Inspirations galore!

I wrote a while ago that Sweetie and I tried to look around for my wedding shoes.  And I ended up broken hearted with the price (as steep as Php6000 a pair) or the design or fit.  So I just scoured the net for some inspirations.  Here are the ones that made it to the final cut:

Stella Luna pumps in fuschia pink

Another Stella Luna creation

Perfect Match in gray

Perfect Match in white

Nine West jack peep toe

Because I saw a lot of good designs on the internet, I got all the more confused as to whether I'll have a closed pair of shoes (original idea) or a sandals-type (plan B).  Waaaa!!!!!! :-D

My peg for our wedding day :-)

I will decide soon what design I will have custom-made by Perfect Match :-)

Yey!  Thank you, Lord!

At 92 days...

at the Meijijingu, Tokyo, Japan
May 2012

Hello.  I'm back.  I was on Japanese language training for much of the summer, afterwhich we went to Osaka, Kyoto, Tokyo and Saitama for the immersion program.  It was a fun and very fulfilling training and one that deserves a future post.  Abangan.

Being soooo busy this summer meant having to shelve for the meantime some preps work.  As I type on my keyboard, I am both excited and nervous at the same time to be reminded that as of today, I only have 92 days to prepare for our wedding.  Whew! 92?  I had 200++ just a few months ago!

Last Saturday, Sweetie and I tried to scout around for my wedding shoes (yes, I do have a hands-on groom!).  To my dismay, I always end up with the perfectly-fitting shoes but very very high heels, or a pair with the perfect height but ill fit.  So we dropped by The Wedding Library and met with Ms. Mari of Perfect Match.  I'm 70% for having my shoes custom-made but with a design I can use after the wedding.  Hmmm....let's see......

Last Sunday, I tried on my gown, while my entourage including our moms, had their measurements taken.  All I can say is that the gown was beautiful, and that I need to lose weight.  Hahahahaha!!!!!!

Because I couldn't post my gown here, I'll just leave you an image I will use as inspiration for my flower girls...

Last Monday, I submitted our marriage license requirements which we can claim on June 8.  Yehey!

So this is how it feels to have your wedding only 92 days away.  Next stop is the invitation, monograms and decors.  Whew!

Shoes Inspirations

Ah, the things we women go through to get ready for the big day!

This past few weeks, I was having visions of what my gown would like.   The inspirations are endless that I ended up posting another blog about that bridal gown slash dress which I'll be having custom-made in Divisoria  (or as my mom calls it, 'La Rudy Vi').  Now of course, as any girl can attest, when you start thinking of the gown, you also try to visualize what the entourage gowns will look like.  And let's not even talk about the mothers.  They have their own styles and preferences to consider, making this whole issue of gowns and dresses exciting albeit challenging.  :-)

And when you start talking about gowns and dresses, can shoe talks be far behind?  :-)   See, this whole wardrobe thingy is a package.  Gown + Shoes + Make-up + Hair + Accessories = Look for the day.  I'm taking my own sweet time trying to finalize what my gown will look like, and I learned that when you have a gown custom-made in Divi, it will take them only about three months, so I figure I still have time to spare.  It's a good thing I've long settled the issue of make up with my one and only choice, Rae Venturanza, and I already have an idea of what kind of hair style I want for the big day, so that's not a problem.  The accessories I will wear on our big day are my e-ring and earrings which I will be borrowing from my sister-in-law (How sweet. Thanks, C!).  And so, I'm left with the shoes.  

Where do I begin?  First of all, I hate the white bridal shoes concept.  I don't like to wear, much more spend, on a pair of shoes that I will wear only once in my lifetime.  So no to Kate Middleton-inspired lace and beads type of shoes.

Duchess Kate Middleton's 5 1/2 size hand-stitched bridal shoes were designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.

Source:  The Daily Mail

Now, if it were something I could wear for after the wedding, then I'd reconsider.  Especially if it looked something like this:

Sexy but subtle --- whether in jeans or in a dress 

Nine West Jack Toe Peep Pumps

Source:  This Next

Sometimes, I wish I could just wear something flat for my wedding.  After all, I'd be sitting, standing up, kneeling, jumping (?), running (?), posing and dancing for more than four hours.  So I thought I'd buy anything like these:

Dainty and stylish for my jeans -- perfect for those relaxing weekends 

Chloe Square Toe Ballerina Flats - $450

Source:  Barneys

Classic and always in style

Lanvin Cap Toe Ballet Flats - $650

Source:  Barneys

When I mentioned this to my mother, I got a big, big frown.  Hahaha!  She said I should wear comfortable heels (about 2 inches) to match the dress.  Heels?  I never wore heels!  Remember my gladiator heels from our date at the Diamond Hotel?  I only inherited them from her because she can no longer wear high heels due to her arthritis.  But given the chance, I wouldn't choose anything higher than an inch!  So of course, here are what I saw and liked if I could be convinced to wear something like these on our big day hehehehe :-D  (Of course, the budget is a separate consideration.  Hahaha!)

 Burlina

Christian Louboutin - Patent leather peep toe t-strap pump with adjustable buckle at ankle - $945

Source:  Barneys

Lady Peep

Christian  Louboutin - Patent leather platform peep toe pump - $945

Source:  Barneys

Madame Butterfly Pump

Christian Louboutin - Satin platform pump with large bow at pleated peep toe - $945

Source:  Barneys

So So

Christian Louboutin - Patent leather platform peep toe pump with cross strap at toe and halter slingback - $895

Source:  Barneys

Orlina 

Manolo Blahnik - Elastic open toe slingback sandal with multiple crossing contrast bands at instep - $735

Source:  Barneys

 Sedaraby

Manolo Blahnik - Satin open toe multi-strap sandal with adjustable posted ankle strap $755

Source:  Barneys

 Evita

Tabitha Simmons - Satin platform open toe T-strap sandal with jewel embellished strap, grosgrain ankle tie and closed back -$2,185

Source: Barneys

Tribtoo Pump

Yves Saint Laurent - Patent leather platform round toe pump - $795

Source:  Barneys

 Faustina by Nine West in Moon / Roccia - $119  

 Knot by Nine West in Black Suede - now only $39.60 from $99

Mega by Nine West in Natural Leather - $49.50

From real brides' shoes, here are some of my inspirations:

Cenyang's shoes as captured by Jaja Samaniego

Source:  Jaja Lifestyle Photography

San Pedro-Alcasabas Wedding

Source:  Perfect Match Shoes 

 Santiago-Reyes Wedding

Source:  Perfect Match Shoes

Manguiat-Tripon Wedding

Source:  Perfect Match Shoes

Sigh.  I'm glad I only have a budget for one pair of shoes; otherwise, I'd go crazy with all these lovely footwear!  So to finalize my choices, I figured I'd rather have something that meets the following criteria:

1. with heels but only about 2-3 inches --- just enough to give my 5'1'' frame a taller illusion;
2. with heels that are not too thin (as in those Louboutin shoes) but are not too thick -- something like in the style of Mega by Nine West;
3. closed, and may or may not have straps for added protection from slipping and / or accidental removal of shoes while walking; and
4. in a color and fabric / leather that can be flexible enough for after-wedding use 

Sweetie has been reminding me to finalize this one too so that I can start with our DIY.  Oh, and he's buying me the shoes as his wedding gift!  Yipee!!! :-)  Thanks, Honey :-)