Saying "I Do" to Beautiful Shoes

Saying "I Do" to a Shoe

Selecting your wedding-day footwear
Melissa Kagan ON Feb 9, 2005 at 4:20AM

This may sound dramatic, but making the wrong shoe choice for your wedding night could prove to be the biggest mistake of your life. Because for all of the planning, money and time that goes into your big event, the last thing you want is to be hobbling around in agony while your guests are doing the mambo without you. Here's what you need to know before saying "I do" to a shoe.

Timing Is Everything

Don't buy your shoes before your dress, but do get them as early as possible. Why the rush? You need to know the height of your heel before you can alter your dress. If you get the dress altered in flats, your full-length gown could end up looking tea length when you slip into a higher heel. Also, buying your bridal shoes early will allow you to wear them around the house and get used to them in advance, which is a must. Spending your entire wedding day or evening in new shoes could result in blistering, hobbling and complaining and make even the happiest bride cry.

Height Matters

However tempting it may be to wear those six-inch ivory stilettos, think twice -- make that thrice -- before buying them. And if you are generally accustomed to wearing flats or low heels, don't think about it at all. You don't want to give yourself extra reasons to trip on your big day. On the other hand, if you're used to stepping, running and dancing in stilettos, go for it. Just keep in mind where you're going to be married. Some venues, like grassy lawns and beaches, should be considered heel-prohibitive terrain.

Watch Out For...

Beware of shoes with skinny straps and jeweled ornaments. Skinny straps tend to start digging into your feet after a couple of hours. Jeweled ornaments on the straps or other parts of the shoes can be dangerous because they have a tendency to catch on long trains and lacy hems. If you absolutely must have those Jimmy Choo rhinestone-strap pumps, try brushing clear nail polish onto the jeweled part of the shoe to create a smoother surface.

The Right White

If only all whites were the same. Alas, they are not, so make sure you take a swatch of fabric from your wedding dress or a photo of it when you go shoe shopping. Since different shades show up differently on different fabrics, it would be wise to try and wear shinier shoes with a satin dress or matte shoes with a crepe dress. If the shoes of your dreams are only available in optic or bright white, ask the store or your local shoe repair shop to apply a "bridal" wash, which will tone the color down a bit.

Price Check

Confession time: We've all bought shoes that put us in the poorhouse before. But how much is too much for a pair of shoes you'll wear once? The dress is one thing, but will your aunts and uncles from Florida really notice that your shoes are made of imported satin? If you experience love at first sight with a pair of pricey pumps and are desperate to have them, make sure you find a style you can dye after the wedding so you can wear them again.

Now, about the shoes your groom is wearing...

MY THOUGHTS

i have no thoughts. hahaha. obviously i cannot relate. i agree with the author though. buying beautiful shoes, even if it's not for your wedding, should be given considerable thought. it's crazy to just go for beautiful shoes. Should be comfy and practical.