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Perfection in Every Shoe… Choosing the right one for your Wedding Dress.

We frequently get asked what shoes should be worn. The simple answer is that there is no hard and fast rule on what shoes can be worn. Anything goes.

Shoes can make or break an outfit. Balancing comfort and style are no easy task. There is a plethora of options. Like any accessory, it is how you style the shoes with your chosen look.  When I got married, I based my style on my shoes. I purposefully purchased a statement shoe that I felt was elegant, yet sexy and of course, had the bling factor.

I settled on a pair by Italian designer Rene Caovilla. It was a ‘t-strap’ stiletto covered in gorgeous white satin and had jewels along the front of the shoe.  And because I purchased the shoes first, the dressmaker matched my dress to my shoes perfectly. I was nervous about them staining, but the shoe designer arranged for them to be professionally scotch guarded. The bonus in buying these shoes was that I could and did dye them in black.  The heel height was 100 mm. I usually wore higher shoes, but logic prevailed, and I chose comfort over height.

The choices were staggering. I knew I did not want a patent shoe (I got married in summer and patent in the heat is not forgiving), not too high as I had to be in them for at least 12 hours, minimal heel-to-toe-drop, be on the broader side, not chunky and finally, be comfortable.

Today, if getting married, I would choose a block heel to prevent me from sinking in the grass and ruining my shoe’s heel. Possibly with a built-in platform for added comfort. Would I do a wedge, that would depend on the chunkiness? Would I do a bling sneaker, probably not?  That does not mean a bride cannot.

To aide in the decision-making process, here are a few options:

Block Heels

One of my favourite heels. I find these to offer good support mainly from the front of the foot. Great for standing all day. These types of heels come in varying heights and styles. This type of heel will not dig into the grass, and you can walk on any uneven surface without damaging your heel. My tip for a block heel is to make sure the foot-to-toe ratio is spot-on; otherwise, you feel pain throughout the day.

An alternative to the block heel is a square or flared heel that could also work with varying dress styles. A flared heel has a bit more of a wow factor to it.

Image: Badgley Mischka https://www.instagram.com/p/CDvrnY5HuWw/

Cuban Heel

Surprisingly, a Cuban heel could work, depending on the outfit. The heel would provide good support due to the medium-low height options.

Image : Pinterest

Wedge Heel

Like a block heel, wedged heel shoes come in varying heights. I find wedges a flattering on feet and easy to stand in all day. As wedges can be quite chunky, you need to have your outfit when trying these shoes. In my experience, the wedge heel can look wrong when paired with a formal gown.

Image : Badgley Mischka https://www.instagram.com/p/CFKJwaIAn6m/

Stiletto Heel

Love this type of heel, striking.  Diverse in height, width and style. As you will be in the shoe all day, I recommend that the foot-to-toe ratio be spot on to prevent any pain running through your foot. Stiletto heels do dig into the grass and can be easily damaged. A heel protector can prevent damage. 

An alternative for those wanting a high thin heel stiletto shoe, consider one with an inbuilt platform. I find an in-built platform to look more stylish. If you cannot find a shoe like this, any platform will work. A platform still creates the wow factor and takes any pressure away from the foot.  Another option is a cone heel or a spool heel. Both types of heels are timeless in style.  Easier to walk on the grass and uneven surfaces. Feet friendlier when you have to be in them all day. Again, these come in varying heights.

Image: Rene Caovilla https://www.instagram.com/p/CFXUD5oh73O/

Kitten Heel

A kitten heel is a good option for those who prefer a stylish low heel. By far a sensible choice in comfort. Again, watch for the grass and uneven surfaces as the small heel will get damaged.  Not wanting to deal with the grass headache, consider a French Heel. A kitten heel only thicker.

Image : Pinterest

Sneakers

Sneakers are on trend now. Should they be worn with a wedding dress? Firstly, you need a sneaker with bling. If you are going to wear a pair, make them stand out. Secondly, it depends on the wedding dress and the theme of the wedding. There are no hard and fast rules. Wear what works and what’s great about sneakers is that you can customise them to suit your dress.

