Your Bridal Shoes: No Need to Sacrifice Style for Comfort

Think your bridal gown is the most important garment you'll need for your wedding? Think again! Your shoes could make or break your day. When your feet hurt, it shows on your face, and you only want smiles on your wedding day.

Top Wedding Sites, Inc. recently sat down and spoke to Lori Dunn, Bridal Stylist and wedding attire expert. Here's Lori's professional shoe selection advice.

Brides spend a lot of money on their dress, their tiara etc., and then choose to save money on the shoes. Why do you recommend they look for a quality, well made shoe instead of skimping? And how do they recognize quality?

? A quality shoe generally is going to have a great fit, so it's going to be comfortable. Sacrificing quality for a bit of cash could very well end up making your wedding day (and the days following) painful! Don't dismiss the importance of a quality shoe!

? You get a good, comfortable fit from a well-made shoe because it's constructed from fine leather and fabrics. Cheap materials don't feel good on your feet the moment you put them on, and it's not going to get any better as the day goes on. You're probably going to have to pay more for comfort, but remember: you're going to be on your feet all day.

? Designer and name brands normally represent quality - like Vera Wang and Stuart Weitzman. The materials are also important; look for things like leather soles, silk, "lined in leather", embroidery or Swarovski crystals. These high-end materials and embellishments generally mean quality.

? You may be surprised when you try on a quality, designer shoe - I find a shoe with an extremely high heel or pointy toe can be quite comfortable because of its superior construction.

? I always say, "Great shoes are like nice lingerie, even though no one sees it, you still feel beautiful when you wear it."

Lori's Shoe Smarts!

1. Shoes with a pointed toe tend to run a little smaller. If you tend to be in-between sizes, it's a good idea to chose the bigger size and put a pad in the ball of the shoe or heel if you have to.

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 dyeable silk shoe of good quality can normally be dyed up to 4-6 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 you have a simple dress, have fun with your shoes. Choose a pair with crystal or pearl embellishments, try a touch of color; Pale blue, for your something blue perhaps. However, make sure the shoes complement the dress and match the look of your wedding attire.

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. What advice do you have for bride's who are considering buying their wedding shoes from an internet shop?

? 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. 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.

? 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 tradeoff. They like shopping online for the large selection that they can't come close to getting in their hometown.

? Shoes can definitely be a tough fit; so before purchase, you should always know your true shoe 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. Do this at the end of the day for the most comfort, since feet tend to swell throughout the day.

? 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.

Lori Dunn is a 15-year veteran of the fashion industry. A former model who has graced the pages of elite magazines -- as well as a professional makeup artist and hairstylist -- she's now one of the top bridal consultants in the United States.

Matthew Ennis, Marketing Manager at Top Wedding Sites, Inc. home of Top Wedding Sites, Top Wedding Questions and Second Weddings.

In The News:


Going Out: The Secret Marriage: Wedding Daze
RedOrbit, TX - Oct 4, 2008
It was in Austria, a year after Mozart's death, that he composed his greatest hit, The Secret Marriage. As a tale, it has a touch of the usual theatrical ...

Gay Socialites

Prop. 8 and teaching to the marriage test
Los Angeles Times, CA - Oct 3, 2008
... equally superficial, misleading and often incredibly tacky messages about marriage. Don't believe me? Watch the Wedding Channel for just five minutes. ...
Proposition 8: How locals want 'marriage' defined Bakersfield Californian
Stand up for love by voting no on Prop. 8 Ventura County Star
Feature | Gay Bride: Looking for a legal marriage, Utah same-sex ... Salt Lake City Weekly
San Diego Union Tribune - Gayapolisall 231 news articles

Washington Post

Howard Stern ties the knot
Boston Herald, United States - 11 hours ago
The wedding was attended by loads of fellow celebrities, including Donald Trump, Billy Joel, Barbara Walters, Sarah Silverman, Jimmy Kimmel, Joan Rivers and ...
Howard Stern's Marriage To Beth Ostrosky To Last 'Forever' eFluxMedia
Howard Stern and Beth Ostrosky Celebrate Marriage in Manhattan People Magazine
Shock wedding Scotland on Sunday
WTOV9.com - TLTnews.netall 570 news articles

Wedding photos develop into feud
Detroit Free Press, United States - 6 hours ago
Chances are you felt somewhat uncomfortable, even guilty, for your marriage not working out. You have to rebuild your family. Make it clear to your son and ...

