Brides spend months choosing a gown and minutes choosing shoes. By evening, many regret it. Between the church, the photos, the reception and the dancing, a bride can be on her feet for twelve hours.
Start with the venue
Grass swallows stiletto heels. Beach sand makes any heel difficult. Stone church floors can be slippery. Consider block heels, wedges or flat sandals for outdoor venues and keep stilettos for indoor halls.
Match the gown
Buy shoes before your final gown fitting. The seamstress sets the hem length based on your shoe height, so changing shoes later can leave the gown dragging or too short.
Height
If you rarely wear high heels, the wedding is not the day to start. A lower heel you are comfortable in will look better in photos than a high heel you wobble on.
Comfort checks
Try shoes in the afternoon, when feet are slightly larger. Walk on hard floors. Check that straps do not cut into your ankles. Look for cushioned insoles, or add gel inserts.
Break them in
Wear the shoes around the house for a few weeks, with socks at first. Scuff the soles lightly with sandpaper to reduce slipping.
Heat and swelling
In Ghana’s heat, feet swell during a long day. Open-toe sandals or shoes with adjustable straps give more room. Avoid tight, narrow styles.
The second pair
Many brides now plan two pairs: elegant heels for the ceremony and photos, then flats or comfortable sandals for the reception and dancing. Some couples even provide slippers for guests at the dance floor.
Traditional ceremonies
For the engagement, match your shoes to your kente or other cloth. Beaded sandals or low heels in coordinating colours work well, and you will likely be sitting and standing repeatedly.
Budget
You do not need designer shoes. Much of the time, the gown covers them. Put the money into comfort and fit, and save a little for a nice pair for the photos.
Bridesmaids too
The same rules apply to your bridal party. If you choose matching shoes for bridesmaids, pick a style most of them can walk in, and give them time to break the shoes in. A bridesmaid limping down the aisle ends up in the photos too.
The last photo
Look at wedding albums and notice the photos from late in the evening. The brides still smiling on the dance floor are very often the ones who changed their shoes.
