Hot shoe shuffle

Niki Newbery is the Marketing Manager for bridal shoe designers Paradox London, so she’s just the person to tell you what to walk down the aisle in.

For most girls, shoes are the ultimate treat – so that’s one more reason to get excited about your wedding! As well as finding a pair that you fall in love with though, it’s important to also choose the right shoes for you in terms of comfort, heel height and styling. They also need to complement your outfit and be appropriate for the season and venue.
There is so much choice available now and most designers and manufacturers offer a broad range of styles from a size 2-10 (35-43) including wide-fit sizes.
When starting your search, there are a few key bridal brands to consider including designers Benjamin Adams, Filippa Scott, Emmy, Hassall, Emma Hope and Hen; plus manufacturers Belle, Pink and Little Miss Pink, Rainbow Club, Gabriella & Lucido, Bourne, Pure & Precious and Henry Kaye. All these designers are very experienced in the bridal market and produce shoes in a range of materials that are appropriate for most weddings and can be dyed to match your dress or your bridesmaids’ outfits.
If your budget’s tight, the high street offers a range of bridal shoes, although you may find these cannot be dyed with as much accuracy. On the other hand, some brides nowadays decide to blow the budget and treat themselves to a pair of fabulous high-end couture shoes that can be worn on future special occasions.

How high?

Heel heights are now available from completely flat to 10cm. The heel height of your bridal shoes can be determined by your dress – if the hem cannot be altered then you may be tied to a certain height, advised by your bridal boutique.
When you’ve chosen the heel height, try on as many styles as possible, paying attention to the details on your dress. Most bridal shoes have additional padding and cushioned linings to maximise comfort.

Shoe etiquette

When trying on bridal shoes make sure you take a pair of pop socks with you. Remove both of your street shoes and move them away from the satin shoes – silk and satin marks very easily. Wear your shoes at home to break them in but cover them with a pair of socks to keep them clean.

Fashionista fabulous

Bridal footwear has become more glamorous, stylish, modern and reflective of high street fashion and current trends, but you will still find plenty of timeless, traditional styles.
Shoe designers will look at trims, detailing such as pleating and frills, lace, vintage jewels and also colours like soft pinks and champagne. Swarovski crystals have become a very popular choice in bridal footwear because the designs tend to be glamorous and can be worn as an evening shoe after the wedding.
Once you have chosen your dress, selecting your style of shoe will be quite a natural process, because you’ll want to complement the detailing on your dress. For example, you may want the colour to be the same, or to pick out embroidery or beading.
If you’re wearing a vintage-style dress then you may opt for a pretty peep-toe with a ladylike trim or a lovely kid-leather sandal in an ‘old’ silver, which can be worn again after your wedding. There is a lovely selection of round toes for that popular retro 1950s look too.

How much to spend

Bridal shoes range from £20 to hundreds of pounds. Most brides will have an idea of how much they want to spend on shoes and with the choice available it should be easy to find what you want within your budget. Some bridal shops offer free accessories if you purchase your dress from them, so make sure you ask.
Market research suggests that a bride will spend on average between £50-£100 for her shoes, so it’s in this price bracket that you’ll find the widest choice. If you wish to spend less on your shoes then look at high street shops like BHS and Monsoon.
There are no rules for to how much you should spend on what, so if you’re a true shoe addict you may decide to economise in other areas and splash out on a pair of Jimmy Choos! Alternatively, you might reason that since the shoes will be under a full skirt and never worn again, you only want to spend £50. If you do decide to blow the budget and treat yourself to a couture pair of shoes, pick a style you know you will wear again and consider a metallic colour, which will be easier than white to match to future outfits.

Colour-matching services

With so many shades of white and ivory wedding gowns, it can be hard to match shoes to the exact colour of your dress. Getting your shoes dyed means that you can be sure you are perfectly coordinated. Bridal shoe manufacturers and some of the specialist retailers all provide this service, and bridesmaid shoes can also be dyed. To colour match, you simply need to provide the retailer with a swatch of your fabric.
Shoe dyeing is a skilled job that requires a trained eye. It generally takes about two weeks to complete and costs between £20-£40 per pair. Be aware that if your dress is silk and your shoes are satin then the tone of the colour will vary as the two fabrics absorb dye differently.
Many brides choose to have their shoes dyed a darker colour after their wedding so that they can wear them again. You may also find that your shoes get dirty and grass-stained on your wedding day, and dyeing them is a great way of covering the marks.

To visit the Paradox London website click here!