Choosing Wedding Shoes You’ll Love – Top 9 Tips

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Among all the bridal accessories, shoes are the most important. After all, aside from your wedding dress, they’re the ones you have to wear for the entire duration of both your ceremony and reception.

However, considering how important this bridal accessory is, it can be difficult to choose the right pair. There are a lot of factors to consider when it comes to shopping for the right wedding shoes.

To help you make your special day as perfect as it can be, here are our top tips to help you choose a pair of wedding shoes you’ll love!

Be sure you have already picked your wedding dress.

Bride wearing beautiful wedding shoes
Your dress style will determine the type of shoes you buy. See these gorgeous handmade sandals by Pelino Sandals here.

Your shoes should complement your dress in every way possible. This is because your shoes have to match the style and details of your chosen dress; not the other way around. This is why it’s important that you have chosen your wedding dress first.

In addition to this, the length of your dress is also important as this factor can determine whether you should go for a comfortable option or for something that stands out. With a longer dress, it might not matter if your shoes are casual or not as fancy because they won’t be as visible, unlike with a shorter-length dress.

For shorter dresses, you can opt for something with a little more design to match well with your dress. Another thing worth noting is that you would need your shoes for each of your dress fittings as the tailor will need to adjust it according to the height of your shoes.

Ensure you pick something comfortable.

Ballet flats bridal
Bridal ballet flats by the White Ribbon. See them here.

While style, height, and other details are important when choosing a wedding shoe, one of the most important considerations is comfort level. After all, you will be wearing them the entire day, all throughout your ceremony and reception, which is why you need something as comfortable as possible.

It might be tempting to go for a style with a higher heel, but if you’re not used to it, it might be difficult for you to stay in them for the entire duration of your wedding. However, this doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice style for comfort. There are plenty of options that have both the style you’re looking for and the comfort to stay in them.

The level of comfort your shoes provide will also matter if you’re planning on dancing during your reception, as most people do. Dancing might prove to be difficult if you’re doing it in high heels, especially if you’re not used to wearing them.

Think about the venue.

Bride holding her shoes in her hand

Another factor to consider is the venue where the wedding and reception are taking place. If you’re having an outdoor wedding, then a pair of stilettos might not be the best option. A pair of flat shoes or something with low heels might be a smarter choice when it comes to outdoor weddings.

Also, consider other details like if you will have to climb stairs or will have to dance on a dance floor that offers little traction.

Taking into account the venue when shoe-shopping will prevent any shoe-related mishaps or accidents from happening, ensuring you have the perfect wedding day just as you imagined.

Consider your options – and your budget.

Have you ever experienced falling in love with and immediately buying a particular item when shopping, only to regret it later on because you found something you love more? If so, then you know how important it is to shop around first before settling on the perfect pair.

While it can be tempting to buy the first pair of wedding shoes you fall in love with, it’s best to shop around to see your options first before purchasing. This way, you won’t have any regrets later on.

It’s also important to take note of your budget. It can be tempting to go beyond your established budget, especially considering how special this day is for you, but you’ll also need to keep in mind that the wedding is only the start of your life together. This is why sticking to the budget is important.

Shop early for your wedding shoes.

Bride trying on shoes
Take your shoes to dress fittings.

Just like you wouldn’t put off buying your dress, you shouldn’t put off buying your wedding shoes either. There are a number of reasons for this, the most important being, you will need time to break in the shoes before the wedding to ensure they fit your feet perfectly when your big day finally comes.

  • Breaking in your wedding shoes before the big day is vital because it ensures that you feel as comfortable as possible in them, especially considering that you will have to wear them (or even dance in them) for hours on end.
  • Another reason is, as mentioned before, you will need to take them to each of your dress fittings so that the tailor may properly measure the length of your dress and ensure that you won’t trip over it during your walk down the aisle.
  • Getting your shoes early on will help you decide if it’s really the best fit for you and your dress. This will also give you more time to find a replacement in case you end up deciding that it doesn’t suit your dress after all.
  • Shopping for your wedding shoes early on will give you plenty of time to break in your new replacement pair in case you change your mind.

Mind the weather on your big day.

This is especially important if you’re having an outdoor wedding because the weather conditions on your big day will have a great effect on it. In case the weather takes a turn for the worse, it would be best if you have a backup plan for your shoes.

Rain, even small amounts of it, can make the grass slippery and muddy which will make walking in high-heeled shoes difficult to do.

Have a pair of backup shoes.

Wedge heel bridal shoes
Gorgeous wedding wedges by Laminta Shop. See them here.

It might be a good idea to have a pair of backup wedding shoes at the ready in case shoe-related mishaps like broken heels or broken straps happen. That way, you won’t have to go barefoot if it happens. Also, this ensures that your backup shoes will also match your wedding dress.

Make sure you can try them on.

This ensures that whatever pair you choose, will fit you perfectly and be comfortable enough to walk in. While checking out online sites for wedding shoes can be a convenient and hassle-free way of checking out different styles of shoes, it can also be a big risk when it comes to the fit and feel of the shoes. You may end up with a pair that looks good but aren’t as comfortable. Always purchase from a store that allows returns just in case your shoes don’t fit as well as you’d hoped.

Most of all, pick a pair that will make you feel special and shows off your personality.

Wedding boots and bride

While comfort and style are important when picking your wedding shoes, it won’t mean anything if it doesn’t make you feel special. After all, your wedding is one of the most important days in your life, and everything not only has to be perfect but it has to make you feel amazing and make the day as memorable as possible.

Plus, consider picking a pair of wedding shoes that shows off your personality. It will not only make you feel special, but it will also ensure that your wedding is uniquely yours, making the day even more memorable.

Wrapping up

Weddings will always be special in a way that other occasions can’t match. A lot of preparation goes into each detail, whether big or small, to ensure that it’s as close to perfect as possible, and choosing the right wedding shoes is part of it.

While there are a lot of considerations to make when choosing the right wedding shoes, nothing is as important as you feeling beautiful and special during this memorable event in your new life as a couple.

Dani Rhys

Dani Rhys has worked as a writer and editor for over 15 years in the jewelry niche. She holds a Masters degree in Linguistics and Education. She has always been interested in expression through fashion and accessories, and her extensive experience in the field has made her a respected voice in jewelry trends and education. As the chief editor of Jewelry Shopping Guide, she not only leads the content strategy but also shares her insights through engaging articles. Her passion for storytelling is reflected in every piece she curates, exploring the intricate relationship between jewelry and personal identity.

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