While your wedding dress may take the spotlight, the perfect pair of wedding shoes will elevate your entire bridal look. You want to ensure that you can walk down the aisle with complete confidence and dance the night away without any discomfort. No one wants to have to contend with sore toes or blisters on the big day and that means putting in the groundwork in advance.
We asked Irish shoe designer Nicki Hoyne to share her top tips on how to break in your wedding shoes. Her slow fashion, luxury footwear brand is celebrated for its feminine, colourful, playful, and swoon-worthy designs and we adore seeing our real brides rock them.
Her six handy tips will help ensure that your wedding shoes will be as comfy as possible on the special day and they will long and happy life in your wardrobe afterwards.
Top Tips for Breaking in Your Wedding Heels
1. Consider the location
Think about the venue and the surfaces you’ll be walking on, your location may instantly rule out certain heel types.
“If your day includes grass, gravel or uneven ground, a stiletto may not be the most forgiving option,” Nicki says. “A block heel or wider base can save you from sinking and keep you comfortable on the day.”
2. Protect suede in advance
Invest in a good-quality suede protector spray so that your suede shoes last well beyond your wedding day.
“Always test the spray on a discreet area first, just to be safe,” Nicki advises.
3. Be careful with fake tan
If you’re wearing white, ivory or pale coloured shoes when you’re breaking your shoes in and wearing them on the big day tread with care on the fake tan front.
“Tanning residue can transfer easily onto light materials and can be difficult to remove so make sure it has fully set first and you washed off all the excess tan,” she highlights.
4. Don’t leave it to the last minute
Give yourself plenty of time to get used to wearing your shoes. Nicki recommends to start a few weeks before the wedding by wearing them around the house for short periods. Try wear them for about an hour at a time.
She also advises to try different surfaces to mimic what you’ll encounter on the day.
5. Thick socks can help with rubbing or tight spots
This is particularly the case for leather shoes, Nicki says. “Leather will naturally soften and mould to your feet over time, making a noticeable difference in comfort.”
6. Practise dancing
Provided you do not mind your partner catching getting a sneak preview of your wedding shoes Nicki says it is worth testing them out during a practice first dance.
“Try them on a smooth or shiny surface if you’ll be dancing on a traditional dancefloor, it’s a small detail that can make a big difference to how confident you feel.”
A massive thank you to Nicki Hoyne for sharing her wonderful wedding shoes tips.
Looking for more bridal shoe inspiration? We have plenty for you here!
