Forever 21 Glitter Clutch (Product Code: 1069367309)

Unless you are traveling with a baby, or you are the wedding photographer, day-of wedding planner, or Maid of Honor in charge of the bridal emergency kit do not lug a giant bag to wedding. All you need is something that looks hot and fits the following:

• Mobile phone
• Digital camera
• Keys (hotel, house, car, etc.)
• Makeup
• Lip gloss
• Gum
• Tissues
• Solemates/Foldable Flats

Anything more than these must-haves will weigh on you later - especially if the plan is to keep the party going with an after party.

I found this very affordable - $20 - clutch from Forever21 that should do the trick for wedding season. It’s black and shimmery so consider it your fun go-to for any type of affair. It does have an optional chain should you want to wear it on your shoulder. I do not.

Benefit ooh la lift ($22)

And if there is any question as to what kind of makeup should be included in this little clutch let us start with this - Benefit’s ooh la lift. A creamy under-eye brightener that will come in handy - especially if you are a crier. It will help bring out your eyes in photos and reduce some tear-induced facial redness. You can still cry at the magic, you’ll just magically appear glowing.

I also recommend two different mascaras for your day-of makeup. One for the budget-minded guest and the other for the “when in wedding season” spender. Both are fabulous with great applicators and your lashes will look striking for hours on the dance floor.

Our budget pick is Cover Girl’s Lash Blast Volume Blasting Waterproof Mascara and our high-roller recommendation is Giorgio Armani’s Maestro Mascara. I trade off regularly and love both results. If I am traveling for a wedding I’ll likely choose the Cover Girl for the trip as it is easier to replace (even though it is virtually irreplaceable). 

Cover Girl Lash Blast in Very Black ($8)

Giorgio Armani Maestro Mascara in Obsidian Black ($28)

Related topics:

1. Luxurious Wedding Hair Repair
2. SWS Fashion Friday - Be Something New
3. SWS Fashion Friday - Brides Blush, Bridesmaids Glow
4. Professional - AND Affordable - Wedding Style & Makeup Tips by Karen Gorham
5. SWS Official Maid of Honor Call Me Card
6. A Professional Wedding Photographer’s Tips For Looking Your Best In Photos by Amanda Kraft

Have a great wedding survival tip to share with the Survive Wedding Season community? Email your tips to solutions@surviveweddingseason.com.

Your Attendance Is Appreciated! ™

Alisann Blood is a Marketing Manager at Steve Madden, the fashion-forward footwear and lifestyle brand based out of New York City.  Working in fashion has taught Alisann that footwear and accessories can make or break an outfit, so one of her favorite pastimes is shopping in NYC for the perfect shoes, jewelry and handbags.  Alisann also knows firsthand what it is like to attend (and afford) multiple weddings each season.  To date she already has seven weddings just this year - including two weddings on the same weekend!  

Assume you own that perfect little black dress that works for all occasions and gets repeat wear.  Today Alisann shares with Survive Wedding Season her top 3 budget-friendly, go-to, comfortable and stylish party shoes that go great with that little black dress already in your closet.  Alisann’s picks will take you steps beyond simply surviving wedding season; they will strut you all the way to survival sexy and savvy. Thank you Alisann — both for the shoe picks and the accessory suggestions!

“We all know wedding season can be a huge drain on your finances. If you’re anything like me, it’s very possible that you have no less than 7 weddings on your calendar for 2009 (with two of them on back to back days nonetheless!). You’ve got multiple engagement, shower, and wedding gifts to buy, a bunch of bachelorette parties to attend, and you’re wondering how you’ll pay for it all.  Even worse, it’s not the gifts and parties that you’re worried about but rather how you’re going to afford different outfits for each occasion.  Especially knowing that most likely a lot of the same people will be attending several of the same weddings you are and you don’t want to wear the same thing twice. (more…)

Monica Murphy and Becca Brown, the creators of the SoleMates High Heeler™, share with us how to help save your heels (and your cash) this wedding season. What a great way to keep your party shoes looking great (and in one piece)!

The SoleMates Wedding Guest Survival Tip:

Uncertain economy got you down? Feeling like the retail value of your closet is worth more than your 401K? Wishing the bride and groom would cancel the destination wedding or simply add, “Your presence is your present?” Unfortunately, it seems as though your friends’ weddings are recession proof.

You can be too! Introducing the SoleMates High Heeler™, the discreet, reusable, high heel accessory that extends the life of your shoes. Attach the High Heeler™ to your favorite wedding shoes and voila - you can walk on grass, cobblestones, decks, bricks, you name it! Heck, you might even be able to walk on water…check the fine print.

How on earth do these magical gems work?

The SoleMates High Heeler™ increases the surface area on the bottom on your heels. This reduces pressure and prevents the heels from falling victim to that nasty law….of gravity. Sounds like the word of scientists, doesn’t it? Amazingly the minds behind this product were none other than two women just like you.

“We were tired of ruining our heels on city streets and at outdoor parties,” said co-founder Becca Brown, “when we realized there wasn’t a solution, we decided to create it ourselves.”

Monica Murphy and Becca Brown are all too familiar with the hazards of wearing high heels and decided to take the necessary ‘steps’ to eradicate heel damage and discomfort and invented the SoleMates High Heeler™. Classmates in Business School and colleagues at Goldman Sachs, Monica and Becca created the sole-ution to wearing heels on unsupportive surfaces. Click here to learn more.

Your Attendance Is Appreciated! ™