10 tips from the experts for choosing your wedding shoes

Shoes are a weakness for most regular women! Let’s face it, how many of us are able to resist the temptation to splurge on beautiful shoes? True that these may only be a part of the ensemble, and we may need various shoes for various looks, but it is an obsession that the opposite sex simply cannot understand.

And when the question is about wedding shoes, it is impossibly difficult to choose. This is just one pair of shoes that we have to choose from the hundreds of gorgeous and interesting varieties. I think that it is a very difficult decision, next only to choosing the wedding dress itself. Don’t you agree?

For those of you lovely ladies who are already straining your heads over which pair of shoes should be chosen for your big day, here is some valuable help. Our bridal experts at Best for Bride have the following valuable shoe-shopping advice for the soon-to-be brides. So, here goes.

1.Shoes should be next on the shopping list, following the wedding dress

Once you find your dream wedding gown, do not postpone shopping for your wedding shoes. It is even fine if you swap the order and buy your shoes first, even before your wedding dress. The only condition is that you should know what you want. We have seen brides choose their wedding dress with more ease than they were able to settle on a pair of shoes. Be prepared to have a lengthy shopping experience, if you are very particular about what you want to wear on your feet. So, once the dress shopping is out of the way, shoe shopping should be next on your list of to-do’s. Remember that you need your shoes for all your dress alteration appointments, from the first to the last. Only then can your wedding dress hem be altered to the right length. So, if you are exhausted after your wedding dress shopping, take a short break. But, don’t delay shopping for your wedding shoes beyond a week afterwards.

2.Style and comfort—two factors that matter

Your wedding shoes should not only look stylish, they should feel comfortable too. Many brides often worry that beautiful looking shoes will take time to adjust to, because they will pinch the feet and cause agony. However, this is not always so. By choosing good quality material and craftsmanship, you can easily come across a number of shoes that will look good, even while they feel great on your feet. Heels of leather and similar materials, and with thick cushioned insoles will be perfect. The comfort factor will also be affected by the type of heels you wear. You can be comfy without sacrificing style, by choosing flat heels instead of pointed ones. If you truly have difficulty finding wedding shoes that are comfortable, we suggest looking in the regular shoe aisles. Even the simplest pair of white heels can be dressed up to look wedding-worthy, if you are ready to spend some time and work on it.

3.Choose shoes with features you love

Your wedding shoes need not be white, they needn’t have high pointed heels, nor do they have to be crazy expensive. These are all factors that are up to you to choose. As with every other thing that you wear on your wedding day, your shoes should also be something you love. Don’t let tradition nor fashion dictate your choice. Choose shoes that are either beautiful with details that you love, or go with comfort as your benchmark. If you love shoes with a bow embellishment, or prefer a peep-toe detail, this is what you should look for. When you consider features, you should also think of the style that you are most comfortable in. Don’t force yourself into shoes with heels that are too high, if you have always avoided heels. Remember that your comfort and personal style are the most important factors to consider when choosing your wedding shoes.

4.Handmade shoes are the best

Handmade shoes have many desirable qualities. These include the extra comfort associated with this method of production and the unique look that you can achieve with handmade shoes. They also give you that special and unique feeling of being extra-pampered, because of how carefully they are made. It is likely that handmade shoes will be more expensive than the regular shoes you find in stores. Nevertheless, just like your wedding is a one-time occasion, your shoes can also be extra special this one time. Certain manufacturers can customize your shoes specifically to meet your expectations and do a few extra details so they match your wedding dress perfectly. However, you may have to place your order early to ensure that all this is done on time. Unlike store-brought shoes, there is a greater lead time associated with handmade shoes. So, this is one important factor to keep in mind.

5.Stock up on emergency shoe accessories

With a little luck, nothing will go wrong on your wedding day. But it never hurts to be extra cautions. So, prepare for your wedding day with spares and stock your emergency kit to meet any disaster. Your emergency supplies in the shoe department should include extra insoles, gum to stick any embellishment that comes loose, tissues and clear alcohol to rub off stains. Padded leather heel grips and shoe cushions will prevent you from slipping and non-slip insoles will provide added comfort. If you aren’t used to wearing heels, you may also like to carry a spare pair of shoes in a comfortable style, to wear while you dance or if your feet hurt from standing for too long on the day. Even if you do not intend to change your shoes during the day, it doesn’t hurt to carry a spare pair, just in case something goes wrong and you need a replacement to get through the day.

