All About The Shoe: How to Choose The Perfect Bridal Shoes For You!
Talk about shoes? You don’t have to ask us twice! Shopping for your bridal shoes is one of the least stressful, most fun, parts of shopping for your wedding ensemble. You already know what size you wear, and chances are, you know what styles you like...or at least what you don’t like. That’s a great place to start! While shoe shopping should be pretty straight forward, there are a few things that you want to consider before committing to the perfect pair.
PHOTOGRAPHY | Anya Kernes Photography SHOES | Bella Belle
As with every part of your wedding budget, how much to spend on bridal shoes is something that you need to decide based on what you and your partner are comfortable spending. There is no set amount that you should or shouldn’t spend on wedding shoes. That being said, your wedding is a great excuse to splurge on that designer pair that you’ve been drooling over for years. Whatever you decide to spend, make sure to include your bridal shoe allocation into the budget for your bridal ensemble.
We know, weddings are expensive! For most brides, going shoe shopping is an exciting prospect, but for brides who have already stretched their budget, it may seem like one more expense. If that’s the case for you, instead of going to boutiques and high-end department stores, shop your closet. There is no rule that says you need to get new shoes for your wedding. Do you already own a pair that is formal enough, one that would complement your gown? Amazing, that’s one less thing that you have to buy! Plus, they’re already broken in, so no need to worry about pesky blisters on your wedding day!
Budget
As with every part of your wedding budget, how much to spend on bridal shoes is something that you need to decide based on what you and your partner are comfortable spending. There is no set amount that you should or shouldn’t spend on wedding shoes. That being said, your wedding is a great excuse to splurge on that designer pair that you’ve been drooling over for years. Whatever you decide to spend, make sure to include your bridal shoe allocation into the budget for your bridal ensemble.
We know, weddings are expensive! For most brides, going shoe shopping is an exciting prospect, but for brides who have already stretched their budget, it may seem like one more expense. If that’s the case for you, instead of going to boutiques and high-end department stores, shop your closet. There is no rule that says you need to get new shoes for your wedding. Do you already own a pair that is formal enough, one that would complement your gown? Amazing, that’s one less thing that you have to buy! Plus, they’re already broken in, so no need to worry about pesky blisters on your wedding day!
PHOTOGRAPHY | Trynh Photography SHOES | Christian Louboutin
This is the most important and the most complicated decision to make when it comes to choosing your bridal shoes, mostly because it depends on a few different factors.
Heel Height
This is the most important and the most complicated decision to make when it comes to choosing your bridal shoes, mostly because it depends on a few different factors.
- Gown Length- You should definitely wait to go shoe shopping until you have your gown selection locked in. Most gowns come in a standard length (60” hollow-to-hem on average). Depending on your height, the length of your gown may dictate how high of a heel you should wear. The bridal sales associate that helps you when you purchase your gown should be able to tell you the standard length for that designer and advise you on the maximum heel height that would work with the hem. If your gown is floor-length, when you are wearing your shoes, the hem should just graze the floor. For a fee, some designers offer a service where they can add additional length to the hem if needed (but this needs to be done when you place the order). If your gown has a high-low hem or isn’t floor length, your heel height options open up completely.
- Physical Comfort- This is a big factor when determining heel height. A lot of brides feel pressure to wear high heels on their wedding day–don’t! Your wedding is a celebration, you want to remember laughing and dancing with your friends and family, not how much your feet were killing you. Choose a heel height that you are comfortable with. If you live in heels and would feel naked wearing anything else, go for it! We recommend choosing a brand that you know and love so you know you’ll be comfortable dancing in them and walking around all day. If you never wear heels and feel like you’ll be tripping over yourself, go with flats. These days, a lot of designers are making super cute formal options for flats. If you’re somewhere in-between, try both. Take your time, try shoes on and see which one you like best.
