Did you purchase your shoes before your wedding invitations hit the mail? If so, style probably trumps comfort in your shoe world. Maybe you’ve even selected more than one pair for the evening. You might be ahead of the game if you did. After all, we’ve explored the virtues of a second wedding gown, so why not a back-up pair of shoes as well?
In the past, many brides have felt compelled to sacrifice comfort for style. Some brides won’t bat an eye at a 4-inch heel, but others think the pain of cramped toes could do them in once the walk down the aisle is over. A good rule of thumb for shoes is if your processional is painless, you’ll do fine.
A few shoe shopping tips might be helpful here:
- Take a swatch of fabric from your dress with you to help choose color.
- Pay attention to heel heights and give careful consideration to heels above 3 inches. Whatever shoes you think you like, wear them for at least ten minutes, and walk in them twice the length of your processional aisle.
- Consider factors like your height (are you already tall?), your fiance’s height (is he on the shorter side?) and your dress length (how much will your shoes show?).
- Think about changing into a more comfortable pair of shoes for your reception. It’s become a bit of a trend for sporty brides to enthusiastically lace up new sneakers for the party.
- Have your shoes ready for your dress fittings to ensure alterations to length are done right the first time.
But what if you’re starting with less than perfect feet? What styles and comfort considerations are best to combat flat arches, bunions, or unsightly hammertoes?
Feeling Fashionable with Flat Feet
How To Choose Perfect Flat Wedding Shoes by LocalNews-GrabNetworks
Flat shoes are growing in popularity. But many brides prefer the lift in height and elegance a heel provides. As this video contends, even a small pump heel is a comfortable alternative that also influences better posture.
Probably the best advice for flat-footed brides is to look for shoes with a stiffer shank (the middle part of the shoe). Wedge heels are all the rage now and provide stable arch support. If you need even more support, most drugstores sell orthotics you can insert into a shoe. You may have to steer clear of revealing strappy styles to accomodate these, but being able to spend hours on the dance floor will make it worth while.
When Heels are a Must
If you must have heels, there are two schools of thought:
- You get what you pay for. Many brides feel that designer brands are worth it for the occasion, and that you are paying for attentive design and quality materials, translating to better overall fit.
- Comfort brands like Naturalizer, Easy Spirit, Dansko and even some professional ballroom dance brands continue to beef up their stylish selections.
Either way, you can find upscale brands like Jimmy Choo, Prada, Stuart Weitzman, Manolo Blahnik, Kate Spade and more on discount websites like myglassslipper.com, 6pm.com, and bluefly.com. Also check out customer reviews on big name discount websites like zappos.com and dsw.com.
If you are shoe shopping before you’ve chosen your wedding invitations, then you really might have a shoe fetish. For invitations as stylish and unique as your shoes, visit LookLoveSend.com and browse our growing collection of gorgeous wedding invitation suites. We ship for free for orders over 50. Subscribe to our mailing list and receive 20% off your first order!
