Our Top 5 Platform wedding shoes

Up, up and away! We love platforms and it seems that you do too. What's not to love though? They flatter your pins, make high heels so much easier to wear and give any outfit a fashionable edge (a luxe pair do a great job in upgrading your outfit and make an off-the-peg bridal gown look like it cost ££££'s!). Our top Platforms from the new season's collections to suit all budgets are:

• Faye by Rainbow Club


• Tesi by Rainbow Couture


• Montana by Belle


• Dita by Benjamin Adams


• & Barbie by PINK Paradox

Let us know which is your favourite!

National Wedding Show, October 2009.

To help you plan your perfect day, visit the National Wedding Show at London's Earls Court this weekend (2nd-4th October, 2009). Opening times for the Earls Court show are:

Friday 12pm-7pm
Saturday 10am-6pm
Sunday 10am-5pm

Or visit Birmingham's NEC the following weekend (9th-11th October, 2009), opening times for the NEC show can be found on the National Wedding Show website.

You'll find a host of suppliers to fulfill every whim to achieve your dream wedding, from marquees to tiaras, cakes, shoes and flowers to men's attire. You really can find anything you'd ever need for your Big Day under one roof. And to make your day even easier, you can even register online to book your tickets or buy on-the-door. Happy Shopping!

Rock-chic bridal glamour from Benjamin Adams by Paradox wedding shoes

Photo source

You can't fail to have noticed the latest trend for strong embellishments on the very best accessories to be seen in (see above for inspiration) and if that's your style, then you'll love the new Mimi platform wedding shoes by Benjamin Adams (below). These stunning ivory duchesse silk sandals offer a similarly sexy, edgy, hardware look made from amazing Swarovski crystals rather than studs which contrast with the most feminine of outfits - your wedding gown. Or wear a pair dyed, perhaps to team with a fabulously girly soft party dress for a luxe look that has been seen on all the catwalks.

Now if you love the Mimi bridal shoe (above) then you'll practically drool over the new entire Siena Xzane collection. We heart the strong colours of the silks, the extravagant trims, the uber fashionable shapes and - oh my! - the highest of heels and platforms for more than enough WOW factor any girl can handle in one outfit.

A fun alternative to wedding shoes is here - the wedding trainer!

Personally, I jump at the chance to wear a pair of heels, but I understand that plenty of you either just don't get on with high-heels or simply prefer not to have the additional height (I need all the help I can get in this area, sadly). Well, tall or heel-phobic brides and bridesmaids need look no further than this season's gorgeous array of flatties, tiny heels and low pump wedding shoes.

One of our favourite has to be the brand new 'Bonnie' Converse-style sneaker by Rainbow Club in dyeable ivory satin - seen here looking decidedly glam paired with a very short 'n' sexy wedding gown to show off those amazing legs. Now, us mere mortals may prefer to pop these babies on under a full length gown in time for the dancing to begin...but just remember to get your skirt bustled or have a loop made so you can lift the hem if your 'day' shoes are higher, as tripping up is never an elegant look! These alternative wedding shoes also look very cute dyed and make a fun choice for Bridesmaids and Proms too.

Purse-friendly wedding and bridesmaid shoes for all budgets this season

Whether you're feeling the pinch during this credit-crunch and are strapped for cash, or are splurging on the elements of your wedding you feel most important to you regardless of the current financial climate (and this seems to be the norm - dropping items you feel aren't 'you' or those you couldn't care less about so that you can still treat yourself on those areas you couldn't live without on your Big Day), there are some divine shoes for everyone in the new 2010 Collections to tempt and pamper whatever the price tag!

We've cherry-picked some fabulous new, but similar styles of varying price, to show you how you can achieve a similar look or feel whatever your budget...

SAVE... Dyeable satin and diamante 'Spring' wedding shoes by PINK, RRP £55





or SPLURGE? The finest duchesse silk satin 'Reese' shoes by Benjamin Adams, RRP £139







SAVE... Fully dyeable ivory satin 'Dolly' bridal shoes by Rainbow Club, RRP £69







or SPLURGE?... Fine silk and embroidered organza 'Buttercup' wedding shoes by Hassall, RRP £185








SAVE... Dyeable (free with this style) pleated peep-toe 'Shiraz'
bridal court shoes by ELSE, RRP £55.

or SPLURGE (below)? Luxe silk pleated 'Santi' wedding peep-toes by Rainbow Couture, RRP £110.

Most popular new season wedding shoes according to our Brides

Well, this is the divine new Gwyneth by Benjamin Adams (on the right) and to date, it's taken 1st place among the advance orders coming in from Brides who are looking for a brand new style to adorn their lucky tootsies for A/W09 weddings. Of course, we're not a bit surprised as it ticks all the must-have boxes: the elegant pointed closed-toe, vintage style Swarovski trim (which, by the way, matches the Stone handbag also by Benjamin Adams), oh-so-easy to wear halter straps to flatter the ankles and the most luxurious of silk and leather fabrics. Gwyneth retails at £139 RRP.

The other new bridal shoe flying right now is the adorable Spice by PINK (see left) which retails at £52 RRP and is being pre-ordered by both savvy budget-conscious Brides and Bridesmaids alike. It's a new high-heeled version of the best-selling Sherbert from the same range and looks just as amazing dyed as it does in it's 'naked' ivory satin state. Just the thing to show off that pedicure...

Simple Dresses - Great gowns for Brides, Bridesmaids and Proms

Simple Silhouettes is a US based company specializing in simple dress shapes with a fabulous array of colours and trims to choose from to make up your perfect ensemble. I came across them several years ago when planning my own wedding, but see that they now ship Internationally which is great news for those 'this' side of the pond.

If you or your Bridesmaids cringe at the run-of-the-mill "Cookie Cutter" Bridesmaid look (that is, several adults all kitted out in the same 'uniform' of a great dress they'll never wear again), then these funky dresses will certainly let your individual styles and personalities shine through so that you all feel special on the Big Day and they'll honestly *want* to wear their dress over and over again - not just say they will out of politeness!

All of the dress styles can be made in all colours and fabrics, so the possibilities are endless for simple, but stunning wedding, prom, party or Bridesmaid dresses without the 'princess-y' pomp if that just isn't your thing. Only chic shapes available here and check out their website for great model shots of how they can be accessorised for maximum effect. We love.