Wedding season is coming up and, if you’re a bride-to-be planning the big day, you want everything to be just right - down to the last detail.  The pictures here are from my own wedding, which looked and felt just like a fairy tale to me and was certainly one of the best, most memorable days of my life.  All of the planning, work and preparation was totally worth it for that one special day. 

Of course, the centerpiece of any wedding is THE dress, but brides need the perfect accompaniment to complete their look: a  beautiful pair of bridal shoes.  It’s always been highly popular to wear head-to-toe white and match the shoes to the gown, but I love that today’s brides are getting increasingly creative with their look - especially when adding a dose of color, like Gwen Stefani did with pink in her Dior gown and singer Pink with black in her Monique Lhuillier.  Even if you wear a classic white dress, you can always opt for a nice pop of color in your shoes in lieu of metallic and white options.  My own gown was floor-length, so my shoes didn’t really show, but of course I had to find myself a pretty heel to wear anyway:

I really did love these silver flower-adorned ankle-strap heels (sorry for the small pics) and while many of us sacrifice comfort for style from time to time, I have to admit these ended up being quite uncomfortable - even for a nice stroll down the aisle - and I ended up ditching them during the reception for a pair of sequined blue flip flops.  There’s no harm in doing something like that if your dream wedding shoe is less than comfy, but here’s a word of advice: Don’t forget (like I did) to walk around in your shoes before the wedding, break them in a bit and bring a back-up if you don’t think you can dance (or walk) the night away in them. 

As it turns out, I wore my wedding shoes only once and then my sister wore them for her own wedding a few years later as her “Something Borrowed” item.  So far, they seem to have brought us both plenty of luck and happiness! 

Now, let’s look at some currently available wedding shoe options in a wide variety of styles and price points for anyone planning their own bridal look (or for brides who may need a little shoe inspiration!).  I think these bridal shoes will make the very first step into married life completely gorgeous:

Metallic bridal shoes:

The very princess-esque Pelle Moda Indulge in pewter, bronze or black for $184.95 with free overnight shipping at Endless.

The ALDO Vanancio in silver or black for $90 at ALDO.  Coupon code 99029324 takes 10% off until 1/30/10.

The glam Pelle Moda Verbena in gold, pewter, silver or black for $184.95 with free overnight shipping at Endless.

The Pelle Moda Limbo in pewter, bronze, black or champagne for $154.90 - $154.95 depending on size/color selection at Amazon.

Glitter bridal shoes:

The Colorifics Gala in silver glitter or gold multi-colored glitter for $56.45 at Shoebuy.  Get another 20% off with coupon code BDAY, making them $45.16 with free shipping.  Coupon expiration is unknown.

The Stuart Weitzman Avalon for $355 at Jildor.

A style Taylor Swift once wore, the Report Signature Carleton silver glitter heel, which is available in limited sizes at Heels.com for $179.99.  Coupon code NEWYEAR takes 15% off $150, making them $152.99 with free shipping, until 2/15/10.

The Miss Me Whitney for $39.95 with free overnight shipping at Endless.com.

White and ivory bridal shoes:

Pre-order the Martinez Valero Ophelia with rhinestone bow for $175 at the Martinez Valero website.  It comes in white or ivory and is expected to ship in February.

Also at the Martinez Valero website is the Martinez Valero Olivia in white, black or ivory with passementerie trim.

The ruffled RSVP Henny in ivory for $73.83 with free shipping at Zappos.

Here’s a fabulous discount on the Cole Haan Ceci Air Rose Slingback.  It’s normally $428, but marked down to $192 at Neiman Marcus.  The other stores I’ve seen that carry it still list it at full price right now.

A stand-out in floral, the Nina Critia in ivory, white and nine other color options (hello, bridesmaids!) for $99 at ninashoes.com.

The sophisticated Badgley Mishka Randall in white, silver or black for $200 with free shipping at Piperlime.

Champagne & pink wedding shoes:

Badgley Mischka Randee in pink, gold, black or white for $215 with free shipping at Piperlime.

Paris Hilton Senorita in pink, red or black for $93 with free shipping at Zappos.  Also available at Shoes.com in gold, pewter, grey or black for $97 with another 15% off using coupon code SNOW until 1/31/10, making them $82.45. 

Luichiny Gim Me in champagne for $68.95 with free overnight shipping at Endless.  Also available in teal, black, red, brown and purple.

