Paying the Right Price

Paying the Right Price: Shoes

By Anna Sachse

The engagement ring may put the wedding in motion, but it’s the fancy footwear that a bride wears on the big day that is going to get her down the aisle. But that doesn’t mean the shoes should carry an engagement-ring price tag.

Pay the Right Price for You

How much to spend is a personal decision. Kate Spade, Vera Wang, Jimmy Choo and Stuart Weitzman all make gorgeous but expensive bridal shoes. “If you are used to wearing Louboutins on a regular basis, then you’re probably not going to shop for bargain brands for your wedding day,” says Desiree Stimpert, the Guide to Shoes for About.com. “But beautiful shoes can be had in every price range, and women shouldn’t feel bad about finding a good deal on shoes that work for them, especially if the shoes will only be worn once.” Compare prices online, or hit up outlets, discount shoe stores, large bridal chains and sales and clearance sections at department stores.

However, if you are thinking about metallic shoes or something that is dyeable, you might consider spending a little more, since you’ll be able to incorporate the shoe into your everyday wardrobe, says Alison Rowe, accessories editor for Modern Bride magazine. And comfort is often worth the extra expense. Mika Inatome has a line of bridal shoes that feature a quilted insole and Cole Haan introduced a line of very stylish bridal shoes that incorporate Nike Air technology.

“The two most important factors when choosing wedding shoes are comfort and how well they work with your dress,” says Stimpert. “For those reasons, I recommend either sticking with a brand or designer you already love, or trying on a lot of different brands until you find the style/comfort/price combination that works for you.”