Be Kind to Your Feet!

I just got done coordinating a rehearsal and wedding this past weekend and I was reminded anew how important it is to have some comfortable shoes for the reception!

As a bride, I know how much thought and preparation and time go into finding just the right shoes to compliment your wedding dress. The shoes can add that extra bit of "bling" to help you feel like a princess on your special day.

However, by the time you reach the reception, you have already been in those princess shoes for several hours and suddenly they may not seem as comfortable anymore. Unless you slip into something a little more comfortable, you may find that you are hobbling before the day is even over.

Here are some suggestions for you:

If you love being barefoot and your reception area has grass, sand, or even carpet, then by all means kick off your shoes and enjoy! Just don't try going barefoot on cement, tile or hardwood floors or your feet will still be aching by the day's end.

Some brides opt for cute ballet shoes. These, however, are little more than covering for bare feet. They will keep your feet clean, but they won't provide any cushion between you and the hard floor.

Many websites offer special flip flops for brides. One such site I found is AnaDia T. Another one is Exclusively Weddings. While this site is a little more pricey, the shoes are elevated so your dress is less likely to drag on the floor. Advantage Bridal offers rhinestones on their flip flops instead of bows.

If you're not a flip-flop type of bride, you can always opt for some cute, comfortable sneakers. You can buy and/or decorate your own, or you can opt for an online company like Savvy Sneaks and Sandals.

There is also an online discussion board for brides on this very subject. It's found on Yahoo! Answers.

No matter what you choose, do keep in mind that your dress will be altered to fit with your ceremony shoes. If your reception shoes are significantly shorter (or if you choose to go barefoot), your dress may drag a little. Be sure to try out your dress with your reception shoes before the big day. In most cases, your dress will drag very little and your feet will be very grateful.

The Making of a Great Reception

According to a survey conducted by Modern Bride Magazine, what your guests are likely to remember most from your wedding is not your dress or the food or the cake or the decorations. What they are most likely to remember is the entertainment! Yes, there will be tender and touching moments that they savor along with you; and yes, there are likely to be some funny moments that live on as stories long after your wedding is over. But what your guests may remember most is whether or not they had fun.

Think of it this way: while the wedding ceremony is the joining of two lives, the reception is technically the first party the two of you host as husband & wife. While the ceremony is all about you, the reception is just as much about your guests as it is about you.

Your choice of entertainment has the power to make or break your reception. Whether you hire a band or a DJ or have Uncle Pete stand in as the Master of Ceremonies, your reception can be a great success if you choose wisely. The person or band you choose needs to be able to direct the pace and flow of the reception, they need to be able to creatively involve your guests, they need to have an entertaining personality and be skilled in public speaking, and they need to take the time to get to know you on a personal level beforehand. It's important that they make this event unique to the two of you and that they carry out your vision for the day.

Keep in mind that you often get what you pay for. If someone's prices are far below average, you need to ask yourself why. Get referrals from people you know; see the DJ or band perform live at another event, if possible; or contact a local Wedding Planner for some great referrals.