Wedding Shoe Smarts

Think your wedding dress is the most important wedding attire selection? Maybe - or maybe not. Think about your feet. You know, you'll want your shoes to look as good as they feel so you'll be able to dance the night away. Follow these tips for buying the best wedding shoes for this once-in-a-lifetime event!

1. Pointy toed shoes typically run smaller. If you usually take a half size, select the next size up, placing a shoe pad inside.

2. Wear shoe pads to cushion your feet for the long day.

3. A "strappy" sandal or sling back tends to slip. A long narrow adhesive shoe pad stuck to the strap can solve the problem. Using wig tape works great too!

4. Consider high quality silk dyeable shoes that will hold up through several dye processes so you can get more wear from your shoes after the wedding. A fine quality silk shoe can typically be dyed several times.

5. Think about getting two pairs of shoes for your wedding day. You may fall in love with the 4-inch heel, but after the ceremony and formal pictures, you may be ready to change into a lower heel for dancing.

6. If your wedding dress is a plain style, go all out with the shoes. Select shoes with sparkling adornments, consider a splash of color; Pale blue, for your something blue perhaps. However, be certain your shoe is coordinated with your gown.

7. Shopping online makes the wedding planning process a breeze but some brides might be afraid to buy wedding shoes online for fear they won't fit or won't be what they expected. Do not be afraid to order shoes online! Select stores with contact information readily available so you can call and ask questions, ex: if a shoe runs narrow, big, etc.

8. Make sure to start your shoe shopping 2 to 3 months before you actually need them for your dress fitting so you avoid paying rush handling and shipping fees.

9. Some online stores charge a restocking fee or specify exchange on certain shoes, so read the returns policy before you buy. Some brides just don't want to deal with that, but a lot of brides say it's a good trade=off. They like shopping online for the large selection that they can't come close to getting in their hometown. When you get the shoes, handle them with care. Try them on carpet so the soles aren't scratched, and always try the shoes on with pantyhose so you don't leave toe prints. If you decide the shoes need to be returned, they'll be in pristine condition. Dirty or damaged shoes are going to be difficult, if not impossible to return.

10. Shoes can definitely be a tough fit; so before this important shopping trip, have your feet measured by a professional to be sure you get the perfect size. I recommend stopping by a specialty shoe store to have your feet measured just to be sure. Ordering the correct size the first time is going to increase your chance that your first purchase will be the right one. Shop in the evening since your feet have a tendency to swell near the end of the day.