A Bride's Attire... Tips and Ideas: Shoes

The hardest part of wedding attire shopping is done - you've chosen the wedding dress of your dreams! Now, its time to have a bit of fun as you begin to shop for the elements of your wedding attire that will really make the day a statement of YOU...

So - first off - Shoes!! I mean, what woman doesn't love shoes?! But when it comes to selecting the shoes that you'll wear for your wedding day, you need to put some careful thought into this selection... yes, style is important... but so is comfort!

The options for shoes are as wide and varied as are the options for dresses. You can shoes that are labelled as "wedding shoes" or you can wear pretty much any shoe you desire. Bridal shoes range from swarovski-encrusted stilhettos

to white satin pumps to kitten-heeled sandals to flip flops to canvas runners! There really is no "right or wrong" when it comes to your wedding day shoes.

More traditional brides will likely choose elegant, classy shoes that match the colour of their wedding dress, going with a heeled shoe often adorned with jewels. More modern brides will often choose shoes that are somewhat unexpected or out of the ordinary... maybe a pair of lace boots

... maybe a pair of blinged up canvas runners or flip flops... or maybe even a pair of cowboy boots!

Shoes are one way that brides are tending to bring in a bold dash of colour... choosing shoest that match the flowers, the bridesmaid dresses or wedding theme colour... or maybe choosing a colour or pattern that is the bride's favourite.

Weddings today are more and more focussed on being unique and individually-styled, and so there are no "rules" about your choice of shoes!

But regardless of what style of shoe you choose, here's a couple tips to make sure that your shoes work for you and not against you on your wedding day:

* buy your wedding shoes well in advance of the wedding... and wear them regularly around the house to break them in... the last thing you need is to get blisters on your wedding day! BUT pack a few bandaids in your clutch - just in case!

* if your shoes need insoles, heel grips, or other additional supportive elements to make them more comfortable, get these in advance and again - make sure they feel good by wearing them around the house for several hours at a time.

* take your wedding shoes with you to each of your dress fittings... it is very important to have the shoes to make sure that your dress hem length is perfect with the shoes.

* even if your shoes feel great and you are confident that you'll last all day & night in them, bring a second pair of shoes with you for dancing in. This will let you feel more comfortable and will give your feet a rest... especially if your wedding shoes are high heels. Bring a pair of flats or low wedges to change into later... your feet will thank you!

* If your wedding will be outdoors or you will need to walk long distances or on lots of grass or cobblestones, you might want to consider foregoing spike-heeled shoes, or else you'll spend much of your time trying to pull your heels out of the grass! OR, if you are convinced that heels have to be your shoe of choice, then consider buying "soul mates", which are clear plastic heel protectors that stop your heels from sinking into the grass or getting caught in cobble-stone cracks www.solemates.com

Your wedding shoes add a special touch to your wedding attire... by complimenting your dress and style, or by adding a dash of your unique personality to the overall look! So have fun - shop to find shoes that you love, that feel great and that will best suit your wedding theme and style!

Stay tuned... next blog: wedding headpieces!