Bridal Accessories

(BNN) The bride has chosen the perfect gown; the bridesmaids are delighted with their flattering dresses; and the bride's parents are beaming with pride, all set for their daughter's flower-bedecked nuptials.

So now there is only one priority--and that is, for the bride to turn her attention to herself, and the myriad personal details that can make or break her big day, during the walk down the aisle, the reception receiving line, or the hours of socializing and dancing. Two concerns are of special importance: She'll want to be sure her beautiful gown stays in place, and that her feet can withstand all the festive stress.

Regarding the former, if she is one of the many brides who choose a strapless gown (still the No. 1 bridal silhouette), she'll want to be sure she is wearing the perfect underpinning. Expert advice on this concern is offered by Mara Urshel, president of Kleinfeld Bridal (kleinfeldbridal.com), the famous New York store (recently relocated from Brooklyn to Manhattan). Says she:

"Depending on the fabric, a strapless bustier--a bra that extends to the waist--is suggested. We recommend a bustier for everyone because it holds the dress shape better, makes the bride feel more comfortable and secure, and avoids wrinkles in the bodice."

Shoes to Tango

Another key bridal accessory--shoes--can make or break the big day. Therefore, along with underpinning, it's of utmost importance for the bride literally to put feet first when planning her wedding. Shoes, while providing the perfect finishing touch to the bride's exquisite wedding gown, should also be chosen for ease and comfort.

"Shoes designed for dancers are the perfect solution," says Robin Tara, owner/designer of Maine-based Tara Tango shoes (taratangoshoes.com). "After all, dancers really stress their feet, spending hours each day in rehearsals, practice, and classes."

Ms. Tara began designing shoes in 1999 after discovering that many dancers couldn't find high-quality, comfortable footwear. She has her hand-fashioned shoes made in Uruguay. Several styles, colors, and finishes are available to choose from, offering brides a combination of sophisticated style and super comfort. Designed in a range of soft kid leathers, some with metallic touches, and suedes, her high-heeled, padded shoes with natural leather soles are ideal for ballroom dancing--including that most demanding of formal dances, the tango.

As her company name suggests, Robin Tara is herself a tango aficionado who has taken classes in the dance, and formally studied its origins, in its Argentine birthplace of  Buenos Aires. Not only is the elegant dance a stress-test of comfortable shoes, she says. Robin also sees an almost mystical relationship between the tango and a wedding-ceremony itself. Says she: "Like a wedding, the tango is not just a series of prescribed steps. It's the feeling of moving with another body, in synch, in concert, in harmony, with communication and trust."

Concerning the overall importance of bridal accessories, Robin sums it up thus: "From the walk down the aisle to the last wedding-reception dance, brides should feel totally comfortable, from their toes to their tiara."

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