Skip to content

Top Navigation

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • FOOD
  • HOLIDAYS
  • ENTERTAINING
  • HOME
  • GARDENING
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING
  • WEDDINGS
  • SHOP
  • DIY
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS
  • LIFE
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Pin FB

Explore Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 7 Things to Do in the Morning to Be Healthier and More Productive

      7 Things to Do in the Morning to Be Healthier and More Productive

      Kick-start your day by making habits out of these mood-boosting tips. Read More
    • Should You Refrigerate Bananas?

      Should You Refrigerate Bananas?

      It's one of your favorite fruits, but does it belong on the counter or in the refrigerator? Read More
    • This 3-Ingredient Homemade Weed Killer Uses Vinegar to Safely Remove Pesky Growths from Your Garden

      This 3-Ingredient Homemade Weed Killer Uses Vinegar to Safely Remove Pesky Growths from Your Garden

      A few easy-to-find ingredients are all you need to create a powerful formula that squashes weeds. Read More
  • FOOD

    FOOD

    See All FOOD
    Our 20 Most Popular Recipes for Summer

    Our 20 Most Popular Recipes for Summer

    • Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Lunch Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Drink Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Cooking How-Tos
    • Baking
    • Menu Planning
    • Food News & Trends
    • Wine
    • Mastering the Holiday Meal
    • What's for Dinner
    • All Recipes
  • HOLIDAYS

    HOLIDAYS

    See All HOLIDAYS
    The Most Patriotic Flowers for the Fourth of July, According to Symbolism

    The Most Patriotic Flowers for the Fourth of July, According to Symbolism

    Show your love of country by displaying these varieties on America's birthday.
    • Father's Day
    • Fourth of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Hanukkah
    • Christmas
    • New Year's Eve
    • Valentine's Day
    • St. Patricks Day
    • Passover
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
  • ENTERTAINING

    ENTERTAINING

    See All ENTERTAINING
    How to Start Entertaining Friends and Family More Regularly

    How to Start Entertaining Friends and Family More Regularly

    Make gathering with loved ones a priority.
    • Seasonal Entertaining & Decorating
    • Baby Shower Ideas
    • Dinner Party Ideas
    • You're Invited
  • HOME

    HOME

    See All HOME
    We're Putting Up Walls Again—Is the Open Floor Plan on Its Way Out?

    We're Putting Up Walls Again—Is the Open Floor Plan on Its Way Out?

    We asked the experts to weigh in on this popular home design concept.
    • Home Design & Decor
    • Paint Colors & Palettes
    • DIY Home Projects
    • The Well-Kept Home
  • GARDENING

    GARDENING

    See All GARDENING
    A Month-by-Month Hydrangea Care Guide

    A Month-by-Month Hydrangea Care Guide

    Confused about when to do what to your favorite flowering shrubs? We have you covered.
    • Container Gardening
    • Flower Gardens
    • Houseplants
    • Landscaping
    • Vegetable Gardens
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    How to Wash Pillows

    How to Wash Pillows

    They're an essential element of a comfortable bed, so keep yours fresh and in their best shape ever with these expert-approved tips.
    • Cleaning
    • Storage & Organization
    • Laundry & Linens
  • WEDDINGS

    WEDDINGS

    See All WEDDINGS
    Who Pays for What for the Wedding?

    Who Pays for What for the Wedding?

    Get the traditional rules for who pays for the wedding details.
    • Real Weddings
    • Wedding Party
    • Wedding Planning & Advice
    • Wedding Ceremony & Reception
    • Wedding Jewelry
    • Dresses & Style
    • Wedding Beauty & Wellness
    • Wedding Registry
    • Wedding Showers & Parties
    • Love & Marriage
    • Wedding Travel
  • SHOP
  • DIY

    DIY

    See All DIY
    How to Melt and Reuse the Leftover Wax from Candles

    How to Melt and Reuse the Leftover Wax from Candles

    Our easy melt-and-pour method saves the last bit of this home essential.
    • Dyeing
    • Holiday Crafts
    • Kids' Crafts
    • Knitting
    • Paper Crafts
    • Sewing
    • Rescue & Revamp
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    Can Rice Water Really Encourage Hair Growth?

