Weddingbee Blog

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?