- Mental Comfort- In addition to physical comfort, consider your mental comfort as well. Some women are uncomfortable wearing heels, especially if they are tall (or are taller than their partner). To address this, first let us say, whether you are petite or tall–embrace your height! Your partner fell for you just the way you are, so don’t feel like you need to be anything else on your wedding day. If you’re a tall girl and heels make you feel great, rock a heel! If you’re short and aren’t comfortable in heels, wear flats! If there is a big height difference between you and your partner and you want to downplay it, your photographer can help account for that in photos, just let them know that it’s something to be conscious of.
PHOTOGRAPHY | Anya Kernes Photography SHOES | Bella Belle
Now, for the fun part–style! When selecting your shoes, try to choose something that complements the style of your gown. Now, this doesn’t mean that it needs to be matchy-matchy. Just because your gown is satin doesn’t mean your shoes need to be. Think instead, “What would look good with my gown?” For example, if your gown is a romantic tulle gown, think a pastel strappy sandal with floral or beaded detail. Or, if your gown is more minimalist, try a killer pointy toe pump to add that extra edge.
A common misconception is that bridal shoes need to be in the white color family–totally untrue! In fact, your shoes are a great place to add a pop of color–perhaps one of the less used colors from your color palette or your “Something Blue”. Metallics also a safe bet because they go with everything! Your bridal shoes are an investment, so make sure you pick a pair that you love and can wear even after the wedding.
Style & Color Palette
Now, for the fun part–style! When selecting your shoes, try to choose something that complements the style of your gown. Now, this doesn’t mean that it needs to be matchy-matchy. Just because your gown is satin doesn’t mean your shoes need to be. Think instead, “What would look good with my gown?” For example, if your gown is a romantic tulle gown, think a pastel strappy sandal with floral or beaded detail. Or, if your gown is more minimalist, try a killer pointy toe pump to add that extra edge.
A common misconception is that bridal shoes need to be in the white color family–totally untrue! In fact, your shoes are a great place to add a pop of color–perhaps one of the less used colors from your color palette or your “Something Blue”. Metallics also a safe bet because they go with everything! Your bridal shoes are an investment, so make sure you pick a pair that you love and can wear even after the wedding.
PHOTOGRAPHY | Isabelle Selby Photography SHOES | Valentino
It’s a good idea to consider your venue when choosing your shoes, especially if any part of your wedding is outdoors. You may be in love with those spike heels, but the thought of walking in grass or sand in them may change your mind.
Some shoes lend themselves to outdoors more than others. Flats are always a great nature-friendly option, but if you need that extra height from a heel, consider a wedge. While most wedges are more casual in design, there are some formal options, you may just need to look a little harder to find them. Chunky heels are another way that you can have your cake and eat it too, so to speak. They give you the height and are fairly stable in most outdoor settings.
Let’s say you’ve found your wedding shoes, and they have a heel that is not compatible with softer ground–fear not! There are a few different companies, like Solemates, that sell heel caps. They snap onto the tip of your heel and distribute the weight over a larger surface area, preventing you from sinking.
Venue
It’s a good idea to consider your venue when choosing your shoes, especially if any part of your wedding is outdoors. You may be in love with those spike heels, but the thought of walking in grass or sand in them may change your mind.
Some shoes lend themselves to outdoors more than others. Flats are always a great nature-friendly option, but if you need that extra height from a heel, consider a wedge. While most wedges are more casual in design, there are some formal options, you may just need to look a little harder to find them. Chunky heels are another way that you can have your cake and eat it too, so to speak. They give you the height and are fairly stable in most outdoor settings.
Let’s say you’ve found your wedding shoes, and they have a heel that is not compatible with softer ground–fear not! There are a few different companies, like Solemates, that sell heel caps. They snap onto the tip of your heel and distribute the weight over a larger surface area, preventing you from sinking.
PHOTOGRAPHY | Taralynn Lawton
Though you do have significantly more time to shop for shoes than any other part of your bridal ensemble, there is a deadline. You should have your shoes purchased and in-hand with you at your first alterations appointment. This ensures that your alterations specialist has the right measurement when hemming your gown.
Timeline
Though you do have significantly more time to shop for shoes than any other part of your bridal ensemble, there is a deadline. You should have your shoes purchased and in-hand with you at your first alterations appointment. This ensures that your alterations specialist has the right measurement when hemming your gown.