The Dos And Don’ts Of Finding The Perfect Wedding Day Shoes

On the long list of bridal accessories to match your wedding dress, wedding shoes are probably at the top. For some brides, finding the perfect wedding shoes is equally as exciting to falling in love with the perfect wedding dress.  You have to like them, yes, but you also have to want to wear them—for long time! (think about that!). So how do you find the perfect wedding shoes? Here are some dos and don’ts of choosing the perfect wedding shoes.

Do: Find your dress first

Even if you’ve found the wedding shoes of your dreams, PAUSE. Why? Because you want your wedding-day shoes to complement your dress in every way—style, color, detail, etc. The length of your dress matters too. If you have a shorter dress, your shoes can serve as a statement accessory—adding color, glitz etc. If your dress is long, your shoes can then be more comfortable. Another reason to buy your dress first is that you’ll need your shoes at each of your dress fittings to get your lengths just right!

Don’t: Wait until the last minute to find a shoe

While it’s ideal to find your dress before buying your shoes, you should be considering them around the same time—not just because you need to figure out how they work together, but because you will need the shoes for dress fittings and alterations, as previously stated. How high your heel is and how much of the shoe you want to show will be important information for your designer. If you start your shoe search early enough you will also have options to customize them if you want.

Do: Shop around

To avoid both waiting until the last minute and finding your wedding shoes too early, set aside a lot of time to browse online. this can give you an idea of  what you like and dislike. Once you find some that you like, you can narrow down your search to a select few that may or may not be available when it’s time to buy.

Don’t: Buy online

While browsing is a way to explore styles and get a feel for what’s available to you, ALWAYS TRY THEM ON BEFORE YOU BUY. Go into the store and try them on. This is a pair of shoes that you’ll be standing in for hours, so it’s important to try out the shoes first and feel how comfortable they are to stand and walk around in before you make that purchase.

Do: Know your venue

Consider your venue when selecting your day-of shoes, especially if your event is outside. Your wedding venue will influence how high your heels should be, since trying to look graceful while walking through sand on a beach is much more difficult in heels than strolling down an aisle in a church.

Don’t: Be afraid of bright colors

Like any other style decision you make for your big day, what color shoes will depend on what kind of bride you are. For example, if you’re more classic and traditional, you’ll likely be drawn to traditional whites, champagnes, ivories, and nudes, but if you’re slightly less traditional, don’t be afraid go outside the box in the color department. Also consider metallics like silver, gold, or rose gold, which can enhance the embellishments on your dress or the jewelry you want to wear. Metallic shoes add a little more glitter and shine to catch the eye.

Do: Keep your style consistent

Since you’re most likely not buying your shoes and dress in a set, maintaining a consistent style (and keeping this in mind while shopping) is important if you want to look your best. If you’re going for a more vintage or retro look, make sure to match the style of your shoes to the same era.

Don’t: Forget to prioritize comfort

Don’t forget about comfort. We always focus on the style, which is important, sure, but if your feet hurt so much that you need to take them off in order to enjoy yourself…well, what is the point of having them? Your first consideration, where comfort in concerned, should be heel height— the higher the heel, the more pressure goes on the ball of your foot. Try a slightly lower heel height or a chunkier heel that will take some of the pressure off the balls of your feet and keep you standing and dancing a lot longer. Next, try to find a shoe that has some sort of padding. Lastly, consider width. Some of us have wide feet, some narrow and everything in between. Shoes that have laces or buckles that can be adjusted are a great choice.

Do: Try even after you buy

Try them on at home (preferably indoors on a clean, carpeted surface). Keep them on for at least an hour while standing. If you can’t stay standing on your feet with them for at least an hour, they are probably not a good option for you; they will not be comfortable during your wedding ceremony,photography sessions and reception.

Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments!

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