Image: Pinterest

Ballet Flats

The slipper-like in design with a very thin or completely flat heel with a closed toe. These type of shoes are not as supportive as other shoes due to the lack of arch system to help absorb the brunt of the pressure the feet endure every day. I would recommend you change into these more towards the end of the night if you are experiencing pain from your shoes.

Image: Nicholas Kirkwood Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/B91rFtpJRAX/

Stretching your shoes

We get asked how to stretch your shoes. There are so many hacks on YouTube that can give tips on how to stretch your shoes. I wore my shoes with thick socks and walked around the house and the block street a month prior. Regardless, when you are in your shoes for 10 hours plus, they will hurt.

Have band-aids with you or a blister block type product that can prevent blisters from forming and rubbing on your shoes. If you have bunions or corns, there are protectors you can buy that will help stop rubbing.

Despite my efforts in stretching my shoes, I lasted in my shoes up until the last two hours of the reception. I had to peel my shoes off and slip into thongs. Now that hurt. Have a go-to-most-comfortable shoe with you, just in case.

Other considerations..

The material of the shoe is another factor to consider. Leather is the most comfortable and hard-wearing but can look a bit boring. If opting for a material, a good cobbler can protect the fabric.

Another consideration is to select a shoe based on the width, arch height and length of your foot.  Addressing these factors will aid in your comfort. If you are getting married in summer, feet swell so do not try shoes on when the weather is cool. When trying on shoes and it feels uncomfortable, put the shoe down. It is not for you.

If your shoes are a statement piece, add a coloured shoe such as gold, silver, or a bold colour like red, or maybe blue. A coloured shoe will give your outfit a pop and add that extra something.

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Main Image: Instagram Badgley Mischka https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqOO9RjcYNdVl6cICFDCDcA

How To Plan Your Wedding During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

When asking our Instagram followers what they wanted information on, it was no surprise that a good percentage wanted tips on how to plan their wedding with the uncertainty of the imposed restrictions due to COVID-19.

The tips provided are on the research done. Wedztyle cannot speak on behalf of governments nor can comment on the legalities surrounding consumer entitlements in getting back deposits paid. However, what we can do is offer tips that will help couples in making the decision postpone or re-schedule their special day.

Sit down with your Partner.

You and your partner must be on the same page when deciding if you will postpone, reschedule, or adapt your wedding to the current COVID restrictions. Communication is key as weddings without such circumstances are already very stressful.

Communication with Vendors

Communicating with chosen vendors is essential for a couple of reasons. Firstly, you need to inform them of your intent – are you postponing, rescheduling, or going ahead. Secondly, you need to have the confidence that they will be operational in the foreseeable future. Understandably, we do not have a crystal ball on this, but it needs to be a consideration.

Image by Samantha Gades – Unsplash

Negotiating with your vendors

Firstly, go over the terms and conditions of each vendor. Focus on the these and adjust conditions to suit both parties.  Businesses have been affected by COVID; therefore, most will work with wedding couples to keep the business.  For those vendors who are willing to consult and work with you, give them options of dates.  Confirm all discussions in writing to protect yourselves should you need to. Vendors who are unwilling to be flexible, shop around. These are not for you.

Back – Up Choice of Vendors

Suppose the preferred vendor is not available on your date, now what? To prevent this scenario, I suggest that you have three to five vendors as a back-up. Before committing, read their terms and conditions. All negotiations need to be in writing. Please do not give any deposits unless written confirmation of a refund is applicable.

Image by Andreas Ronning – Unsplash

Contact your guests.

Notify all guests of the change in your wedding date.  You can say words like “WE HAVE POSTPONED OUR WEDDING DATE, NEW DATE COMING SOON,’ or “WE ARE RESCHEDULING OUR WEDDING, NEW DATE COMING SOON”.  Communicate this very clearly. Whether you have created a Facebook Event, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, or a Wedding Website, your guests need to know in advance of a pending new date.

Budget

With businesses not fully operational, consider changing your budget to reflect the financial strain that COVID-19 is bringing. For example, reducing your budget by 10% will force wedding couples to minimise unnecessary expenditure. You are using that 10% saving later for something else like an extended honeymoon.

