Shopping for Bridal Shoes: Things to know before you start shopping

I love shopping, especially when I am looking for something as specific as wedding shoes. Buying bridal shoes sounds easy, but I ended up going from store to store to look at everything.  I wanted to see all of the selections laid out in front of me.  I also wanted to compare different shoes so ended up buying multiple pairs.  I shopped online and in the stores to get the most selection.  Here are some tips before you start to shop:

1.       Get Measured: If you don’t know your actual shoe size, go to a shoe store and have your foot measured. Do this towards the end of the day since your feet can swell and you don’t want them to hurt to hurt later on. Also, if you plan on wearing tights, bring them when you get measured.  This way, you can walk into other stores and you will already know what size to ask for.  You can also order shoes online and won't have the problem of knowing they won't fit. 

2.       Know what styles you are looking for:  Going in and knowing the styles you are looking for are very helpful for the shoe salespeople you will work with.  Nobody can help you if you can't describe what you want.  Try to narrow down the choices in terms of color and style.  Telling a salesperson you want a pair of silver wedding shoes is much easier for them than telling them you want metallic shoes.

3.       Review the chart: Review the shoe chart and description next to the shoe so you know if the manufacturer’s shoes run larger or smaller.  If you have wider feet, check to see if they have wide wedding shoes.

4.       Try on multiple sizes: To be 100% sure, try on different sizes, especially half sizes to make sure the shoes fit right.  Sometimes, you will be surprised.  Different shoe manufacturer's have different sizes so don't always go with the size you're used to. 

5.       Pointed toe shoes: Shoes with a pointed toe tend to run a little smaller. If you’re a half size (5.5, 6.5, etc.) choose the bigger size and put a pad in the ball of the shoe or the heel so that the shoe fits more snugly.

6.       Be careful of international sizing: International sizing can be really different from US sizes. Again, read the descriptions carefully and order or try on multiple shoes. 

7.       Look for sales:  If you know the shoe you want, sometimes, you can wait for sales.  Make friends with the salespeople so they can help you look out for deals.  Some high-end department stores will even call you if the shoe goes on sale.  The other way to save is to wait for seasonal inventory changes.  Usually, stores will clear their inventory in July and November.  After-Christmas and Thanksgiving sales are also great places to find good deals.

8.       Ask your friends or bridesmaids to help you look:  Everyone shops - some more than others.  If you know what you want, ask your bridesmaids and friends to look around for you when they are out shopping.  The more eyes you have looking for what you want, the easier it will be to find it.

9.       Finally, start shopping here!