The Wedding A-List: Perfect Bridal Shoes For Any Budget from Stylist Kathryn Duncan

After you’ve chosen the location, the menu, sent the invitations, chosen your dress, bridesmaid dresses and finally your partner, what’s next on your wedding planning to do list? Yes that’s right, it’s time to focus on yourself and most importantly your wedding accessories! After your dress, your chosen bridal accessories can really compliment your wedding look and also your wedding theme. You can add so much of ‘you’ to your wedding outfit through your accessories, throwing tradition to one side. Today I’m going to talk about bridal wedding shoes. The next best thing after choosing your dress. These are the shoes that will walk you into the next stage of your life, the slippers of a lifetime!

On that note, I’m going to recommend the best wedding footwear to walk you down the aisle and into a lifetime of happiness from high street to designer for whatever your budget may be.

HIGH STREET BRIDAL SHOES

I love adding some extra colour to wedding outfit with some colourful shoes. These coral pink Topshop heels add a gorgeous pop of colour that’s almost good enough to eat. Also a complete steal at £49! The block heel also means you will be able to walk all day and dance all night in total comfort. Who wants to be in pain on their wedding day?

Redemption Pink Sandals, Topshop, £49

If colour isn’t your thing, these Topshop Satine square toe heels could be the perfect option. Being white in colour is the only traditional element to these shoes. The barely there see through strap is super modern and contemporary, perfect for the modern bride. Finish off the look with a white pedicure, or a contrasting colour tropical/ acid colour toes. Also available in lime green and coral for those who don’t see in black and white.

Satine Square Toe Sandals, Topshop, £34

I can’t get over how adorable these modern Cinderella style Be Mine Bridal Honor glitter sandals are. For a latter day take on fairytale slippers, these ASOS heels will make you feel the belle of the ball! The low heel and ankle tie are great design features to keep you both comfortable and princess like.

Be Mine Bridal Honor Ivory Satin Glitter Mid Heeled Shoes, ASOS, £29.99

Another great option from ‘Be Mine Bridal’ are these Lylie silver metallic diamanté strap barely there sandals. With a design far beyond their price point, these heels will suppress any fashion gal’s label hunger. Perfect for the sexy and sophisticated bride. These heels would also seriously compliment a non-traditional bridal pantsuit.

Be Mine Bridal Lylie Silver Metallic Diamanté Strap Barely There Sandals, ASOS, £34.99

I love the romantic feel of these ASOS barely their ribbon tie sandals. So beautifully simple in a gorgeous ivory satin you’ll be whisked away to the fantasy wedding look of your dreams.

ASOS DESIGN Hollis Barely There Heeled Sandals, ASOS, £28

MID-PRICED BRIDAL SHOES

For those brides who are looking for a step up in bridal footwear (literally) from the high street but aren't ready to enter the designer brand market I’ve selected some mid-priced bridals heels for you.

These Carvela block heels have a luxurious feel without the high-end price tag. With just the right amount of embellishment these shoes will easily compliment any wedding dress.

Gita, Carvela, £99

I adore these Dune Magick Star Embellished sandals! Available in Rose-gold and silver leather they will guarantee you shine as the star of the day.

Magick Rose Gold Star Embellished High Heel Sandal, Dune, £76 (down from £95 in sale)

Dune has another beautiful shoe I highly recommend. With embellishment in the style of shoe designer heavyweights, they will elevate your look to high wedding heavens

Marvelle Ivory Cross Strap Diamanté Stiletto Heel, Dune, £200 (down from £250 in sale)

HIGH END BRIDAL SHOES

Last but not least, for those brides who are celebrating with the crème de la crème of fashion, here are my high-end bridal shoe picks.

From my favourite designers no less, these Dolce & Gabbana crystal embellished lace pumps are the epitome of Italian glamour. They will take you down the aisle and beyond; they can be styled in so many ways.

Bellucci Crystal Embellished Lace Pumps, Dolce & Gabbana, £645

From the King of shoe design, I’m obsessed with these Hangisi White Satin heels by Manolo Blahnik. Yes, they are the white version of the iconic Sex and the City Carrie/Big proposal Manolos. If they are good enough for Carrie to say yes to….

HANGISI BRIDE White Satin Jewel Buckle Pumps, Manolo Blahnik, £775

Now for the ultimate in bridal footwear from the design genius Jimmy Choo. I would completely understand if you only wanted to display these pearl encrusted beauties in a glass case rather than wear them!

SACORA 100 White Satin Sandals with All Over Pearls, Jimmy Choo, £1295

To find out more about Kathryn Duncan, check out her website or follow Kathryn Duncan Stylist and Kathryn Duncan Jewellery on Instagram.

