You’ve found the perfect wedding dress, but you have to realize that you need to think about your feet: the perfect shoes of course! Before you rush out to try on your dream pair, however, here are a few tips when looking out for your feet on the big day.
Choose a comfortable pair of wedding shoes – in your correct size, of course! – and perhaps even consider buying two pairs, one for the ceremony and one for the reception so that you can be both fashionable and practical at the same time.
First, decide on the height of the heel. Most brides do not want to tower over their groom – in the ceremony, in the photographs taken that day. Choose a heel height that keeps the proper proportions in mind. There’s nothing wrong with seeing eye-to-eye with your groom at the altar, but you should avoid looking down on him, if possible.
Also consider the venue of your nuptials. Regardless of the groom’s height, you should probably wear flats or a flat sandal if you are getting married outdoors. There is nothing worse than getting the heel of your shoe stuck in the dirt. You could ruin your shoes – or worse – trip while walking up or down the aisle.
Choose shoes based on the style of your wedding gown. A classic and timeless dress matches with a pair of delicate white satin pumps or a simple heeled sandal. For chic and modern dresses, you’ll want a simple and elegant pair of shoes – no over-the-top embellishments. If you are wearing an elegant and luxurious gown, choose a shoe with a heel and not a flat. The heels will lift you and your hem off the ground when you walk, whereas you could trip in flats with all those yards of fabric swirling about your feet.
These days, more and more brides are actually turning to wearing non-traditional shoes with their gowns – everything from sneakers dressed up with faux jewels to flips flops (perfect for a beach wedding!) to comfortable ballet-like slippers to dance the night away in. Whatever you decide on, definitely don’t forget to try each pair you’ll wear on the big day with your wedding gown.
A few final tips regarding your footwear: Have your shoes with you for all fittings. The shoes will definitely impact the fit. And be sure you break in your shoes before your wedding day. Don’t wear them out on the town, but wear them in the evening at home on carpeted floors. You want your shoes looking new, but broken in enough to avoid blisters.