How to Make Wedding Sneakers

No sky-high stilettos for me -- I wanted to be comfortable during my wedding. Even though some family members were aghast, (my mother-in-law actually threatened not to attend if I wore them) I strutted my stuff with a pair of decorated sneakers underneath my wedding gown. Here's how you can make your own:

1. Find the Right Kind of Sneakers

A good choice would be something like Keds or Grasshoppers, something made of canvas or fabric that you can stick a needle through. I used a pair of white Keds because they were comfortable and didn't have a big fat sole like Sketchers so they could keep a low profile underneath my dress. It also helps if your dress will be floor length, so the sneaks won't show in the formal photos.

2. Decide on a Color and Decorating Scheme

Unless you are feeling inspired by Monet or Jackson Pollock, it helps to plan in advance the kind of scheme you would like. My wedding gown was awash with seed pearls and sequins, and my wedding colors were pink and lavender. So I picked up some pink and lavender seed pearls at a fabric store, along with a thick needle and matching thread. Adding sequins would have made my sneakers too flashy, so I nixed those.

3. Sew Beautiful

I let my muse guide me when I made mine (if you can call a series of curved lines muse-like), but if you're feeling less confident about your creative abilities, it helps to plan out in advance the pattern you would like. For this, a pencil is helpful (press lightly, and don't go too close to the sole as it will be difficult to navigate a needle in and out of this area). Remove the laces and save them for later. Being careful not to stab yourself, sew on the pearls. You can use fabric paint instead of pearls if you prefer. For this, a steady hand or a willing friend helps.

4. The Laces

As I mentioned before, my wedding colors were pink and lavender, so at the same fabric store, I picked out lengths of thin pink and lavender ribbon that matched the length of the sneakers' original shoelaces, plus a few inches more for a touch of flair. I twined one pink and one lavender ribbon together then pinned the ends with a tiny safety pin so they'd fit more easily through the holes. I also picked out a fluffy ribbon to tie into the bow, just for a bit of added flair.

5. Strap Them On and Let Thee Be Wed!

Saying your vows in front of the world is much easier when your feet are comfortable. Now you are free to worry about other things like spilling wine on your dress or the best man flubbing his toast. But try to enjoy your day regardless. Also, make sure you bring along an additional set of "laces" in your emergency kit, in case somebody steps on them while you are dancing or being walked down the aisle. Trust me - it happens.

6. Washing Instructions

To that bridal emergency kit, add a white pencil eraser and a stain stick for sudden "oops." After the wedding, if the shoes are soiled, carefully hand-wash them with mild soap, then stuff with clean, dry paper towels or washcloths and let dry away from heat. When completely dry, wrap in tissue paper and store in the shoebox they came in, preferably in a dry area like a closet. Unlike your gown, your daughter or niece may want to wear these on her wedding day.