Accessories can make or break a bride's look. Overdo them and you detract from the main item, under-accessorise and you can end up downplaying an outfit. Mismatch and the overall effect can appear disjointed.
When it comes to shoes, heels add height and elegance, but not necessarily comfort. 'A bride-to-be needs to remember comfort, style, materials and colour,' says Winnie Fong, manager at Design Your Own Shoes. 'She needs to consider the heel height and platform, and also the size and width because she needs to walk in the shoes all day.'
An ankle strap provides extra support for the bride who usually wears flats, while a breathable leather lining helps keep feet cool and makes footwear more comfortable, Fong says.
The type of wedding affects the footwear. A formal affair calls for a traditional shoe, while lower-heeled sandals, wedges or bridal flip-flops are ideal for a casual outdoor wedding. 'Pointed-toe is classic,' Fong says. 'Open-toe styles and sandals are more fashion.'
Colour should match the gown. White and ivory come in shades such as off-white, cream and champagne gold, so it's best to take fabric from the wedding dress to ensure the correct match.
Some brides choose blue for the Western tradition of wearing 'something blue', while red is sometimes picked to fit Chinese tradition. 'For materials, choose something that matches the gown such as silk, lace or a sparkling fabric with Swarovski crystals,' Fong says. Satin shoes work with shiny fabric, lace with a lace dress, while cr?pe works with a wedding dress that has a matte sheen. Rhinestones or crystals complement bejewelled, shiny or sequined dresses while pearl-decorated gowns pair well with beaded shoes.