with the trends and this girly style speaks to you, then you should keep an eye out for wedding shoes with bows.
Personalized Love Note
Thanks to Pinterest, brides are learning that wedding shoes can hide a secret love note from the groom. If the thought of handing your partner your wedding shoes and a Sharpie doesn’t bother you than this romantic gesture is certainly something you should consider with whichever wedding shoe style you choose.
Jillian Zacchia is a contributing writer for The Bridal Guide.