It's common knowledge that weddings are a primary production and a significant financial commitment.

Even after the wedding, your shoes can be worn again with a bit of imagination.

You don't have to let them languish in the far reaches of your closet, where they are more likely to be transported to Wonderland than to your feet.

You need to go through the snow to your wardrobe and pull them out to get them.

As such, we place a premium on providing you with a shoe that feels tailored to your specifications, and we never skimp on quality. 

You have decided to go all out with your wedding day attire.

Having your soul mate by your side, you'll be able to dance the night away in your fresh new leather shoes, appear dapper in your suede vest, or bust out some dance steps as smooth as your silk tie.

Where is the joy in only using these unique accessories once?

We've included some valuable pointers to assist you in preserving the life of your wedding day accessories and the memories they hold.

If you follow our advice, ten years from now, your leather, silk, or suede items will look as lovely as the day you said, "I do."

Suede and Leather Care

Leather and suede shoes, made of natural materials, require special care and maintenance to ensure they last for as long as possible.

Upholstery Protector and Scotchgard Fabric and Nubuck Protector and Scotchgard Suede are two of the most well-known brands for protecting and cleaning suede fabrics.

Keep in mind that leather is a natural material, so there may be slight colour and finish variations between individual pieces.

Leather

• Please give it some air! Please don't keep it in a shoebox for years on end. The leather may eventually break down because of this.
• Second, blot any excess moisture with a cloth and allow your leather to dry naturally if it gets wet. Put some leather oil on it, too.
• Are those marks on your shoes from the salt you used during your winter wedding? Have no fear! Make a vinegar and water solution home, wet a rag, and dab the shoes. Then, wipe it off with a damp cloth dipped in water and a dry towel.
• The fourth rule is that if the leather belts or shoes get wet from the rain or snow, you should let them dry at room temperature, far from any heat source. Avoid letting your leather dry out and crack.
• Use a moist towel and mild soap to clean your leather. To remove soap residue, use a clean, moist cloth; do not submerge the leather in water. Away from the space heater, and let it dry naturally.

Suede

• A rubber eraser is perfect for keeping your suede clean and smudge-free. Finally, use a delicate brush and brush in a single direction.
• Suede shouldn't be kept in plastic bags. Pillow cases or a cotton plaid shoe bag is a better option.
• Suede accessories can fade or mildew if exposed to direct sunlight or moisture. Keep away!
• If your suede products get wet, you should dry them with a clean towel and let them air dry. Use a suede brush to restore the nap once you've brushed down the strands that have been elevated.
• You can use a nail file to remove unwanted dry mud stains from our woodsy outdoor weddings. Baby powder can be applied immediately on oil stains, sit for a few hours, and then brushed away.

A Water-Resistant Spray for Fabrics of Lighter Hues

You put your shoes through hell every time you go out and have fun. We recommend avoiding an outdoor wedding if you care about your wedding shoes.

The Leather Needs Conditioning

Although leather footwear is universally admired for its durability and comfort, white and ivory leather are particularly vulnerable to discolouration.

These hues will need extra TLC to ensure they are vibrant and wearable on the wedding day and beyond.

Keeping your wedding shoes conditioned and supple will ensure you make the most of them, as the look and feel of the leather both contribute to the satisfaction of wearing them.

Shoes that are too snug can be loosened up with the help of a leather conditioner.

To keep the leather wedding shoes in pristine condition, use a leather conditioner specially formulated to penetrate the material and replenish the leather's natural oils and suppleness.

Heel Pads and Gel Inserts

Our shoes already feature added protection in the sole, but gel cushions can improve your comfort in high heels.

If your foot is unusually narrow, this can also help the shoe feel more comfortable.

Fix Cracked or Worn Heels

Remember to inspect the tips of your heels if you buy something with them.

If the advice of your heels is wearing out from too much use, you should have them changed at a reputable shoe repair shop.

After Wedding Cleaning

Shoes can be severely damaged if washed in a washing machine.

Using a damp cloth or brush, you may restore your shoes to their former glory. If your wedding day footwear gets wet, wipe them down, fill them using white tissue paper, and let them air dry somewhere cool and dry naturally.

Outer materials won't dry out and break as much if this is done. Bring them to the dry cleaner if you've severely messed up your shoes.

Wedding Shoe Storage

You should clean your shoes thoroughly before putting them away for hygienic reasons.

To clean your cloth footwear at home, rent a cleaning cloth and use it to apply a light detergent. Wedding day muck?

No problem!

Just drop those dirty shoes off at the dry cleaner! No matter the method, drying them thoroughly before packing them with white tissue paper is essential.

Your wedding preservationist can tell you if it's possible to include your shoes in the box.

