Walking Well in Your Wedding Gown

Walking attractively and well in a wedding dress depends on a combination of a number of factors: the style of the dress, width of the skirt, number and size of petticoats or other undergarments, the height of heels on your shoes, your comfort level in walking in that height heel, the floor/ground surface you will be walking on, and more.

There is no magic equation for this, but here are some considerations which should help you find a fairly comfortable wedding day walk.

~ Choose a reasonably low heel, one that you are comfortable walking in. And "break your shoes in" a bit by walking around the house in them before the wedding-- but not when cooking or cleaning or doing other potentially soiling activities.

~ If you never wear heels of any kind, if you expect to do a lot of dancing or walking distances, or if heels are very uncomfortable for you, consider your options-- bridal sneakers, flat sandals, ballet slippers, Isotoner slippers, etc. For many brides, their shoes are never seen unless they *want* them seen, but all of the options above can be decorated (by the bride, if she wants to try it) to have an appropriate, if funky, bridal flair.

~ Wear your petticoat and/or other unusual undergarment around the house to get used to how they feel and move.

~ Practice nice posture. Snug-fitting bras and shapers and tight-waisted petticoats all encourage you to stand straight, unlike our normal everyday clothing. Allow these garments to remind you to stand, straight and tall, for the increased impression of beauty and confidence this gives any bride.

~ Have your gown hemmed to the proper height. Some boutiques hem gowns so they touch the floor. Unless you will be wearing an actual *rigid hoop* petticoat, this is not a good idea. For confidence walking, reducing soil, etc., a full-skirted gown should be hemmed at least 1/2", but preferably more like 3/4" to 1" above the floor. My clients occasionally quarrel with me on this subject, afraid that it will "look funny", but I've never had a client sorry after their wedding that they had the additional room above "hard floor" level. Remember, you may well have to walk over plush carpet, grass, gravel, or any of a number of other surfaces.

~ Proper hem height off the floor also gives you a little extra room for imperfect postures. When your hem is measured and marked, the seamstress will ask you to stand straight, with equal weight on both legs, and look directly, level-ly, in front of you. Pay attention to these requests and do your best to comply with them. It will give you the most attractive and accurate hem. However, when you are moving in the dress later, remember that the hem was cut for you standing straight and looking ahead. When you look down, your hem will dip down in front, and this is when many brides step on their skirts. Try to lift your skirt gently with your hands when you need to look down to navigate steps or other activities, to counteract this natural dip-- and the tendency to tread on your skirt.

~ Last-- try to relax about wearing your gown, and don't 'fight' it. A full-skirted gown has a certain natural swing and movement. Some brides take to this naturally; some find it a bit disconcerting, and almost "artificially girly". But if your feet don't hurt, your hem isn't too long, you are used to your undergarments, you relax and enjoy yourself, and you feel really beautiful in your gown... chances are, you'll wear your gown quite well!!