How the lavish wedding is driving Tanzanians crazy
IPPmedia, United Republic of Tanzania - 21 hours ago
... into wedding celebrations that he says should be channelled into development endeavours. ``Our anxiety is that marriage as an institution may collapse. ...

Of marriage, metaphor and enduring faith
Ottawa Citizen,  Canada - Oct 5, 2008
I'm using the past tense because the wedding date is Saturday, Oct. 4 -- which, as you read this now, was yesterday. But mothers of the bride are not ...

Wife pleads guilty to killing two days after marriage
Melbourne Herald Sun, Australia - 30 minutes ago
The couple made new wills, executed the day after their wedding. Vandergulik, formerly of Kialla, near Shepparton, was remanded in custody to face a plea ...

LDS: Face attacks on faith with peace
Salt Lake Tribune, United States - 2 hours ago
[And] a temple marriage is the highest and most enduring type of marriage that our Creator can offer to Comparing wedding choices to shopping, Nelson said, ...

Same-sex marriage hurts many
San Francisco Chronicle,  USA - 10 hours ago
Christian doctors forced to perform in-vitro fertilizations for women they don't recognize as being married; evangelical wedding photographers sued for not ...

'But How Can That Be When She Ruined My Marriage?'
Defamer Australia, Australia - 15 hours ago
From the second sentence of her rant ("In polite society, I believe it's usual for the ex to be offered an invitation to the wedding and to be ...
marriage wedding - Google News

Rose Petals Add The Perfect Touch For A Wedding

Rose petals will add luxury to a wedding day or... Read More

Las Vegas Theme Weddings

"Las Vegas theme weddings are the envy of the world.... Read More

Create Unique Wedding Invitations That Only Look Expensive

Save a substantial amount of money on invitations, without sacrificing... Read More

The Bigger the Carat the Better the Wedding?

Ahh . . . sweet romance.The flowers. The chocolate. The... Read More

Choosing The Right Music For Your Wedding

OverviewI suppose a typical Christian wedding in the UK can... Read More

Ditching a Wedding

John's cousin, Grace, is getting married in Liverpool, UK and... Read More

Maui: A Prime Wedding Destination

Most visitors to Hawaii would agree that Maui is the... Read More

Conquer the Five Most Common Fears About Your Wedding Ceremony

It's safe to say that of all the important events... Read More

Weddings Las Vegas: Popular Ceremonies

Are you looking for a las Vegas chapel to make... Read More

How to Have a Sizzler of a Honeymoon! Article No. 4

When Maria Callas first appeared on the international scene, she... Read More

Anniversary Gift Guide

An anniversary gift is the opportunity to show your loved... Read More

Get Organized for Wedding Planning!

You've had friends to your home for dinner. Maybe you've... Read More

Honeymoon Registries: A Guide to Asking for Your Honeymoon as a Wedding Gift

Is the cost of your wedding putting the honeymoon of... Read More

A Call for International Marriage Laws

I recently watched a CNN programme which centred on "kidnapped... Read More

Helping The Control Freak Plan The Wedding

My daughter and fiancé have finally set the "big day"... Read More

Five Ideas for a More Romantic Honeymoon

Candles, rose petals, satin, succulent foods, perfume-you're probably already familiar... Read More

Wedding Photography: Preserving the Memories

A person's wedding can be one of the most important... Read More

Marriage Counseling: What Do Wives Really Want in a Husband? Part Two

In Part One, we looked at what wives really want... Read More

Mens Moissanite Wedding Rings, or Is Moissanite a Mans Best Friend?

As mens wedding rings become more and more popular mens... Read More

10 Common Wedding Reception Mistakes

Every bride wants a fairytale wedding. Therefore, this article is... Read More

Bridal Shower Basics

A bridal shower is an excellent way for the bride... Read More

Marriage A Menace

Apparently for a person to get married is like burning... Read More

Planning a Special Wedding Shower

The wedding shower is a traditional party of the marriage... Read More

Is Conflict Healthy in Marriage?

Today my three-year-old daughter told my husband that she wants... Read More

Hawaii Honeymoon Vacations - Romanticizing Your Honeymoon!

Hawaii honeymoon vacations could take you to a miracle trip... Read More