Preservation Packaging

If you want to keep your shoes for a long time, it's a good idea to package them carefully and attractively.

To store your clean shoes in a box, you should first wrap each pair in white tissue.

To prevent mould growth, you should keep the items in airtight containers.

Depending on the fabric of your shoes, they may be stored in the same box as your dress. Find out if this is even doable by consulting your preservationist.

Preserve the Jewelry

Barefoot sandals, anklets, and jewellery require special handling, so please be kind.

Alloys are used for silver and gold metals, not pure metals. Metals may dull over time, but a polishing cloth can restore their lustre.

If possible, keep metals away from damp environments like sand or water.

If your jewellery becomes wet, you should immediately rinse it with fresh water and dry it with a towel to prevent the salt from hastening the deterioration of the metals.

Because of this, perhaps damage can be avoided.

Creative Ways You Can Do With Your Wedding Shoes

Wedding Shoes Can Be Dyed

If you opted for a more classic style, you might have a set of satin white shoes coloured.

It's a win-win since you can get multiple wears out of the beautiful pair without having to say goodbye to them after one wear.

Put On a Shoe Display

Do you find your wedding shoes to be too beautiful for everyday use? Did you choose a pair of pumps that are too daring to be dyed? Then why not show them off?

For this, Pinterest is a great resource.

Purchase a picture frame to display your wedding footwear.

Your wedding vows, invitation, and any other mementoes you treasure most from that day would make lovely additions.

You can put it on display in your home and return it on your wedding day every time you pass it.

Design a Wedding Day Memento

If you want to express your artistic side, put on your paints and high heels and start creating!

You might put your wedding date or a simple message on the bottoms of your shoes as a reminder of your special day.

Donate Your Wedding Shoes

The truth is, you probably won't be able to bring yourself to don your wedding shoes again.

Donating them would prevent them from collecting dust at your house.

If you sell them, you can make someone else's wish come true by owning a stunning pair of bridal shoes.

Put Them On The Market!

If you'd like to recoup some of your costs, consider selling your wedding footwear to friends and family members online or in person.

You'll get some cash, but the lucky buyer will be someone else.

Heels, heels, and More Heels

Although sky-high heels are popular among fashionistas, more sensible footwear options exist for making an excellent first impression.

It would be best to exercise caution while selecting a brand new pair of high heels.

Stilettos and other shoes with thin straps are more prone to breaking and are also a pain to maintain when you're on a dance floor.

You can wear shoes with a lower heel without as much pain and risk of injury.

More and more couples are opting for outdoor or destination weddings, so while planning your outfit, make sure to include comfortable yet stylish shoes.

Chunkier heels or dressier sandals are an excellent option for travelling because they can be worn in various outfits.

They are also a practical option for wearing to both the opening ceremony and dinner.

Are you dancing under twinkling fairy lights and white tents in the garden?

Bring a set of sandals or wedges with flat heels to avoid sinking into the grass or sand. If you happen to get any grass stains on your clothes, don't worry; all you need is a damp towel, some warm water, and a drop or two of soap.

Remember to protect your footwear from scratches by placing them inside a storage bag before boarding the plane.

Pro tips:

• Break in your shoes well in advance of the big day! Don't risk getting blisters by breaking them in on your wedding day. On the contrary, you should become used to walking in them before the big day.
• Don't forget to bring a backup pair and tuck them under the cake table.
• Be prepared for blisters from dancing by bringing band-aids and silicone inserts for your shoes.
• When searching for a pair of bridal shoes, it's a good idea to bring either your wedding dress or, at the very least, a fabric swatch from it. Bridal parties can use this to ensure a perfect colour match.
• If you cannot get shoes in the desired colour or design, you may want to explore having them custom-made.
• If your shoes are too smooth, add some grips to the soles to make them more stable. Otherwise, the time-honoured method of scraping the shoes on the pavement should do the trick.
• Wedding shoes are another item that may need to be purchased ahead of schedule if your dress is custom-made. This happens because the dressmaker has to know your exact measurements and height to create the garment.

Helpful Advice for the Long term Care

Suppose you want to extend the life of your beloved heels or oxfords; getting them reheeled at a reputable shoe repair service once a season is worth the money.

If you want to keep your shoes in pristine condition until next season, it's best to store them in their original boxes using acid-free tissue paper and shoe trees.

Although you can always buy new shoes, formal footwear is often expensive. Instead, you can make an intelligent investment in your footwear by caring for them properly and getting more extended use from them for years by avoiding unnecessary wear and tear.

If your pair of shoes complement every dressy ensemble in your closet, you'll want to hang on to them for as long as possible.

After you've learned how to dance without ruining your feet, check out our handy guide for tips on maintaining the remainder of your wedding outfit.

