Once you’ve found the perfect dress, you need the accessories to go with it. Shoes, veils, hosiery and jewelry are must-haves, but you also have the option of adding gloves, a tiara, a garter, or a matching clutch or bag.

Shoes and Stockings

Your shoes should not only be sexy but sensible; you'll be on your feet for hours, dancing and mingling with your guests. Avoid any shoe which is uncomfortable when you try it on, has a heel you are not totally comfortable walking in, or is tight through the toe.

If you regularly wear a fairly high heel and feel comfortable walking and standing in them during your workday, you should feel free to choose a higher or narrower heel. If you do not usually wear heels, you may want to choose a shorter and/or chunkier heel. A low-heeled pump will still allow you to walk with the grace of a heel, but will lessen the chance of an unfortunate wedding-day spill. Remember, you likely won’t be able to see your feet as you are moving about in your wedding gown, so be sure to choose a heel you are comfortable with.

A wise choice is a silk or satin pump that can be dyed to match your gown. You can dress the pumps up by covering them with matching lace or by attaching a jeweled clip to each shoe. (Clips are available in many shoe and department stores.)

Depending on the couple's height relationship, some brides wear ballet slippers. These can be purchased at bridal salons, shoe stores or dance supply stores. The humble ballet slipper can rise to the occasion of a wedding if you have it covered in lace, studded with baby pearls or appliquéd with satin roses. But, be aware that you will walk differently in flats than pumps.

You will need your shoes in order for your dress to be properly hemmed if the gown is floor length. So make sure you have you shoes well in advance.

Another good reason you have your shoes a month or so early is that you will have the chance to break them in. Regardless of how well new shoes fit, they still have a tendency to hurt your feet if you try to wear them for hours without breaking them in first. Try to wear your shoes in a clean carpeted area where you can be on your feet for a couple of hours at a time until they are pliable and don’t pinch.

Most gowns will cover your shoes and stockings for most of the day, and some brides are tempted to wear non-traditional shoes. This is only a problem if you do not want your guests to see the shoes you are wearing. As long as you are comfortable with your guests knowing that you wore slippers or sandals beneath your gown, feel free to wear what you are most comfortable in.

Hosiery comes in many shapes, sizes and quality levels. Many brides want something special to wear for their wedding day. High-quality stockings look great and feel different from everyday hosiery. An expensive pair of stockings can be a great way for a bride to treat herself on her special day.

Choose stockings that you are comfortable wearing. If thigh-highs are new to you, but you would like to wear them on your wedding day, try a couple of pair first before you decide for sure that is what you wish to do.

Above all, be sure that your stockings fit. Hosiery that is too large or too small is more likely to run or sag. Your best bet is to buy a couple of pairs of the stockings you want and try one pair on to make sure they fit as they should. This extra pair can also serve as your back-up for your wedding day.

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