A statement heel for a statement bride, the Pelle Moda Bryce in champagne or black for $127.16 with free shipping at Zappos.

Now, for any brides who want to fulfill their “Something Blue” requirement with a pair of blue bridal shoes, here are some options to consider:

Blue wedding shoes:

Fan of Sex and the City?  Get Carrie Bradshaw’s wedding style with a Manolo Blahnik Something Blue knockoff, the Martinez Valero Zenith in blue.  It’s offered for a really great price at DSW, where it’s $79.95 (black and silver also available).  Update: DSW members get $10 off $49 by logging in to their account and getting the coupon code by 2/3/10, plus get free shipping on $35 using code NEWYR10 until 2/8/10.  If DSW doesn’t have your size, the Martinez Valero website has it for $159.  Here are more wedding shoes in blue:

Fergie Safra in blue, black or red for $89 with free shipping at Amazon.

MIX NO. 6 Onyx in blue or black for $39.95 at DSW.  Update: DSW members get $10 off $49 by logging in to their account and getting the coupon code by 2/3/10, plus get free shipping on $35 using code NEWYR10 until 2/8/10.

Paris Hilton Regal in blue or grey for $95 at Shoes.com. Get 15% off with coupon code SNOW until 1/31/10, making them $80.75 with free shipping.

Update: I had to add this pair for a soft, pastel blue bridal shoe option.  It’s the Martinez Valero Vida for $153 with free shipping at Zappos.

To all brides in 2010, congratulations to you and I hope you’re wedding day is amazing in every way!

We’ve had turkey day, we’ve had Black Friday…now it’s time for Cyber Monday!  Since today is the traditional day for shopping online while working (naughty, naughty!), we’re seeing a lot of shoe stores pulling out the big gun discounts for your shoe shopping savings.  All of these sales are good today, 11/30/09, only:

Adidas 25% off orders and free shipping on $49

Amazon $25 off $80 on select shoes sold by Amazon

American Eagle Free shipping no minimum at checkout

Arden B 30% off sitewide and free shipping on $15

Bebe $10 off $10 with coupon code SURPRISE and free shipping no minimum

Betsey Johnson: 40% off with coupon code CYBERFEST

Bloomingdales $50 off $250 at checkout.

Chinese Laundry 25% off with coupon code CYBER2009

DSW 25% off with coupon code SAVE25

Eddie Bauer 25% off and free shipping with coupon code CYBMON25 (excludes clearance)

Endless: $30 off $100 at checkout

Famous Footwear: 20% off with coupon code CYBER09 that combines with current BOGO sale.

GbyGuess: $25 off $75 with coupon code CYBER25 and free shipping on $100 or more.  Extra 50% off clearance shoes at checkout. 

Guess.com: 25% off regularly-priced items and 60% off sale items at checkout.  Shipping is free on $100 or more with coupon code GUESSFREE.

Kate Spade Extra 25% off sale items at checkout and free shipping

Kohls: 15% off any order and free shipping on $75 or more with coupon code CYBER15 and 20% off $100 and free shipping with coupon code CYBER20.

Macy’s Cyber Monday Sale with Web Busters, extra 25% off clearance, hundreds of sale shoes and free shipping on $75 with coupon code CYBER

Onlineshoes.com $25 off $100 with coupon code 9CYBER

Piperlime 20% off and free shipping with coupon code MONDAY.  Also applies to Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta orders.

Reebok 40% off with coupon code CYBER40

Shoemall 20% off and free shipping with coupon code SHOEMALL

Shoes.com 20% off and free shipping with coupon code CYBER

Shoesteal 60-90% off sale and extra 20% off with coupon code STEAL (all sales final)

Steve Madden 35% off $59.95 and free shipping with coupon code CYBER35

Wet Seal 20% off sitewide and free shipping on $15

I’ll add more as I see them today.  You can also check out my Black Friday discounts post for more sales and coupons.

It’s hard to believe Black Friday is already upon us, but here it is, and retailers are all vying to get your shoe business this holiday season.  Of course, you’ll need to know where all those shoe sales are, so I’ve started this list of all the Black Friday shoe sales I’ve seen.  This will be the master list that I add new sales to and remove expired sales from, which means you’ll have the most up-to-the-moment information on where you can get your shoe discount this holiday weekend (and beyond).  I’ll post this in the slideshow feature at the top of my homepage if you need to refer back to it.  Now, on to the sales:

6pm: Gabriella Rocha shoes for $6.95

Adidas: 25% off orders and free shipping on $49 11/30 only.