MyDressBox is are wedding dress cleaning and preservation specialists servicing all major cities in Australia and New Zealand, including Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart, Gold Coast, Newcastle, Sunshine Coast, Wollongong, Geelong and many more.

Conclusion

Your wedding footwear can be worn again with a little creativity following the big day.

In order to extend the life of your leather and suede footwear, you need to give them some extra TLC.

Popular products for protecting and cleaning suede include Scotchgard and Upholstery Protector.

Having suede jewellery or purses exposed to damp or sunlight can cause them to mildew or fade. Use a clean towel to pat them dry, and then hang them to dry.

Tight shoes can be made more comfortable by using leather conditioners.

Both the longevity and the ease of wearing leather shoes are universally praised.

If you have an unusually tiny foot, gel cushions can make wearing high heels more bearable.

If you care about your health, be sure to give your shoes a good scrub before storing them away.

Wrap each clean pair of shoes in white tissue paper and store them in a box.

It's more common for the straps to snap on stilettos and other shoes with delicate straps.

Shoes with a lower heel will be more comfortable and safer to walk in.

The versatility of sandals as a travel shoe choice is unmatched.

If you're having your wedding dress made to order, you may also need to shop early for your wedding shoes.

Get your favourite heels or oxfords reheeled at a dependable shoe repair shop once every season to keep them looking and feeling like new for a lot longer.

Content Summary

• It's common knowledge that weddings are a major production and a significant financial commitment.
• Even after the wedding, your wedding shoes can be worn again with a little imagination.
• We've included some useful pointers to assist you preserve the life of your wedding day accessories and the memories they hold.
• The fourth rule is that if the leather belts or leather shoes get wet from the rain or snow, you should let them dry at room temperature, far from any heat source.
• Avoid letting your leather dry out and crack.
• Use a moist towel and mild soap to clean your leather.
• away from the space heater, and let it dry naturally.
• A rubber eraser is the perfect tool for keeping your suede clean and smudge-free.
• If your suede products get wet, you should pat them dry with a clean towel and then let them air dry.
• We recommend avoiding an outdoor wedding if you care about your wedding shoes.
• Our shoes already feature added protection in the sole, but gel cushions can further improve your comfort in high heels.
• Your wedding preservationist can tell you if it's possible to include your shoes in the box.
• If you want to store your clean shoes in a box, you should first wrap each pair in white tissue.
• Purchase a picture frame to display your wedding footwear.
• The truth is, you probably won't be able to bring yourself to don your wedding shoes ever again.
• If you'd like to recoup some of your costs, consider selling your wedding footwear to friends and family members either online or in person.
• You should exercise caution while selecting a brand new pair of high heels.
• To avoid sinking into the grass or sand, bring a set of sandals or wedges with flat heels.
• Be prepared for the possibility of blisters from dancing by bringing band-aids and silicone inserts for your shoes.
• When searching for a pair of bridal shoes, it's a good idea to bring either your wedding dress or, at the very least, a fabric swatch from it.
• In the event that you are unable to get shoes in the desired colour or design, you may want to explore having them custom-made.
• Wedding shoes are another item that may need to be purchased ahead of schedule if you're having your dress custom made.
• If you want to extend the life of your beloved heels or oxfords, it's worth the money to get them reheeled at a reputable shoe repair service once a season.
• If your pair of shoes complements every dressy ensemble in your closet, you'll want to hang on to them for as long as possible.

FAQS ABOUT BRIDAL SHOES CARE

Why is shoe care important?

You should expect your shoes to endure longer as a result.

Constant wear and tear will destroy your footwear, since dirt and sweat can impede ventilation and weaken the stitching, respectively. In order to extend their lifespan and avoid having to buy a new pair every few months, regular cleaning is a must.

What is the shoe tradition at weddings?

The groom's father traditionally places a sixpence in his daughter's left shoe as a symbol of good fortune and a desire for the couple's continued success in life together. This custom can be revived with the purchase of modern commemorative sixpence coins.

Do bride shoes have to be white?

Shoes for a wedding don't have to be white or ivory. There has been a recent trend of brides choosing to wear colourful, one-of-a-kind shoes that will complement their personal style beyond the wedding.

Are wedding shoes important?

To complement her wedding gown, the woman must also select a pair of shoes. She needs a pair of shoes that are as flawless as her dress in every way possible to complete her formal wear.

What is the proper way to take care of shoes?

Do not give the impression to your footwear that you no longer value them. Here are some easy ways to keep them amused:

• Sneakers despise damp conditions.
• Don't let dust get on them
• The Value of the Shoe Tree
• Shaded from the sun.
• Use cardboard or paper shoe boxes, not plastic.