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Podiatrist expert reveals how to have perfect feet on your wedding day
With the average wedding lasting somewhere between seven and 10 hours, your feet are going to get pretty tired. From pinching heels to dancing the night away, your feet are likely to take a battering when it comes to the big day.
Sarah Bryning, wedding coordinator at Lake District Country Hotels, says: “Looking and feeling your best should be from head to toe on your wedding day. Many people consider booking a hairstylist and makeup artist for the day, but we often forget our feet deserve the same care. Nothing can ruin your day more than discomfort. So, avoid getting cold feet by caring for them in the run-up to your wedding.”
Lake District Country Hotels pairs up with local podiatrist Sally Wilson at James Pittam Health and Fitness to give you some top tips for your feet during the big day.
How to prepare your feet for your wedding day
Your feet should look and feel their best on your wedding day. You don't want to be in agony while greeting your guests. A treatment plan ahead of the big day can help your feet prepare for their shining moment.
Sally says, "We recommend starting your beautifying foot prep three months before your wedding. Firstly, see a podiatrist to achieve perfectly soft feet for your big day. Your podiatrist will remove any hard skin and corns, creating a moisturising plan to keep your feet super soft.
“As the skin on your feet is thicker than the rest of your body, the key to getting ultra-hydrated soles is to use a special foot cream containing urea. For best results, you’ll need to apply a small amount of foot cream every day for three months leading up to your big day.
“A common misconception is to use lots of cream on your feet, however, using a small amount of cream regularly will provide the best results! This is because your skin can only soak up so much at a time.”
Removing hard skin
Making sure your feet feel their best on your wedding day comes with a bit of pampering and preparation. You want to feel and look wonderful on this magical day, and ensuring your feet are just as coordinated as your tan and makeup is a must.
Sally says: “It’s all about the moisturiser! Regularly using a foot cream containing urea is the easiest way to sort out cracked heels. If you have quite a lot of hard skin, you’ll get the best results if you see a podiatrist for expert care on cracked, dry heels.
“As well as removing all the hard skin built up around the cracks, they can also apply specialised medical dressings to deeply hydrate the skin and provide a bespoke plan to ensure soft, smooth heels on your wedding day!”
If you’re looking for an at-home remedy, start by giving your feet a good scrub. It is a simple step but something that can make them feel amazing. Take a strong exfoliator to ensure you’re removing all your dead skin, including scrubbing between your toes. Not only will this make them feel super smooth, but you can also ensure you’re getting an even tan coverage from head to toe.
Ensuring you’re treating hard skin can stop these tough spots from becoming a problem on a big day. In the run-up to your wedding, ensure you’re taking it easy and not going on extensive walks, which could make your skin hard or even break.
How to avoid blisters on the big day
You don’t want your feet being pinched all night. While you want your shoes to look as good as possible, brand-new shoes can be a pain to wear. Ensuring you’re wearing the right shoes can help keep your feet pain-free throughout the night.
Sally suggests: “Moisturised feet are less likely to blister, so ensure you get into a good routine applying moisturiser to your feet in the months leading up to the wedding. Wear your new shoes for short periods, initially around the house, and examine your feet carefully for any rubbing, redness, or pressure points. Remember that shoes should fit comfortably the first time you put them on.
“A common misconception is that shoes need a break-in period to be comfortable, but this isn’t the case! If it rubs or chafes when first trying them on, then those shoes are not right for your feet, and any amount of time wearing them will not improve how they feel. You might be more likely to get blisters if your shoes are too narrow for you, so find some shoes with a wider, rounder toe box.”
Preparing your feet for your shoes
Heels can be difficult to master, especially if you’re not used to wearing them often. They can even cause lots of problems for your heels and ankles.
Sally suggests: “Suffering with sore heels and aching feet at the end of a long day is a common complaint, but it doesn’t need to be. Wearing heels places a lot of strain on your feet and calf muscles.
“See a sports podiatrist to safeguard your feet against problems such as plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis. They will provide a thorough assessment of your biomechanics and provide bespoke exercises to strengthen your feet, preventing these common foot problems. They can also help straighten curly toes!”
And who said one pair is enough? You don’t need to continue wearing the tight heels you’re dying to show off down the aisle. If you’re desperate to wear them, remember to bring a pair of back-up shoes. You can wear your to-die-for heels down the aisle and swap them out for something more comfortable for the reception.
Sally continues: “You'll most likely be standing up, dancing, and walking for many hours on the big day. A lower heel will be more comfortable as this will have less pressure on the balls of your feet compared to a higher heel. Gel cushions can also help alleviate the pressure on the balls of the feet. Finally, remember to come prepared! Bring a second, more comfortable pair of shoes to switch to later so that you can dance the night away!”
