A few months ago, my friend Joanna came over for dinner wearing a beautiful pair of bright pink Miu Miu heels. "Great shoes," I said. "Thanks, love, I wore them to my wedding," she said. Aha! Wedding shoes, that aren't really bridal. Now you're speaking my language.
Joanna's lovely pink Miu Miu heels
As someone who has loved fashion since age 7, I was truly excited about creating the head-to-toe look for my big day. I loved trying on dresses at Oscar de La Renta, Lanvin, Alice Temperley, and finally, the boutique where I would make the big purchase, Carolina Herrera. Immediately following the dress selection, I started dreaming about shoes. The dreaming turned into purchasing, and the purchasing quickly turned into returning. Here is the tale of how I bought three pairs of shoes (and returned two).
When I saw these sapphire-blue Manolo Blahniks, I literally became breathless. The color is drop-dead gorgeous, and it alludes to that old saying, "something borrowed, something blue." I love the bow, which felt like a nod to all things bridal, without being over the top. I could see myself wearing these in my normal life, an idea that becomes very, very appealing during this time of spending a ton of money on a party that lasts for exactly one evening.
Blue Manolo Blahniks
I brought 'em home, wore 'em around the house, and finally wore them to my first dress fitting. And after ten minutes of standing around, my feet weren't only aching -- they were numb and slightly misshapen, and they'd taken on a purple hue. No shade of cobalt is worth that pain.
Metallic Lanvin heels
Next, I wanted to try something more neutral. In addition to the pain factor, my gut told me that a colored shoe distracted from the dress rather than enhancing it. These metallic Lanvins seemed like just the ticket. They even had a little platform for comfort. When I fed this line to my friend and trusted advisor Deb, she asked "Can I be honest with you?" (everyone needs a friend like Deb, by the way). She went on to say something along the lines of: "Stop kidding yourself and return the shoes immediately. They won't be comfortable, the spindly heel will tear your dress, and they're too much of a statement. Just go for something simple."
So that is how I wound up with the lovely pair of silver Jimmy Choos with a 2-inch heel (above). Are they pretty? Of course. Will they be comfortable? Absolutely. Do they make my heart stop? No, not really. But in this case, that might actually be a good thing. The real test will come later this week, when I take them with me to Carolina Herrera for my second fitting. I'm excited to see how they look with the dress.
But I'm curious what you think: When it comes to wedding shoes, what's more important, comfort or fashion? And, when it comes to wedding fashion, isn't it all about the dress, anyway?
Los Angeles-based Heather Taylor owns Taylor De Cordoba, a contemporary art gallery. She publishes the blog LA in Bloom and writes a bi-monthly column Chef Speak for The Huffington Post. She is getting married on June 5, 2011.
From: jacin {lovely little details} | 5/17/11 at 12:53 pm
i bought 3 pairs of christian louboutins before i settled on the right pair. then sold them immediately after the wedding because they were the most uncomfortable things i'd ever worn!! good for you to go back and find just the right pair!! PS - those pink miu mius are gorgeous!!
From: Vicky | 5/17/11 at 1:05 pm
No way it´s all about the dress, even though I do hope to race an eye or two with my Vera Wang.=) The shoes, as you say, you can actually wear again! I didn´t spend a fortune on my shoes. I got som lovely classic red Guccis at an outlet, and they look stunning. They will hardley show under my dress but I know people will be able to see them later when I change dresses, and then they will be the main event.;) I also know that every time I were them I will be reminded of my wedding day.
From: Vicky | 5/17/11 at 1:07 pm
Also, I agree about the Pink Miu Mius and to bad about the manolos. Loved the color as weel!
From: Melissa Levin | 5/17/11 at 2:25 pm
Those Jimmy Choos look gorge!! Comfort AND fashion together...
From: Victoria N. | 5/17/11 at 4:44 pm
It's all about the dress and the shoes will be great! I'm all for statement making shoes, but think you made the right decision.
From: jeana sohn | 5/17/11 at 7:53 pm
LOVE the shoe story! i think you are right. it's all about the dress.
