How to Pick the Right Wedding Shoe

By Olaoulwa Olowu

For any bride preparing for her big day, picking the right pair of wedding shoes is just as important as the dress! After all, no detail whether big or small should be out of place on that day, not even your shoes!

Obviously, choosing the perfect wedding dress will probably be your utmost priority but don’t forget that you’ll need to pair it with some beautiful wedding shoes!

However, when you’re choosing the pair of shoes to go with the dream gown, there are a few things you need consider to enable you pick the right wedding shoe.

Here is how to pick the right wedding shoe for your big day:



1. Wedding shoes before or after the dress?

Though it depends on which is more of a priority to you either the dress or the shoes.

But then, it’s advisable you choose the wedding dress first so that you can pick your wedding shoes accordingly. The dress will dictate the mood, colour, embellishment and heel height of your wedding shoes.

2. Make sure that the colour complements your dress

Consider the colour of your shoes in relation to your dress if you want them to be matching or contrasting in colour.

But if the colours don’t match exactly, try to match the embellishment on your dress, jewellery, or bouquet with your shoes.

3. Consider the heels
On one hand, do not attempt to wear heels of any kind if you will be having a beach wedding ceremony, they will sink in the beach sand. On the other, if you are having the ceremony on a lawn, wearing heels on a lawn can be almost as tricky as well, especially if it just rained.

Not only will any of these make you be uncomfortable, you'll destroy those beautiful shoes. Instead, choose wedges or go for the inch of heels that you feel most comfy with.

4. Hem your gown
What’s a bride in a too-long dress walking down the aisle, kicking it out in front of her to do?

It’s also important to consider the length of your wedding dress since you don’t want any tripping disasters as you walk down the aisle.

5. Get the size right
When shopping for your wedding shoes, be sure to try on several sizes to see the one that fits you best. Trust you don’t want to end up like Cinderella and losing a shoe walking down the aisle.

6. Cost
Just like many things requires money, the cost of anything depends on what you can afford, what fits your budget and your lifestyle.

But in this case, it also depends on how important your wedding shoes are to you. Some women see their wedding as the perfect occasion to be extravagant.

However, it’s advisable to be honest with yourself about what you can afford, because sometimes, price does reflect quality. So, don’t be afraid to check the sale section for your shoe purchase.

7. Afterwards
Most often than not, some women prefer wedding shoes they can wear again long after the big day, while others just prefer to wear them once. If the case is the former, then it might influence your decision to buy something more simple and practical.

Consider the sole

Have you ever noticed that flexible soles let your toes bend naturally? And they cushion your heel to help keep your foot in place.

8. Comfort and Fit
There are chances that you will be wearing your wedding shoes from early in the morning until very late at night. This is why you should find a pair of wedding shoes that are not only beautiful but comfortable.

By the way, a good pair of wedding shoes should always be both!

When you try them on, imagine yourself wearing them all day and night while standing, dancing, and walking around? If not, you might have to keep looking.

More so, the level of comfort your wedding shoes offer is largely dependent on how they fit. If they feel too small, too tight, or too big, you may need to reconsider your choice.



9. Choose a pair you love

Most importantly of all, choose a pair of wedding shoes that you love. They will always be a reminder of your special day, just like everything else you wear on your wedding day.

On a final note, when shopping for your wedding shoes, never forsake comfort for beauty and style, you have to be comfortable and be able to walk around effortlessly while wearing them.



References:
Wedding Bee: http://www.weddingbee.com/jewelry-and-accessories/how-to-pick-the-perfect-pair-of-wedding-shoes/#ixzz4npjad0f9

The Bride Magazine: http://www.bridemagazine.co.uk/articles/10-top-tips-for-choosing-your-wedding-shoes

Resources:
Brides: http://www.brides.com/story/wedding-heels-shopping-tips

Easy Weddings: https://www.easyweddings.com.au/articles/wedding-shoes-tips-tricks-and-how-to-pick-the-perfect-pair/

Necessary essentials to look for when tying the knot abroad

 Numerous reasons why wedding videography and the wedding destination are crucial for a perfect wedding day is a Guest Post put together by Helen Clark.

Did you know that every 1 of 4 weddings is a destination wedding? Weddings abroad have slowly become quite popular because they give you the euphoric feeling of “eloping”, only with your whole family and all your friends.

However, the process of tying the knot in a different country differs from the accustomed traditions at home, so understanding the wedding destination and its wedding requirements is crucial for organizing a beautiful and carefree wedding.

Otherwise, brides can expect the unexpected to occur since, as it usually goes, one thing pulls the other until the chain reaction affects the whole wedding procedure. So what are the essentials to look after when going for a wedding abroad?

Selecting the Location

Don’t get stuck on one location only. Selecting the perfect spot for a wedding ceremony means finding the place that, apart from its beauty, also has the charm which suits your personality the most. It should carry a personal connection with you and your future spouse, but it should also have a lot of room for the wedding activities and invitees comfort.

