Agonising Beauty... Don't choose your wedding shoes, until you've read this!

I might seem an unusual source of advice on shoes - but I've seen it all...

Here's how to avoid blisters, keep cramps at bay, stay comfy and generally rock your shoes on your wedding day.

As with every wedding decision - it's always up to you.  But you might be surprised what I've learned over the years on the subject of wedding shoe woes.  

Let me confess...

I feel kind of responsible - for every blistered toe I see - I know the distance we cover in pursuit of photographs is often to blame.

So let me share the secrets of happy wedding feet...

Duncan's top wedding shoe tips:

Wear them in ~ Rock those Jimmy Choo's around the house before your wedding day, it's also a good chance to try them with heel protectors, and to position those gels.  But keep the protective plastic in place on the sole - only remove this on the day to keep them looking their best.

Heels will sink ~ on any soft surface, so buy some heel protectors, but buy a range of sizes as all heels vary.  If they're too tight then they can damage delicate materials.

Consider Wedges ~ Wedges maintain your height and give extra comfort.

Be a surface pro ~ Gravel is a tricky beast to master and soft ground will try to grab and pull - be especially aware of surfaces like lakeside jetties - made from wood with gaps between planks... they're sneaky heal grabbers and there's not much margin for tripping on a jetty, so be cautious - and if you're unsure - bare-foot might be the better option.

Throw in some talc ~ to the inside of your wedding wellies, it'll make them easier to take off and help prevent blisters.

Straps will rub ~ so have some anti-blister rub ready, Compeed make a great 'Anti-blister stick' that can be applied just like a chapstick.  

And in a pinch - use chapstick!

Add some gels ~ Party Feet 'Gel Cushions' are great for adding some softness to your soles, lets face it, those beautiful creations look divine, but don't exactly have a lot of cushioning... 

Go crazy..!  ~ This is a special occasion, deserving of special shoes - but do consider their re-wearability and consider a dress that will show them off - a shorter hem to do them justice.

Take them off when you need to ~ if the urge to trampoline grabs you - don't hold back, kick them off.

Ask someone responsible to keep an eye on them ~ if you take them off - you don't want them to go for a 'walk' or be run over by a tractor (oh yeah...) :)

Familiarity is your friend ~ when choosing your wedding day shoes - something close to what you're used to wearing is a great choice.  Your special day may not be the best time to try those 8-inch heels for the first time... 

Choosing a shoe close to what you normally wear will keep things familiar, comfortable and inspire confidence.

Use your imagination - creativity is key.. and yes Keri-Ann sporting the red shoes above really did live in Kansas!

Your height changes from heels to flats - As you'll know - you're height changes when you take off your heels and this changes the elegant lay and lines of your dress.

This may or may not be important to you - but for your photographs you may wish to plan and time your shoe change accordingly.  Maybe change mid-way, so you can show your dress and shoes off to their best at some comfortable locations, then go for practicality with a footwear change when the terrain ramps up.

And for a short duration - tippy-toes gives you an excellent lift...

Be aware how much you may (unintentionally) trash them ~ You never know where your day may take you.

Bethany and Tim were determined to hike up and down a wet riverbank for their photographs - it was worth it, the photos were amazing... and Bethany was totally confident that her Jimmy Choos would dry... eventually.  

But if you don't feel the same way - decide on your threshold and let your photographer know, or change into those pumps in advance.

Decide what you're comfortable with ~ on the day if you don't wish to hike out to sea or up a mountain, just be honest and let your photographer know... There's a balance to be struck - if you're not comfortable - just say.  

When you look back on your photographs I want happy memories to come back, not memories of punishing foot pain over risky terrain.

Lastly if you do get a blister ~ some Compeed plasters are a life saver... practically invisible and they'll let you keep your shoes on throughout the day.  Apply Compeeds as soon as you feel that telltale 'hot spot' of a blister beginning.

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No need for wedding stress - blog post