Pumps and Ceremony

The increasing popularity of the simple wedding dress has led to a renewed interest in bridal footwear. Not only are bridal shoes more visible than they used to be, but there is a much stronger emphasis on the bride’s comfort and relaxation.

Popular bridal shoe styles include flats, sling backs, platforms, sandals and of course pumps. The pump is the classic bridal design. Its versatility is guaranteed to set off any wedding dress to perfection. Its soft flat sole means it also scores high on the comfort scale. Pumps are fairly inexpensive too, so buying a back-up pair or two doesn’t entail a hefty expense. Pumps can be custom made and they’re the ideal shoes to dye.

Many brides make the mistake of underestimating the value of bridal shoes, often falling into a last minute shoe-shopping panic. Here a few tips to help you avoid the most common stumbling blocks:

When to buy your bridal shoes
Bridal shoes are best purchased before your first dress fitting. This will make it easier for your dressmaker to maintain a consistent dress hemline, which will in turn reduce the cost and inconvenience associated with alterations.

Colour and Fabric
The fabric and texture of your shoes should match those of your wedding dress as closely as possible. Unless your shoes are made of the same fabric as your dress, a perfect colour match is near impossible. Dyeable shoes present a relatively simple solution. Insist on a colour-fast dye that ensures the optimal replication of the hue and depth of colour. When dyeing your shoes, take into account the natural light of your service venue. Ultraviolet light can cause the colour of dyed shoes to look different indoors and outdoors. Another trick that will help disguise fabric and colour deviations is the application of a strip of material at the bottom of your gown that matches your shoe fabric.

Heel Height and Comfort
As far as heel height is concerned, the basic rule of thumb is this: the larger the shoe size, the higher the heel. Bear this in mind if you are exceptionally tall – or if your husband-to-be is especially short! Heel height is also an important consideration if you’re planning an outdoor ceremony. High narrow heels are far more likely to sink into soft ground like grass or sea sand. Flat shoes are the obvious choice here. If you insist on some height, select a broad or wedge-like heel.

At the end of the day, comfort comes first. Your best bet is a shoe that most closely resembles your favourite pair of everyday shoes. Some brides opt for two pairs of shoes – one for the ceremony and photo session, the other for the reception. If you decide to change to a lower heel, make sure you discuss this with your dressmaker.

Making your shoes your own
Define your individual style with a unique finish. Consider the possibilities of beading, lace designs, rhinestone and pearl appliqués. Use a reliable fabric glue to make your signature. And bear in mind the unspoken rule that governs the ideal relationship between shoe type and embellishment: fancy shoes go with simple dresses, and simple shoes with elaborate gowns.

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Pumps and Ceremony | Wedding Articles