Walk the Aisle in Style – Choosing the Right Shoes!

by Hafsa Killru

Shoes – It is the most important wedding accessory, after all. The footwear you decide to slip under your feet can literally make or break your complete wedding experience. Brides – we know how finding the right bridal shoe is as exciting as walking home with your dream, fairytale gown. While some of you may give more focus to aspects such as comfort and colour, the rest of you wish to outstand with the pair of shoes that are bound to reflect your nature flawlessly. However, at the end of the day, your wedding shoes have a big role to fulfill and it’s not just about what you want.
You may be the daring bride who chooses to walk down the aisle in a 6 inch stiletto or the more delicate type who prefers a flat because you’re afraid of tripping over your gown. Nevertheless, you cannot walk towards the love of your life stumbling and struggling. You have to like them, yes, but you also have to walk around in it the whole day! So, how do you settle with the right choice of shoes?
Hassle not! Here’s a short compilation of all the nitty-gritty you need to know before you set out to finding the perfect pair so that your big day remains as smooth as icing!

The Dos and Don’ts of Finding the Perfect Shoes
Rule #1 – Find your wedding dress first. Your wedding shoes must complement your dress in every aspect – style, colour, detail and the length of your dress. If your dress is shorter, keep in mind that your shoes will grab everyone’s attention. So pick one that can serve as a statement accessory and would add that extra touch of elegance to your complete ensemble. You can enhance it with colour, extra sparkle and whatever you feel like your outfit is missing. If your dress is longer, stick to something more comfortable because how perfectly they coordinate with your dress will be less important. This isn’t the only reason why we advise you to buy your dress first. You will also need your shoes at each of your dress fittings!
Rule #2 – Set your shoe goals. Before you set out on your shoe shopping spree, determine a budget. This will help you narrow down your choices. Run through the following questions before you lay your hands on ‘the one’:

• Do you want your shoes to make a statement or be more traditional?
• Are you coordinating your shoes with your partner?
• What do you pick – Style or comfort?
• Are you sticking to only one pair of shoes all day?
• Are you willing to invest a whopping amount in a branded, high-quality pair?
• High heels or flats?

Rule #3 – Consider your venue. Your wedding venue will have a great influence on the height of your shoes. You may be the babe who rocks the dance floor in a high stiletto – but honey, you can’t walk in the sands with your heels penetrating the ground with every step you take forward. You don’t want to end up with muddy heels and worn-out, wounded feet now, do you? High heels are much more appropriate for indoor weddings while we suggest you to stick to sandals, wedges, slip-ons or may be even go shoeless with feet accessories for your beach or garden wedding!

Rule #4 – Consistency is a must. It is imperative to maintain a consistent style if you want to look your best. If your whole theme emits vintage or retro vibes, ensure that you match the style of your shoes to the same era. Don’t neglect to match the finer details!

Rule #5 – Break them In! Don’t let your wedding day be the first time you walk around in those shoes. Practice walking in them at least for an hour – preferably indoors, in a clean, carpeted surface. This will allow you to determine whether it would be comfortable during your whole wedding ceremony, photography sessions and reception.

Rule #6 – Here’s one of our golden rules - Don’t wait until the last minute to purchase your wedding shoes! If you begin your quest to finding the right shoes early, the more time you have to break them in, determine whether you really like them and become open to customisation options that cannot be done at the last moment. 

Rule #7 – We say no to online purchasing! While online shopping is the easiest way to explore endless choices as well as compare designs and prices, it also comes with a downside. Your wedding shoes will bear your whole body weight on your big day. Thus, it’s vital to try it out first and feel how comfortable they are to stand and walk around in before you collect the receipt. 

Trending Wedding Shoe Colours 
As much as white seems the most graceful choice, we would also like to introduce you to a handful of aesthetic shades that would add some colour to your outfit. A recent trend has shown the growing popularity for bold and bright colours such as red, orange, green and purple. What gains our attention the most is the fact that brides are now opting to use their shoes as their something blue! What more? Metallic shoes are a thing now and it’s creating a fad amongst brides. Just make sure your shoes coordinate with your bouquet, and ta-da! You are good to go! 
Note: If you’re traditional at heart, then keep in mind that white and ivory are two classics that would always remain in vogue.

Wedding Shoe Styles
You love some drama, bae? High sandals are for you, then! Usually showing a lot of skin, these shoes expose the sides of your feet. Most of them come with both open backs and open toes, and a few with closed toes. If you’re the less dramatic type, we say stand by flats and wedges. These are two easy options to look feminine and chic without the worry of tripping over due to heels. Let mystery play under the hem of your gown with open toe shoes if you like to show a peek of your pedicure and portray a sexy, flirty look. If you wish to remain secretive and stay on the formal end, we would say close toe shoes are the perfect pick for you! Pointed toes remain a suitable option if you want your feet to appear slimmer. However, round toes give you a cuter, casual effect, making your feet appear smaller but wider. If you want something in between, you can compromise with a peep toe shoe that offer a glimpse of one or two polished toenails, while providing more cover and structure.

Popular Brands
There are designers out there who turn ingenious ideas into sparkling, ground-breaking wedding shoes. No doubt – scanning their work makes you want to have a wedding every day! If you’re merely on the search for style inspo or sincerely looking forward to purchasing a branded footwear for your important day, here’s a curated list of the most popular wedding shoe brands!

• Valentino
• Emmy London
• Kate Spade
• Christian Louboutin
• Jimmy Choo
• Aldo
• Badgley Mischka
• Dolce & Gabbana
• Prada
• Gucci

Stay True to Your Personality
The world lists down a hundred rules, but the way to live is by staying true to your personality. Choose a shoe that complements your style and taste. Ensure the pair makes you feel special and confident enough to walk with your head held up high. Let the world see your personality through your choice of shoes. Be it bold and daring, or innocent and delicate – Rock those shoes!

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