The sneaker moment

Posted

Whether or not you should change into sneakers (and when) is a typical consideration for today’s bride.

Many brides opt for tennis shoes from the beginning and are stylishly comfortable from their first step onto the aisle until their last step from the dance floor into their Uber. Others opt to change before they step into the reception, and still others just keep their wedding sneakers nearby in case of an unexpected ache in their arches.

The thing is, while you may not plan on your feet hurting in your wedding heels, isn’t it best to be prepared?

Choosing the right bridal sneaker (second-look or otherwise) is largely a matter of taste. Perhaps you are the kind of bride who knows her sneaker brand loyalty and thinks this is a very silly article. Of course, you will have a pair of white high-top Reeboks ready to go. But maybe, this article finds you at a backup shoe style impasse. There are plenty of options and considerations so let’s explore them.

Color

First things first, determine if you want white shoes or colorful shoes. If your dress hides your shoes entirely, they could be your something blue or a pop of color to brandish during photographs. If your dress is ankle length or higher (or if your dress is actually pants and not a dress at all) your shoes will be on full display. If you chose white, consider bringing a color swatch from your dress to the shoe store to match shades. A cream dress and bright white shoes is the kind of faux pas that may leave you with a pit in your stomach every time you look down.

Material

Options for base material in sneakers range from canvas to leather to suede and beyond, and like any wedding shoe, you can chose sneakers tricked out with any manner of wedding bling. Pearl, rhinestone, sequins and lace are all on the table. Consider the material of your dress, but also the material of any accessories, like shawls, hair accessories and jewelry.  If you have a sparkly hairpiece, maybe rhinestone sneakers will tie your look together.

Sentiment

Maybe you’re not much of a sneakers person and the second you started looking into the world of casual wedding footwear you became overwhelmed with options. Maybe you could care less about sneaker brands or looks. Wearing a sneaker brand your fiancé grew up loving or a white, elevated version of a style of shoe you used to wear when you two first met may create a beautiful post-ceremony surprise. Those you-know-me-so-well surprises create beautiful memories (and very cute pictures).

If you are teetering between “I want to wear my wedding heels from start to finish” and “I’m not sure my feet can cope with high heels I haven’t fully broken in for 4 to 6 hours” it would be best to have some sneakers on hand as a just-in-case emergency asset.

White sneakers are cuter and more comfortable than dollar store flip flops, and it will pay off in pictures to have put thought into what your wedding look looks like with your emergency footwear.

Whether sneakers are your first, your last, and your everything or just your backup, remember to break them in (preferably inside, away from mud, grass stains and puddles) to avoid blisters and sore feet when you walk out of your wedding venue and into the rest of your life.