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How to buy the right shoes

A pair of bridal shoes is often the last thing that a bride thinks about, you always imagine what

you will look in your wedding dress on your big day but totally forget about the bridal shoes even though they are the second most important item after your wedding gown. Trying to find the perfect wedding shoes can be as difficult as getting THE dress. There are so many options to consider, different colours, styles, fashion trends, budget etc are all an influence on your decision.

First and for most you should choose a shoe that you are happy with and that is your choice, and not allow other people to influence you, it is good to get others peoples advice and opinions but it is your special day and it is you who has to wear your shoes, so make sure they are right for you and you are happy with them.

However finding your perfect wedding shoes may not be as daunting as you think, you just need to consider a few basic details to help you choose the right pair for your special day. Some of the key points to consider when looking for your shoes, if you are looking around shops then carry a fabric swatch with you to compare them, but remember although it may match the swatch the colour can look very different when seen against the whole dress, and in different light settings. It is also worth carrying a popsock with you if you intend wearing stockings or tights on your big day, and remember that your feet will swell later in the day. 

Firstly consider your dress, the kind of fabric and design you have chosen, consider your accessories and the colour scheme of your bridesmaids. No longer is it considered necessary that your shoes have to match your dress, it is perfectly acceptable and very fashionable to contrast your shoes with your wedding dress.

 

If you have a coloured detail or trim to your dress, it is very acceptable to choose your shoes to match the trim, quiet often this can also be the colour scheme of your bridesmaids.

If you choose to have a complimentary colour to your dress and if in particular you choose gold or silver, it is very important to co ordinate this with any jewellery you may be wearing including your tiara.  

If you are wearing a shorter or knee length dress, it is advisable to wear a shoe with a heel, which will flatter your legs and make them look slimmer, if a lower heel is required try having a shoe with an ankle strap which will make the ankle look slender. With a shorter hem length an open toe can give a slimming effect, but make sure your toes are well manicured. 

Getting married outdoors, your shoes will need careful consideration. For outdoor weddings which involve walking on grass, you have to consider that narrow heels can sink into the grass, wedges are ideal to avoid this happening. Also consider if wearing satin or silk shoes they can be very easily stained by the grass or soil on the ground. Toe posts or sandals are ideal for beach weddings, or weddings abroad as  they will keep your feet cool and also allow any sand to easily pass thru the shoes.

HEEL HEIGHT

Heel height is totally dependant on what the bride is used to, if you normally wear flat shoes

\don’t decide to wear a pair of 10 cm heel shoes as it could spoil your wedding day. There is nothing wrong with wearing flat shoes, if that is what you are used to or prefer, it is becoming far more acceptable to wear flat shoes than expected, especially if the bride doesn’t want to be taller than the groom then consider the heel height on the groom’s shoes as well, it is possible to find men’s shoes with a discreetly higher heel than normal but without it looking like a left over from the 1970’s.  Or is already particularly tall with out heels, they are also perfect for outdoor weddings. Also remember that you will need to decide on your shoes and the heel height before your final dress fitting, as the correct height will be required to get the correct dress length.

SHOE STYLES

If you have the wider foot, and want a design of wedding shoe that will make the foot look slender and thinner then  an open toe sandal with a narrow I bar which connects the open toe strap and the ankle strap, forming  the letter ‘I’ design, which creates the illusion of length narrowing the foot. Decoration on the shoes can also compliment the wider shoe, as rhinestones reflect the light and sparkle, they can also have a slimming effect as well as being very elegant and eye catching. Pointed toes can be very slimming if you require a closed in toe, especially in a two part shoe which give a visual break to the shoe.

Ankle straps on your wedding shoes whether closed toe or sandals can add an elegant and sexier look, but practically ankle straps will support the foot and hold the shoe on better, giving you less to worry about whilst walking down the aisle.  

 

There are several options of styles of straps available, the most elegant and slimming to the foot is the ankle strap, where it actually goes around above the ankle, or the strap that goes across the bridge of the foot which is a very secure fitting. There is also a double strap which crosses down the shoe usually from behind the ankle to the toe section of the shoe; this style can give an illusion of length.  

The season of your wedding can have a bearing on your choice of wedding shoes, boots would be to hot for a summer wedding, and sandals or toe post’s would not be suitable for a winter wedding but are ideal for overseas, summer or beach weddings. Two part shoes can lengthen the look of the foot, as can pointed closed toe shoes. Round toes on a shoe will shorten the look of the shoes. 

BRIDESMAIDS SHOES

Finding the right shoes for Bridesmaids can also be a struggle, especially if you have a wide age range of Bridesmaids, unfortunately most manufacturers do not offer a complete size range in the same shoe from very small to adult, they are usually available in staggered size ranges and different style i.e.: sizes 7-1 for the small bridesmaids and flower girls, then the junior size range of sizes 1-5 and finally the adult size range of sizes 3-8.

COLOURS  

The colour range on offer is vast, not just all the different colours from the traditional white, ivory, gold, silver, red, pink the more unusual colours like chocolate brown, green even black are fast becoming very popular. Once you have decided on the colour of your shoes, whether

you are going to have the same colour as your dress or compliment it, the range within a particular colour is quiet astonishing, it is always advisable to carry a fabric swatch with you if you have one. If a fabric swatch is not possible the free decorating paint cards that are available at most DIY stores are a good substitute, if you can match the dress colour to a shade on the colour card and then carry the card around with you instead.  

The season of your wedding can also be worth considering when choosing complimentary colours, for example if you are wearing red and wish to have complimentary colour shoes a nice summer colour to compliment red is silver, but for an autumn winter wedding gold is a perfect compliment to red. Other colour combinations that are becoming very popular are pink and pale green, pink and chocolate brown, lemon and chocolate brown.  Silver is a good choice of shoe to contrast with most dress colours, but do remember to co-ordinate any jewellery if choosing gold or silver shoes. If you are having your shoes dyed then consider whether to have them dyed to daylight or artificial light, as this can affect the colour of them.  

No matter where you choose to purchase your shoes from, be it a High Street shop, Bridal Shop or online the best advice is to check the return and refund policy for the shoes, it is such a big day for you, you need time to make sure they are what you wanted.

Finally the best advice is, choose what is comfortable for you to wear and what you feel happy with whether that is an unusual colour or style, although you will only be wearing them for just one day, they will last in the wedding photo’s forever. 

 

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