David's Bridal

Your wedding shoe is the ultimate place to play on your big day and the perfect opportunity to combine your wedding style and your personal style. But, like anything else, there are a few important things you should consider before you go off wearing dangerously studded spiked heels with an all-too-easy to rip lace gown.

“The shoe you choose for your wedding day should reflect your personal style, wedding décor and coordinate with your dress and wedding colors. But they also need to be comfortable,” says David’s Bridal Shoe Merchant Cathy Gegeckas. “Don’t buy a shoe that isn’t comfy when you initially try it on. After five-plus hours of standing in it, it won’t be any more comfortable.” Once you’ve determined your comfort level (and pain threshold), think about your gown’s silhouette. As much as you might want to wear that six-inch hot pink pump, if you’ve bought a ball gown, it’s going to be lost in tulle. To help avert other shoe snafus, Gegeckas shared a few shoe selection tips for every style of wedding gown.

Sheath or column. “Sheath, column or mermaid gowns tend to focus on your curves, so you have the opportunity to wear a sexy strappy high heel sandal or embellished peep toe.” We love the ladylike bows on the backs of these satin White by Vera Wang sandals.

Short or Tea Length. “Short or tea-length gowns are a great opportunity to show off your individual shoe style!” says Gegeckas. “If you’re more daring, try a print or color. If your style is a little more retro, look for a pointy toe pump or pair of kitten heels with coordinating accessories like short gloves or a fascinator.” The cute, retro-inspired pumps above are just $49.50!

A-line or ballgown. “A voluminous skirt on an A-line or ballgown might mean your shoes won’t be visible to your guests, but you can still wear something that is extra special to you. If your gown has lace detail or pearls, you may want to incorporate that look into your shoes.” Try this lovely lace pair above (which, by the way, are only $59.50!).

Good advice for any gown: Nix a skinny heel for a beach or outdoor affair, and consider a change of shoe. “Buy yourself a second pair of shoes to change into at the reception,” says Gegeckas. “After dancing the night away, you’ll be thankful to change into a pair of comfy flip flops.