WINTER WEDDING GUEST STYLE FROM KATHRYN DUNCAN

The Wedding A-list- Winter Wedding Guest Style

https://www.theweddingalist.com/blog/winter-wedding-guest-style-from-stylist-kathryn-duncan?fbclid=IwAR2TC2ckff2iXwuYfRPblYwds-6BnHHMZKINGMZANBcLtIV99gCQDZNzlpU

More and more couples are choosing to get married over the festive period, so we asked out favourite stylist, Kathryn Duncan, to pick out the perfect wedding guest looks for winter weddings -

It only seemed like yesterday we were drinking in summer beer gardens, coveting this season’s latest sunnies and spending every night wondering if Laura will get ‘mugged off’ yet again (yes I’m referencing Love Island - as if I need to make that clear). All of a sudden, the summer of fun is over, it’s windy and cold and we’re packing away the bikinis and pulling out the sweaters. Yes, the Autumn/Winter season is upon us. In fashion terms this has to be my favourite season. Sumptuous leather boots, plush cashmere sweaters and delicious winter coats, ‘tis the things style dreams are made of. The winter season provides a rich array of colour palettes and textures to dress in and play with.

It seems brides have woken up to the style merits of the winter season, with the current trend of winter and festive weddings. I can most definitely see the appeal; cosy romantic venues, flattering candle light, faux fur accessories and an excuse for even more wedding sparkle. With that said, I’m here to help you, the wedding guest, navigate the vast array of party dresses out there, separate the glamour from the ghastly, and get winter wedding ready.

Here are my takes on the perfect winter wedding outfits:

ANIMAL PRINT

Animal Print has had a huge moment this Autumn/Winter season, and personally I can’t get enough. From zebra to leopard and my all time favourite snakeskin, animal print can do no wrong. It’s also my go to for a winter wedding. Animal print is sexy and glamorous without needing a bright or over the top pattern colour. The neutral colour palette also flatters most skin tones.

As well as zebra, leopard and snakeskin, tiger print is also having its time in the spotlight.

I adore this Topshop satin slip dress:

Striking just the right amount of wedding glamour, this dress is perfect for the glowing romance of a winter wedding. Team it with a faux fur jacket and contrasting shoes in burgundy or green for a flawless look.

This dress is crying out for statement earrings, try these 1980’s vintage pair:

VELVET JUMPSUIT

Velvet is another huge trend this Autumn/Winter season. Why not incorporate this ‘touch me’ fabric into your wedding guest outfit? It’s sumptuous, rich and an ideal texture for a winter wedding. I love the deep green colour and retro vibe of this Zara halter neck velvet jumpsuit:

Belted jumpsuit, £69.99, Zara

Style it with this gorgeous winter white cape jacket (such a great, dressy alternative to a blazer):

White cape blazer, £22, Pretty Little Thing

Finish this look with a pair of platform metallic sandals and a clutch for retro wedding glam.

It’s my firm belief a wedding guest outfit should be appropriate to style for other occasions. The good news about this jumpsuit is that it will double as your New Year’s Eve outfit. Hooray!

BLACK

It used to be the hard and fast rule that wearing black to a wedding was the ultimate no-no. Just like many other traditional social norms, the dress code has changed. Black is wedding outfit best! It’s just the most sophisticated colour that exists (no arguments) and flatters basically everyone. It’s also a brilliant canvas to add some rich berry/pink or red accents on your nails and lips.

I’m obsessed with this Topshop Boutique satin top and PJ trouser look:

Adalia batwing top, £85, Topshop Boutique

Adalia PJ style trousers, £85, Topshop Boutique

The satin fabric compliments black perfectly, and you’ll look like you’ve arrived in flowing liquid ink.

It also allows you to style this to your personal taste with some colourful accessories. I would add these Zara fringe earrings for some 1920’s opulence:

Metal fringe dangle earrings, £15.99, Zara

Finish the look with these Topshop Pink Gloss Mules - you can thank me later:

Gloss pointed mules, £85, Topshop

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VINTAGE ACCESSORIES FOR STYLISH BRIDES- KATHRYN DUNCAN MEETS NEVER NOT RETRO'S ARIANNA RECCHIONE

The Wedding A-List:

https://www.theweddingalist.com/blog/vintage-accessories-for-stylish-brides-kathryn-duncan-meets-never-not-retro-s-arianna-recchione?fbclid=IwAR1vr7EvZ89p3v7OYDfE0ODy-nP9FrJwHHmu8CjpbOq9sENsxumml_cxqM4

Vintage Accessories for Stylish Brides: Kathryn Duncan meets Never Not Retro's Arianna Recchione

When it comes to styling your wedding bridal outfit (I say outfit as there is so much more than the dress!) it’s the details that matter. After you’ve spent days, weeks or even months choosing the perfect wedding dress that’s going to make you feel spectacular, there’s so much more to think about. Shoes, jewellery, and there’s the question of headwear. Veil or no veil? Floral hair accessories or a vintage hair slide? Or a bridal headband? Personally I’d opt for the latter, every Queen needs her crown…

When it comes to bridal accessories my favourite designer has to be Arianna Recchione, owner and creator of vintage accessories label, Never Not Retro.

