bridesmaid gifts

Do custom bridal shoes come more fabulous than this? Get Knotted was bowled over by these delectable bridal shoes from Figgie Shoes. The company is the brainchild of artist Deborah Thomson, who specialises in custom hand-painted shoes that are unique artworks in their own right.

Deborah works to your own ideas, motifs and images – the more creative and eclectic, the better – and hand-paints a wonderfully individual design that you’ll treasure forever. Previous brides have requested flowers, rings, names and dates, an ice cream cone, lyrics to personal songs, favourite dogs, and even the Trevi Fountain! There are no limits – as long as there’s an area to paint!

The artist describes her shoes as ‘ridiculously personal – their purpose is to try and explain, in picture and personality, who YOU are, to anyone who happens to be looking’.

Almost any style of shoe can be transformed by Figgie’s art, whether heels, flats or slippers, satin or leather. The only exception is patent leather, which doesn’t take paint well. You can either send your own chosen shoes, or Figgie can supply them, though this will mean you can’t try them on before painting. The great news is, she also creates shoes for non-brides, and well as adorable Figgie Footsies for babies and toddlers…

As Bette Midler said, ‘give a girl the correct footwear, and she can conquer the world!’ Click for more fun ideas and personal touches for your wedding.

Visit Figgie Shoes and Figgie’s Flickr gallery for more fabulous custom bridal shoes.

Lindsey Hunter of Get Knotted is a wedding planner for Scotland and the north of England. She’s the in-house wedding planner for four lovely Scottish wedding venues: Mellerstain House, Aikwood Tower, Hoscote Estate, and the Buccleuch Arms Hotel. For more wedding inspiration, visit our gallery.

Vintage-inspired weddings are a huge trend that looks like staying with us for a long time to come, so I was delighted to discover London-based company Lovely Favours offering deliciously pretty wedding favours and gifts with a vintage theme.

Lovely Favours specialises in hand-crafted stationery made using beautiful vintage prints, set off with unusual ribbons, lace, pearls, brooches and buckles.

Their stationery collections include save the date cards, invitations, table plans and names, order of services and favours to carry your chosen theme throughout the day. Everything is tailored to your wedding, so the tone and styling can be fun, formal or luxurious.

They also have pretty vintage props and accessory ideas with a theatrical flair – perfect for setting a romantic mood at your vintage wedding! Click for more ideas on a vintage wedding theme.

Visit the Lovely Favours website, email Lovely Favours or ring 020 8969 6650 for more vintage wedding ideas.

Lindsey Hunter of Get Knotted is a wedding planner for Scotland and the north of England. She’s the in-house wedding planner for four lovely Scottish wedding venues: Mellerstain House, Aikwood Tower, Hoscote Estate, and the Buccleuch Arms Hotel. For more wedding inspiration, visit our gallery.

I’m a great fan of vintage wedding style and pretty objects that make good wedding gifts, so it was great to come across the Very Fabulous online boutique. It’s run by award-winning wedding stylists Cindy Kirkland and Kim Neville, whose motto is ‘there’s always a place for something fabulous in one’s life’. Couldn’t agree more!

The creative duo have more than 15 years’ combined experience in styling beautiful events, and have just launched an online mail order service selling all their most gorgeous finds, including wedding gifts and treats for mothers and bridesmaids. Everything has been chosen to be used and treasured long after the day itself.

Unusual finds in their online range include a handcrafted memory board to display trinkets and souvenirs, wooden love blocks and beautiful love votives.

Cindy and Kim have spent the past year scouring for undiscovered treasures in the UK and internationally, and there’s plenty of temptation on their site, even if you’re not planning a wedding – so be warned!

Visit the Very Fabulous website (edit: currently site not available – June 2012), or click for more vintage wedding ideas from Get Knotted.

Lindsey Hunter of Get Knotted is a wedding planner for Scotland and the north of England. She’s the in-house wedding planner for four lovely Scottish wedding venues: Mellerstain House, Aikwood Tower, Hoscote Estate, and the Buccleuch Arms Hotel. For more wedding inspiration, visit our gallery.