Sunday, July 3, 2011

Something Blue

"Is this your dress?" she asked.
Into the mirror I peered. It was lovely. "Diamond white silk shantung" I had been informed. The color somewhere between white and off-white. The pin tuck pleats in the bodice gave way to an a-line skirt with a small train. Little buttons started at the top of the back and followed down the train, while tiny swarvoski crystals were sewn in no particular pattern. As the light hit the crystals, they shined.
But did I? Was it enough?
I never cried in that dress, or any of the others I tried on in anticipation of my upcoming wedding. I deduced that the dress was it, as it fit the budget, my body, and the overall feeling of the day.
A small wedding, at a small seasonal chapel the first week of October in Cape May.
A simple, classic wedding with a small inspiration from the beach, that is what we planned.
I continued on the simple path with the majority of our planning, as our own purse strings were tight as we balanced the estimates from florist, reception site, and d.j.
There was not much room for extravagance and really it wasn't our style.
Traditional.
Simple.
Classic.
Except for my shoes.
Somewhere in my wedding planning madness, I had contrived the idea to wear blue shoes. The shoes offered a bit of levity in the seriousness of table numbers, response cards, and shades of white napkins. Their discovery was an accident. After scouring department stores and online stores, I happened upon a sale on the J.Crew website.
There they were, blue and off-white patterned heels.
In anticipation of potential sizing problems, I ordered two pairs.
For the next few days, I waited patiently for the brown package.
Onto my feet they went, and they fit.
While tears did not fill my eyes, these shoes were not a compromise. They were exactly what I had envisioned.
On the day of my wedding ceremony, my blue shoes remained hidden for the most part under the fabric of my gown. However, as I walked down the aisle, they peeked out for a moment with each step. They offered a little bit of whimsy in comparison to the remaining tradition.
After the ceremony, my new husband and I stood at the doorway, receiving accolades for our recent accomplishment, and in that time I shared my secret with a few guests.  As I modeled my blue shoes, I couldn't help but smile.
Something old, Something new, Something borrowed, and Shoes of blue!



The only picture of shoes from the day, our dancing shoes

My something blue shoes "after"


This post was inspired by the following prompt. We all have a pair of shoes that tell a story. It may be a story remembered or a story that never happened, but shoes can speak volumes, after all they've walked many miles. This week we want you to take a picture of your favorite pair of shoes (or a pair of shoes with a story) and tell the story of those shoes. Where have they been? Where will they take you? Let the shoes do the talking!


I wrote about what happened once the blue shoes were removed for a previous prompt here.

8 comments:

  1. Oh, do I love those shoes! Wonderful choice for your special day; given the chance, I'd do the same thing!

    Lovely post!

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  2. So pretty! This made me smile. What a lovely memory. Shoes are so symbolic, aren't they?

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  3. I love your shoe story! I wish I would have thought of that. I got married on the beach in Strathmere(between Ocean City and Sea Isle) and I went with bare feet totally worried about stepping on a crab...
    I loved that your parents nagged you about texting...If I didn't text or facebook I would never talk to my kids!

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  4. Love your story-sounds like your shoes definitely added something special to your wedding day :-)

    Thanks for sharing!

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  5. I love this!! It's like you were describing my wedding too! I wish I would've had those blue shoes!!!

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  6. I love this! I did the same thing except my shoes were pink and white Kate Spades. The dress? Meh...the shoes. YEAH!

    I love your pretty J Crew shoes. Do you still have them?

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  7. What a great idea to wear blue shoes as your "something blue"! So unique, and you're right, whimsical! I loved the thought of those shoes peeking out with each step you made down the aisle. Just adorable.

    Oh, and I adored this line: "The shoes offered a bit of levity in the seriousness of table numbers, response cards, and shades of white napkins." Perfect...just a perfect sentiment. I think we all want a little levity in the seriousness of the day :) Great job!

    PS ~ My wedding dress was J. Crew. Simple and unique...I adored it. :)

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  8. Yes, I still have my blue shoes. I doubt I ever will wear them again, but they're still in my closet.

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Let me know what you think.