Aeropostale: $5 off $25 with coupon code 5GIFT until 11/30.

ALDO: 50-70% off shoes in the clearance section and free shipping on all orders until 11/30.

Alloy: 20% off with coupon code AFF20A until 12/3.

Amazon: $25 off $80 on select shoes sold by Amazon 11/30 only.

American Eagle: Free shipping no minimum at checkout 11/30 only.

Arden B: 30% off sitewide 11/30 only.  Free shipping on $15, no code required, until 12/18.  20% off with coupon code ABBDAY0509 until 12/31.

Bebe: $10 off $10 with coupon code SURPRISE and free shipping no minimum 11/30 only.  15% off $100 with coupon code 15OFF100 until 12/24.

Betsey Johnson: 40% off with coupon code CYBERFEST until 11/30.

Bloomingdales: $50 off $250 on 11/30

Chinese Laundry: 25% off with coupon code CYBER2009 until 11/30 and 60% off any 2nd pair of boots.

Couture Candy: 20% off with coupon code SHOP20 until 12/1.

Delias: 20% off with coupon code 4YOU20 until 12/3.

Dr. Martens: 35% off regularly-priced items with coupon code DMFF3509 and free shipping until 12/18.

DSW: 25% off with coupon code SAVE25 on 11/30.

Eddie Bauer: 25% off and free shipping with coupon code CYBMON25 (excludes clearance) 11/30 only.

Endless: $30 off $100 on 11/30.

Famous Footwear: 20% off with coupon code CYBER09 on 11/30 only and buy one pair of shoes, get 50% off 2nd pair until 1/2/10

FlyJane: Coupon code THANKS takes $5 off $25 until 12/31.

GbyGuess: $25 off $75 with coupon code CYBER25 and free shipping on $100 or more until 11/30.  Extra 50% off clearance shoes at checkout until 11/30. 

Guess.com: 25% off regularly-priced items and 60% off sale items at checkout until 11/30.  Shipping is free on $100 or more with coupon code GUESSFREE until 11/30.

JCPenney: Free shipping on $25 with coupon code 25MERRY until 11/30.

J.crew: Extra 20% off sale items and free shipping on $150 or more with coupon code EXTRA20 until 11/29.

J.Jill: 25% off and free shipping on $150 with code CYBER9 until 12/1.

Kate Spade: Extra 25% off sale items at checkout and free shipping 11/30 only.

Kohls: 15% off any order and free shipping on $75 or more with coupon code CYBER15 and 20% off $100 and free shipping with coupon code CYBER20 on 11/30.

Lord & Taylor: 15% off regular and sale items with coupon code THANKS until 11/30.

Macy’s: Cyber Monday Sale with Web Busters, extra 25% off clearance, hundreds of sale shoes and free shipping on $75 with coupon code CYBER until 11/30.

Newport News: 25% off with coupon code 579 until 11/30.

Nike Store: Extra 25% off clearance shoes with coupon code VICTORY until 12/1.  You can also apply coupon code GIFT for free shipping.

Old Navy: Shipping is free on $50 or more until 12/15.

Onlineshoes.com $25 off $100 with coupon code 9CYBER 11/30 only.

Payless: Buy 1, get 50% off second pair BOGO sale until 12/1/09.

Piperlime: 20% off and free shipping with coupon code MONDAY until 11/30.  Also applies to Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta orders.

Ralph Lauren: 25% off with coupon code HOL2009 until 12/7.

Reebok 40% off with coupon code CYBER40 11/30 only.

Shoemall: 20% off and free shipping with coupon code SHOEMALL until 11/30.

Shoes.com: 20% off and free shipping with coupon code CYBER on 11/30.  20% off with coupon code ENJOY09 until 12/31.

Shoesteal: 60-90% off sale and extra 20% off with coupon code STEAL (all sales final) on 11/30.  Free $25 Restaurant.com gift card with orders $100 or more through 12/27.

Skechers: $20 off $100 with coupon code THANKS20 until 11/30.

Smartbargains: 30% off boots and 30% off BCBG brand items.

Steve Madden: 35% off $59.95 and free shipping with coupon code CYBER35 on 11/30.  30% off and free shipping with coupon code MADDEN30 until 12/7 or 25% off and free shipping with coupon code MADDEN25 until 12/7.

