The Past Present and Future of Wedding Shoes | Wedding Shoes Review

What’s the best way to find the perfect bridal shoe? Go shoe shopping! Ok, that was easy, but we all know it’s harder than that. I personally love shoes, (so by default Randall knows a lot about women’s shoes too). Not only my deep passion for shoes drives our wedding day photographs, we get to photograph over 30 pairs of our brides and bridesmaids shoes each year.  This post is dedicated to the wedding shoes of 2013.

Here are some of my favorite resources for finding your future bridal shoes online (some have brick and mortar locations as well), and all in all I hope this helps all brides and bridesmaids alike.

In order of my favorites:

11.     Christian Louboutin

22.     Jimmy Choo

33.     Barneys

44.     Nordstrom

55.     BHLDN

66.     Badgley Mischka

77.     Kate Spade

88.     Anthropology

99.     David’s Bridal   

110.  Zappos

Here are some of our favorite bridal shoe images from 2013 (now there were some brides who had the same heels so you will notice some repeats in different locations!) I hope this post inspires all of our future brides out there to go for the gold and get the shoe that is perfect for you.

- Theresa, self-titled shoe fashionista

Thanks for reading another monthly installment of all things Bridal Shoes! Check back soon for more adventures in the life of amazing bridal shoes and the gorgeous brides that wear them. Read more here.

Bridal Shoes | 2013 MVH (most valuable heel) | Boston wedding photographers

Bridal Shoes | 2013 MVH (most valuable heel) | Boston wedding photographers

Value is a tricky thing to measure.  Measuring value throughout daily life, but also on the wedding day is one of those daunting tasks that all brides must face. When it comes down to what you are going to wear for your wedding day there are so many factors to consider, so many options, so many ways to spend your hard earned dollars. I’d like to focus on what really matters, the shoes (what else?).  So this post is dedicated the Most Valuable Heel of 2013.

There is nothing like being on your feet for 12+ hours, let alone doing it in a pair heels that are killing your feet. I see a lot of sore feet before the ceremony even starts. It’s no way to spend your precious minutes on the alter, wishing you could sit or kick off the heels and don a pair of cozy L.L. Bean slippers (mine are pink and I’m due for another pair).

I know it’s virtually impossible to find a pair of high heels that will provide ultimate comfort for 12+ hours. It can be done, but it might cost more than the dress or just an arm and a leg (then you would only need one heel…I digress). Neither you nor your bridesmaids want to bear that kind of expense (unless you must have them, and then I get it). That said, these were the most popular heels (practical yet affordable) among our 2013 brides and bridesmaids.

Brides and bridesmaids alike have liked these heels and danced the night away in the many colors they offer. Even the most comfortable shoes need some add on’s. Anytime you go shoe shopping don’t forget these little tricks that turn out to be treats:
Dr. Scholls For Her Heel LinersMoleskin (also sold by Dr. Scholls)

Here's a few images from a recent wedding with the 2013 MVH pick. Enjoy! And stay tuned for more images from this gorgeous wedding we photographed at Zukas Hilltop Barn.

- Theresa, self-titled shoe fashionista

Thanks for reading another monthly installment of all things Bridal Shoes! Check back soon for more adventures in the life of amazing bridal shoes and the gorgeous brides that wear them. Read more here.

Bridal Shoes | You know what they say about brides with small feet? | Boston wedding photographers

Bridal Shoes | You know what they say about brides with small feet? | Cape Cod wedding photographers

Small shoes.  And why is it that the smaller the shoe the cuter it is? And when shoes go on sale, there are always a bunch of cute ones that are just too small (for me at least) remaining.

A couple weeks ago Randall and I shot this beautiful wedding at Willowbend Country Club down on Cape Cod.  When we first show up and begin the photography at every wedding, we like to get to know the bridal party and the parents since this is usually the first time we are meeting them. In this case one of the bridesmaids was a previous bride of ours that we photographed last year on Cape Cod at Wychmere.

As we are chatting with everyone I begin to photograph some of the brides details for the day, jewelry, college banners, and of course the shoes! I saw the shoes and immediately knew that they had to be at least three sizes smaller than my 8.5! So cute! My feet haven’t been that size since I was 8 years old!

You might be wondering what type of heel doesn’t maintain its beauty in larger sizes. I believe this is in the eye of the beholder. That said there are some clues to watch out for, extensive ornate detail, or very shinny. Those traits make a shoe actually seem bigger than it is.