6.Wear them in

New shoes are notorious for causing shoe-bite. Standing in a shoe that hasn’t been worn-in for an entire day can be tortuous, as you will be walking around and using it a lot on your wedding day. If the shoe pinches, your feet can be sore by the end of the evening, and this will ruin the entire experience for you. So, as soon as you take your shoes home, make sure you set aside time to wear it occasionally. This can be for an hour every three or four days, so your feet slowly get accustomed to the shoes. It will also help you feel comfortable moving around in it, especially if the shoe has high heels. You will not have to worry about wobbly shoes or tripping off the heels on the day of your wedding, if you are already used to the shoes. Additionally, wear it to your wedding dress appointments, and practice moving around in your wedding dress, while wearing these shoes. This will help you adjust to both the long and heavy gown, as well as the pretty shoes, and make the task of moving around on your wedding day much easier.

7.Always buy the correct fit

You may wear your wedding shoes only on the day you get married, or if you have thought this out very well, you may use it several times later. Either way, your shoes should fit you perfectly, and for this you need to buy them in your exact measurements. Shoes that almost fit can end up feeling loose or pinching your feet, when you have to spend hours in it on your wedding day. To find the right size, you should consider your feet’s width and shape, and whether there are any lumps or protrusions that have to be accommodated in your shoes. The right size would not pinch your toes, rub the ankle bone and sides, or feel like they are squashing your feet within. This makes it essential to try your shoes on, before you actually buy it. If you purchase your shoes online, read the return policy and warranty statements. Make sure you can return it or exchange it for another size if it doesn’t feel right when you actually try it on.

8.Keep your venue in mind when choosing shoes

Not all shoes are suitable in all venues. Consider whether the shoes you like will be suitable for the venue you choose. Venues like historic mansions and places with wooden flooring may have specific rules about wearing pointed heels. Check this out first, before you invest money in a pair of amazing heels. Heels may also not be practical in hillside parks, or at venues with long winding staircases that you will have to go up and down multiple times. Apart from the venue, you should also keep the weather in mind when choosing shoes. If your wedding is in autumn or winter, you may like to look for closed and cosy shoes, that will keep your feet from feeling too cold. Or you can carry a pair of wedding boots as a spare for when you have to go out in the cold.

9.Always have an alternate idea in mind

If there is one wedding accessory that you shouldn’t have your mind set on to the last detail, it is your wedding shoes. Since this is a tight fitting accessory, and one that has limited room for adjustments, you should always be open to options. Look for ideas in pictures, but be prepared to search when you actually go shopping. Otherwise, it will be a disappointment if you are unable to find a comfortable pair of shoes with features that you love. While style is a necessary factor, don’t ever compromise comfort for style. Although it is only one day that you will have to spend it your shoes, an ill-fitting pair can do enough damage to your feet to leave you pain for several days afterwards. You do not want to spend your honeymoon limping around in flip-flops to get over the blisters and wounds you made on your feet. Be ready to look at options besides those that are closest to what you have in mind, or spend the little extra to have your shoes handmade and customized to your specific requirement, and you will be better off.

10.Think outside the box

If you are unable to find shoes in the color you want to wear, don’t panic or reach for a pair that you think will do the job, even if it means spending more or being uncomfortable. Shoe dyeing services allow you to dye a pair of chosen shoes in any chosen shade, so it is just perfect for you. So, if you are stuck in a situation where you love a pair of shoes, except that they aren’t the right color, consider having it dyed. Similarly, there are plenty of other options to add that extra dose of glamour to your feet. You can buy pretty shoe accessories online, and this includes bows, ribbons, stickers, stones and other embellishments. These are relatively inexpensive, but allow you to achieve a special touch of beauty with these accessories. There are also plenty of tutorials online that can help you customize your shoes to look extra-special. So, check them out for help.

The right pair of shoes can work magic in making you feel extraordinary and amazing on your big day. And, this is something every bride deserves. So, spare no attention to detail, and don’t compromise on what you choose to wear on your feet on the day you say “I do.”

If you have chosen your wedding shoes already, or are in the market to buy them, tell us what factors you consider most important?

To choose from our brilliant collection of wedding shoes, visit this page on Best for Bride. We also stock other wedding accessories like jewelry that you may like to take a look at. For everything you need for your wedding day, visit Best for Bride today and find out how we can make your wedding day extra-special.