Satin Pumps or Sassy Boots?

From the top of her head to the heels of her feet, a bride yearns to find the perfect ensemble for her wedding day—the one that will suit her personality and style. Whether she is aiming for the fairytale princess, the sassy pixie, the chic fashion plate or something utterly unique; finding the right bridal shoes can often be a pain, both figuratively and literally.

Brides are usually so caught up with the planning of their magical day that they tend to overlook the importance of the shoes they will be wearing. It’s not as simple as running to the nearest shoe store and picking out a pair of white pumps.

So, when should you start looking for your bridal shoes? This answer is simple. After you’ve purchased your dress but before any fittings have taken place. There are several reasons for this:

• You’ll want a swatch from your dress when selecting your shoes to match the colors and fabrics as closely as possible. Realize that unless your shoes are made from the exact same fabric your gown is, you will not get a perfect match. Also, it is best to match the bridal shoes to the fabric at the hem of your dress and not the bodice.

• All of your fittings should be done while you are wearing your bridal shoes. This is because full-length wedding gowns are hemmed to floor length, which means you will need to have your shoes purchased and on your feet for the alterations to be correct.

Okay, so you have the dress, you have the swatch, what next? Don’t forget about comfort. Yes, you want your shoes to be perfect—you can do that—but you also need them to be comfortable. From the ceremony to photographs to dancing the night away at your reception, these shoes will be on your feet for a very long day. And while it may be tempting to kick them off later in the night, remember your dress was altered based on the heel height of your shoes. Taking them off may help sore feet, but it won’t help your gown any to have it dragging on the floor.

Luckily, there are a few things you can do to ensure comfortable bridal shoes:

• Hit the stores at the end of your day; when your feet are at their largest.

• Look for shoes in the size, width, and heel height you are accustomed to wearing. If you don’t normally wear 3-inch heels—don’t buy them now!

• Break them in! Once you’ve purchased them, wear them inside the house beginning a couple of weeks before your wedding. Increase the amount each day until you can walk and stand in them comfortably for long periods of time.

Bridal shoes can be traditional or untraditional depending on what you, the bride, is looking for. You know your style, your look, better than anyone. Trust your instincts!

By: Tracy Leigh Ritts

© Copyright: Tracy Leigh Ritts