Image by Wedztyle

Contingency Plan

These times are unpredictable. The number of allowable guests’ changes depending on the current infection rate. Wedding couples need to be adaptable; therefore, having a contingency plan is advisable. It could be that the wedding only has immediate family attending but captured on a digital platform for your pending guests to view. Or your wedding can be live-streamed, so your guests do not miss those moments. Various scenarios can come to play.

Whatever the scenario is for wedding couples, you can still have your wedding. It might not be in a traditional format (i.e. guests attending), but it will always be your day. Plan your wedding as you would with a contingency plan in mind. The Wedztyle e-planner will be a valuable resource in these COVID-19 times.

Main Image Mari Lezhava Unsplash

Wedding Insurance is it worth it?

Researching for this blog, I wanted to gain an understanding of wedding insurance. What are companies offering and if it is, in fact, worth it for couples? The recent COVID19 outbreak has meant postponing or cancelling upcoming weddings, resulting in couples losing deposits and payments across various vendors because the COVID19 virus is uninsurable.

This leaves us to wonder, how can we be covered if the unexpected were to happen?

The average cost of a wedding in the UK 31,974 pounds, $33,391 in the USA and $36,000 in Australia; therefore, more couples are considering wedding insurance to protect them against any unforeseeable mishaps financially.

Image by Samanth Gades unsplash

The type of cover offered.

Like all insurance policies, various level of cover is offered depending on the cost of the wedding. In Australia, prices can range from $200 standard cover to $1300 for premium. Most insurance covers the total budget of your wedding e.g. if your wedding budget is $8000.00, purchase the one that will cover that amount.

  • Standard cover – approx. $200-250 for total budget cover between $5,000-$8,000
  • Intermediate – approx. $400-$900 for total budget cover between $16,000 – $35,000
  • Premium – approx. $1100-$1300 for total budget cover between $75,000+

Premiums are higher for destination weddings. I recommend that you purchase insurance with companies that specialise in destination weddings rather than local weddings to get the most coverage.

The type of cover chosen should be in line with the size of the wedding and the costs associated. Compare policies to make sure you are covered accordingly.  

The policy should begin 30 days after purchase, with a 14-day cooling-off period.

Image by Nathan Dumlao unsplash

What your insurance needs to cover:

When deciding on the type of cover, my recommendation is to ensure the following is included:

  • Wedding deposits and pre-payments – when you need to cancel, reschedule or postpone your wedding due to specific events
  • Protection against vendors and supplier breakdown
  • Marquee and equipment damage
  • Wedding rings – although these can be insured under your home and contents
  • Wedding gifts – what is the minimum and maximum value that can be insured
  • Wedding attire
  • Wedding transportation
  • Illness, death
  • Extreme weather – storms, tornados
  • Personal Liability – if your guests cause personal injury to a third party or damage to their property.
  • Destination weddings – what is covered and what countries are covered.
  • When the claim begins – this is usually 30 days after you purchase the cover and what the recommended period of cover is
  • What the coverage extends to – family members as they can also contribute to the wedding
  • Any value-added services that you will need for your wedding
  • Number of guests that are covered in the policy should an accident occurs
  • Type of venue, as some venues require you to have insurance before you book with them.
  • Overseas cover including medical emergency and hospital

What you are not covered for:

  • Cancellation due to weather that is not extreme
  • Change of heart
  • Switching vendors after a deposit were paid
  • Claims outside your country – I recommend looking at insurance companies that specialize in Destination Weddings
  • Any issues relating to travel bans, flight cancellations, government acts, regulations and bans on public gatherings
  • Pandemics such as COVID19
Image by Fabio Alves unsplash

Before you purchase:

  • Speak to your vendors and see what they offer via their insurance company, especially for the venue, caters, and wedding planners. Always read the fine print on their contracts. Do not sign if you are uncomfortable with their terms. It has to work for you.
  • Look at your home insurance, as you can be covered on certain aspects of your wedding e.g. wedding rings, travel insurance, etc… This way you can determine what type of cover you can purchase.
  • Consider which plan best suits your wedding needs. Do not purchase a policy based on price. Focus on what is and is not covered.
  • Read the terms and conditions of each insurance company and most importantly do your research.

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