Wedding Blog
Finding the perfect wedding shoe may be the hardest part of the wedding process for me. Now, I know it’s a hard decision for many brides, but for me, it’s a decision that’s not only based on style and comfort, but based on the actual shape of my feet. I’ve got a form of Muscular Dystrophy called Charcot Marie Tooth Disease (just the names of the doctors—no teeth involved!). It has caused my feet and legs to be pretty uncomfortable at times, and a few years ago I had reconstructive surgery on all ten toes.
I guess it wasn’t as painful as it sounds or looks but they put pins in all ten toes. Okay, maybe it was as bad as it sounds, but as a result, it’s tough to find shoes that feel good on my feet.
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These are my dream heels by Giuseppe Zanotti (style E86128). If only I could wear 4.5 inch heels for eight hours. I truthfully admire anyone who can.
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Here’s “Ava” by Benjamin Adams. I really love these shoes, but I would definitely have to break them in and I’d probably have to get them professionally stretched to make them comfortable.
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This pair is “Karnac” by Stuart Weitzman. They’re very classic bridal shoes, and they’re even dyeable. Although I think that if I were spending money on a pair of Stuart Weitzmans, I wouldn’t want to dye them! These are unfortunately a bit high and narrow for my comfort.
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This pair, also by Stuart Weitzman called “Tallulah”, has a much lower heel (2.5″) and would probably be more practical, but they’re also still a bit pricey for me. I don’t think I would ever wear these shoes again, but who knows?
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These champagne colored diamante shoes are really cute, and pretty affordable, but they may be a tad too high.
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Continuing with the gold and ivory theme, these Lisa Kay Peep toes in gold would be so cute under my dress. I love the flower on the toe; I think it adds such a romantic touch. The bottom line is that I love them, but I’m not sure if they’re “the ones”.
I guess my search for the perfect comfortable shoe will just have to continue, and I’m happy to see that many brides these days are switching into flip flops when they hit the dance floor!
Are you going to be lucky enough to wear your “dream shoes” the day of your wedding? What do they look like?
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One of my friends just got married and she wore the same orthopedic-looking Clarkes my grandmother owns. Nobody that didn’t watch her get dressed realized it, and she was completely comfortable. (I don’t think she’s ever worn high heels before.)
I can’t wear heels that are above 2 inches, and I’ve gotten terrible foot problems in the past from wearing high heeled sandals for too long - I definitely will not be lucky enough to wear my dream shoes.
Can you wear a nice wedge like this - http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/41011354/c/4250.html
- wedges generally help relieve some of the pressure being put on the ball of the foot. Or you could try a simple-but-beautiful flat like these babies - http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/42423422/c/632.html
have you looked at jcrew? I got the martine heels. I rarely wear heels, so I’m going to wear these babies when we salsa for the 1st dance! They look pretty similar to a lot of the shoes above:
http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/shoes/heels/PRDOVR~90737/90737.jsp
Plus whenever I wear heels, I always use foot petals:
http://www.footpetals.com
I’m incredibly clumsy, but they make the heels snug and comfy on my feet! For a few hours…
For the ceremony I’m going to wear flats. Not even bothering with heels. I chose some simple brown suede jcrew flats to go with my ML miranda 
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-J-CREW-BROWN-SUEDE-LUCIA-BALLET-FLATS-SHOES-SZ-7_W0QQitemZ350093806663QQihZ022QQcategoryZ63889QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
I can’t stand heels, so I’m wearing red satin ballet flats for the whole day! I love them and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Comfortable, fun and ruby slippers-esque!
You may find that you’re more comfortable in flats or a wedge. I will probably wear kitten heels or a wedge, because I am far too klutzy for high heels.
I am using ballroom dance shoes. I ordered them from http://www.bestballroomshoes.com because they have a bunch of styles and you can customize your heel height. I have wide feet so I still have to stretch them a little with a shoe stretcher, but they are really comfortable and nice looking. I’m adding a shoe clip to mine for a little pizazz.
I am in a similar boat– I have pretty bad feet (Morton’s neuroma and bunions, ooh, how cute!) and can’t tolerate heels for any length of time because of the pressure on the balls of my feet. So I am planning to look for a slight wedge or a fancy flat sandal like this one:
http://perfectdetails.com/Santa-Cruz-Gold-Pearls.htm?Category_Code=sandals
My wedding is on the beach so I have that consideration as well. You definitely don’t have to be in a heel to be a bride!
What about having a shoe made for you. If you can do it in a dyeable fabric then the cost would be outweighed by the fact that they would be comfortable and you could wear them many times.
http://www.customshoes.net/index.shtml
You might just try a shoe repair place in your area.
I have problem with shoes, I have really high arches so finding a shoe that actually supports my feet is pretty much impossible. I can’t wear flats because my FI is over a foot taller so I want to look taller so I am looking at wedges. Also since I am going to wear purple it doesn’t matter looking for white or ivory shoes.
For me, the temptation is great to splurge on some supersexy, 4″ blue-soled Louboutins. But then I think about how stupid I’d feel hobbling around all day and night, unable to focus on anything but the pain, the pain! IMO, the best part about wedding dresses is that chances are no one will ever see your feet, so you can totally give in to comfort. Naturalizer has some wearable cute heels that will probably end up as my wedding shoes.
You have some cute options. But I think the key thing that you should be focusing on is the comfort level. No blisters or foot cramps from uncomfy shoes on your wedding day! =)
I love my shoes - Cause I am making them!! wish me luck!