Based in New Jersey, USA Arianna handcrafts gorgeous bridal crowns and headbands that would bring any princess bride fantasies to a beautiful reality.

I caught up with Arianna and asked her a few questions about her accessories line and her design inspirations:

Can you describe your design process from point of inspiration to creating your realised accessory?

I allow my design process to be very organic and fluid. I never go “searching” for inspiration—I typically see a small detail somewhere— whether it is a natural element, a vintage accessory that catches my eye, or even photos from the past. I allow said intrigue to be expressed through designing a new piece.

Have you always been creative and interested in jewellery and accessory design?

Always creative! My favourite ‘toy’ when I was little was a book with a pop out paper doll whose outfits you could mix and match. I always thought I wanted to work in styling or fashion marketing until I started casually playing around with millinery design. That is what propelled me into the accessory design world!

Where do you normally look for inspiration from?

I look at lot to past decade trends—right now I am loving the ornate, over-sized statement accessories from the 1990s. I have also always loved my mother’s style. I will draw on photos of her from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s for design inspiration. I’m all for a trend revival (hence my brand name!).

What is it about bridal accessories you particularly enjoy designing and making?

I love bridal design the most! It is romantic, ethereal, decadent. With bridal looks, accessories can absolutely change the whole aesthetic of the bride. An ornate, gold floral headpiece can make a simple dress look regal. I really love the power and weight accessories have in that sense.

It must be such a rewarding feeling seeing a bride wear one of your crowns on her wedding day! How does it feel for you?

It reminds me all over again why I chose the career path I did. It is, hands down, the most satisfying moment as a designer. Everyone knows how important a wedding day is to a woman—so when a bride wears one of my designs is a surreal and indescribable feeling.

What kind of materials do you normally use to produce you’re bridal accessories?

I order specialty organza and silk ribbon from Austria for the base. I then visit the garment district in New York City to acquire various gems and emblems for bridal headpieces.

Can you produce bespoke bridal jewellery/ crowns?

Yes! Custom work is predominantly the bulk of my bridal business.

Are there any A/W18 trends brides should look out for in their accessories?

Always! Bridal accessory trends this year have been very romantic and whimsical. We are seeing a lot of floral comb details as well as shoulder bows. Bridal crowns are also still trending globally. We love a regal bride!

What’s next for Never Not Retro?

We are currently working on a partnership with a Los Angeles brand to design a bespoke earring for their December collection. Stay tuned!

What’s your current favourite piece from your collection?

We are obsessed with the Grecian Double Row Gold Headpiece. It is a statement accessory for a fashion-forward bride!

Shop Arianna’s divine bridal and other accessories on Etsy and follow her on Instagram.

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SUMMER WEDDING GUEST STYLE FROM STYLIST KATHRYN DUNCAN

THE WEDDING A-LIST- SUMMER WEDDING GUEST STYLE

https://www.theweddingalist.com/blog/summer-wedding-guest-style-from-stylist-kathryn-duncan

Looking for some fashion inspiration? Well, I have amazing news for you! The Wedding A-List has teamed up with stylist extraordinaire Kathryn Duncan, who is going to be picking out the coolest, most stylish looks for any occasion. In a regular series of guest blog posts, Kathryn is going to be tackling every possible wedding related fashion dilemma and sharing her expert picks from the high street.

Kathryn is an Edinburgh based personal stylist and jewellery designer. Having worked for celebs from Leona Lewis to J-Lo (yep, actual J-Lo!) she now offers affordable, bespoke personal styling to get you looking and feeling your best. She offers services including personal shopping trips where she'll help you nail your personal brand and find the perfect new outfits, to wardrobe edits where she gets your existing wardrobe working for you - clearing out the trash and styling exciting new looks from the key pieces you already own (OMG I NEED THIS!). Whether you need an outfit for a specific occasion or have just lost your style mojo and need to breathe a new lease of life into your wardrobe,Kathryn is the woman for the job. And she's utterly lovely too so you'll have a blast working with her! Don't worry if you're not Edinburgh based either, as she offers a brilliant online shopping service for clients further afield!