Timberland: $20 off $100 and free shipping with coupon code CYBERMON until 12/1.

Urban Outfitters: 20% off $100 with coupon code GIFTED until 12/15.  Free shipping on $75 with coupon code FREEBIRD until 11/30 or 10% off with coupon code MERRYHAPPY until 12/15.

Victoria’s Secret: 20% off with coupon code VSSAVE20 until 12/2 (excludes Ugg & Frye).

Wet Seal: 20% off siteweide and free shipping on $15 on 11/30. Get 20% off 1 item with code WS4420 until 12/24.

It’s worth noting that every coupon code or discount has exclusions, so the item you want to purchase may or may not be eligible.  Also, sales or coupons can end early or be discontinued at any time, so be sure to verify your discount before completing checkout.  This list will be maintained until the end of the day on Cyber Monday, which is 11/30/09.  Happy shoe shopping!

Piperlime is having quite the sweet sale (hence the name Sweet Deal Event), that takes 30% off a selection of shoes.  You’ll find boots, flats, heels, sneakers, Rachel Zoe picks and more in this sale, but I have to say I’m all about the boots on this one.  Work the OTK boot trend with this Chinese Laundry Nikka in gray, which is marked down from $160 to $109.50.  As always, shipping is free.  Sale ends 10/25/09.

Piperlime doesn’t offer coupon codes all that often, so it’s a treat when they do…which must be why their current coupon code is TREAT and takes 20% off your order.  The code applies to shoes and handbags and even sale items (not Final Sale), but it’s for three days only.  As always, shipping is free.  Speaking of plaid shoes, the exquisite Betsey Johnson Karatta plaid boot is reduced from $235 to $188 after coupon.  Expiration: 9/23/09

Lucky for us, spring shoe sales often pop up as fast as spring flowers, but they can also wilt just as quickly.  That’s why we’re going to do a rundown of all the current shoe sales, so you can pick your savings before they run out.  Here’s the lowdown: 

Guess.com: Get a cool 50% off all of their hot sale shoes using coupon code EXTRA50 at checkout.  I’ve been checking out this woven, huarache-style Guess Laos pair, which is reduced to $45 from $89.99 after coupon.  Expires 4/8/09.

DSW: Get an additional 30% off all clearance styles by using their SPRING30 coupon code.  There are plenty of options to choose from, but one notable one is this Max Studio Xian Reptile Sandal, a DSW online exclusive that’s $69.96 after discount.  If you’re a Rewards Member, apply code FSDSW to get free shipping on orders $29 or more.  Expires 4/13/09.

Macys: During their latest One Day Sale, you can get 40-60% off your purchase, including shoes.  Their regularly-priced shoes are all on sale, but get extra good savings on clearance shoes, which are reduced an additional 25%.  You can try out something ultra-dramatic with this Nine West Bolero gladiator sandal, which is $51.97 (originally $99). Expires 4/8/09.

6pm: Their latest super sale is applied to a selection of Nine West shoes, which are reduced to $14.95.  That’s up to 80% off these pairs and there are currently about 65 to choose from.  They also offer Bouquets shoes for $12.95 this week.

Saks: Get a $100 gift card with any $500 shoe purchase by applying coupon code SHOE9 at checkout.  Some brands are excluded.  Expires 4/12/09.

Gap Inc. Brands: Save 30% on new arrivals at Gap, Banana Republic or Old Navy when you use their NEW30 coupon code until 4/9/09.  Plus, you can save at Piperlime too.  Coupon code SAVE will yield 10% off $125 and 15% off $175 until 5/3/09.  Shipping is free on orders $150 or more from any of the stores, but Piperlime orders always ship free.

That’s all for now.  Happy shoe shopping!

There are plenty of sales and coupons being offered this weekend, which can significantly discount your shoe purchase at any of these online stores.  Here’s the rundown of some of the best savings:

Macy’s One Day Sale Get 20-50% off anything at Macy’s today and tomorrow, including their selection of regularly-priced shoes. Plus, an extra 25% off is taken off all clearance shoes (prices shown reflect the discount).  Expiration: 3/21/09

JCPenney Spring Sale Nearly every style of women’s shoes is on sale during the Spring Sale with special savings on select pairs in their Huge Sale. Then, apply coupon code STYLISH to get $10 off $50 or $15 off $75 at checkout.  Outlet items and some brands are excluded.  Expiration: 3/21/09