    Can Rice Water Really Encourage Hair Growth?

    This buzzy ingredient is a star player in many new-age hair care products.
    • Beauty
    • Health & Wellness
    • Live Well
  • LIFE

    LIFE

    See All LIFE
    • Family
    • Pets
    • Travel
    • Net Worth
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. marthastewart.com
  2. Weddings
  3. Dresses & Style
  4. Fashion
  5. Wedding Shoes & Accessories
  6. 9 Tips for Walking in Heels (With Ease!) on Your Wedding Day
Martha Stewart Weddings

9 Tips for Walking in Heels (With Ease!) on Your Wedding Day

shelby-wax-headshot-0715.jpg
By Shelby Wax
Skip gallery slides
Pin
katherine-jared-wedding-0289-ds111387.jpg
Credit: Bryce Covey Photography

Strut down the aisle and into newlywed life joyfully.

Start Slideshow

1 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
katherine-jared-wedding-0289-ds111387.jpg
Credit: Bryce Covey Photography
Get Foot-Care Tips for Getting Your Soles in Tip-Top Shape for Your Wedding

It doesn't have to be a tall order to be on your feet from your I do's to your last dance—even if you have traded in your flats for stilettos as part of your bridal ensemble. Follow this pro advice as you countdown to the big day and you'll be kicking up your heels in joy rather than kicking them off in frustration.

1 of 10

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

If the Shoe Fits...

shoes-pink-pumps-v4-0045-d111716.jpg
Credit: JASON FRANK ROTHENBERG

Ill-fitting heels are a major cause of foot pain, no exceptions. To ensure your soles are prepped for their high-fashion marathon, outfit them in gear that will help them go the extra mile in comfort. To find the best shoe fit possible, start by trying on options at the end of the day when your feet will naturally be at their biggest. Slip on your typical size, as well as sizes up and down, until you find the most optimal selection. Last, go for a stroll—around the sales floor and, if possible, on a carpet and on a hard surface—to test out how your favorites feel all over. "You don't want to let your toes suffocate in a tiny toe box!" says podiatrist Suzanne Levine from the Institute Beauté. Nor do you want your ankles slipping out of the backs. If there are any concerns, work with a sales associate you trust will give you proper feedback.

2 of 10

3 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Pitch Perfect

statement1-001-exp1-mwd110240.jpg
Credit: Raymond Hom

Petite? No matter how tempting, avoid gravity-defying shoes, cautions Victor Chu, a former footwear designer who now teaches classes on walking in high heels and has been nicknamed the "Stilleto Whisperer." "Five- and six-inch heels are designed for women over 5'6," who wear a size nine or higher," he explains. "They have longer feet that can stretch the distance of the pitch these heels create." Three- and four-inch heels are instead a better option to help shorter women reach new heights and remain smiling while doing so. 

3 of 10

Advertisement

4 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Heel Thyself

samantha-peter-wedding-shoes-0314.jpg

"Our feet are ingenious architectural marvels that literally support our whole body," Levine says, adding that each foot is composed of 26 bones, 56 ligaments, and 38 muscles that absorb more than twice your body weight with every stride. "Inserting heels into the mix means you have to balance just as much pressure on a smaller surface area." To help ease the burden, she recommends either seeking out shoes with a wider heel or ones with a platform at the front to offset a high stiletto at the back.

4 of 10

5 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Break Them In

fashion-jlm-1173-md108970.jpg
Credit: Dirk Kikstra

There will be plenty of new things to experience on your wedding day, but you don't want your shoes to be one of them. To make them feel like old favorites, break them in ahead of time, suggests America's Next Top Model judge and runway coach Miss J Alexander. "Use your hands to bend them back and forth to soften the material a bit, especially along the instep," Alexander says. "Then put them on and walk around your block a few times, or wear them to run a few errands or maybe even walk your dog—and look fashionable while doing so!"

