Weddingbee Blog

I told you I can’t make up my mind!

(image from here)

I won’t go into the gory details, but ever since I discovered my father’s copy of Panati’s Extraordinary Endings at the tender age of nine, Maria Antonia Josepha Johanna von Habsburg-Lothringen and I have had a ‘thing.’

(Sister Shortcake (”Madame du Barry”) and me (”Marie Antoinette”), circa 2005)

Naturally then, when Sophia Coppola’s movie came out a couple of years ago, I was beyond giddy, and when I saw the movie, nearly swooned at the cotton candied gorgeousness of it all.

But who would have known that the film would inspire a complete reversal in my choice of wedding shoes?

If you remember, I was having a difficult time finding shoes that were narrow, with a small heel, and would fit my differently size feet. I ended up getting these ones on sale, and tried to spruce them up with my borrowed 1930s shoes clips:

I was happy I had shoes, but my overall attitude was “meh.” I’ve always been a shoe hound, so finding bargain shoes that were on sale that I didn’t even like, wasn’t exactly thrilling. I’ve kept my eye out for alternatives, but as the summer ends I’ve found that possible sole-mates are few and far between.

Then, I had my first dress fitting, and not only did the shoes not jive with my gown, they were also too tall for it (peekaboo petticoats, anyone?). Instead, I got fitted wearing a pair of super comfy ivory ballet flats from Aldo—also on sale.

And then I decided I had had enough. If Mohammed wouldn’t come to the mountain, this mountain was going to make her own dream shoes.

SUPPLIES:

• wire cutter
• scissors
• glue gun (it’s my weapon of choice)
• vintage millinery supplies
• satin flowers and leaves from a vintage veil
• CZ earrings

So with Marie as my muse, I set to work, and created these:

They may not be everyone’s style, but I think they are gorgeous! I was trying to evoke a Georgian, angelic, father of the bride awesome sneakers-esque kind of feeling, and I think I succeeded. If anything, at least I’m happy with my shoes now!

… and I can cross the last item off my list—something blue? Check!

Is anyone else embellishing their shoes? Have you found your sole mates yet?