You've dreamed of the big day since you were a little girl. Now, the dream is coming true. You have the fairy princess dress and the flowers. Your prince charming is waiting to make you his bride. But why are you hobbling down the aisle like Cinderella's step sister with glass shoes that don't fit?
Thankfully, the days of sacrificing comfort for style are long gone in the bridal shoe department. Wedding celebrations are all day affairs so it is necessary to offer brides and bridesmaids different shoe options so that they don't have to resort to going barefoot by the end of the night. And let's face it; no one wants to be doing the electric slide shoeless because of blisters and foot pain.
Today's wedding shoe styles run the gamut from traditional pumps and sandals, to flats and even flip flops, for those who opt to start the day with one shoe and have the option to change into something more comfortable as the day wears on. Brides and bridal party attendants can decide what type of shoe works best with both their dresses and their tolerance for heels. There is a wide selection of styles available both in-store and online, so let's go shopping for the perfect shoe for both style and comfort.
Pumps
Pumps are all season classic shoes that pair well with all but the most casual of bridal dresses and settings. They are available in a variety of heel heights and styles, such as closed-toe, peep-toe and sling-back. Many are dyeable so they can be matched to the color of bridal party dresses.
For the adventurous lady, The Gala is a sparkling glitter peep-toe sling back with a slight platform to take the edge off of a moderate 3 ¼ inch heel. Glitter is either silver or multi-color gold.
For a more conservative pump, The Shellie is another peep-toe variety with a smaller 2 ¾ inch heel. It is cut out at the sides for a sexy touch and the front of the shoe is scalloped. This shoe is dyeable.
If heel height is a concern the Paige is a dyeable low-heel peep-toe pump with a rhinestone ornament over the toe. The heel is only 1 ¾ inches. This shoe is also available in wide sizes.
Sandals
Sandals are popular choices for bridal footwear for weddings taking place in warmer months. They are also one of the more comfortable options available as they are less restrictive than closed-toe pumps. Heel heights for sandals can range from one to over four inches. Sandals also come in many different styles such as strappy, slip on and thong varieties. Below are three different styles and heel heights to consider.
For a formal affair, The Yvette is a beautiful, dyeable satin sandal with an asymmetrical rhinestone strap. The heel is 3 ½ inches.
For a more casual affair, The Marly adds a bit of glitz to its thong-style with a metallic, rhinestone straps and a 2 inch heel. The shoe comes in gold or silver. It is also available in dyeable satin.
A sandal with a lower heel and bit more support for ankle stability is The Cara. This strappy number features a rhinestone button at the toe straps, a 1 ½ inch heel and an adjustable ankle strap. The foot bed is also padded. It comes in silver or gold.
Flats
For brides and bridesmaids who consider heels to be more torture devices than footwear, there are also a variety of flat shoes, sandals and slippers to keep the big day pain-free. Styles range from the classic bow-adorned ballet flat of The Brenna, to The Kyra; a casual, flat, dyeable satin low wedge thong. The Kyra also features a strap across the toe that is embellished with crystals and beads.
Flip-Flops and Slippers
For bridal party members who plan to start the day in heels and have a flat alternative as a standby, bridal flip-flops or slippers are the solutions. Examples include The Tanya; bejeweled jelly flip-flop that is available in clear or smoke.
Similarly, The Hilary flip-flop has jewel-encrusted straps, a cushioned sole and a 1 ½ inch wedge heel. They are available in white or ivory.
On the slipper end of the spectrum, The Isabelle is a satin and pearl embellished slipper that can be worn under wedding gowns after a long day in heels.
Take Comfort in The Situation
Regardless of the type of shoe you choose for your wedding, it is important to consider comfort as well as fashion. Be sure to try the shoes on before purchasing them. Once purchased, wear them around the house a bit before the big day so that you can break them in. And if you must be a slave to fashion and wear a less than functional shoe, be sure to have a comfortable back-up pair to change into as the day wears on.
Thankfully, the days of sacrificing comfort for style are long gone in the bridal shoe department. Wedding celebrations are all day affairs so it is necessary to offer brides and bridesmaids different shoe options so that they don't have to resort to going barefoot by the end of the night. And let's face it; no one wants to be doing the electric slide shoeless because of blisters and foot pain.
Today's wedding shoe styles run the gamut from traditional pumps and sandals, to flats and even flip flops, for those who opt to start the day with one shoe and have the option to change into something more comfortable as the day wears on. Brides and bridal party attendants can decide what type of shoe works best with both their dresses and their tolerance for heels. There is a wide selection of styles available both in-store and online, so let's go shopping for the perfect shoe for both style and comfort.
Pumps
Pumps are all season classic shoes that pair well with all but the most casual of bridal dresses and settings. They are available in a variety of heel heights and styles, such as closed-toe, peep-toe and sling-back. Many are dyeable so they can be matched to the color of bridal party dresses.
For the adventurous lady, The Gala is a sparkling glitter peep-toe sling back with a slight platform to take the edge off of a moderate 3 ¼ inch heel. Glitter is either silver or multi-color gold.
For a more conservative pump, The Shellie is another peep-toe variety with a smaller 2 ¾ inch heel. It is cut out at the sides for a sexy touch and the front of the shoe is scalloped. This shoe is dyeable.
If heel height is a concern the Paige is a dyeable low-heel peep-toe pump with a rhinestone ornament over the toe. The heel is only 1 ¾ inches. This shoe is also available in wide sizes.
Sandals
Sandals are popular choices for bridal footwear for weddings taking place in warmer months. They are also one of the more comfortable options available as they are less restrictive than closed-toe pumps. Heel heights for sandals can range from one to over four inches. Sandals also come in many different styles such as strappy, slip on and thong varieties. Below are three different styles and heel heights to consider.
For a formal affair, The Yvette is a beautiful, dyeable satin sandal with an asymmetrical rhinestone strap. The heel is 3 ½ inches.
For a more casual affair, The Marly adds a bit of glitz to its thong-style with a metallic, rhinestone straps and a 2 inch heel. The shoe comes in gold or silver. It is also available in dyeable satin.
A sandal with a lower heel and bit more support for ankle stability is The Cara. This strappy number features a rhinestone button at the toe straps, a 1 ½ inch heel and an adjustable ankle strap. The foot bed is also padded. It comes in silver or gold.
Flats
For brides and bridesmaids who consider heels to be more torture devices than footwear, there are also a variety of flat shoes, sandals and slippers to keep the big day pain-free. Styles range from the classic bow-adorned ballet flat of The Brenna, to The Kyra; a casual, flat, dyeable satin low wedge thong. The Kyra also features a strap across the toe that is embellished with crystals and beads.
Flip-Flops and Slippers
For bridal party members who plan to start the day in heels and have a flat alternative as a standby, bridal flip-flops or slippers are the solutions. Examples include The Tanya; bejeweled jelly flip-flop that is available in clear or smoke.
Similarly, The Hilary flip-flop has jewel-encrusted straps, a cushioned sole and a 1 ½ inch wedge heel. They are available in white or ivory.
On the slipper end of the spectrum, The Isabelle is a satin and pearl embellished slipper that can be worn under wedding gowns after a long day in heels.
Take Comfort in The Situation
Regardless of the type of shoe you choose for your wedding, it is important to consider comfort as well as fashion. Be sure to try the shoes on before purchasing them. Once purchased, wear them around the house a bit before the big day so that you can break them in. And if you must be a slave to fashion and wear a less than functional shoe, be sure to have a comfortable back-up pair to change into as the day wears on.
