Details, a professional planning company: Think Outside the Shoebox

Cinderella wore a glass slipper. Custom slippers of silk and pearls were created for Princess Diana and Queen Victoria wore a pair of white satin ballet-style slippers for her wedding in 1840 to her cousin Prince Albert. I give Cinderella and Queen Victoria both a thumbs up on their stylish, even if impractical, selections. In my opinion, this was one occassion when Princess Diana missed the style boat.

...Purchase your own Cinderella Slipper

Many brides today are still following tradition with a white or ivory gown for the walk down an aisle, but wish to interject a bit of personality into their otherwise restrained ceremony. Wanting more than the dyed-to-match-the-gown shoe, stylish ladies opt to express themselves with their shoes. What a great excuss to shop for endless hours for that perfect accessory!

Thinking outside the wedding shoe box opens up a world (think Internet!) of resources. The first thing you might want to ask yourself before embarking on this ultimate shoe shopping excursion is whether comfort is important to you. Remember, you always have the option to change shoes between the ceremony and reception (Yeah! Two new pairs of shoes!). Kiwi makes a special cushion that can be inserted into the shoe under the ball of your foot which eases the pain often associated as your foot slides to the front of the shoe, but there are many options for ensuring you're able to make it through and enjoy your last dance. Consider ballet flats (With a bit of support or your feet will still fatigue), shoes from comfort brands such as Aerosoles, and even wedges, which are not only popular at the moment, but also are easier on the footsies. Flipflops and sandals are options for beach weddings as well as this lovely beaded band, similar to one a previous client of ours wore for her Mexican beach wedding.

Wedding Shoe Tips:

~ Think comfort first (Don't roll your eyes at me! You'll be in these shoes for several hours.)

~ Shoe shop late in the day, when your feet are swollen a bit.

~ Consider vintage or resale. If you're hoping to wear your shoes again, think about a design that has a less traditional wedding look.

~ Wear them around the house to break them in and to get used to the shoe.

~ Using concrete or sandpaper, scuff the sole so that you have better traction. You can also purchase and adhere a slipguard.