Heels. Sandals. Sneakers. The perfect wedding day shoe is different for everyone. Whether you are walking down the aisle in a church, ballroom, or backyard, our tips for finding the most comfortable shoes will have you and your feet covered.
Options for Outdoor Summer Weddings
Summertime is associated with easy living and laid-back enjoyment. But walking down the aisle may not be so carefree if you are wearing the wrong shoes. Designer sandals for women will have you looking – and feeling – your best for an outdoor wedding. A high-quality sandal ensures that your straps won’t break at an inopportune time.
If you want to be extra confident in your shoe selection, go for a style with a wide heel or wedge, or select a sandal that’s perfectly flat. Narrow stiletto heels can be treacherous when navigating stone or brick walkways, and you will destroy them with dirt if you have to walk in the grass. If you absolutely must have a narrow high heel, purchase some clear, plastic heel protectors to keep your shoes in good shape for future wear.
Cozy for Indoor Weddings
You won’t have to worry about losing a heel in the mud with an indoor wedding. However, you will want to take note of a few things when making your selection. The type of flooring you will walk on for your wedding day should influence your choice.
If you spend the day on high pile carpet, make sure the plastic tip of your heel doesn’t catch (or give it a quick sanding down if it does). Many indoor venues have wood floors that can be smooth if lacquered. Again use some sandpaper to scuff up your brand new soles, so you don’t make a slippery scene on your wedding day. Modern, industrial-style venues often have poured concrete floors. While they are very cool to look at, they offer no bounce at all. Make sure to select a shoe with plenty of cushioning if your venue is like this.
Tips for Everyone
Your wedding shoes are not the first pair you have purchased, so trust your instinct when it comes to choosing the right shoes for you. Some women have wide feet. Some wobble and trip if they wear high heels. Remember that you will be on your feet for most of the day, so choose a footwear style that you would typically select for any other occasion.
Another advice that applies universally is to wear your wedding day shoes well in advance of the day itself. Think about your favorite pair of shoes. Chances are they are well worn and hug your feet in all the right places. The only way to achieve that comfort level is to give the shoes – and your feet – time to get to know one another. Make sure you purchase your shoes a couple of months before your wedding. Wear them around the house every day, starting with a couple of minutes until you can wear them for a few hours without any discomfort.
If you select a style of shoe that is absolutely stunning but only comfortable for a short amount of time, there is no shame in buying a second pair to put on once the formalities are over. Wear your signature look for the ceremony, the photos, the first dance, and the cake cutting, then change into your second pair before dancing the night away.
Last but not least, make sure you take your shoes with you to your final dress fitting so the seamstress can hem your gown to the correct length. Even the most comfortable shoe will become a liability if you’ve altered your dress too long and can’t stop stepping on your skirt.
Your comfort on your wedding day will mean the difference between focusing on making memories or concentrate on finding a spot to sit down. Make sure you choose shoes that you’ll forget are even there so you can remember every other thing about the day.