The most dreaded part of wedding planning.

So I've put it off as long as I could and now comes the time where I have to go (sigh) dress shoe shoppping   The most dreaded shopping in the word for an arthritic person.  I have to get fitted for my dress which they said I need to bring my shoes with me that I will be wearing. The most horriable thing in the world for me is shoe shopping. Trying on all the different shoes and styles is so tiring and painfill on any 'normal' arthritic day now add in that my doc says my ankle bone is deteroating. I hope its like my dress where I walk into the store and see 'the one' right away lol

Thanks for letting me vent! 

Emily

Look into the white clogs worn by nurses! Not the most delicate looking things in the world, but comfortable!  Look on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/WOMEN'S-WHITE-NURSE-CLOGS-CLARK'S-6-M_W0QQitemZ330300855267QQcmdZViewItem

These are kind of cute, but they've got a heel. Can't tolerate heels, myself:

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7360434/c/14.html

You might also look into low-heeled or flat square dancing shoes.  They'll look more feminine.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19467302

http://carriebs.com/GLIDE-SQUARE%20DANCE-SHOES.html

(I don't necessarily recommend the above sites - these are just examples)

I'm with you. Shoe shopping ranks pretty much rock bottom in my book. Even when I find a pair that I think is comfortable, there's no way to know until I actually wear them out in the world and by then it's too late to return them, I just bought a $100+ pair of shoes I thought would work - until I wore them to church last sunday and found out they rub on my left big toe something awful. Brand new shoes, can't wear 'em.   Might as well get rid of them on ebay.

I had square dance shoes at my wedding but made the mistake of getting too high a heel. They killed after a while. Go for the flatter ones.

Hi,

I personally wouldn't find nurse cloggs suitable (sorry Carolan) as anything that cuts across the middle of the foot when tender is a killer as the foot rolls forward to walk.   Of course it depends where the most tenderness is, for me at my worst it was on the top of the foot where it constantly felt bruised if anything touched it.   I would have suggested flat pumps a little like a flexible ballet shoe however, if you have fallen arches and are presently suffering with them then you may need more support.   If it's width then simple very low but sturdy heeled, extra wide fitting shoes may suffice.

I used to have some beautiful bright white canvas plimsolls (gym shoes/pumps) that had embossed daisy holes in them.   I replaced the laces with white glossy ribbon that tied into a beautiful bow and I used to wear them with calf length dresses in the summer.   I have naturally thick heavy ankles however, if you are lucky enough to have slim ankles you could even cross the ribbon around your ankles for an eye catching effect.

Enjoy the wedding planning, I arranged everything on my own in a matter of weeks and loved every minute.

Dozey.

When I got married when I was 21 and was told no heels, i wore a pair with a small heal like the Shirley's below and had a pair of ballerina shoes for the reception see second link. Keep in mind I am 5' and my exhusband was 6'2" so it was a bit awkward. but you do what you have to do to be comfortable.  (these are in different colors but you get the idea). 

http://www.amazon.com/Touch-Ups-Womens-Shirley-Wedding/dp/B00131DKB6/ref=sr_1_43?ie=UTF8&s=shoes&qid=1235596805&sr=8-43

http://www.amazon.com/Stuart-Weitzman-Womens-Peggy-Galaxy/dp/B000ORJZZU/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&s=shoes&qid=1235596951&sr=1-14

Emmie,

The best part about a wedding dress is that it is long.  The attention will be on you, your beautiful smile and your beautiful dress, and chances are no one will notice your shoes.  Go for comfort!  When I was fretting over wedding shoes, I was told that some women pair their designer gowns (that cost thousands of dollars) with white tennis shoes,  (because they want to be comfortable and figure no one would notice).   Leave the dress long, and the shoes soft and comfortable and enjoy the magic of the day!

For me, I can't wear heels at all. Part of the reason my knees are so messed up right now (as in flared) is that I had a job interview and wore shoes with a heel (not even a big heel!) and walked around all day. Man, it was terrible. Can you just wear a very long dress and super comfortable shoes like Bev said?

