Your Dream Shoes

image provided by shoesofprey

What could be more fun for a bride than picking out her bridal gown? How about designing her own bridal shoes!

Newly discovered Shoes of Prey is a web site that lets anyone design their own pair of shoes. From the fabric, heel, color to even bling- YOU decide how they look and their craftsmen will design them for you!

The process is simple... choose a design of shoe (wedge, pointed toe, platform, flat, etc), the type of toe and back of the shoe you desire and the design elements (bow, no bow, leather, suede, glitter, etc). Ultimately, YOU become the designer.

To start designing your dream shoe, visit www.shoesofprey.com.

Vera Wang & Monique Lhullier Bridal 2012

images provided by brides.com

Fashion week has come and gone and this includes bridal gowns on the runway. So what can we expect for 2012 wedding fashions? Color, lace and bows.

Top designers Monique Lhullier and Vera Wang both took part in fashion week, displaying their new line of bridal gowns for 2012. Both designers feature gowns with poofy, mermaid style gowns, but Vera explores more with gowns in browns and black! While Vera's gowns look more like they're catered to woman of the opera or theatre, each gown is unique. Monique's style is more bridal, sticking with off-white, cream-colored gowns. Her style is more about big bows and subtle bling.

These gowns are certainly not for everyone, but for that bride with a unique, edgy style.

Both designers' bridal shows can be viewed at Brides.com.

Vera Wang: http://www.brides.com/wedding-dresses-style/bridal-runway-shows/2011/10/new-vera-wang-wedding-dresses-fall-2012#slide=1

Monique Lhullier: http://www.brides.com/wedding-dresses-style/bridal-runway-shows/2011/10/new-monique-lhuillier-wedding-dresses-fall-2012#slide=3 

DIY Envelope Guestbook

Couples are reinventing the guestbook and coming up with new and fun ways for guests to leave messages and advice for the newlyweds. I saw this idea from Martha Stewart and thought it was not only amazingly simple, but a very cute idea as well.

Envelope Guestbook

Take a blank photo album or scrapbook and transform it into your very own guestbook with words of wisdom from your guests.

Use double-sided tape to stick assorted size and colored envelopes to each of the pages in the book. Provide guests with cards and pens to write their well wishes on. Once they have finished, they can put their cards into the envelopes.

This is not only a simple process for guests who want to enjoy themselves at the reception, but it is a great way for the newlyweds to spend their honeymoon or first year together.

Glittery Souls

The most famous high heels in the fashion industry are of course Christian Louboutins, infamous for their red bottoms. But what if you're a bride on a budget? The solution- glittery souls.

image provided by nevernakedblog

Transform the boring bottom of your wedding heels into something unique and gorgeous by applying glitter to the soles of your shoes!

Here is the step-by-step:

1. Cover your shoe with masking or painter's tape so that you do not ruin the rest of the shoe.

2. Mix the glitter (in your desired color) and tacky glue.

3. Coat the bottom of your shoe with the glitter mixture, tapping off the glitter as you go.

For a complete tutorial, watch this YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zKaQwjF7K4 

HANG In There!

image provided by etsy

A lot of trends in the wedding world these days are cute ways to incorporate your own personal touch into the wedding decor and reception. But what about adding a personal touch BEFORE?

I LOVE these hangers from etsy. For yourself or for you and all your bridal party, these hangers are customized just for you. Whether you want it to simply state "bride" or "mrs _____", they can be made to say whatever you want, in up to 12 characters on a single line. 

From $18 to $22 (depending on how you get it customized), these hangers are available in light wood or dark cherry wood with an Ivory or White ribbon bow added to the top, if desired. 

And for the daring bride who loves some 'bling,' hangers are available for $53 with 800 rhinestones on the front, with the same wording. Brides are able to chose from any colored ribbon to adorn the top of the hanger. For the 'blinged' out hanger, check it out on etsy here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/79763050/girls-best-friend-the-ultimate   

They make a perfect bridal gift or special surprise for your bridesmaids. 

image provided by etsy 

Pinterest

Have you ever wanted a place online that you could post ideas and nifty finds so that you could look them up at any time? Are you tired of creating inspiration boards in the real world and then having to throw them out once the event is over? Now there is a place to do all of this without having to physically post anything. It is Pinterest.com. I discovered Pinterest from an event site that I follow on Twitter and figured I would share this wonderful site with those who would appreciate it (besides my mom). 


Pinterest is a great way to share and gain inspiration from blogging, design, lifestyle,  wedding and event planning. As someone who loves finding new recipes and DIY projects, Pinterest is a great place to find these new ideas and inspirations. As a detailed perfectionist dabbling in the wedding planning industry while building my event planning profile, Pinterest is a great place to post all of my ideas and findings for events-I have even dedicated an entire post to my OWN wedding! (which is YEARS down the road)  


The best part of Pinterest is that you can "pin" anything you find online so that when it comes to giving credit where it is due, you can figure out where you found the original piece. 


So how do you get started? It's simple, really. Go to Pinterest.com and click "invite" and provide your e-mail. You will get an e-mail with a link back to the site where you can set up your account. Once you become a member, go to the goodies page and download the "pin" button to your task bar so that you will now be able to "pin" whatever you see online.  


You will definitely get lost in the world of Pinterest (in a good way) - spending hours finding the coolest things out there. But it is totally worth it. Especially in the world of event planning. It can become an event planner's best friend where you can post all your ideas, your client's wishes and DIY projects. 


Happy "pinning"! :)

If the Shoe Fits...

                                                                   image provided by etsy

There are a lot of different ways to incorporate the date of your wedding and one of the most creative and cute way I have seen lately are on the bottom of the bride's shoes. On one shoe a bride can write in permanent marker "Mrs _______" and on the other, the date they tide the knot. But permanent marker seems a little tacky and may not last the entire night, so etsy has stickers that you can place on your shoes that you can customize and chose what color you want. It is a cute and simple way to say "I'm married".

                                                              image provided by theknot
                               

An alternative to the date and name on the bride's heels is having the bridesmaids write a message on the back of the heel itself. This is a fun way for the bride and her bridal party to interact before the wedding madness begins and to remind the bride that she is loved by her bridesmaids. Much like a yearbook, the girls can write a simple message expressing their love, or a bit of advice for the bride-to-be. Using blue permanent markers provides the bride with her "something blue".