Not only is she a genius personal stylist, Kathryn is also a talented jewellery designer - so if you need the perfect accessory check out Kathryn Duncan Jewellery for beautiful gold plated, sterling silver pieces with gorgeous gemstones and semi-precious stones.

Anyway, today Kathryn is tackling the tricky subject of what to wear to a summer wedding. Whether you're heading to a chic city wedding, a festival themed wedding extravaganza or a beautiful country wedding, Kathryn has picked the perfect looks to make sure you'll be the best dressed guest at any wedding! Over to Kathryn...

It’s officially summer. Finally, after months of grey, damp cold, it’s time to rip off that cardigan and bask in the glorious sunshine (make the most of it!). Of course, with the summer season being the most popular to tie the knot, you probably have at least one wedding to attend over the coming months. Are you dusting off a pile of save the dates and invites with a furrowed brow and increased sense of panic? Yes, weddings of loved ones are the most joyous of occasions, full of celebration, fun and hope, however, they can also be completely anxiety inducing - and not just for the bride.

Undoubtedly you’ll be meeting friends and family you haven’t seen for years, and yes, there is a strong possibility your ex will be there with his new girlfriend. It’s imperative that you not only look good in your chosen apparel, but you feel good too. In other words, your outfit and wedding style need to be on point. It’s super challenging to hit the right note and even tone with wedding outfits. Your outfit has to be daywear appropriate, yet dressy enough to celebrate the occasion, but sexy and evening are out - so nothing too short or revealing. With that being said, you also want to look as stunning as possible – without upstaging the bride of course! Just to throw another crux in, the traditional wedding seems to be becoming a thing of the past. No longer requested to arrive at the church no later than 9am, your invites might ask you to dance all night at a festival themed wedding, walk barefoot on a Tuscan beach or climb a mountain for the ceremony at the top. Millennials are famous for their innovative ideas!

How do you even begin to tick all those boxes with one outfit? Fear not! With an overwhelming amount of colourful options available on the high street, I’m going to help you filter through the chatter and noise, provide some clarity, and some hopefully inspiring wedding guest outfits. They won’t all be floral, I promise!

City wedding

Summer in the city can be tough to dress for (shorts is my scary word!) - negotiating the heat and pollution whilst still looking cool and chic. So how do you dress for a stylish summer wedding in the city? I would say this setting allows you to be edgy and fashion forward and show off some less traditional wedding attire.

This is the perfect excuse to push the boundaries and try an empowering pantsuit. Two great options from my high street saviour Mango, in gorgeous summer sorbet shades -

Double breasted structured blazer in light/pastel purple, £69.99, Mango

Modal suit trousers in light/pastel purple, £35.99, Mango

Modal blend suit blazer in khaki or burnt orange, £69.99, Mango

Modal suit trousers in khaki or burnt orange, £35.99, Mango

Dresses can reflect your rebellious, edgy side (not a floral in sight!). I love this Topshop polka dot puff sleeve dress -

Puff sleeve polka dot mini dress, £49, Topshop

Team with bright and eye-catching accessories for a bold statement, like these jewel green drop earrings from independent designer, Alexandra Alberta -

Lexington Green Chalcedony Earrings, £290, Alexandra Alberta at Wolf & Badger

Festival Wedding

A festival theme is such a happy and fun theme I wouldn’t hold back when it comes to your look! Be as bright and colourful as possible and compliment the celebratory, party vibe with your outfit.

I adore this bright take on a floral print with this maxi dress from & Other Stories -

Floral printed dress, £89, & Other Stories

Sequins make for a great playful wedding option. Topshop have reinvented floral print with these 90’s style sequin dresses. The soft silver and bronze make them a perfect option for a festival themed wedding -

Petite embroidered bronze cowl bodycon dress, £29, Topshop

Mirrored flower sequin slip dress, £36, Topshop

If there’s ever an excuse to wear flowers in your hair it’s a festival themed wedding. I love these ASOS floral accessories for some whimsical romance -

ASOS DESIGN occasion cream faux leather floral headband, £8 in sale (full price is £12), ASOS

Dark Bloom blossom clip, £15, Her Curious Nature at ASOS

Country Wedding

Compliment the idyllic setting of summer countryside wedding with these Topshop (never fails) takes on traditional floral prints. Look for interesting fabric combinations and embellishment for an updated country wedding. These Topshop dresses combine embroidery with mesh, un-matching floral embellishment with a gorgeous rose print. There’s no need to be a wallflower!

Rose print dress, £125, Topshop

Midi flower mesh dress, £95, Topshop

To find out more about Kathryn Duncan, check out her website or follow Kathryn Duncan Stylist and Kathryn Duncan Jewellery on Instagram.