My mom has given me the nickname of Imelda Marcos time and time again, due to the fact that I am a complete shoe whore. I can’t remember a time when I had less than 30 pairs of shoes in my closet - and possibly another 30 hidden in a suitcase. Every once in a while, I happen upon this suitcase and I have a “treasure chest” moment of glory where I pore through my long lost friends trying on this, and trying on that. I can’t bear to part with them (some are like, 10 years old) - so I usually zip them back up in their case and leave them for another day’s discovery. I’ve heard of a two-dress bride - and you may as well dub me a two-shoe bride, if not more.
With that said, I stumbled upon my wedding dream shoes many, many months ago on a business trip and had not been able to fill the void in my heart since I left the Striped Satin Valentino D’orsay Pumps in their shiny glass case where they truly belong. Shoe-aholic I may be, I was not about to blow my budget on a pair of expensive - yet incredible - shoes. I searched eBay daily, if not hourly, to snag a sighting of my beloved satin stilettos and one day I struck gold! Sadly, discounted or not, they were still toting a horrendous price tag.
My beloved Valentino stipey satin d’orsay pumps - with a shocking $600+ price tag on eBay.
I kept on with the eBay searching, hoping to find an inspired version of my pretty pumps. While stripes are in, the majority of the shoes I could find were lacking the touch of class I was looking for. Some were too nautical-esque, some were too punk rock and some were just plain ugly!
A striped shoe search reject - great for a night out, not for my wedding!
I narrowed my search down a bit - I wanted satin not leather, off-white not bright white, and open-toe not closed. Suddenly, I struck eBay gold again! My lovely black and white striped satin slingback sandals were right there in front of me - and I WON the auction. Please meet Shoe #1, the shoe that will walk me through our First Dance and carry me through the end of the Reception.
Alexander McQueen Duchesse 4″ Black & White Striped Satin Sandals.
And let me tell you - they are sooooo comfortable! These Alexander McQueen Duchesse Sandals were a perfect compromise between the Valentino designer gorgeousness, black and white stripes, pretty satin bow, and well, the price tag. I managed to snag these for a little more than 75% off the retail price (shipping included) - a normally whopping wallet-load of $566. Best of all, if the white is too bright, I can always have the satin dyed - an option that just wouldn’t work with the darker color of the cream Valentinos, or the many other leather options I had found.
Now I’m on the hunt for Shoe #2 - some grass friendly shoes with height to hike me up Olive Hill for the Ceremony. I haven’t found many cute 4″ flip flops - but a wedge might work as well. Or perhaps some espadrilles?
What shoes are you wearing for your wedding day? Are you a Two-Shoe Bride like me?
I am also a shoe fanatic. I found a pair of blue seersucker Christian Louboutins a couple of weeks ago when we were going to do our vow renewal on a farm here in our town. Now, we’ve decided to renew our vows in Seaside, FL, so I guess I’m going to be a two shoe vow renewer! I saw a fantastic pair of Jimmy Choo jeweled gladiators in Instyle Weddings, but they were $1200. OMG! What the heck? That is just too much for me and I’ll spend almost anything on shoes (just ask my husband), so I’m going to keep looking. I plan on going barefoot for some of the pictures, so I might just skip the first pair all together if I can’t find something cheaper. But, I’m putting on those seersucker beauties as soon as I can!
I’m actually a 3 shoe bride. I’m having a beach ceremony and need to walk down a flight of stairs to reach the beach so i will be wearing a pair of flip flops that i will casually take off when i reach the sand and join my parents. i will go down the aisle barefoot.
after the ceremony, FI and i are walking up the aisle in just married flip flops and then i have nice pair of heels for the indoor reception.
You COMPLETELY scored. I like these better than the $600+ version.
So cute.
Lovely!!! My friend wore espadrilles for her outdoor wedding. I was suprised how good it looked–she wore the insanely gorgeous ML Claire, and carried wildflowers.
Those Valentino shoes are gorgeous!!!!! I will have d’orsay shoes as well (silver) and then a pair of flip flops for the reception.
I’m holding on to my second pairs, but on the look out for another (yes, a third). My newest desire is for dancing shoes…or something with an ankle strap…certainly won’t be as pretty but I’m okay with that for the dancing I want to do…
I’m a two shoe bride, too! Although, my first pair are a beautiful pair of silver Cynthia Rowley shoes, my second are a very ugly pair of heels that I have had for years. Since we are taking pictures-up in the mountains I don’t want my shoes ruined before the night even begins!
Oh, man. Why do I love peep toes so much? And peep toe D’orsays? ::happy sigh::
I caution flip-flops for the ceremony as you will hear just that as you and Papa Pom make your way down the aisle…”Flip. Flop. Flip. Flop….”
