The best shoes for your i dos

Stop and think about your wedding day for a minute.  Most likely you will enjoy a relaxed morning as the bride being pampered or very laid back as the groom hanging with his friends, but once you are all dressed and ready to go you will be on your feet for the rest of the day (well maybe not dinner, but trust us when we say you will spend a lot of time on your feet!)  So today we are taking shoes!  Bride, groom, bridal party, you name it.

The Bride

Have you been eyeing those Louis Vuitton stilettos for a while now and thinking your wedding day is the perfect excuse to purchase them?  Or are you the girl that wants to be comfortable all night? Here is a short list of things to keep in mind when making your shoe decisions:

• Your fiancé.  Are you taller than him or her?  Will heels make you taller?  If so, does it matter to you or not?
• Is your ceremony or reception on grass or sand?  If so, opt for wedges or flats to change in to later.
• If you go for heels or wedges, plan to bring a change of flats no matter what.  Those new shoes are stunning, but when your feet start to hurt you will be glad you brought a back up!

The Groom

Not all grooms have shoe obsessions like the ladies, but the wedding is a perfect time to buy a nice pair of shoes you can wear again to other fancy events.  The biggest factor for the groom to consider is - what are you wearing?  If it is a tux be sure you wear the appropriate matching shoes to go with your tux!  If you are going more casual, anything from Sperry topsiders to brown loafers and even flip flops for a beach wedding are great options.  Be sure they are as comfortable as they can be and be sure to break them in around the house before the wedding.

The Bridesmaids

Depending on the style dress you are wearing and where the wedding is taking place, the bridesmaids may be asked to purchase a certain color or style of shoe.  Here are some notes for the bridesmaids to keep in mind for their shoe selection:

• The Bride.  Did she ask you to all purchase the same shoes?  If so, be sure to follow suit!  If she did not, be sure you ask her more specifics - is the ceremony on grass or sand?  Will we be walking around a lot for photos?
• The Dress.  Depending on the style of dress certain shoes will work...or not.  Be sure you select your shoes based on the length and style of the dress and bring them to your fitting!
  
• Plan to bring a change of flats no matter what - when your feet start to hurt you will be glad you brought a back up!

The groomsmen

The groomsmen usually have it the easiest when it comes to shoes - the groom (and/or bride) will select the suit or tux and most likely the shoes that will go with it.  From time to time we have seen the groom actually gift a nice new pair of shoes to the groomsmen as well - fingers crossed!  Some times the groomsmen are asked to provide their own shoes as well - anything from brown to a pair of flip flops, so be prepared to shop if you don't have what is requested!