Choosing: Impractical Bridal Shoes

I'm a klutz. Everyone knows I'm a klutz. We have 22 steps in our venue between where I get ready (also where we sign the ketubah) and where we get married. We also have steps between where we're sitting and where we'll be catching up with 30 of our guests at the reception.

Agree with me here. Cute stillettos or platforms are not practical. 

That said... I want cute shoes. Boots are more practical. Boots are more "me." Boots are totally consistent with the overall image/style. But I don't care. Adorable purple shoes are screaming to me. These have bows and that annoyingly bridal heart on their soles.

Luichiny Gal Lop Sandal in Purple

$68.95 from Endless with Free Two-Day Shipping (not available in my size)

$89 from Shoes.com with Free Shipping (available in my size)

Fergie Missy in Violet

$89.95 from Zappos with Free Standard Shipping

Nine West Epitomise

$98.95 from Zappos with Free Standard Shipping

Ok they're cute but not in keeping with our vintage romance theme. But maybe with one of my outfits for the honeymoon (a fab grey dress)? Or with my outfit for the shower (again an amazing grey shift with ruffles).

So what would you do? Have you struggled with one of your bridal fashion decisions? Did you find yourself envious of your girls' shoes? (Trust me there will be a shoe shot of my Diva of Honor's shoes because they're just that hot. And while I *know* what they look like, I'm not going to ruin the surprise here.)

Back to me. These lovelies are in line with our style and could with slight alteration sport a purple bow.

Menbur Closed-Toe Pump in Ivory (to which I'd add a purple bow)

$156 from Endless with Free Two-Day Shipping

Shannon Britt Victoria Pump in Ivory (to which I'd add a purple bow)

$295 from Endless with Free Overnight Shipping

OK I'm obviously stressed as when I'm stressed I go shopping. Vintage clothes shopping. Dress or cute socks shopping. Or shoe shopping. I'm going to step away from the iPhone and just stare out the train window. Here I go, stepping away... 

Choosing: Mason Jars

I love eating by candlelight. There's just something so romantic about it. In my search to find a budget-friendly last minute candlescape, we keep returning to mason jars with tea lights. Meets venue requirements. Satisfies budget requirement - friends have and can lend us.

But... are Mason Jars right for our look? And what is our look? We're Vintage. We're Elegant - table runners and silver platters. We're Retro - train cases for holding the kippahs, keeping the guestbook supplies organized, and collecting cards.

Do Mason Jars work in these categories? Or are they only appropriate for "Rustic" weddings - something we're definitely not?

Photography Credit: Jenn Cress via Style Me Pretty

Photography Credit: Joy Marie via Oh Lovely Day

Image source: Gingerbread Snowflakes (includes tutorial using Mod Podge)

Photography Credit: David Newkirk via Style Me Pretty

Our Song: My Dad's and Mine

I don't remember the first song I danced to with my dad. I know it was a slow song that we could dance the box step to.

The song I remember from that night? In fact the only song I remember? The Bunny Hop. If you're not familiar with this crowd-pleasing, toe tapping song, take a listen.

Seriously, that's the song I remember from my first Father-Daughter Dance my sophomore year in high school.

Now on one hand, if we chose this song for our Father Daughter Dance I don't think I'd be overcome with tears. Strike that. I might be laughing so hard that my eyes water.

Other music that might work would be music we listened to on road trips or at home. The two main genres? Show tunes and country music.

The first show tune that came to mind was from Gigi - one of my mother's favorite musicals. The song? Thank Heaven for Little Girls.

Unfortunately it's not very danceable.

So let's try Country Music. The song that always reminds me of my dad - Cinderella by Steven Curtis Chapman. The line? "... I need to practice my dancing. Oh please Daddy please." "And I will dance with Cinderella while she is here in my arms. ... I don't even want to miss one song. Because all too soon, the clock will strike midnight and she will be gone."

This song almost always brings tears to my eyes.

Why? Growing up my dad didn't dance (my mom on the other hand loved dancing). Freshman year I threw out the flyer for the Father Daughter Dance because I knew my dad didn't dance. But for me, he danced. For his girls, my dad would move heaven and earth.

My best memory of my dad dancing? Senior Parent Weekend at Santa Clara. Not of me dancing with my dad. My favorite memory is when my dad danced with my mom. You might remember my mom doesn't smile that much - those true smiles that come from the soul - and that night she did. My dad too was smiling, his grin stretched from ear to ear.

Another song with less emotional attachment for me, is In My Arms by Mark Willis. (And yes, I'll admit it. Yes I watched Charmed.)

Another song recently recommended is by Daughter by Loudon Wainwright III.

I'm going to let my dad choose as my mom says there's one particular Country song that always reminds him of his daughters. It might be Cinderella or it could be Tim McGraw's My Little Girl or Bob Carlisle's Butterfly Kisses. I'm going to give him a CD with all of the MP3s.

How did you choose the music for your Father Daughter dance? Did you surprise your dad? Or did he surprise you?