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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, May 14, 2008

WEDDING PLANNING
Wedding shoes can be comfy, yet stylish

By Samantha Critchell
Associated Press Fashion Writer

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser
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It seems like a no-brainer to advise brides to get shoes that are comfortable — or at least tolerable — but it's a tip Mindy Weiss finds herself repeating over and over again to her clients.

Weiss, a celebrity wedding planner and author of "The Wedding Book" (Workman), says brides are overly eager to compromise comfort for fashion. And they don't really need to since there are so many options available.

The go-to shape should be a strappy sandal or a pump, Weiss advises, because a mule or even a slingback can be hard for the bride to keep on her feet as she walks down the aisle. Also, she adds, they can make a clopping sound. "It's best to pick something that goes around or holds the ankle."

Since no bride wants to take a nosedive, Weiss, who worked on the weddings of Eva Longoria, Heidi Klum and Gwen Stefani, says it's very important to scuff the bottom of the shoes before wearing them. She keeps sandpaper in her "emergency wedding kit" to rough up the bottom on the wedding day.

Other Weiss wedding words of wisdom, some of which are posted on www.Piperlime.com:

  • Buy the shoes before your first gown fitting. You'll need to wear them to each and every fitting to make sure you hem the dress to the right height. It'll also help you get used to them.

  • Don't wear white shoes with an ivory gown or ivory shoes with a white one. It's OK, though, to step completely out of the box and wear a bright color (maybe blue?) if you feel comfortable with it.

  • Watch out for rhinestones; they can snag the dress. If you really love sparkly shoes, run a piece of delicate fabric over them to see if they cause any snags. If you still want to wear them, cover with clear scotch tape.

  • Flip-flops are acceptable as long as the wedding isn't overly formal. "I'm not a fan of flip-flops, but it's fine — I'm not against it. It's time to party and it's better than being barefoot. Barefoot only works after midnight," Weiss says.