Some shoes are cuter smaller. These heels were very cute, I think this style can hold up as a small or larger size and still maintain the classic bridal feel. The pro’s about this style of heel:
1)    The platform toe allows the heel to not feel as high, allowing there to be less of a height differential from the ball of the foot to the heel.
2)    The high heel is perfect for bridging the gap in the height difference between a tall groom and a shorter bride (we love this for the photos because the groom will maintain better posture while kissing his bride!)
3)    The white lace provides airflow on these hot July weddings; also the fabric allows more stretch (in case of swelling in the heat, less chance of blistering or rubbing).

The bride herself was very petite and all the bridesmaids agreed that her shoes were the cutest smallest shoes ever. The heels were perfect for her! They brought her up several inches, which was perfect since the groom was taller. All in all a beautiful day head to toe! Here are her shoes and a few fun details from the day:

- Theresa, self-titled shoe fashionista

Thanks for reading another monthly installment of all things Bridal Shoes! Check back soon for more adventures in the life of amazing bridal shoes and the gorgeous brides that wear them. Read more here.

Bridal Shoes | "I' "Do" Down to my Sole

Bridal Shoes | "I' "Do" Down to my Sole

I like to believe most guys have a little romantic side to them, at least hidden somewhere in there.  The first time I saw a groom make the extra effort was before he made it to the alter on his wedding day. One of my college buddies was getting married and he had taken a black sharpie to the sole of his shoes, left foot read “I” and the right foot read, “do”. When everyone knelt down at the alter to pray during the ceremony everybody “awed”.  He was a true romantic ahead of the curve.

I have yet to see another groom write on the soles of his shoes but I have however seen quite a few romantic brides out there. They now even make rhinestone stickers, one for each shoe. I’m pretty sure they don’t come with instructions so be careful on the placement – left “I” and right “do”. We wouldn’t want anyone questioning you?

If you don’t have stickers, don’t want them or won’t be kneeling a cute idea I have shared with a few maids and matrons of honor is to have the bridesmaids leave their best wishes on the sole of the shoes so the bride will have them with her all day.

You never know, the groom might want to leave a note for his soul mate too ;)

- Theresa, self-titled shoe fashionista

Thanks for reading another monthly installment of all things Bridal Shoes! Check back soon for more adventures in the life of amazing bridal shoes and the gorgeous brides that wear them. Read more here.

Bridal Shoes | It's Not the Shoes, It's Your Attitude

Bridal Shoes | It's Not the Shoes, It's Your Attitude

You know the old idiom, fake it till’ you make it.  Well that’s how shoes are.  As a bride it’s your job to make your day as special as possible (and stay on budget). But really, celebrity status among our friends and family is the best way to describe it. Since you really are a pseudo celebrity for a day, you should wear the shoes to make it real. Jimmy Cho, Prada, Gucci, Steve Madden, Nina, it really makes no difference. The shoes don’t wear you, you wear them and it’s all in the attitude.

Here are my top five tips for choosing the right pair of celebrity shoes:
1. Make sure you walk on both carpet and hardwood floor to get an accurate comfort level reading when trying them on
2. Don’t order the shoes online a week before the wedding with no back up options
3. Choose natural fibers over synthetic, choose leather vs. pleather (there are so many reasons…)
4. Height matters to guys, don’t be taller than your groom unless he is okay with being the short guy with the sexy chick
5. Shoes have a time limit and a mileage counter in my book. Rubbing heels or toes are a no go. If you feel any spots that rub you wrong when trying the shoes on, forget em’, they’ll only get worse.
6. Don’t buy them Maybe. Love them or leave them.

Okay, that was six but I’ll say it now, buy the exciting pair of shoes. Even if you have to return them, if you don’t buy them when you see them the regret might take hold of you when it’s too late. Your attitude will grow into the shoes, they’ll grow on you, even become part of the wedding day fantasy. Whatever your fantasy might be – sexy, beautiful, natural, glowing. Own it, wear em’ and love the photos.

This is owning it:

- Theresa, self-titled shoe fashionista

Thanks for reading another monthly installment of all things Bridal Shoes! Check back soon for more adventures in the life of amazing bridal shoes and the gorgeous brides that wear them. Read more here.