I think espadrilles would look fantastic though!
I was a two shoe bride too! I wore a cocktail length dress, so fabulous shoes were of utmost importance - silver peep toes for the ceremony and multi-coloured d’orsay shoes from nine west for the reception. My three bridesmaids each wore coloured shoes with their bm dresses - hot pink, bright yellow and purple. Shoes were definitely front and centre at my wedding (as they are in my real life too!)
Good Job Super Shoes Shopper!
As a fellow shoes-whore, I must say you scored a wonderful deal! The espadrille idea sounds great too, something in metallic colors maybe? I was gonna suggest jewelled t-strap thongs if you’re not particular about heights and the weather permits.
I’ve been a fan before you were a Bee. So excited to be a part of the hive with you!
I am accidentally a two shoe bride. I bought a great pair of white satin heels with a sparkly ankle strap on severe discount ($15). Then, after reading weddingbee, I got on a kick for some sexy, colorful shoes. Once I found them, I couldn’t resist.
love the shoes you bought! good luck finding wedges–they’re my go-to for outdoor weddings since they can be a bit dressed up, but they seem rather hard to find…
I was in love with a pair of Valentino shoes as well. They were in MS’s fall or summer mag last year. They were a soft pink satin with a giant bow and GORGEOUS! Unfortunately none of the US stores were going to have that color (weird). I even found them in paris but they didn’t have my size. I ended up getting a gorgeous pair of turquoise-y pale blue manolo d’orsays which was a HUGE splurge but i love them so much that i am allowing it. My cocktail hour is on grass so i guess i’m just going to try to walk only on my toes?!
Me too! Me too! but I’m not nearly as sexy as all of you.
I have a great pair of champagne satin peep toe heels with strap for the ceremony and dancing. But I also got a cute pair of fun white sketchers to bop to as the night progresses. I’m going to miserable in heels all night. So I wanted something comfy and fun.
These made me think of you!
http://www.endless.com/dp/B000XKSI2O?tag=endlesscj-20&linkCode=asn
And another pair….
http://www.endless.com/dp/B000XGC27U?tag=endlesscj-20&linkCode=asn
Oh I love all you fellow shoe whores! Give me lots and lots of shoe porn please! 
@jnicholea/thatbride: Hehe - will you be my personal shoe shopper? If you find me some cute wedges I’ll love you forever!!
Seriously, I am going to stop, but I figure that the hours I am spending researching my own shoes might as well benefit someone else as well.
http://www.piperlime.com/browse/product.do?pid=554588002&tid=PLSP1&ap=3
Sounds like wedges are next on the list….
What are those fabulous Valentino pumps called? Im in love!!!
@ashley: Dearie - if I only knew, it would have made them MUCH easier to find. Sadly, I was only able to find them on eBay and the name on the item for sale was simply, “Striped Satin Valentino D’orsay Pumps.”
They’re no longer on eBay to the best of my knowledge.
[...] it seems the Shoe Gods were listening to my cries. Like Miss Hydrangea, I am a HUGE fan of the Gilt Groupe sales. Yesterday marked the beginning of [...]
[...] days are throwing tradition to the wind and going with a colored wedding shoe. (For examples, see Miss Pomegranate, Miss Hydrangea, Mrs. Toucan and Mrs. Raspberry, to name a [...]
Mrs. Pomegranate, Sacramento
Age and Occupation: 27, Technical Specialist
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 27, Software Engineer
Engagement Date: August 23, 2007
Wedding Date: October, 2008
Blogging Since: June 5, 2008
Venue: R.H. Phillips Winery
About Me: Hi, I'm Miss Pomegranate and I'm a shopaholic. I have a weak spot for the chic cheap - especially anything I can re-create on the DIY. Shoes are my vice, music is my passion in life and technology is the medium by which I live and work. When I'm not scoping out a sale, I'm spending my quality time training for a marathon, playing Wii with my fiance and snuggling with my Silver Labrador and Teacup Panther - and oh yeah, planning my wedding!
gorgeous shoes…I just saw a b&w shoe inspiration board:
http://junebugweddings.com/blogs/what_junebug_loves/archive/2008/06/23/black-and-white-wedding-shoes.aspx
I have small feet (size 4.5) so my shoe options were limited. I got these from Nordstrom
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2959789/0~2376780~6009391~6014766~6014768~6015760?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6015760&P=1
But I may switch and wear a pair of gold strappy sandals that I bought last summer…if I wore a “normal” shoe size I would definitely be a multiple shoe bride