One painful mistake that many brides make is that they purchase their bridal shoes and then leave them in the box the night before the wedding, having never broken them in. All shoes must be molded to one’s foot in order for them to be comfortable. Unless a shoe is custom-made, it is always necessary to “break in” a shoe. Not doing so will invite pain and unnecessary swelling the day of your wedding.

But, the biggest concern brides, mothers-of-the-bride, and bridesmaids have is how to prevent dirtying their gorgeous party shoes, and how not to damage them. So, we have put together a few suggestions that should help when breaking in your wedding day shoes.

1. Never wear them outside until your wedding day to prevent scuffing, and picking up foreign objects like chewing gum, stones and gravel.

2. Wear them with either stockings or a pair of light trousser socks (never gym socks), to get a feel for the shoes.

3. Always vacuum your carpets thoroughly prior to walking on them in order to prevent dust from clinging to the bridal shoes.

4. If your home doesn’t have carpet, clean your wood or tile floors with soapy water first, as you may not see the dirt, but your shoe will pick it up.

5. Wash your hands prior to putting on your shoes. Again, your hands may appear clean, but the tiniest speck of dirt can spread on a delicate piece of fabric.

6. Tape masking tape to the bottom of the heel and foot, being careful not to touch the fabric. The soles of some wedding shoes are very slippery, plus the tape will protect from dirt as well.

7. Wear for an hour everyday, at least two or three weeks before the wedding day.

8. When purchasing your bridal shoes, be sure to go shopping later in the day when your feet are swollen. This will help to prevent pinched toes because the shoes are too small.

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All Articles in the Bridal Shoes Series Guide:
Overview to Choosing the Perfect Wedding Day Shoes | Introduction to Choosing Wedding Shoes | How to Choose the Color of Your Wedding Day Shoes | How To Find The Right Size Wedding Shoes and Specialty Sizing | How to Choose the Right Heel Height for Your Bridal Shoes | How Does the Style of the Wedding Dress Impact the Style of the Shoes | The Importance of Comfort and Personal Style | Why is White not White | How to Use Shoe Appliques and Clip-on Embellishments | Why You Might Buy Two Pair of Wedding Shoes - (how slippers, flip-flops, sneakers fit into the picture) | How to Break-in Your Wedding Day Shoes | Checklist (Quick Points) for Buying Bridal Shoes | Wedding Shoes for Children in the Bridal Party | What Style Wedding Shoe should You Choose | Top Three Most Popular Bridal Shoe Styles and Why