Weddingbee Blog

I swoon for Manolos, even though I’m a die hard, never-spend-more-than-100-bucks shoe buyer.

During my winter days of wedding planning, and wondering what shoes I should buy, it was all too easy to drive the five minutes over to Fashion Island, and play dress up in the Neiman Marcus shoe salon.

So, after figuring out my correct size in the store, and deciding I much preferred a closed-toe shoe (merely because they’re more comfy to me), I began to scour eBay for some Manolos. Of course, keeping in mind authenticity is not guaranteed on eBay, I mainly looked for shoes with plenty of pictures, an authentic box and dust bag, and with store receipts.

Not long after I launched my search, the perfect pair popped up. After a few convos with the seller, she assured me I would *not* be happy with these shoes, as they were in worn condition with a few stains. But they looked good to me in the pictures, and at under $100, they were the perfect price.

I was certain I wouldn’t win them, but by some small miracle, my bid, at $104, won! Yippee!

They arrived, and they seem authentic to me, but even if they aren’t, that’s OK. They look well-made, and are pretty comfy. The closed-toe means I can wear the pretty, sheer bridal thigh-high (ooo, la, la!) stockings I purchased.

I’m tall–just shy of 5′10″… and the 2 1/2-inch heels will make me about the same height as Professor Paisley, which I’m OK with.

There are some stains on them, but they’re not too obvious. I did more damage myself walking out across the lawn to take these pictures of me wearing them. Yup, I got dirt on the heels as they sunk into the grass, after ignoring Professor Paisley’s warning, “What are you doing walking in the grass?!” Oops! Oh well, they’ll get even more dirt on them when I walk down the grassy slope “aisle” at grandma’s where the wedding is going to be.

Check ‘em out:

The front of the shoes are perfectly clean. Only the fabric on the heels are a bit dirty, mostly thanks to me. I love the rhinestone buckles on the front, and the fact that they are d’orsays.

Workin’ it for the camera as Professor P. snaps away:

Those Santa Ana winds had me channeling Marilyn Monroe:

Love! The height of the heel means I won’t have to get my bridal gown hemmed, which will save me some money. I am hoping to not have to get alterations at all.

Even though they’re pretty comfy, I’ll probably kick ‘em off and wear some flip flops for dancing, since I get blisters easily.

Do you lust for designer shoes for your wedding day? Did you find a pair for cheap second-hand, or do second-hand shoes just gross you out too much? (I cleaned mine first, before wearing them.)