The last thing you need at your wedding is to trip over your own feet as you walk down the aisle. A bride's wedding gown is of utmost importance, but don't overlook your shoes! A good or bad pair of shoes can make or break your wedding and you definitely want to start off your day on the right foot. You have finally found your soulmate, so take some time to find the perfect match for your feet with these pointers.

1. Watch the height of heels

Every woman loves a fabulous pair of high heels — they make your legs look more slender and give you the extra height boost. It makes sense to walk down the aisle in a pair, but how high should your heels be? The general rule of thumb is to wear whatever you can comfortably walk in. If you usually run around in five inch heels, go ahead and have them with you at your wedding. Otherwise, you may not want to take the risk of wearing heels you are unused to moving around in. You should also consider heels that will make you and your groom look good, or you may find yourself towering unnaturally over him on the day itself.

2. Keep shoe bling to a minimal

Some glimmering decorations on your shoes may be the key to accentuating your bridal look, but all that glitters is not gold. The embellishments on your shoes — sequins, crystals, gems or beads — which are large in size or have sharp edges may catch on the ends of your gown, especially if you have a long tulle or lace train, or even a long veil. Practice walking in them before the wedding to make sure your shoes keep away from ripping the fabric on your gown.

3. Wear shoes that have longevity

For a pair of wedding shoes you will want to wear again to other occasions, consider colours in nude, white or gray shades that are easy to pair with any regular day outfit. For something more eye-catching, go for metallic accents or bolder pops of colours in blue or green. Embellished flats or sandals for casual weddings are great for repurposing after your wedding, while chic and stylish heels can be worn with office wear.

4. Choose fashion with function

A pair of Jimmy Choos or five-inch crystal-studded Giuseppe Zanotti heels may look like a wedding dream come true, but you should never choose a pair of shoes only because it looks fantastic on you. Your wedding day will require you to stand and move around for most of the day, and taking off your shoes to walk barefoot at some point of your wedding or reception is not an option. Find a good balance between fashion and function — a pair of shoes that complements your wedding dress and provides you with maximum mobility and comfort is the pair you will want accompanying you on your happy occasion.

5. Wedding location plays a part

Brides often neglect the location of their wedding when choosing their shoes. If you have a beach or garden wedding which requires you to walk on soil and sand, buying a pair of stilettos is possibly not the best idea. Instead, you may want to try sandals, wedges or flats. Cobblestone pathways and even the traditional wedding aisle in a church — usually lined with a long carpet — may prove difficult to walk on regardless of your experience in wearing heels.