Quiz: What was the first thing you looked at when you cracked the spine of your first bridal magazine? Correct answer: Wedding dresses. Then veils. Then tiaras. Then jewellery...
When it comes to planning your bridal look, shoes are usually an afterthought, but they are as important as your hairstyle. If you’ve ever seen a bride sporting bare feet in a ball gown, you’ll know why. Shoes have to be pretty, but they also have to keep you moving through the day’s activities. Hayley Brown of Celebration Shoes in Toronto (celebrationshoes.com), shares her advice on finding the perfect pair and making them last through an entire night of festivities.
- Find the right fit. For a long day of pictures, speeches and dancing, four-inch stilettos are just not the most practical choice. What you should be looking for when trying on your wedding-day shoes is how your foot lines up with the inner structure in the shoe. This fitting really dictates the comfort and therefore, length of wearing time. Heel height is secondary. "Typically, lower heels are more comfortable," says Brown. "But if you're used to high heels, you just need to find a pair that fits your foot." And don't get stuck on having the most fashion-forward style, Brown says. "Just close your eyes and feel the shape of your foot." When you're trying shoes on, a bit of pressure on the feet is okay—they'll stretch—but if there's pinching, move on; honestly, it won't get better.
- Break them in! Give your tootsies some time to get used to the new pair. Wear your shoes around the house for a couple of weeks before the big day and don’t wear them while watching TV. Walk, strut, spin, shuffle and do the Macarena?you’ve got to prepare! If the shoes are still a little tight, wear them with socks and the material will stretch a bit. One no-no: “Don’t take dance lessons in your wedding shoes!” Brown stresses. White fabric heels plus your man’s black leather shoes equals scuff marks that don’t come out.
- Okay, we admit you may not want to sacrifice style, so here’s a tip: Foot Petals offers a line of products that make sexy shoes comfy, but don't scream "orthopedic"! Weddingbells loves Tip Toes ($9, at The Bay, Sears and independent boutiques across Canada): blossom-shaped pads that cushion the balls of your feet and keep them from slipping and sliding in your shoes. They come in five colours, including silver and white, to co-ordinate with your footwear—even pink! And for the rebel bride, zebra, tiger and leopard prints are also available.
- Despite what you may have heard, it's not necessarily a good idea to have backup shoes. You've tailored your dress to a certain length and if you put on flats after wearing three-inch heels, your hem will drag on the ground and your gown could be ruined. "I often hear brides talking about getting a second pair of shoes," Brown offers. "My advice is: take the time and spend that extra money on one really beautiful pair of shoes that you’ll be able to wear all night."
- And finally, in the event of a blister, there is no need to go barefoot! Not only is baring your tootsies unsightly, but a wedding can be an obstacle course of broken glass and dance partners with two left feet. Have some moleskin fabric or clear bandages on hand to attend to blisters and scrapes. And remember, preparation can create perfection!
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