Creating Sparkly Wedding Shoes For Your Big Day

If you want to make your wedding shoes stand out, there are several ways to add some sparkle. You can buy wedding shoes with hand-embroidered crystals and sequins, or you can add your own adhesive rhinestones, glitter, or shoe clips. If you're going to add your own bling, start with the centre of the heel and work outwards, using a large rhinestone in the middle and smaller stones around it. You can glue the rhinestones on with E6000 glue, but be sure to allow 24-72 hours for the glue to cure.

How to Make Bling Wedding Shoes

Using rhinestones and adhesive

If you're looking to add some sparkle to your wedding shoes, rhinestones and adhesive are a great way to go. Here's a step-by-step guide to achieving the perfect bling:

Plan Your Design

Before you start gluing, it's a good idea to plan out your design. You can create a pattern or simply start with a large rhinestone in the centre and work your way out with smaller stones. Keep in mind that you can add as many rhinestones as you like, but a more narrow design might be more elegant.

Gather Your Materials

You'll need your chosen adhesive, such as E6000 glue, and your rhinestones. You can find adhesive rhinestones with a backing online, which makes creating a pattern easier as you can move them around before committing.

Start Gluing

This is the most tedious part of the process, but it's worth taking your time. Remove each rhinestone and put a small dab of glue directly on the back. Carefully place the stone back onto the shoe. Repeat this process for your entire design. Turn on some fun music or enlist a friend's help to make the time pass more enjoyably!

Let It Dry

Once all your rhinestones are glued down, it's important to let the glue dry completely. The glue will start setting in around ten minutes, but it will take 24-72 hours to fully cure. Make sure to allow as much time as possible before your wedding day to ensure the stones are secure.

Show Off Your Creations

With your blinged-out wedding shoes now ready, it's time to show them off! Whether it's during your first dance or as you strut down the aisle, your sparkling shoes will add a touch of glamour to your special day.

Adding shoe decals

Here's a step-by-step guide to making and applying your own shoe decals:

• Cut your desired phrase or design using your Cricut machine or a craft knife. If using a Cricut, you can download and upload SVG cut files to the Cricut Design Space.
• Carefully peel off the excess vinyl surrounding your words or design. If you plan to adhere the rectangle to your shoes, apply it like a sticker and rub firmly.
• Return to the letters or design on the backing paper. Use a pointy tool to weed out the centres of any letters that need it.
• Cover your letters or design with masking tape and rub gently. Turn over and rub the back with a scraper tool.
• Peel the backing paper off the letters or design, ensuring they are stuck well to the tape.
• Position your decal on the edge of your shoe and press it on. Rub each letter or element firmly with the scraper tool, then carefully peel off the tape.
• Stuff your shoe with a sock or a towel to give it support when applying the decal.
• Pre-heat your shoe with a piece of Teflon or parchment paper for about 5 seconds.
• Begin taping your design onto the shoe using heat-resistant tape.
• Cut off any sections of the vinyl that you don't want on your shoe. If using premium vinyl, cut the design into small sections and piece them together.
• Use extra pieces of the design to fill gaps or add decorations to other parts of the shoe, such as the heel.
• Heat the iron-on vinyl design onto your shoe using an EasyPress Mini or a similar tool. Set it to high and heat the design for 25-30 seconds using a circular motion.
• Use a small piece of Teflon or parchment paper to protect other areas of your shoe from the heat.
• Once you've finished applying the vinyl, remove the film on a warm peel.
• Show off your blinged-up wedding shoes!

You can also purchase ready-made decals and apply them to your shoes using an iron or a heat press. This is a quick and easy way to add some sparkle to your wedding shoes without having to design and cut the decals yourself.

Attaching shoe clips

There are many different types of shoe clips available, including pearl, crystal, rhinestone, and brooch styles. You can find shoe clips in various colours, such as silver, gold, and rose gold. Some shoe clips are designed to be attached to the front of your shoe, while others are meant to be glued to the back. When choosing shoe clips, consider the style of your wedding shoes and whether you want to match any specific colours or themes.

To attach shoe clips to your wedding shoes, start by cleaning the surface of your shoes to ensure that the clips will adhere properly. If you're using glue, apply a small amount to the back of the clip and press it firmly onto the desired area of your shoe. Hold it in place for a few seconds to allow the glue to set. If you're using a clip-on style, simply open the clip and slide it onto the front of your shoe. Adjust the placement until you're happy with the position.

You can find shoe clips at many online retailers and wedding specialty stores. Some popular options include Etsy, ADORA by Simona, and Bella Belle. These retailers offer a wide variety of shoe clips in different styles and colours, so you can find the perfect match for your wedding shoes.

With a little creativity and some carefully chosen shoe clips, you can easily add a touch of glamour to your wedding shoes.

Applying glitter

To apply glitter to your wedding shoes, you'll need to prepare the shoes by sanding them down, especially if they are made of patent leather. This will ensure that the paint doesn't crack when it's dry. Next, stuff the shoes with tissue paper or old newspaper. This keeps their shape intact and prevents glue from getting inside.

Now you're ready to start applying the glitter. Mix a small amount of Mod Podge with your chosen glitter and paint it all over the shoe. You can add as much glitter as you like to get the desired effect. Remember to keep checking the coverage as each layer dries and keep adding extra layers until you're happy with the result.

Once you're satisfied with the coverage, leave the shoes to harden for a few hours. Then, as a final step, paint the shoes with a layer of pure Mod Podge to seal in the glitter. If you're wearing shoes with straps, you might need to poke the holes in the straps again. You can also go over the inside edges of the shoes with fine sandpaper to ensure no rough glitter rubs against your skin.

If you're concerned about the glitter catching on your wedding dress, you could try sealing it with a coating spray, such as Krylon "Triple Thick Crystal Clear Glaze". Spraying the shoes lightly a couple of times, with enough time to dry in between coats, should help to smooth the surface and prevent the glitter from catching on your dress.

Using nail polish to prevent catching

There are many ways to make bling wedding shoes. You can buy them pre-made, or you can add crystals and sequins to a pair of shoes yourself. If you're adding the crystals yourself, you can use nail polish to prevent the prongs from catching on your wedding dress. Here's how:

Firstly, you need to purchase a clear nail polish. This will ensure that the nail polish does not alter the colour of the prongs. You should also ensure that the nail polish you are using is suitable for the material of your shoes, as some nail polishes may damage certain materials.

Next, you will need to apply a few coats of the clear nail polish to the prongs of the crystals. Ensure that you take your time with this step, as you want to make sure that the nail polish is only applied to the prongs and not the crystals themselves. You may need to apply between two and three coats of nail polish to ensure that the prongs are sufficiently coated.

Allow the nail polish to dry completely between coats. This will ensure that the nail polish is effective in preventing the prongs from catching on your dress. Once you have applied a few coats of nail polish, you should check that the prongs are no longer sharp or jagged and that they are smooth.

This method is a great way to prevent your bling wedding shoes from catching on your dress and causing runs in the fabric. It is a simple and inexpensive solution that can save you from having to buy a new pair of shoes. However, it is important to note that this solution may not work for all types of shoes and dresses, so it is always a good idea to test it out before your wedding day.

Frequently asked questions