From: sarah | 5/17/11 at 8:44 pm
i just got married on saturday. i love cute shoes but you will be on your feet (dancing, etc)all night. comfort is good!
From: amelia | 5/17/11 at 8:53 pm
I love this story, and think you totally did the right thing. I mean, this is coming from someone who completely blew her budget on her dress and so when it came time to buy shoes, got a pair of off-white ones on super sale at Nordstrom's... The shoes were stoop, but the dress was great!!
Can't wait to see yours!! I'm sure it's amazing.
From: Penny Ciarlo Shaffer | 5/17/11 at 10:19 pm
I love these Jimmys' they are beautiful and look like a platinum and diamond piece of jewelry for your feet. An excellent choice. The heel makes sense and your toes wont be cramped. You might want to look into a metatarsal pad for your shoes for the big night. It is a soft pad that relaxes a stressed foot and keeps the metatarsal in the correct position. It should prevent any discomfort or burning in this region of your foot. They are made by Pedag International.
If you can remember when you were 7 and the flower girl at my wedding in Saint Tropez you refused to wear just any shoes, you insisted on wearing the prettiest (and most stylish) white patent leather ones.I think your mom got them in Paris. Now your shopping for your own wedding shoes!!! I love it and you. Can't wait to watch you get married. By the way has Alwx picked out his shoes yet???? xoxox
From: Sunday Taylor | 5/17/11 at 10:48 pm
I love the shoes that you chose and they are perfect for your wedding dress. The others would upstage the dress, especially the blues. These are more subtle but very beautiful and have a Cinderella feel to them. They are the perfect romantic shoe and the good news is that you will be comfortable and will dance the night away in pure bliss, no thoughts about your aching feet!
By the way, I love the last comment by Penny! You started early on this love of fashion!
From: bobbi sloan | 5/17/11 at 11:29 pm
The third time is definitly the charm...beautiful, but will not upstage the dress. As for comfort, you will probably take your shoes off by the end of the night! Did you have to return the blue ones? I would have kept them to just look at, they were so lovely!
From: Donanne | 5/18/11 at 10:46 am
Nothing can come between a girl and her shoes. All of your choices were bold and creative just like you but let's face it comfort is the key for the day. You may even want a back up pair of ballet flats for later. Yes you want to remember what you wear but your feet will thank you and you will have more energy for the party because you will worry about the shoes. I'm sure the Blahniks will go on sale at some point and then you can swoop in and capture them for fun. By the way those Lanvins are magical. Xoxo
From: Megan Taylor | 5/18/11 at 10:59 am
Heather! When it comes to these shoes, it seems they are the perfect balance between comfort and fashion. I am ALL FOR THEM. Love them! Love you too!! So excited for the big day!
xoxoMegan
From: J.B. Taylor | 5/18/11 at 11:45 am
Go with comfort, my love. For my wedding at Manhattan's City Hall, I wore black patent Delman mary-janes with a 4" heel, and within an hour, I was dy-ing . . . wishing I wore actual mary-janes instead. Your Choo's are simple, sparkly and stunning, so you're not really sacrificing anything at all, but if you want to go with something more severe, just buy some Lanvin ballets as back-up : )
From: Luisa | 5/18/11 at 4:06 pm
Ha, I also ended up with sensible 2-inch-heeled Jimmy Choos for my garden wedding (coming up in 5 weeks!), after having fantasies about caged heels, hot pink suede, etc. Can't wait to see your dress!
From: kathy peck leeds | 5/18/11 at 8:51 pm
LOVE the shoes you picked. I'm going to echo a lot of the other comments, but they're beautiful, feminine, won't upstage the dress, and most importantly, you'll be comfortable. I've never seen a woman look beautiful while tottering on heels too high, or when her feet are aching! You're going to be a gorgeous bride and Carolina Herrera is my favorite bridal designer. Looking forward to photos.
From: Barbie | 5/19/11 at 10:26 am
I fell in love with those blue Manolos when you posted them on your blog. But the Jimmy Choo's really are beautiful. And you definitely don't want to be uncomfortable on your big day. They're very romantic and chic. Good choice.