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After finding the perfect wedding dress, choosing the best wedding shoes to match probably comes next on your list. Finding the right wedding shoes is just as important as choosing your wedding dress. Your shoes may not be on display all the time. But they will greatly contribute to how comfortable you feel and ultimately, how much you’ll enjoy your wedding day. Here are some of my top tips before and after buying your wedding shoes.
tips before buying wedding shoes
1. stick to your style
I strongly suggest finding your dress first then looking for shoes after. Your shoes should reflect your style and you can express that through your choice of design, material, or finish. Ask yourself if it’s something you’d really want to wear and whether it will work with the dress you bought. If you’re going for a more timeless wedding look, lace or satin stilettos are good options. If you value comfort above all, mesh or organza with block heels might be the way to go. And if you’re the practical type, then buy a pair of wedding shoes that you’re likely to wear again for events other than your wedding.
2. think about your wedding venue
Are you getting married in a beautiful stately home like Hedsor House? Or are you having a destination wedding in the Caribbean? How about a manor or a garden in the Cotswolds? The location of your wedding matters a lot. So don’t forget to include it in your considerations. If you’re dreaming of saying I do by the beach, then stilettos might not be the best wedding shoes to buy. You might want to wear wedding shoes with block heels. Maybe even flats so you don’t end up digging your heels into the sand and stumbling as you walk down the aisle.
3. prioritise comfort
Having beautiful shoes can make you feel extra stylish on your wedding day. But having blisters? Yikes, not so much. Weddings are fun. But they’re tiring! When choosing your wedding shoes, spend time figuring out how comfortable they are. Think about when and how long your wedding day will be. Will the shoes protect your feet from the cold? Will they let your feet move freely and breathe? Also, think about how much time you’ll spend wearing your wedding shoes. Would you be comfortable wearing it for at least 12 hours? Is the footbed cushioned for all-day wear? Are there seams or tags hanging from the inside that could hurt your toes or pinch your skin? Are the soles thick enough to protect your feet? Will a strap keep rubbing against your ankles? If you’re going for heels, what heel height are you comfortable with?
4. time is gold
You might have noticed this already when buying shoes. But did you know that your feet can slightly change in size depending on the weather and time of day? If you’re looking for comfort, then this trick is important to remember: Buy your wedding shoes in the afternoon or in the evening. And if you’re buying your shoes online, consider measuring your feet towards the end of the day. That’s when your feet have naturally expanded a bit and are slightly “swollen”. Walk around and check how the shoes feel. Wait and see if there’s anything that feels uncomfortable after wearing the shoes for a while.
5. not every shoe (or foot!) is created equal
Make sure you’ve tried on both shoes. Shoe sizes may differ per shoe manufacturer and/or shoe model. A size 36 from Jimmy Choo might fit slightly differently compared to a size 36 from Manolo Blahnik. And one more thing. Don’t forget that almost everyone has two different-sized feet. If your left foot is slightly bigger (or smaller) than your right foot, don’t worry. You’re perfectly normal. What you need to remember when buying shoes is to go with the pair that fits your bigger foot comfortably. It’s easy to just add an insole on your wedding day so both shoes can fit you perfectly.
tips after buying wedding shoes
1. call for backup (wedding shoes)
So, you chose style over comfort? I can’t blame you. There’s a good reason why Louboutins are popular despite them being extremely uncomfortable. They make your legs look longer, slimmer, and sexier! But if you’d rather suffer for the sake of style, then at least have a backup pair of wedding shoes on hand. Save your tired feet and change into a comfier pair during the reception when guests won’t see your shoes a lot. Maybe choose a backup pair with block heels? Or you can even wear a pair of stylish flats. There are lots of options so don’t suffer all day just to look stylish.
2. say yes to the dress (and shoes!)
Don’t forget to take your wedding shoes with you to your wedding dress fittings. Instead of trying on random shoes available at your designer’s boutique, try your wedding dress with the shoes you’re hoping to wear with it. This will help your dress designer figure out the alterations or length adjustments necessary. You’ll also see how comfortable it feels when worn with your dress. Win-win!
3. break them in
I know how tempting it is to put your shoes back in their box and keep them pristine for your wedding day. But it won’t hurt to break them in before your wedding day – especially if you went for style over comfort! Wear them around the house – with thick socks if you like! Pay for shoe stretching service (yes, this is a thing!) Or use your blow dryer to soften the leather and expand your shoes. Whatever you do, don’t just keep your shoes in their box and save yourself from heel pain, painful cuts, and blisters on your wedding day.
your shopping guide to the best and most stylish wedding shoes
Now comes the fun part! And you don’t even have to waste your time searching online for the available options. Wedding shoe shopping can get overwhelming so let me make it easier for you. Here are some of the best and most swoon-worthy shoes that will complete your stylish wedding look.
chic open-toe wedding shoes / sandals
Walk down the aisle with your best foot forward in these chic (and sexy) strappy stilettos. These are perfect for adding a bit of height and showing off your flawlessly pedicured feet. Highly recommended for warmer wedding days during the spring and summer.
(1) Jimmy Choo Aveline 100 Latte Sandals with Asymmetric Grosgrain Mesh Fascinator Bows (2) Bella Belle Gardenia Ivory Pearl & Beads Stiletto Wedding Shoes (3) Stuart Weitzman Nudistsong Mesh Bow Satin Sandals (4) Jimmy Choo Sacora 100 White Satin Sandals with Pearls (5) Aquazzura So Nude Wedding Sandals 85
stylish closed-toe wedding shoes
Keep your feet warm in these closed-toe pumps. These are great for protecting your feet from the cold weather and giving you a more formal and dainty look.
(6) Dolce & Gabbana Embellished Lace Rosa Pumps (7) Gianvito Rossi Rania Off-white Suede and Organza Wedding Pumps (8) Manolo Blahnik Hangisi White Satin Jewel Buckle Pumps (9) Jimmy Choo Bing 100 Silver Glitter Tulle Mules with Crystal Strap (10) Christian Louboutin Galativi Leather Lace Pumps 85
something blue bridal shoes
Channel your inner Carrie Bradshaw and wear something blue with these classy options.
(11) Harriet Wilde Amy Blue Blossom Platform Wedding Shoes (12) Manolo Blahnik Hangisi Blue Satin Jewel Buckle Pumps (13) Malone Souliers Agnes 85 Baby Blue Satin Wedding Shoes (14) Emmy London Bluebell Embellished Wedding Shoes (15) Loeffler Randall Camellia Pleated Knot Ankle-Strap Sandals
