Fashionable brides, this is one Houston trunk show you WON’T want to miss. This Friday through Sunday, Sept. 18 – 20, representatives of bridal gown goddess Amsale bring the Ethiopian-born designer’s prized collection to Houston’s beloved Mia Bridal Couture.

Spectacular silk radzimir, silk faille and silk taffeta, sumptuous satins and ethereal organzas, crystal beading and vintage brooches—these are signature Amsale touches certain to be on breathtaking display at this much-anticipated September show.

Follow in the footsteps of Amsale’s celebrity fans—the self-made, FIT-trained designer has outfitted such stars as Salma Hayek, Vanessa Williams and Julia Roberts, and her bridal gowns have been featured on “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” “Grey’s Anatomy” and in the blockbuster film “27 Dresses”—and make one of these magnificently constructed creations your very own.

Call 713.622-2022 today for an appointment, or simply pop in and soak up the glamour, girl.

And while you’re at it, how about a 15% discount for trunk-show purchases? Now that’s VIP treatment, indeed.

Boring kitten heels? Dull dyeable pumps? Too-pointy T-straps that look like they’ll have you cringing in pain after the first dance? Even bona-fide shoeaholics can find themselves at their wits’ end when it comes to bridal footwear. If this sounds like your personal plight, Houston bride, you’re going to love this post.

We’ve been scanning the bridal fashion scene for knockout wedding shoes, and we’ve found some amazing beauties. For the sake of brevity, we’ve narrowed our picks down to closed-toe styles, in a nod to upcoming fall and winter weddings.

We invite you to try these darlings on for size:

Pretty, and so’s the price: That’s what we think about the Xion from longtime special-occasion favorite Nina. Along with a sassy “vamp band” and sweet rosette detail, this 3 ½-inch-heel pump has luxe features including leather lining and a leather sole. Nice!

From Paradox London, the Benjamin Adams Collection’s lovely Liza is handcrafted from duchesse silk and Swarovski crystals, with kid-leather lining. We adore the sweet pleats and itty-bitty bow.

Tall brides take note: The lower-heel (1 ¾ inches) Lilla by Grace features a lightly elasticized slingback for fit and comfort, and delicate embroidery for refined bridal elegance.

For a whisper-soft touch of color, we are mad about Badgley Mischka’s pale pink Carlo. With its fashion-forward raw-edged rosette and divine mesh-covered satin upper, this willowy 4 ¼-inch-heel pump will remain a dress-up favorite long after your special day.

O.K., so the Ceci Air Rose from Cole Haan is technically a peep-toe, not closed, but we’re going to let it slide. I mean, how can we not jump up and down for an Italian silk-satin, rose-covered wedding shoe that pairs a sexy 4-inch-heel with sporty NIKE AIR® technology? Score!

There is a regal elegance to Pronovias bridal gowns that makes us think “princess,” but not the girly, twirly, glittery, Disney-fied kind of princess—the stately, majestic, gorgeously groomed, destined-to-inherit-her-kingdom kind.

A bit about the design group: Barcelona-based Pronovias opened its first bridal salon in Spain in 1968, then 80 more in Spain and elsewhere in Europe in the decade that followed. In the 1990s, the esteemed bridal design house finally (blissfully) made its way to the U.S.A., where it’s been outfitting high-profile (and lower-profile but equally style-savvy) brides ever since. Under the leadership of creative director Manuel Mota, the 70-person-strong Pronovias creative team turns out some of the most alluring gowns and accessories in the bridal universe.

We are head-over-heels for the 2010 collection, which includes several non-strapless and one-shoulder styles, as well as a couple of drop-dead gorgeous ballgowns.

Behold a sampling: