How to choose your bridal shoes

Let’s be honest, wedding shoes are a big deal to every bride for different reasons. From flip flops, to cowboy boots, pumps to runners- each bride is unique. However, there are other key elements that come into play when a bride chooses her wedding shoes, here are some of them.

Less is more

Some brides don’t feel the need to go all out on their shoes because they feel the dress will either cover it up or that the dress itself is enough. This is fair; for the most part it’s true, no one will really be looking at your feet, especially if your dress is floor length. A cute kitten heel will do the trick in this scenario!

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There is absolutely no point in wearing and ruining gorgeous heels if you are standing on a sandy beach in Acapulco. You will either be bare foot with some sweet ankle adornments or in pretty white flip flops so you are prepared for the grains of sand and dust.

Time of Year

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Spring and fall outdoor weddings can be tricky in terms of predicting the weather, three days before it could indicate sunny skies and the day off its soggy. Why not have some fun with it and rock rain boots? The photographer will have a blast shooting those bridal party boot pictures!

Height

It’s real love when you don’t want to be taller than your groom. These thoughtful and self-sacrificing brides, who deep down might love heels, may be sweet and opt for lovely flats. The right flat can look just as pretty as a heel. Just be sure you find out the fabric and if they stretch so you can get the right size.

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So back to my high school friend who wore runners to her wedding (not the Julia Roberts runaway type) did it in only a way that emphasized their couple style. They BOTH rocked running shoes since she married a band rock star so it was only fitting- plus I never saw her wear even a wedge in high school!

 

Wedding Theme

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If your style is country rustic, designer stilettos won’t be your go too since they will sink in the grass. Some brides have proudly chosen to don cowboy boots to match the scenery and theme of their outdoor, country wedding. It’s a fun way to say “surprise” underneath your beautiful dress and it will certainly work in your favor when you start line dancing in the barn!

Too much…huh?

I feel like Pnina Tornaithis would be me. I will never pass up an opportunity to wear amazing heels. In fact I’d buy them months in advance just so I could wear them around while doing the dishes and stretching them out so I could wear them for the entire wedding! Some brides don’t care and want it all and go all out with the heel height, glitz, glam and bling- Pnina Tornai style!

 

Images: pninatornai.com; weddingwindow.com; bridalmusings.com

How to find the perfect bridal gown to fit your body type

Every soon-to-be bride wants to look like a princess on the big day so knowing your body type is crucial. It’s important to keep in mind that you want a dress that will accentuate or conceal certain areas so that not only do you look great but you feel just as great. Here are some tips on how to find a dress that flatters your figure, no matter your shape!

Body Types

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The Hourglass

If you have the hourglass shape that means your shoulder and hips are relatively the same size and you have a defined waist. The best bridal gown silhouettes for this body type would be:

  • Ball Gown- The structured bodice will accentuate your waist and create an ultra feminine look.
  • Mermaid/ Trumpet- Fitted more so from the top to upper or mid thigh will highlight your jaw dropping curves.
  • Sheath-With a streamlined shape, this style will be sure to emphasize everything equally and in a modest way.

The Triangle

If your hips are wider than your shoulders, these are the go to dress shapes for you:

  • A-Line- As implied in the name, the “A” aspect of the dress angles gently away from the body to hide your hips slightly.
  • Ball Gown- Similar to the A-Line, you want to choose a ball gown that has a natural waist and a skirt that flow away from the hips so as not to draw undue attention to your hips.
  • Short Dresses- You have some flexibility here since it can either be a flowing sheath or a fitted bodice, a shorter hemline can help show off all the right areas.

The Inverted Triangle

This body type as suggested is when your shoulders are wider than you hips; the following are best suited for this figure:

  • Mermaid/Trumpet- will help to give you a little more in the hip area to balance out those strong and shapely shoulders.
  • Short Dresses- Paired with some fabulous heels, a shorter hemline will draw attention to your lower half (and legs) which will in turn level out your top half.
  • Ball Gown- Essentially this dress type seems to work for every figure thus far, but the ball gown here in this instance again can help you “fake” what you don’t have on the bottom.

The Rectangle

Women with shoulders, waist and hips being equal can choose from these options of dresses that will help to “create”:

  • Short Dresses- You can basically “create” curves with a fitted bodice or flowing sheath paired with the shorter hemline.
  • A-Line- Again, can “create” that hourglass waistline if it cinches slightly and then flows outward.
  • Sheath- If you aim for a more bias-cut in a very soft fabric that flows, it will also “create” curves in the right areas.

The Round and Curvy

Women who have a fuller, rounder figure do best to focus on the fit of the dress:

  • Ball gown- Although, avoid this if you are bit on the shorter side, you don’t want to appear as a cream puff!
  • Empire waist- Quite fitted in the bust area then flares out beautifully
  • Goddess/One shoulder- Another option that stay snug under the bust and flows out skimming the body nicely.

Tip: Asymmetrical ruching in the right areas can help give the appearance of a narrower waist if that is your goal.