After a year with little opportunity to wear our favourite heels, wedding season will soon be with us. When it comes to your bridal shoes, it's a fine balance to find style and comfort.
Our top tips for perfect wedding day shoes below have been featured by the likes of French Vogue.
They're surely have you happily on your toes until the last tune!
- Watch the Height
If you're a regular wearer of 4 inch heels then, by all means, go for it. For the rest of us, best to stay 3 inches (7.5cm) or below. For the taller ladies, don't feel you need to wear flat shoes. Your groom loves you enough to want to marry you and will have figured out how tall you are by now.
- The Twirl Test
We LOVE a good razzle - preferably one where we're not worried about our shoes flying off mid-twirl. I've seen a flying shoe hit someone in the face before at a wedding - not a good look! (Though hilarious post wedding vids)! Best way to prevent this unfortunate moment is to have a little strap or two on your shoe to hold your foot in. (Note: If you do want to wear shoes higher than you normally wear, an ankle strap will help this be more comfortable.)
- Beware of Decoration
If your wedding dress falls below your ankles, then you may be best with plainer shoes. Any crystals, beading, etc runs the risk of catching your dress.
If you’ve got our heart set on embellished shoes and a long dress the niftiest way to check if things will be OK is to take a piece of fabric similar to that of your wedding dress with you when trying on shoes. Run the piece of fabric over the shoe and see if it catches. If it doesn't, there's a good chance you'll be fine on your wedding day.
- Choose the Right Size and Shape for Your Foot
Don't be afraid to ask to try a shoe on in a couple of different sizes to find the best fit. It’s your special day, not the shop assistants – so ignore any any annoyed looks they may give you as you ask for another pair. I'd always recommend a round or open toe for comfort - much less likely to result in sore tootsies than pointy shoes.
Also, the time of year you are getting married can affect the fit of your shoe. If you're getting married on a hot summer day, there's a good chance your feet will swell with the heat. Best option is to go shoe shopping in the afternoon once you've been on your feet for a little bit so you will get a better feel for how the shoes will fit on the day.
- Wear Your Shoes In Before the Big Day
We all know the feeling of new shoes pinching. Try to get your shoes in advance, so you can start wearing them in around home a few weeks before the big event. (Nothing like the glamour of a tracksuit and wedding shoes whilst doing the ironing!) This will allow you to see if any spots rub and give you a chance to make small amendments by using shoe stretching solution, etc.
Make sure the groom also buys his shoes well before the big day so he can wear them in. If the shoes are tight around his toes, send him to the shoe repairer to get some shoe stretching solution. (It's what bespoke shoe makers user to get the perfect fit!)
- A Bit of Comfort
Check that your shoes have good padding or pop a pair of Alice Bow insoles in - they seriously makes a huge difference! We are bias, yes – but there’s a proficient reason as to why Alice Bow’s are around.
Hope this wedding footfulness helps you on your big day. Oh and do share this post with any friends who are getting married -- these tips are all old, borrowed and new.
Got any of your own tricks for happy wedding day feet? Drop us a note in the comment below. We'd love to hear them!
Just click here to shop our delicate Bridal range, including a traditional English sixpence for your shoe. Alice Bow insoles will not only will keep your feet supported, but are perfect for your ‘something blue’ and you can personalise them too.