Likewise, time is of the essence. Many problems may arise if you decide to get married in the tourist season. Venues and hotel choices will be limited and unless booked a year up front, the chances are you will end up with poor service and a low-grade hotel packed with tourists.

On the other hand, if going with a safer “off season” option, and then by all means check out the weather conditions and prognosis for the days of the wedding. Ensuring that the wedding goes smoothly and according to plan is the only way to prepare a destination wedding.

See First-Hand

Not only do you need to choose a location, but you need to go there and inspect it yourself. Actually, the one trip is not enough, two or preferably three trips are considered ideal. On the first trip, you will need to secure the venue, hotel, reception, ceremony, legal requirements, and the rehearsal dinner. The second is to find the right activities for the guests, hair and makeup, flowers, and other little necessities.

If you fail to do so, you might experience a disaster once you get there expecting a joyous ceremony. First of all, the law differs, which means that without previous research and a single trip to that country to obtain papers, you might not even have a wedding.

Furthermore, the currency and exchange rates vary and there is also an issue of spoken language. The language barrier may negatively affect the ceremony. Since sending directions online may not be conveyed in a proper manner, you can get what you didn’t ask for.

What about the Vendors?

A destination wedding is a once in a lifetime event, but hiring vendors without references and a mutual agreement on what you expect from the wedding can deprive you of the immortal wedding memories.

The perfect examples are the wedding videographers and the final footage you will get after the wedding. It is highly important to conduct an interview and discuss your desires and wedding goals. Though, the best approach when organizing a destination wedding is to hire a quality wedding videographer at home and bring him along for the adventure.

On the other hand, if going with a local destination vendor, make sure to avoid cheap and inexperienced individuals. And whatever happens, you can always count on professional video editing companies to fix imperfections and assure your video has the grace and style it deserves.

Understanding the wedding destination is half the job done. From there on, the wedding planning is easier and the overall ceremony safe from harm. Avoid common wedding destination mistakes and don’t forget to have fun and make the most of your wedding day.

Building Relationships with Bride and Groom to Make their Big Day a Lasting Memory

Taking wedding pictures on a couple's big day is not enough for Lexi and her business partner, Sean of Alexis Ryan Photography because they build relationships with their clients to help the bride and groom enjoy the photo shoot sessions before, during and after their big day. In this interview with Weddings Trends, Lexi shared her love for photography which has been with her since she was young.

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I (Lexi) have had a camera in hand for as long as I can remember, when I was young, I would buy disposable cameras and carry them around with me everywhere I went. I am a diehard Minnesotan (accent and all), travel addict, pizza loving romantic. I have been married to my college sweetheart, best friend and business partner for a little over a year. Fun fact, I have yet to keep a plant alive, I even killed a cactus, which I was told was impossible (it’s definitely possible). 

What informed the idea of Alexis Ryan Photography? 

I had begun my professional photography career on my own, however, I found that I wanted to share the moments and wedding days with Sean, so, Alexis Ryan Photography seemed like the natural step for us. Sean and I work so well together, he is so detail oriented and keeps the day on schedule, which lets me get wrapped up in the emotion of the day. 

How long have you been in the photography business? 

While photography has been my passion for over 10 years, Alexis Ryan Photography formed just a few short years ago. 

Who are our customers? 

We love to connect with fun loving, relaxed, crazy in love couples who are over the moon excited to get married. Sean and I make such a connection with our couples that we love the chance to see them after their big day and love to photograph our couples year after year and watch their marriage and families grow. 

Do you do pre-wedding and after wedding shots or do you just do weddings?
All of our packages include a complimentary consultation and engagement shoot. We look at this as our way to get to know our couples, that way they don’t see us as strangers on the most important day of their lives. We get so excited and enjoy the wedding day so much, that it’s a treat to get to photograph a couple after their big day or even years down the road. 

How far have you traveled to shoot a wedding? 

We are Minneapolis based photographers so the majority of weddings we shoot are in Minnesota, however, we LOVE to travel and are always open to it. The furthest we have traveled for a wedding is Texas, however, we are open to any and all destinations! 

Do you also shoot videos? 

We do not currently offer and videography services, however, this is something we are both excited about and would love to offer in the future! 

What are the challenges you experience as a photographer in the U.S.? 

For me, the biggest challenge of my job is the end of every wedding day. We develop such great relationships with our couples and live the entire day with them, that when the wedding day is over and everyone goes home, it makes us sad. This is why we love to get to see you again! 

Any word of advice for interested or upcoming photographers? 

I am always learning something new but the most helpful advice I ever received is to stay open minded and flexible. Wedding days almost never go the way they are planned and that’s okay, some of the best moments are unplanned. 

Any last words? 

We’d love to meet you! 

How can people find you? 

Our Facebook page includes all of our contact info and samples of our work. We are launching our website later this summer so keep an eye out on our page for the big announcement!