JJill Extra 25% off sale items The sale shoes at JJill are already-reduced up to 60%, but you get an extra 25% off these items automatically at checkout.  Choose from over 100 pairs in their sale section or from their selection of outlet shoes, which are reduced by up to 70%.  Expiration: 3/22/09

Piperlime Extra 15% off Final Sale Hurry over to Piperlime to check out their Final Sale, which is a selection of their most heavily discounted pairs, and get another 15% off using coupon code SECRET at checkout.  Coupon code EXCLUSIVE yields a free tote with any $100 purchase. No returns or exchanges are allowed on Final Sale items.  Expiration: 3/20/09

Victoria’s Secret Extra 40% off one clearance item Select your size to check out the clearance shoes at Victoria’s Secret, then use coupon code SAVE40 to get an extra 40% any one item.  Expiration: 3/22/09

6pm Nine West Sale Get up to 80% off Nine West shoes while 6pm offers almost every pair for just $19.95 each.  Sale expires 3/22/09

Kohls 15% off coupon Get an additional 15% off any Kohls purchase this weekend, including shoes, when you apply coupon code SAVE15PASS at checkout. The discount is on top of the sale prices they already offer and shipping is free on $100 or more. Expiration: 3/21/09

Happy shoe shopping!

Today’s surprise at Piperlime is definitely a shoe lover’s dream - free shoes.  Enter today for a chance to win a year’s worth of footwear.  That means you’ll get a $250 gift card every month from the retailer, which adds up to $3,000.  That’s quite a lot of shoes.  I guess the only problem would be deciding which pairs to get each month - so many choices and decisions to make!  But, let’s face it - we could all handle that.

Piperlime is having a little fun this week by offering daily treats, like yesterday’s Hidden Clover contest.  Today’s surprise is a free and exclusive spring style guide from stylist Rachel Zoe with any purchase.  It should be an interesting read, as Rachel will share her take on “tips, trends and fashion secrets” for hot spring style.  She definitely makes her celebrity clients look fab and I loved her reality show The Rachel Zoe Project (can’t wait for season 2!), so all I have to say is ”Bananas!” and “I die!”.  This promo ends 3/18/09.

If you are already a power-browser of Piperlime shoes, it just might pay off for you today.  As a St. Patrick’s Day promo, Piperlime has placed a hidden clover on their site which, if found, yields a $25 Piperlime gift card.  So, just do what comes naturally (i.e. shop for shoes) and your next Piperlime order could be $25 lighter.  Contest ends 3/17/09.

Did you know Glamour magazine is turning 70 this year?  To celebrate, they are gifting their readers with a series of seven sweepstakes leading up to their big day in April.  With their most current giveaway, they show they clearly know what a girl wants and needs: Cute shoes (and lots of them).  They are awarding a whopping $7,000 in free shoes from Piperlime to one lucky winner and five other winners will receive one pair of shoes each.  You can enter at Glamour.com once per day until March 9, 2009.

You can also win big at Neiman Marcus with their Christian Louboutin Shopping Spree Sweepstakes, which will award one person $3,000 in shoes from the luxury designer.  You enter by signing up for their email list and you get up to five additional entries by referring friends to register.  Submit your entry by 3/18/09 at 8 am CT.

Finally, Saks Fifth Avenue is giving away a $1,500 gift card, which can be spent on new shoes, when you sign-up at their site.  Submit one entry per day until 3/9/09 at 10 am ET.

Good luck to everyone that enters!

The current Lime Tag Sale at Piperlime takes up to 50% off select items, including these women’s shoes.  Now you can get another 20% off these sale prices when you apply coupon code EXTRA at checkout.  Shipping is always free.  Expiration: 1/24/09

The Mia Mabel t-strap pump in plum or cream is available at Piperlime for $29.99.  This pair has a nice 40’s vintage vibe to it and I like how the cutouts go across the vamp and up the t-strap.  Free shipping is also included.

If you need the purple pair quicker, Endless has them for $29.90 with free overnight shipping.  The cream pair is $59.95.

All orders at Piperlime.com get free shipping and free returns, no code required.  Expiration: Ongoing

The Lime Tag Sale is going on right now at Piperlime.com, taking up to 50% off select women’s shoes.  As always, free shipping applies to every order, but if you plan on purchasing any item from Gap, Old Navy or Banana Republic, you get free shipping when you add a Piperlime item using coupon code SHIPPL until January 31, 2009.