Whether they're your something blue, or new, wedding day shoes can be the biggest frenemy of both bride and bridesmaids alike on the big day.  They're oh so pretty, but can get oh so uncomfortable very quickly.  When our feet hurt - we are just generally miserable, and it shows (especially in the pictures).   I've seen many brides barely make it to the end of the ceremony before having to change their shoes.  

I want to just throw out a few tiny pieces of advice about shoes on your wedding day.  I am in no way an expert on the subject, but, after 10 years photographing weddings (and a hemline mishap at my own wedding), I've observed quite a few things when it comes to shoe choices on the wedding day. My first piece of advice is to watch the hemline on your gown when you are getting fitted. It's not enough just to wear your heels when you are being fitted - you should make sure that you can walk without catching the front of your toe on the hem of your dress.  Some seamstresses will advise hemming the front edge of your gown just a little higher so that you don't trip when you take that first step down the aisle.  Be sure to talk with whomever is taking care of your alterations and get their input on how you can make sure your first step down the aisle is picture perfect.  And remember - if you lose any weight between your last fitting and your wedding day (as many brides do), your hemline may end up a bit lower than you planned.  I personally did not take this into account on my wedding day, and I ended up carrying a fistful of my dress along with my bouquet down the aisle to keep from tripping a second time - yikes!!  If only I'd had 10 years of wedding experience 14 years ago...

When you are selecting your shoes you should of course consider comfort, but also keep in mind where you are planning to have your pictures taken on your wedding day.  If you envision yourself in a field, on the 9th hole of a picturesque golf course, or any other generally grassy or woodsy area, keep in mind that heels, even kitten heels, will sink into the grass.  And it can get very uncomfortable trying to balance on the balls of your feet during picture time.  Consider selecting a wedge heel if you are planning pictures in a location where you may have to walk on grass.  Even if you have practiced walking on grass in heels, you never know how much rain the grass may have gotten leading up to your wedding day.  And most golf courses frown upon heels on the greens.  If you must have those to-die-for stiletto heels, or those drool worthy Manolo's that I am personally in love with, consider wearing wedges of an equal height just for the time you'll be on the grass.  I have to add that it is super important to make sure your back up shoes are the same height as the shoes you were fitted in so that your gown does not drag and so you do not trip.  A fun personal favorite wedge of mine that is super tall and comfortable is Stuart Weitzman's Corkswoon in Nice Blue Suede . 

It seems like it goes without saying, but practice practice practice wearing those shoes.  Walk in them, a lot, and make sure they are comfortable. Your wedding day is not the ideal time to break in a new pair of shoes.  Until you are wearing them for a while you really won't have a good idea of how they will feel on your wedding day or what inserts will help provide the most comfort.  During the wedding day your feet are going to sweat and, yes ladies, they will probably swell just a bit too. Not the prettiest picture - but true.  You want to make sure your shoes aren't going to give you blisters or rub your feet raw.  You don't want to have to sit on the sidelines during the dancing at your reception - and you really don't want to spend your honeymoon lamenting your sore feet.  

My last piece of advice?  Have fun with it!  Don't be afraid to add a pop of color or a fun pattern on your shoes.   Let your personality and style really shine through!