Ask a Planner... "Shoe Deprived Bride"

Hi Geneve!

Okay, so what’s the deal with shoes in Vancouver?  I can't for the life of me find a decent pair of wedding shoes in this city!  I’ve tried Holt Renfrew (LOVE LOVE LOVE, but I can’t afford a $1000.00 for a pair of shoes I will only wear once), Robson Street…Pacific Centre... Where else do brides go?  And don’t say online cause I don’t buy shoes or clothing online as I’ve been disappointed too many times. With thanks!

Melia a "Shoe Deprived" Bride

Hello Shoe Deprived...

This is a super common Vancouver (and Canadian) Wedding dilemma!!  I wish I had $100.00 for every time a bride has asked this question over the past 12 years… I’d be rich and have the closet of shoes to show for it! :O)  Seriously though… it can feel like Vancouver is completely devoid of any really great shoe shops, but you just need to know where to look and get a little creative! Typically the “wedding dress shops” around town carry a very small selection of mostly traditional “wedding boats” – aka boxy satin pumps, but these days brides tend to want chic, shoestopping (hee hee), modern styles so… If the coveted Urban Bride “go to” Holts is above your price point than try your luck with these:

• The Bay Downtown http://www2.hbc.com/en/index.shtml  **You wouldn’t think it, but they have some fabulous designer options these days!
• Bisou Bridal http://www.bisoubridal.com **Small selection, but classic and elegant, no “shoe boats” here!
• Stuart Weitzman at Pacific Centre/Oakridge Mall http://www.stuartweitzman.com/  **Satin with big bows – yes please!!
• Jules & Eve in Kerrisdale http://julesandeve.com/  **very pretty shoes, slightly limited selection
• Lords on Granville Street http://www.lordsshoes.ca/ 
•  Anthropologie on Granville http://www.anthropologie.com  **Not a huge formal selection, but the ones that they do have are sparkly and unique!
• Town Shoes http://www.townshoes.com/  **Lower price point, lots of selection
• Ingledew’s http://www.ingledews.com/
• John Fluevog http://www.fluevog.com **For the quirky bride that wants to make a statement!

Alternatively…

• Cocopunkz http://cocopunkz.com/ **They make Custom Hand Painted Wedding Shoes and they are local!
• Front & Company on Main Street http://www.frontandcompany.ca  **The have a killer selection of consignment shoes… Could be your “something old” and the best part is they are already broken in!
• If your wedding is not until 2013… You could always try your luck at Army & Navy’s Annual Shoe Sale in April.  It’s pretty amazing!  Over 100,000 shoes under $40!!  

Wedding Planner signing off!  Until next week… keep those questions coming in!  Submit your questions by emailing us at askaplanner@dreamgroup.ca

Cheerio,

Genève 

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Genève McNally, Principal Planner, DreamGroup Productions

Genève first began her wedding career in 1999 as the Catering Manager for one of Vancouver’s most sought after wedding venues, Brock House Restaurant.  In 2004 Genève and college friend Sarah Shore ambitiously started up what is now one of Vancouver's longest running and most trusted wedding planning companies, DreamGroup Productions Inc.

These days, in addition to working with her clients in a full planning capacity, Genève focuses her attention on the sales and marketing aspects of the company and is most often the friendly voice you will chat with when first inquiring with DreamGroup.  Genève is known to inspire and excite both clients and industry associates alike with her exuberant personality and joie de vivre!  Her ability to be refreshingly candid and her in depth knowledge of the wedding industry have earned her the friendly moniker “Two-Cents McNally”.  Genève also teaches the Wedding Planning classes offered through the dg Academy and is the chief correspondent behind DreamGroup's weekly Blog feature Ask a Planner.

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