By Lenny Stratton
You’ve scored the perfect gown, the dress of your dreams. Each of your bridesmaids is bedecked in a frock of the perfect hue. Now it’s time to decide what goes beneath the hems of those perfect ensembles. That’s right; the shoes.
There are a lot of things to consider when choosing bridal shoes. Gown style, overall theme, personal style and comfort, even your choice of venue can come into play when you are choosing how to adorn your feet–and those of your bridesmaids–on the most important day of your life.
The first thing to think about when choosing your bridal shoes is the formality of the event. From there, you can decide on heel-height, color, and adornments to help your footwear fit your wedding day style. Is yours a formal ballroom affair: black-tie, seated dinner, full band? Opt for a satin or silk-covered shoe. Or maybe you’re having a simple garden fete. Don some stylish yet simple ballet flats. Or pair sets of bedazzled gladiator sandals with those Grecian gowns your bridesmaids have fallen in love with.
Bridal white is not the standard anymore: use your colors. With shoe retailers from around the world at your fingertips online, it is easier than ever to find shoes in hues to
perfectly match your day. Try one of the local bride shops, where not only do they have couture options, they offer dye-able options in dozens of styles and shades so you can find your perfect fit.
Or is something a little funky more up your alley? Couple your wedding day frock with a set of Chuck Taylor’s that match your wedding colors. Go a little green and do a good deed at the same time by matching up a set of Toms with your bridal attire. Both of these lines offer a variety of styles and colors to match all the other wedding day details you’ve worked so hard to plan.
Don’t forget about comfort. Remember, not only are you going to be wearing these shoes down the aisle, you’ll probably wear them during photos, throughout dinner, and when busting a move with your honey on the dance floor. If you never wear more than a two-inch heel, don’t choose a five-inch stiletto for your big day. High heels don’t necessarily equal high-fashion; you can be equally as fabulous in a kitten heel or flat.
No matter what choice you make for your bridal footwear, put as much thought into this decission as you do all your other wedding day choices. Don’t let this aspect of your day fall by the wayside. Make your shoe choice a reflection of you and your personal style. Whether you’re in a pair of red-soled Christian Leboutin’s or a simple set of ballet flats from your local shoe store, remember that you are beautiful from head to toe.