OUCH! That photo just look so painful to me. It makes me sad that you won’t be wearing your dream shoes 
I love the look of heels but also have problems with me feet, although not severe enough for surgery! I bought these http://www.endless.com/Matisse-Brandy-Low-Heel-Pump/dp/B000UK5I1G and they are really comfortable, and the detailing and muted gold color makes them special enough to be my wedding shoes. Although I had my heart set on some beautiful d’orsay pumps, I know that I will be thankful at midnight!
I just have no tolerance for heels… so painful! I think underneath my beautiful dress, I’ll be wearing a pair of blue Chucks!
@EDB: Thanks for the ideas! You’re so right that very few people actually see the shoes!
@alliec: I never looked at JCrew- this warrants a trip to the mall! Thanks:)@Hoolie: @cdenton: What GREAT ideas!! The ballroom shoe is one I wouldn’t have thought of- were you able to try them on first?
@CharlestonBride: Your shoes are cute, are they narrow?!
@Starry-Eyed Barefoot Bride: ooh good luck! Share some pictures when you’re done!
@Miss Avocado: Makes me sooo sad… I love shoes:(
i plan on going with two shoes. a nice pair of blue heels [probably nothing higher than 2.5" heel] because i do love wearing the occasional heels. then, once the party really gets going, switching to a nice casual pair of nikes - like a mary jane type style because that’s so me.
pins in toes? you’re brave! i have pins in ankle 
and it made my one ankle huge compared to the other!
@linda: Yep, pins. Some of them are permanant- the others? They pulled them out after six weeks. Grossed out yet?! Sorry:) Hope you’re able to find a shoe that keeps your ankle secure!
Have you tried checking out ballroom dance shoes? They are supposed to be more comfortable. Hope you find your shoes!
I have not personally tried these yet- but I am planning to soon when I can get to a store that has them. Heard good things about them on my local knot board.
http://angelanuran.com/
I’ve had friends who’ve been through that same surgery - and I don’t envy you, my dear. I’m so, so sorry that you’ve had to go through that! I’m sure you’ll be able to find ADORABLE wedding shoes that your feet will stay comfy in.
I have to second ballroom dancing shoes! I bought these: http://tinyurl.com/5moknx from my local dance shop, WorldTone, and absolutely love them! I have super flat feet… no arch whatsoever, so I have a hard time finding shoes that are comfy and look good. It’s a three inch heel, but I know that most ballroom dance shoes have different heel heights, so you can customize as you please! Since I bought them from my local store, I was able to try them out on their dance floor and on carpet, etc. Good luck!
I worked in a MD research lab for years and one of my close friends has his own CMT lab. I have seen many patients over the years and have seen how painful it is for them at times. You have a great outlook and will be gorgeous no matter what is on your feet.
@MrsDavis: thank you so much:) It’s nice to hear when people have heard of CMT- most folks I tell just hear tooth and get weird.@nyckim: I’m gonna try that- question.. is it just one design? Thats what it seems on the website and I just wanted to make sure
I have really bad foot problems and have to wear orthotics. But, luckily, Cole Haan makes a bunch of styles of really cute shoes that have Nike Air padding embedded in the sole. So they are like sneaker high heels! (or flats, wedges, etc.) They can be on the expensive side, but there is always a pretty good selection of ones that are on sale. And I’ve gotten great ones at Cole Haan outlets, which are all over.
Miss Champagne- I’m not sure- the website is confusing- some girls on my local knot board have gone to stores that carry them and tried them on and rave about them. I also think it’s a small company so you could probably contact them directly if there are no stores in your area (they are listed on the site). There are two in NY so I just have to get myself to one! Good Luck!
Miss Champ - The Karnac was my shoes for my big day and let me tell you… they hurt like hell by the end of the night. Althought they were lovely, no one noticed them. Choose shoes that are comfortable for you. Your feet will thank you in the long run. Trust me!
I also have CMT but it hasn’t gotten bad enough to have surgery (but my mom did have the same surgery as you a couple of years ago). I can’t wear heels higher than 2 inches or any shoes that don’t have an ankle strap (I have huge arches and shoes don’t stay on my feet). For my wedding I ordered a pair of low heels from My Glass Slipper in Ivory http://www.myglassslipper.com/products2.cfm/dept/SHOES/ID/3984. They were really comfortable and still very bridal. I changed into slippers later, mostly because my knees were hurting from dancing, not my feet! I highly recommend wearing something comfortable, especially during the reception. You will be on your feet all day, and it is not worth having your feet hurt.
I totally understand how hard it is to live with CMT. I have such a hard time finding shoes I can wear, and it makes me so sad to see so many beautiful shoes out there that I cannot even consider. Hang in there, and have a great wedding!
[...] are the most comfortable boots, but I personally love them. You may recall I have some issues with my feet, so I’m constantly wearing my UGGs. My favorites are the UGG mini—they don’t get too hot [...]
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Miss Champagne, DC/Vail/Colorado
Age and Occupation: 26, Eye Doctor
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 27, Attorney
Engagement Date: March 13, 2006
Wedding Date: February 2009
Blogging Since: July 30, 2008
Venue: Small church ceremony with mountain-view log cabin reception
About Me: I'm a small town mountain girl with a city heart. Found my way to the east coast, and Mr. Champagne kept me here so we're planning a wedding from afar in my hometown Vail, Colorado. I'm secretly obsessed with reality TV, Wii games where I can shoot a gun, country music, and Caesar: Dog Whisperer. I also spend time pretending to golf, backseat driving, having one way conversations with our MinPin Maxwell, loving champagne, and wedding perfecting… I mean, planning. I use way too many repeated symbols and letters when I write, and I'll love Mr. Champagne endlessly…
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