Selecting The Right Wedding Shoes
You have the dress, something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue; but what is missing? The correct wedding shoe can mean the difference between bliss and blisters. It can mean the difference between pleasure and pain. No matter how stylish or cute the shoe is, that does not mean it is right for you and your wedding. Choosing the right wedding shoe requires a lot of time and consideration. Some of the factors to consider are the height of the bride and groom, the style of dress, formality, length of the dress, fit and bridal preference. Wedding shoes should always coordinate with the hem and base of the gown, not the veil or bodice.
Because they are a very important accessory, make sure to budget a lot of money for your wedding shoes. Proper wedding shoe fit is essential due to the fact that weddings and receptions are very lengthy affairs involving a large amount of time on your feet. If your shoes are too small, your feet will ache, your toes will pinch and the inevitable blister or two will pop up. If your shoes are too big, you will run the risk of walking out of them or tripping. Shop for your wedding shoes later in the day when your feet are slightly swollen. Be sure that if you choose a sandal that the fit is taut enough to not cause much give. It can cause your dress to become trapped between your shoe and foot, causing gown damage or tripping. It is always a good idea to purchase two different pairs of wedding shoes: one pair for the ceremony and one pair for dancing the night away at the reception.
Keep in mind seasonal guidelines when purchasing your shoes. Sandals in the winter are not a good idea – unless you live in Florida. Fabric shoes will stain, so use caution in rainy or snowy climates.
You will want to compliment the groom in the photographs, so keep him in mind while making your selection. Make sure that you have your gown hemmed with your heel height in mind. A sensible thing to do would be to bring a pair of your shoes with the same heel height to the bridal shop before your alterations. Again, remember that if you normally wear flats, low heels, athletic shoes or run around barefoot, you will not be the picture of grace in high heels. If you absolutely insist on wearing them, then practice, practice, practice!!! And practice some more. You certainly don’t want to fall flat on your face walking down the aisle.
For ultra formal gowns, choose elegant, classy shoes. Not clunkers. If your wedding gown is shiny, then your shoes should be shiny and if your gown is matte, then your shoes should have a matte finish. If you prefer satin shoes, it is very important to remember most all of them are too white to match wedding gown fabric and must be dyed to properly coordinate. On the same note, whites vary. Bring a swatch of your gown fabric when shopping for your shoes. Be careful when choosing Lucite or vinyl wedding shoes for that ‘glass slipper’ look. They can make your fit sweat and blister if the fit or form is improper for your feet. With careful shoe consideration, your feet can look fabulous without aching by the time you get to the honeymoon.