All women love pretty shoes. Maybe not sky-high heels, maybe not stilettos, maybe not even a dress shoe. I can name 5  women that are crazy for Uggs and others that can’t wait for summer to wear sandals. The fact is that finding a shoe that all of your bridesmaids will like or even be able to wear is difficult. Never fear, there are many solutions but first there are some points to consider:

Are the shoes going to be seen? If the dress is long, no one will notice different shoes. If the dress is short, you will have to ‘step’ in and make sure that everyone wears the same color or style… or that they are somehow co-ordinated to suit your wishes and the style of your wedding. This is your call. With a short dress, you have the opportunity to use the shoes as a statement piece, something to spice up a LBD (little black dress) or give a pop of color!. Of course if the color selection gets to be too much, you could always go with gold or silver.

Where is the wedding?  Outdoor and indoor weddings have different shoe requirements. Also if the ceremony is outdoor and the reception is indoor, make sure the shoe can transition comfortably. For an outdoor setting a wedge heel will guarantee your shoes don’t poke holes in the turf, if your wedding is on the beach, you can opt for no shoe at all  and if your wedding is a  lavish affair in a luxurious location – the shoes should be formal, no matter the heel height.

What time of year is it? For a winter event, I would stay away from summery sandals and cork wedges. Pumps with either open or closed toe work nicely, so do mary janes, or ankle straps. For something completely unique – how about boots? (Cowboy boots do seem to be the trend with this choice)

For me personally, I would pick the shoe first and find a dress, location and time of year that matches.

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago