Selecting Your Wedding Shoes

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Between the ceremony, greeting guests, and dancing, you will be spending a lot of time on your feet. Through all the excitement, you may temporarily forget about the comfort of your feet; however, it is important that your shoes are as comfortable as possible, as well as look stunning.

SELECTING YOUR SHOES

Nothing ruins an outfit more than the wrong shoe. Select a shoe that is consistent with the style and feel of your gown, and a heel height that you are comfortable wearing and that is appropriate for your height. Most importantly, choose a shoe you'll love wearing!

If your wedding is outside, you will want to avoid stilettos that will sink into the ground and gather dirt. A wedge, square heel or even a flat or beaded flip flop are all good choices to consider.

Some brides are concerned with spending a lot of money on a pair of shoes they will wear only once. If you can find a comfortable inexpensive shoe, definitely grab it, but keep in mind, that you can always wear a fabulous party shoe. Most shoes can be dyed black or a dark color for later use, and of course you can always pass on tradition and select a colored shoe you know you will wear again when you want to look just fabulous.

SHOE COLOR

If you are a traditional bride, you will most likely want shoes that match your gown in white or ivory. If you decide to go with a cloth-covered shoe, consider a silk or matte satin, as these fabrics tend to stay color true in various lights. Keep in mind that shoe color will vary, (especially if they are dyed) in different types of light as well as indoors and outdoors. View your shoes next to your dress in the type of lighting your wedding will take place in.

If you love fashion you will want shoes that compliment your dress and express your style. There are so many fabulous evening shoes this season providing a fantastic selection of shoes that the bride & wedding party can enjoy wearing for many occasions after the wedding.

Daring brides are now stepping out in vivid reds, blues, greens and yellows, while many are selecting soft pinks, pale blues, champagne, silver or gold. Soft pastels, silver and gold are fabulous options as they compliment all shades of gowns, add an element of surprise, and they can be worn again for special occasions or nights on the town. Even for the traditional bride, silver, gold and soft pastels are a great option, as these colors eliminate the challenge of matching difficult to match shades of white or ivory.

DYING SHOES

A 2" x 2" piece of fabric is needed for accurate color matching. The larger the fabric piece, the better. If there is any type of fabric overlay, this must be included as well. Keep in mind that dyed shoes cannot be returned once they are dyed. Different colors appear differently in different types of light, and can look completely different in sunlight versus artificial light. Pastel colors are the most difficult to match and vary the most. When having shoes dyed, ask about the cast or flare of the color. When approving the dye job, look at the shoe compared to the fabric in a light box. A light box allows you to simulate different types of light, so you can select the light that your wedding will be in. If you are concerned with the challenge of dyed-to-match shoes, consider for the bride and maids champagne, black, gold or silver shoes which work with most colors; or consider a color meant to compliment the dress not match it, and that can be worn for other special occasions.

PREPARING YOUR SHOES

Break your shoes in. Wear them inside and gradually increase the wear periods. If you're not used to wearing heels or even if you are, there are many shoe products available that will make your shoes more comfortable.

Foot Petals (footpetals.com) offers a wide range of products and so does Dr. Scholl (drscholls.com). You may find these products so fantastic you'll want to use them in all your shoes!

Remember:

"The journey of a thousand miles begins by finding your "wedding" shoes." - Laotzu, 1st century B.C.