Bridal Club Magazine

Your wedding shoes

Your dress and shoes: a match made in heaven

Above all, your wedding shoes should complement your wedding dress. This doesn't mean that they have to match exactly. In fact, despite white and ivory shades still being the most popular choices, some of the most gorgeous wedding shoes come in vibrant or metallic shades that are a feature in themselves. Whichever colour or style you go for, you should set out to do some serious shoe shopping as soon as you know the style and fabric of your dress.

Matching shoes to your dress fabric. Ideally you should bring a swatch from your dress when you go shoe-shopping so you can match the colour properly. Or buy wedding shoes that are designed to be professionally dyed. Have this done as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

Bring your shoes to dress fittings. If you are having your dress made from scratch or fitted by a dressmaker you should bring your shoes to every fitting so your hemline will end up the right length!

If your wedding dress is tea-length or shorter… Remember that the shorter your wedding dress, the more your wedding shoes will be on display. Features such as ankle straps can make shoes more comfortable but, when teamed with a shorter dress, can tend to make legs look shorter too.

Team simple wedding shoes with an elaborate wedding dress… or vice versa. This is a good rule of thumb if you're not sure where to start.

Practicalities

Is your aisle carpeted or hard-floor? One time in your life you want to look composed is walking down the aisle, and this can be tricky if your wedding shoes seem incompatible with the floor surface! If it's a hard floor, use sandpaper to scuff the soles in advance. Alternatively, you could walk around outside to get a similar effect, or add self-adhesive sole pads for added grip.

Wedding shoes for outdoor brides. If you're lucky enough to be having a beach wedding or another type of outdoor wedding ceremony or reception, remember that slim heels tend to sink into soft ground like sand or grass, and should be avoided unless you're happy being stuck to the spot and dirtying your shoes in the process. Consider flat wedding shoes instead, or opt for a broader heel or a wedge style if you've set your heart on height.

Break in your wedding shoes. To avoid discomfort on the big day you should break your wedding shoes in over time. Starting a few weeks before the wedding, try wearing the shoes around the house for a few minutes at a time, gradually building up to wearing them for several hours.

Get a spare pair of comfortable wedding shoes. Many brides buy a second pair of more comfortable wedding shoes to change into later in the day. This is a great idea for those who plan to let their hair down, but if your dress is long you should ensure that your comfortable wedding shoes have a similar-height heel to your first pair. Otherwise you risk your wedding dress getting dragged along the floor and trampled on.

Buy your wedding shoes in the afternoon. Feet tend to swell as the day wears on. For the best fit and comfort, avoid shoe-shopping in the morning; otherwise your wedding shoes could feel tight by mid-afternoon.

Have plasters to hand. Include them in your wedding-day emergency kit in case your feet get sore.

Consider your groom's height. Some tall brides prefer not to look taller than their groom on the big day. If this applies to you, you're likely to choose low-heeled wedding shoes. But did you know that it's also possible for the groom to get slightly built-up shoes? Before you shudder in horror, fear not - many of today's styles are very subtle and won't look obviously higher.