I know these really don't look weddingy, but I have a couple pairs of these Privo shoes now, made by Clarks. I wear them to work (I have red flats and also cute sneaker-like ones) and they are RIDICULOUSLY comfortable, I can't possibly recommend them enough. They are padded with almost like little pillows. These ones are at least white... maybe they wouldn't show under a dress?

http://www.zappos.com/n/es/color/25/d/722277698/page/1.html

ps. what am I doing?!?

you picked a dress! can we see it? whats it like? tell us!!!

Emmie- wear what you want, it's YOUR day!  As for me, I did an aloha shirt and capris with comfy sandals.  I was comfy, and I can use the outfir or its parts whenever I want!  I'll upload a pic if it works  

But, if your heart is set on a dress, try Alfred Angelo for looksies.  My sis got married last year, and that's the designer that did our bridesmaids dresses and her wedding dress.  Every shape on the planet, and they don't charge extra for being an "odd size" (big or small). 

Good news about long dresses is that you can wear whatever you want underneath and noone's the wiser!

All the best, hon!

Let me try this again (posting pic....)

Hey thanks for all the suggestions guys!! I checked them all out and they were all really good and I was ready to decide, but then acuatlly saw a pair for $10.00 at payless shoe store that are just perfect. They are satin white open toed, with little diamonds and a strechy back with not too much but just enough heel. They were only $10.00 because they were last years style. I am still getting a pair of ballet type slippers as well for when my ankles start hating the shoes lol. But they are so pretty and perfect   once i figure out how to get a pic of my wedding dress on my phone to here I will post it

I am soooo excited to get married I just cant contain myself. I think pretty much everyone around me is sick of hearing me talk about how excited I am!! I can not wait to walk down the asile to the love of my life and spend the rest of our lives together as Husband and Wife!!!

I am sooo happy for you Emmie!  Happy about the shoes, and happier to hear about how excited you are about the walk down the aisle with your hubby to be!

I don't think anyone on this site ever gets tired of hearing happy news. 

When Chris and I got married -- going on 4 years ago; I can't believe it!!! -- we eloped and got married on a beach where we and the minister were all barefoot. I didn't fully appreciate that until I read this post.

Like you guys, I'm 5'3" and Chris is 6'4", so it was cute to see him bending in photos to "kiss the bride."

But lately, I've switched all my shoes to flats, either Dr.Scholls or sketchers.  Believe it or not, sketchers makes some flats and some Mary Janes that are super cute and super comfortable and appropriate for work attire or to wear with jeans.

They may be too casual for a wedding, however, so I'm glad you found some!

- Kati

Yeah these days most of my shoes are flat slip on ones. One is a pair of sketchers. I switch them up once in a while with a pair of 'normal' shoes because my doctor said it wasnt good for my arch to wear flat shoes all the time. So now that I have my white pretty heels for the wedding I am looking for a pair of white satin slip on ones to slip into once my arthritic feet and ankles tell me its time lol. I know the ballet shoes wont work. Thats just not enough padding when your dancing on a hard floor, plus I would be afarid of somene stepping on my feet. ( I know, im 25 and my biggest fear during the dance is someone stepping on my arthritic feet lol)

Sketchers is all I have for sneakers, with Dr Scholls inserts. I  had to buy a pair of flat shoes for my trip this week.... yes they were Sketchers also....

Gotta love comfy shoes...I can't believe I have hardly any shoes to wear to work since I started working from  home 3 years ago...I guess Slippers aren't appropriate for an office setting....  Oh well....I am back home in my comfy slippers. 

Emmie,  ALWAYS BE HAPPY!!!  Don't let anyone give you a hard time about being excited your wedding day is YOUR DAY you enjoy every second upto it, during and after!!!  Marriage is a fine institution take it from a 46+ year old that married the same man TWICE!!! 

Best Wishes!!

Thanks! I am going shopping tonight after work to find some white flat sketchers! I had a pair of black ones before but totally forgot that they make them until you mentioned it.

And your right. This is MY (our) lol day and I am going to enjoy every thing leading up to it, during it, and before and after! lol  Just this weekend I started Scrapbooking. I am going to make one of us dating, and another one of our engagement and wedding planning So its totally put me in the wedding mood even more lol. I LOVE IT!!  I love everything about this whirlwind romantic fairtale I feel like Im in.

Emily