Bride Maggie Gilligan was at a wedding gown fitting at Elizabeth Johns in Morristown when her shoes caught the attention of her seamstress.
Taking a closer look at the blue flowers on the shoes, seamstress Daniela showed bridal stylist Christine, who also couldn’t get over how stunning the shoes were. When Maggie said that her mom, Melinda, who was with her daughter at the appointment, had hand-painted them, Christine grabbed salon director Nicole Sacco.
All in awe, they asked Melinda more about her work of art and before they knew it, a partnership had bloomed. Local artist Melinda adds hand-painted flower designs to wedding shoes for brides who want a custom keepsake.
“We realized it would be something great to offer,” says Nicole. It’s a fun way to “let Elizabeth Johns walk you down the aisle.”
There are a few different options. For the flowers, you can opt for hydrangeas, tulips or roses. For the color, you can choose blue, white or pink flowers. Some brides want to only have flowers painted on the shoes while others add initials (for themselves and their spouse-to-be) or their wedding date. Depending on the style of the shoe, details can be added to the heel as well.
Satin or leather shoes are required and it is up to the bride to provide the shoes. Then, says Nicole, “the shoe is the canvas.” The hand painting service costs $400 and takes about four weeks to complete. Nicole notes that brides should be mindful of scheduling their fittings around the hand-painting service timeline.
Whether brides buy their gown at Elizabeth Johns or not, they can purchase a custom shoe design service through the store.
The blue floral design makes the perfect Something Blue and the service in general is a great bridal shower gift for a bride. The white floral design, “is there but not there,” says Nicole—perfect for the bride who wants a subtle detail.
“Brides are always chasing uniqueness given the flooding of similar images on social media,” says Nicole. With this bespoke service, “now you have an elevated shoe.”
Beyond offering this special service, Elizabeth Johns carries wedding gowns (starting at $3,000) bridesmaid dresses and evening wear for mothers of the bride and groom (starting at $1,000). If a bride finds her gown and decides to have the maids and moms shop there too, the same consultant will stay with the group, which “creates continuity,” says Nicole.
And as brides, bridesmaids and moms say “yes” to their dresses, there is a display of sample hand-painted shoes in the store for everyone to admire and get a sense of the finished product.
“It started with a mother-of-the-bride who wanted something unique for her daughter,” says Nicole. “Now, all brides can enjoy it!”
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