How To Choose The Best Wedding Shoes For Yourself

A wise woman once said that diamonds are a girl's best friend, and while I'm inclined to agree slightly, I think many girls would say they much prefer shoes!

Wedding shoes are a really important part of any bridal ensemble but they are quite difficult to get right. Whereas wedding jewellery is purely cosmetic, a good pair of wedding shoes needs to balance beauty and functionality. Every girl has their own shoe preferences, so recommending shoes or a method of finding the right shoes is always hard – there's no accounting for that 'special something' a girl sees in a pair of shoes!

But I do think there a few things to keep in mind when shopping for that perfect pair of wedding shoes, things that might stop you from splashing out if you're unsure or convince you that a certain pair are just right!

Style and Color

Like I've already said, there's no point trying to convince you that a certain style is right for you because every woman is unique when it comes to the type of shoes she likes best. There are a couple of things to keep in mind when choosing a style, however.

Comfort is a major factor when it comes to choosing wedding shoes, as you're going to be wearing them all day; a pair of shoes that rub or are generally uncomfortable can really ruin your big day! Make sure to try shoes on before you commit to them.

For many women, white satin is the be-all and end-all when it comes to wedding shoes and for good reason; white satin complements most traditional wedding dresses. If you want to make a statement with your shoes, however, consider going for something a little different. I personally think these Black Lace Lilly shoes are the perfect mix of classy wedding shoe and bold statement, taking a traditional style of shoe and mixing it with a less obvious colour and material!

Heels: Higher or Lower?

Breaking out the high heels is the natural reaction to a big event for many women but remember what I said earlier about comfort being really important when choosing wedding shoes. How many times have you been out for a night, let alone an entire day, and had to sit down halfway through?

When it comes to heels, I would personally recommend going for a mid-height heel for the maximum comfort or alternatively buying two pairs of shoes – one high and one low for the wedding and reception respectively. It might sound lavish but your feet will thank you for it!

Also keep in mind your wedding dress. Ideally, you should have your shoes with you for the first dress fitting so that any alterations can be made to the dress in accordance with the height of your heels.

Theme

Whereas it's usually quite easy to tell when a piece of jewellery has been inspired by a certain era, it's less obvious with a pair of shoes. Because of this, choosing a pair of shoes that doesn't chime exactly with the theme of your vintage wedding won't necessarily ruin the theme entirely.

If you are truly dedicated though, buy shoes that fit in with your theme. For example, for a flapper style, I'd recommend T-bar shoes such as the Tilly by Rachel Simpson whereas a 50s theme would be well served by the Polly wedding shoes by Harriet Wilde.

Budget

And again, the most boring part of any shopping experience – the budget! As always, stick to your budget so you don't have to compromise on anything elsewhere. With shoes, there is some value to be had from buying shoes that you'll be able to wear out after the big event so keep this at the back of your mind when shopping around.