Bridal shoes
By Nikki Boer
You don’t need to watch Sex and the City to know that girls love shoes. Whether you’re a lover of everything Manolo or a genuine sneaker-freak, what you choose to cover your feet says a lot about you. This is why choosing the right shoes for your wedding day is a big decision.
Historically shoes were thought to have powerful connections to luck and fortune. Shoes were originally thrown at the bride and groom for good luck and to ward off evil spirits. Thankfully, the custom has developed into something a bit more civilised and old shoes are often tied to the back of the wedding car.
In ancient China brides wore lotus shoes, which were decorated with instructions on how to consummate the marriage. In ancient Egypt the bride’s father gave the groom her sandal as a symbolic gesture, indicating she now belonged to him. Wedding shoes for the modern bride are no longer the symbols of patriarchy they once were and are now simply for her enjoyment. The biggest problem the bride faces today is one of choice.
If you have the well-trained calf muscles and bank balance of Sarah Jessica Parker and no qualms about walking around in 10cm heels all day then maybe a pair of Manolos are for you. But these shoes are definitely for those that prize beauty and prestige over comfort. If you’re less concerned with the name on the label then there are loads of options equally as beautiful at a fraction of the price. Gary Castles Sydney stocks a wide range of women’s shoes including bridal, while in Melbourne you might want to check out Miss Louise or Evelyn Miles.
Many brides still go for the bridal shoe specialist though. Novat Footwear in Melbourne has been voted number one in bridal shoes for the last five years. When asked what she thinks is the most important thing for a bride to consider for her wedding day, Dorothy Novat answers definitively, “comfort and a good fitting”. Dorothy suggests the bride bring in a piece of her wedding dress fabric so she can match it to the colour of the shoe. Novat stocks a range of specialty colours and offers a made-to-order service meaning all sizes are catered for.
Whether you want comfort and class at an affordable price or you want to spend up large and feel like Cinderella at the ball, it pays to shop around and be realistic when choosing your wedding shoes. Dorothy firmly believes in the “balancing of comfort with the look of the shoe”. Wise words indeed as the last thing you need on your wedding day are blisters or a broken ankle.
If you are looking for bridal shoes for the modern princess, Cinderella Bella recently launched in Melbourne offering a fairytale world of international wedding shoe style. Cinderella Bella brings some of the world's great shoe designers to Melbourne's brides. Whether it's Manolo Blahniks or just something cute and comfortable you're after, you'll be delighted by your Cinderella Bella shopping experience.