Finding the most comfortable wedding shoes to wear is a wonderful thing to cross off of your checklist. You’ve finally found The Shoes and you can’t wait to sport them on your wedding day. Exciting! But before you put your stilettos away in a shoe box, wear your wedding shoes before your wedding day.
Wait, what?!
• Won’t you mess up your shoes?
• Is it bad luck to wear your wedding shoes before the wedding?
No… and no! On the contrary: wearing your wedding shoes prior to the main event may bring you a bit of good luck, as far as preparation is concerned. In this blog post, we’ll explain why you should wear your wedding shoes in anticipation of the wedding day. This is crucial wedding shoe advice BEFORE you walk down the aisle.
Let’s discuss it.
1. Break in your shoes to make sure they’re comfortable.
Take your shoes out of the box and try them on. If you are worried about them getting dirty, make sure your feet are extra-doubly clean, and only walk around in an indoor area of your home where you know they won’t get accidentally spilled on or soiled.
I say this because I have a toddler who likes to knock cups on the floor. Or a cat who also likes to knock cups on the floor. They are besties.
But maybe your home is free of these obstacles, so feel free to walk around as much as you’d like. Get them worn in a bit and then do a little investigation, as described in the next step.
2. Investigate how comfortable the shoes are.
A comfortable shoe is one thing, but knowing how the shoes feel when you put them on and walk in them is another thing to consider. Practice walking in them as you will down the aisle. This is particularly important if you plan to wear heels and you don’t typically wear high heels. A little practice helps!
Wear them a bit and then investigate. Do they fit well? Do they need a little TLC? Here are some helpful things to add to your shoes to make them wedding day ready.
Prepare Against This Major Foot Pain
Every bride needs to put a pair of these pads ($12) inside her heels EVEN if the shoes are already comfortable. Why?
The balls of your feet seem to be the major point of pain when you dance the night away or walk around in heels. Plan ahead and get these pads to make it pain-free!
Wedding Shoes Are Too Big
Are your shoes a bit too big? If they’re just a little off on sizing, you can add these to your wedding shoes to make them fit a bit more snugly. These are called Heel Grips and they’re insanely brilliant. I’ve used them on a pair of shoes that were just a bit loose and they fit like a glove. Not a bad deal for only $12.
Wedding Shoes Are Too Small
If your shoes are too small, it may suit you best to find another pair, especially if you can barely get them on your feet.
However, if they’re just a pinch snug, you can stretch footwear with one of these and do it ahead of the wedding day. This will also do the trick if you don’t want to wear wedding shoes before the wedding day. It mimics your foot so you can keep them looking nice and fresh in the box!
Rubbing on the Backs of Your Feet
One common place you will experience rubbing on new footwear is the backs of your feet. If your shoes fit well, but you want to prevent blisters (can I get an amen?) simply stick these into the backs of your shoes and they’ll be invisible, yet you’ll know they’re there… and you’ll have no blisters to prove it. I always wear these to any special event. Get them here.
Slippery Sole
Is the bottom of your shoe a bit slippery? Some materials can be a little too slick for the dance floor, the walk down the aisle, or a walk in the rain if there are showers on the big day. Plan ahead with a pair of these sole stickers that will provide a grippy exterior and prevent slipping, which I think is something everyone wants to prevent on their wedding day!
Still not sure if they’re the right shoes for you? If none of these seem to do the trick, it may be best to return your shoes and find a new pair.
I know that’s not easy to hear, but it’s better to handle it now than when the wedding day arrives! :)
3. Practice dancing in your wedding shoes.
Your dance moves are on point… on a carpeted floor, in bare feet. Uh-oh: what about high heels on a shiny, slick dance floor?
Practice your dancing moves on a sold floor in your wedding shoes to ensure you can dance comfortably and still pull off those sick moves. ;) I’m sure you can.
4. Wear your bridal footwear to your dress fittings.
Many brides forget to do this, but it is important to wear your wedding shoes before the event at your dress fittings. Why? Getting the perfect fit with the length of your dress and how it flows when wearing your wedding day shoes is vital to the tailor. If they can see you in your shoes as you try on your bridal gown, they’ll have a sense of how much longer or shorter the length of the dress should be so it flows perfectly.
PRO TIP: While we’re on the topic, make sure you also bring along shapewear to your fitting. Getting an accurate fit with a smooth foundation is key, so having it ready to wear with your gown will ensure your look is absolutely perfect. Don’t wear white shapewear under a dress; wear nude, so it won’t show through. Here’s a good example.
5. Wear wedding shoes to get more use out of them!
It’s one thing to buy a wedding dress and wear it one time. But you only get to wear your shoes once, too?! Bummer.
► It doesn’t have to be that way! ◄
If you want to show off your wedding shoes more than once, go for it.
Some brides opt to wear their wedding shoes ahead of the wedding day to pre-wedding events, like the wedding shower or rehearsal dinner. In one way, it’s a brilliant opportunity t break into your shoes a bit more. Moreover, it’s a terrific way to show off those shoes that won’t get worn again after the big celebration.
And if you wear your wedding shoes to the rehearsal, you’ll feel confident knowing it is the same pair you’ll be wearing on the wedding day itself.
Last but not least, here’s a great tip: even if your shoes are the most comfortable thing on the planet, and you’ve had the chance to do all of the above, it’s a great idea to pack a pair of bridal slippers in your tote bag. This pair is super simple, yet RIDICULOUSLY comfortable with over 28,000+ ratings.
Keep Your Wedding Shoes Clean
But keep in mind that if you do plan to wear them outdoors, avoid any places where they’ll get soiled as many bridal shoes are tough to clean.
It’s also OK to save those shoes from major events and wear them only indoors for the practice and fittings, as mentioned above, and save the big reveal until the wedding day. It’s up to you!
So, in conclusion:
Is it OK to wear your wedding shoes before the big day?
Yes! Not only is it OK to wear them before your wedding, but it is also important to walk around in your bridal shoes so they are worn in just a bit. Even the comfiest pair of wedding shoes need a brief wear-in period to make sure they fit you like a glove.
Secondly, while many brides wait to wear their shoes on the big day — and many often don’t even try them on, for fear of getting them soiled — it’s essential to make sure they fit. What if the shoe size on the box doesn’t match the pair on the inside? What if there’s something wrong with the heel and you didn’t try it on first?
Thirdly, wearing your wedding shoes ahead of time to the fittings will give you an accurate depiction of your bridal look, allowing plenty of time to make adjustments if needed.
Finally, you want to ensure you can actually walk in them. I think we can all agree that is worth taking the time to wear them around the living room at the very least. :) Remember, putting them on while you sit and watch a fave TV still counts! It’s an act of getting your feet used to wearing them and stretching a bit to fit your foot shape. So walk around a bit, but also know it’s OK to wear them while sitting down.
YOUR TURN: Do you plan to put on your wedding shoes before the wedding? Why or why not? Tell me in the comment box below!
xo
Emma