5 of 10

6 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Learn How to Walk

jim-hjlem-alt-fall2015-wd111643-001.jpg
Credit: FirstView

It should be as easy as putting one foot in front of the other, and it is. But some mindful adjustments can help you truly hit your stride in high heels. "Walking heel to toe is the safest approach, as this most closely mirrors your normal gait," Levine says. "Ideally, your toes should lie flat and be parallel with each other and your heel should be in line directly below the back of your leg." To prevent wobbles, especially on the dance floor, Beyoncé's tour choreographer Dana Foglia recommends finding your center. "To help with balance, I stress the importance of using your core and placing your weight on the balls of your feet while in your heels," she explains.

6 of 10

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Stand Tall

lindsay-garrett-wedding-shoes-0610-s111850-0415.jpg
Credit: Kate Headley

Good posture is the best way to keep on your toes in high heels. Most foot pain aggregates in the balls of the feet because the shoe heel causes the upper body to redistribute its weight forward. "To alleviate this pain, engage your abs, stand up straight, keep your shoulders back, and look forward (not at your feet) when walking," Chu says.

7 of 10

8 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Practice Makes Perfect

lr-chelsa-dennis-wed-bride-bridesmaids-154-ds111142.jpg
Credit: Shannen Natasha Weddings

Still worried about dancing the night away in high heels? Work your way up to it. "My advice is to practice at home with lower heels on a hard surface a bit," Alexander says. "Do not practice on carpet. It's a different feel! Then, keep practicing and work your way up to a four-inch-high scraper." To master a spin or a twirl in towering shoes, take a dance class with your fiancé to perfect your moves. Foglia says, "I recommend taking your heel-training seriously, like any other dance form is taken." Or make it fun. "At least one month before the date, throw a walking-in-heels party with your bridesmaids and have it at a location with a very long hallway (20 feet or more)," Chu says. "Practice walking the length of the hallway/runway and have your bridesmaids critique and help with the proper technique."

8 of 10

9 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Take It Easy

father-bride-bw-blake-chris-nyc-255a4807-mwd110141.jpg
Credit: Ingalls Photography

Now that your work is done, slip into your high heels and relax—literally. Take your time walking down the aisle, Levine says. Large strides can throw off your center of gravity. "If you do step on your train or on a loose bead, keeping your center while engaging your abs is the best defense from taking a tumble," Foglia adds. 

9 of 10

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

And Have Fun

caitlin-aaron-rw1012-0028.jpg
Credit: Chrisman Studios

Or, as Alexander says regarding any trips, "Hold onto the man you just married called husband!"

10 of 10

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Shelby Wax

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    `
    Martha Stewart Weddings
    View All
    • 10 Items You Need to Pack in Your Wedding Dress Emergency Kit
    • Kate Middleton and Prince William's Wedding Day Was an Emotional Highlight for Queen Elizabeth—Here's Why
    • Arcade Games, Tarot Cards, and Cotton Candy Put a Festive Spin on This Couple's Wedding in Austin, Texas
    • A Guide to the Most Popular Wedding Veil Lengths, Fabrics, and Colors
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 10
    2 of 10 If the Shoe Fits...
    3 of 10 Pitch Perfect
    4 of 10 Heel Thyself
    5 of 10 Break Them In
    6 of 10 Learn How to Walk
    7 of 10 Stand Tall
    8 of 10 Practice Makes Perfect
    9 of 10 Take It Easy
    10 of 10 And Have Fun

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Martha Stewart

    Learn More

    • Contact Us
    • Customer Service
    • Media Kit
    • Martha's Blog
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing
    • FAQ
    • Corporate
    • International
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithMartha Stewart is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Martha Stewart. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.marthastewart.com

    Sign in

    View image

    9 Tips for Walking in Heels (With Ease!) on Your Wedding Day
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.