Shoe Pick of the Week - "Lily Ann" by Saugus Shoe

"Lily Ann" is from the Special Occasions collection by Saugus Shoe. It is a gorgeous dyeable white satin wedge embellished with rhinestones and crystals. Also available in white or ivory silk, it comes in sizes 5-10 & 11.

For brides that are not accustomed to wearing high heels, this is a great alternative because the wedge will give them height along with comfort. This shoe is also ideal for outdoor weddings because the heel does not sink into the grass like stilettos.

You can view other Special Occasions shoes on our site or by visiting Saugus Shoe.

Shoe Dyeing Tips

Many brides will want their bridesmaids to have their shoes dyed to match their gowns (or maybe even their own). While there are some do-it-yourself kits on the market, we strongly recommend that you have a professional shoe dyer handle this process for you. Many large department stores have a shoe department that will offer this service as do most local shoe repair shops. The cost usually ranges from $5 - $15.

Here are a few tips to consider to ensure the best results:

• Provide a swatch of material that is at least 1" x 1". Advise dyer which side of fabric color should be matched to. Be aware that colors may vary slightly due to fabric variations.
• Shoes are normally dyed to inside light unless other specified, so please sure to indicate if shoes are for an outside wedding. Most shoes dyed to outside light will not match inside.
• Have all shoes dyed at the same time to avoid variations in dye lots.
• Shoe dyes (excluding manufacturer's "color-fast" dyes) are water soluble and will bleed or stain if exposed to moisture. Ask about waterproofing options.

Shoes purchased from one of our manufacturers can be dyed prior to shipping. Coloriffics offers an online color selector chart to pre-select your color without sending in a swatch. This comes in handy when you are pressed for time and need your shoes in a hurry. For the other manufacturers (including Coloriffics), you can send in a swatch for a more custom match. The turnaround time is generally 3-5 business days (plus shipping time).

During the month of July, we offered shoe dyeing services at no extra charge. Our customers were so pleased with this option that we will probably continue this for at least another month. Please call us for details if you are interested.

Free Shipping!

For shipments within the continental US, UPS ground shipping is free (minimum order of $10). Expedited shipping (UPS 2nd Day for $25.00 and 3-Day for $15.00) is also available on in-stock items. It's a good idea to check with us to make sure the shoes are in stock before choosing this option. Also, in some cases, expedited shipping may not be necessary depending upon where you live. Most of our manufacturers are located on the East Coast, so delivery is normally made within about 3 days to addresses in the north and south east parts of the country. Contact us and advise us as to your wear date, and we can recommend the best method of delivery at the best price.

We have also recently begun shipping worldwide with the following flat rates:

• UPS Standard to Canada: $15.00
• USPS First Class International: $15.00
• USPS Priority Mail International: $25.00 (6-10 days)
  
• USPS Express Mail International: $40.00 (3-5 days)

International shipments normally leave our warehouse within 3-5 business days, so please advise us of your wear date so that we can make sure we select the most appropriate shipping method to ensure timely delivery.

An Introduction to Wedding Party Shoes

By way of introduction, my name is Karen, and I am the owner of Wedding Party Shoes. My "store" is located in Raleigh, NC, but I ship my products worldwide. Although I do not currently have a brick and mortar storefront, I will occasionally meet with local patrons to show them samples or arrange for returns.

Like many other online bridal retailers, I offer top names like Coloriffics, Saugus Shoe, Colorful Creations, Nina, Touch Ups, and Alisha Hill. I think my prices are competitive, if not better, than most of my competitors, but I think that what sets me apart is my dedication to customer service.

Don't get me wrong, I'm in this to make money just like everyone else. But sometimes the needs of the customer come before the bottom line. Let me give you an example. Yesterday, a customer called because she was trying to find a particular style of shoe for her wedding in November. She had called several other places first and was told that her size was out of stock. When I spoke with her, I, too, confirmed that the style was out of stock at the manufacturer as well as my limited in-store stock, but rather than let her hang up and continue to be frustrated, I tried to offer some alternatives, such as the same style but with a higher heel. That was not an option for her, but then I suggested that she order the same style but in a different color (which WERE in stock) so that she would at least have the shoes for her dress fitting. Then by the time of her wedding, the color that she wanted would be back in stock and she could exchange the shoes. She thought that was a fabulous idea and could not have been happier. For me, I will lose money on the return, but the bride is now able to relax and worry about something else on her list.

I may not be able to compete with zappos.com and shoebuy.com when it comes to number of shoes sold per day, but I can give them a run for their money on customer service any day of the week!

Have a great weekend!
Karen
karen@weddingpartyshoes.com
http://weddingpartyshoes.com