Ancient footing
At a Hindu wedding, a traditional game is played called 'Hiding the Shoes'. As is custom, the groom will leave his shoes unattended during the marriage ceremony, at which point the bridesmaids (and family) will capture and hide his shoes, often having to outwit the groom's family in the process. Later, after much searching, the bridal party will demand a high ransom for the safe return of the footwear. The groom will negotiate and finally a substantial price is agreed upon.
photo Ashley Hampson
Unlike this amusing Hindu pastime, in old England wedding shoes were employed in a number of fairly unpleasant traditions, including a Tudor custom, which involved the groom taking off his shoe and clouting his bride about the head with it to assert his manly dominance. The bride's father would also present the groom with a pair of the bride's shoes to demonstrate the passing on of responsibility for the woman from father to husband.
We have come a long way since these times, when brides threw their shoes, rather than their bouquets, over their shoulders for the crowd of single girls, waiting to discover if it might be their turn next. It's probably a good thing - not because throwing shoes might violate our strict health and safety codes, but because, as a rule, we prefer not to have to handle another person's freshly worn footwear.
Rainbow Club
But what about your shoes? You might not be planning to throw them at your guests (unless heavily provoked), but they can still be an important feature of the day. Often overlooked, the wedding shoe can be as distinctive as the dress, if not more so, and certainly allows a more playful outlet for the bride to really express her personality. So let your shoes take a little limelight too!
Rainbow Club
Be bold
If you haven't seen the latest Vivienne Westwood Anglomania/Melissa range, where have you been? The British designer has done for the jelly shoe what Kate Middleton has done for the royal family - she's given new appeal to an old favourite. No longer confined to the inside of a beach bag, the Anglomania/Melissa jelly shoe range offers an eye-catching explosion of colour with a '50s kitten heel twist. Slingbacks, pumps, Mary Janes, T-bars, boots and skyscrapers have all been re-imagined in a soft vinyl effect, with logo cut-outs perched neatly on top. There is a style here for everyone, from garish to delicate - our favourite being a subtle blush-tone platform, embossed with a crocodile skin print.
Rainbow Club
Unlike most wedding shoes these designer pieces will not retire to the back of your wardrobe; they, like you, are not to be ignored. Various styles available from www.hervia.com
Diane Hassall
As the name suggests, Irregular Choice is the home of beautifully 'out there' footwear. Each shoe is a veritable work of art, combining creative design with a fun, surreal and kitsch twist. Pretty prints, bold colours and metallic leather come with playful details such as cartoon character motifs and colourful corsages. What's more, there are plenty of flats and comfy, chunky heels to choose from, making the designs a practical and pretty choice for brides. Available from www.irregularchoice.com
Rainbow Club
Think chic
Diane Hassall's exquisite collection of hand crafted shoes blend vintage influence with contemporary styling. Think decadent fabrics from chiffon to organza, intricate embroidery, hand beaded Swarovski crystals and delicately woven flowers. For a personalised twist, you can even have your wedding date branded on the sueded leather soles.
Diane Hassall
Diane Hassall
We're loving the new Rainbow Couture collection, which oozes catwalk-inspired glamour and designer detail. The Benjamin Adams collection boasts a similar attention to detail; their fashion-forward designs range from chic peep-toes through to Swarovski-encrusted heels for a glimpse of show-stopping style beneath your gown. Also consider the collections from Pink, Rainbow Club and Else: the wide and stylish range of designs, from towering heels to funky flats, can be dyed to the colour of your choice.
Rainbow Couture
Else
Go bespoke
Given how long a bride and groom are expected to stay on their feet, you may be reluctant to suffer the blisters and aches that invariably come with a new pair of shoes. And, like many savvy girls, you might be planning to tuck a pair of comfy flats into the bride's emergency kit. However, this could well be entirely unnecessary as there are plenty of companies now offering to customise your shoes to your exact specifications.
photo Green Photographic
Companies such a TLC Creations can convert your comfiest old pumps into a pair of skyscraping jewel-encrusted dazzlers or trim your favourite kitten heels with antique lace and pearls. Every detail can be directed by you, transforming even the most mundane pair into a work of art. No other shoes will be able to tell the story of you and your wedding like a pair designed by you; whether they incorporate fabrics from your mother's wedding dress, family tartans or precious gems, these shoes will be much more than a talking point. And the best bit is - you'll know that they fit!
Rainbow Club
Give it some welly!
If you have already splashed out on your dream shoes, but you'd prefer not to splash on them, look no further than Weddington Boots. This company will customise welly boots for all the outdoor bits of the ceremony, thereby ensuring that, no matter the weather, your satin sandals remain unspoilt. In a classic midi length that will fit all calf sizes, these wellies can be inscribed in clear or colour diamante with words of your choice. Or, for the more regal among you, a pearlescent high-heeled welly, inspired by our future queen, the Duchess of Cambridge, is now available and very nice it looks too! Boots start at �39.99. www.weddingtonboots.com
Weddington Boots
Flat face
If it has to be flat, but you are looking for a modern twist, Converse is offering a bespoke wedding service. With prices starting at just £110, you can have boots or sneakers hand-painted and embossed with crystals, pearls, feathers, ribbon or anything you can think of. Favourite people or pets can be immortalised on fabric and share a little of the wedding limelight with you. Available from www.converse.co.uk
Whatever shoes you decide to decorate your feet with for the main event, make sure they feel comfy, look fabulous and say something about you.
Top tips
Hot foot it. If buying new, make sure you try on shoes towards the end of the day when your feet are warmer and may be more swollen.
Get a good fit. Wear your shoes during the dress fitting so that you can adjust the hemline to suit.
How high? Give consideration to your heel height. If your dress has a long train, you might want to consider flats or a wide heel to prevent 'spiking' the train later in the day. Stiletto heels can be ruthless!
Polish up. If toes are on show, plan your pedicure in advance - you will have enough to do on the morning of the wedding.
Practise makes perfect. If you have opted for a skyscraper, make sure that you can walk in them! We all know that even half an inch can make a big difference.
Customise. Don't be afraid to glam up your shoes with something personal. If you don't want to pay a company to do it for you, it's easy to give a personal touch - delicate antique brooches or heirloom lace can be sentimental, subtle and achievable, even for a novice.
Dance down the aisle in these stunning styles...
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Stockists
Vivienne Westwood Anglomania/Melissa - www.hervia.com (4, 10, 11, 15, 26)
Benjamin Adams (3, 15, 16, 18, 24, 29, 31)
Belle Collection
Diane Hassall - County Cream (5, 8, 20)
Else - Little Anne Maids
Irregular Choice - www.irregularchoice.com (2, 12, 13)
Rainbow Club (1, 6, 7, 14, 17, 19, 22, 23, 27)
County Cream
Little Anne Maids
Rainbow Couture - County Cream (21, 25)
Upper Street - www.upperstreet.com (9, 29, 30)
words Charity Wilson
Copyright WED Magazine 2011
