Whether you’re a traditional bride or fashion maven donning the current bridal trends, your bridal footwear is an important aspect of your wedding ensemble. From color to comfort and everything in between, there is a lot to consider when choosing your wedding shoes. Keep the following tips in mind for happy feet on your wedding day.

Comfort and Heel Height
Your wedding day is not the time to put fashion before comfort, especially if you don't normally wear heels. If you aren't adept at gliding in sky-high stilettos, opt for a more modest heel between two to four inches. A platform is also a nice option to ease the pressure on your tootsies on your big day. Choosing the appropriate heel height for ultimate comfort is a priority to remain graceful while on your feet most of the day.

Additionally, consider your venue when choosing your shoes. A wedge is an excellent choice for outdoor weddings as they give you the height and glamour of a heel, but offer more stability. They will also help you avoid getting your heels stuck in the grass.

Color and Glitz
For most women, shoes are a medium by which to display personal style and your wedding shoe is no different. It is important to keep the style of your dress in mind when choosing your shoe but have a little fun with the classic bridal shoe and showcase your personal style.

Traditional brides can highlight their style with crystal or pearl embellishments, or a crisp bow detail on a white or ivory shoe. These details should complement your dress rather than compete with it but it's fantastic to pull elements from your dress into your footwear by adding a little glitz.

A colored shoe is another way to showcase your fashion sense and incorporate your wedding colors into your look. Choosing the color of your bridesmaids dresses or a shade from your floral arrangements is a beautiful way to tie the theme together. This colorful accessory will pop in photos with your girls and may even encourage you to wear the shoes after the wedding.

Boots, Flip-Flops and Tennis Shoes
While I completely understand a wedding theme and respect a bride's personal style, I believe a wedding gown is worthy of so much more than an "every day shoe." This is a day for a Cinderella moment, and she certainly didn't pick any ordinary shoe. A beautiful sandal is perfect for a beach wedding rather than a standard flip-flop, and an elegant ballet flat is much more appropriate than sneakers for brides who abhor heels.

Trends are great for expressing personal style, but they have the potential for cringe-worthy photos when looking back on your special day twenty years from now. Keep this in mind when pairing a gorgeous white gown or bridesmaids dress with old boots.

Price and Designers
You deserve a knockout shoe for your special day and regardless of your budget there is an array of designers and prices to fit every style. If you are inclined to spend a significant portion of your wedding attire budget on fancy footwear, by all means go for those stunning Christian Louboutin or Manolo Blahniks. If your price range is a little closer to earth in the area of $150-$450, popular designers to look for include Badgley Mischka, Benjamin Adams and David Tutera. There are also many great styles under $100 offered by Nina and Steve Madden.

Although you can find many of these looks online, the store in which you purchased your wedding dress is sure to carry many of these brands. Additionally, department stores like Macy’s and Nordstrom often carry these designers within their bridal section. Whether you purchase the shoes in person or order them online, be sure to have them ready by your first dress fitting.

Wedding Day Shoe Prep
Prior to your wedding day, break in your wedding shoes as much as possible. Don’t wear them all over town, but don them around the house often, even vacuum in them to ensure they are comfortable. Adding insoles also offers added support for all the standing and dancing you’ll be doing on your wedding day.

For the day of the wedding, pack a foot care “emergency kit” for a bridesmaid to carry throughout the day. I highly recommend including Dr. Scholl’s Rub Relief Strips and Rub Relief Stick to help prevent blisters, but also throw in some band-aids just in case.

There is nothing like a fabulous pair of shoes to enhance a gorgeous wedding gown. Whether you choose sexy stilettos or classic flats, have fun showing off your style with your extraordinary footwear.