<p>Garland–I <em>was</em> the mother of the bride for one of the weddings. But I actually wore my Keen sandals for my daughter’s wedding (yes, casual Keen sandals). It was raining and we were on the grass under a tent. There were people who changed from dressy shoes to sneakers.</p>
<p>My advice: wear really nice shoes just for the pictures, then switch to something really comfortable. You’ll have more fun!</p>
<p>Chowdycat - where ever you go, don’t do it on the weekend when they are busy. Try early in the week when the salesperson isn’t running around like a crazy person. Also, try DSW.</p>
<p>I would wear this with a flowy summer dress and be very comfortable. I’m not that old but my feet have reached the age where heels just aren’t happening, even the kitten heels. I need more support than ballet flats. Winter weddings would call for a low-hiker lol.</p>
<p>My SIL had baskets of inexpensive flip flops (Old Navy perhaps) at her wedding reception so that guests could feel comfortable abandoning their five inch heels. The bridesmaids were all given matching ‘nicer’ flip flops in their welcome baskets, so I do think it is a trend among the 30 & under generation to ditch their shoes.</p>
<p>Footsmart specializes in shoes for hard to fit sizes and for specific foot conditions. Some of the shoes are predictably dowdy but there are some cute ones too.</p>
<p>I’ve looked at DSW in the past but it seem to me that they just has the really trendy stuff, not shoes for a mid 50s “aunt of the bride” with bad feet.</p>
<p>Those leather arch supports look great. Actually the whole site looks interesting. I already have some of the product listed there, such as the plantar fasciitis night splint. I tried that for a while and it was more uncomfortable to sleep in than the benefit derived from it. But I think I will get those arch supports for my current flats. Thanks.</p>
<p>Chowdy, ditch the night splint it does nothing. I use pro stretch twice a day and it’s made a huge difference. When I was in PT for my PF I used it and bought one for myself. And it’s only $30.</p>
<p>emilybee - The night splint lasted less than a month. I do manual stretches by pulling on my toes, holding, releasing and repeating. That’s the exercise the PT gave me. But it looks like that ProStretch might do the same thing more easily. And maybe it will increase the movement somewhat on that joint because I could put more weight into it. The PT said the the PF is caused by the lack of movement in my toes. The doctor said that lack of movement might be fixed by breaking all the joints or doing a toe joint replacement. Definitely not ready for that!</p>
<p>Chowdy, the Pro Stretch is much better than doing the stretching exercises, it’s much easier and it gives a much better stretch. I do ten stretches on each foot twice a day. I also do a manual stretch every morning before getting out of bed but that’s just a quick bending back of my feet for a few seconds. </p>
<p>Also, if you don’t have them already - you should get orthodontics made for you. Mine were covered 100% by insurance.</p>
<p>For ideas and reviews of shoes, see barkingdogshoes.com. She has super fussy problem feet. She will say whether a particular shoe runs narrow, wide, TTS, is good for PF, bunions, etc. Many shoes look gear-ish, frumpy, or aren’t exactly sexy – but that’s the cross that those of us with super fussy feet must bear.</p>
<p>Last summer we went on a cruise. Packing space was at a premium. The best thing I did was listen to the gal at Nordies who assured me the nude patent peep-toed heels were the ‘new neutral’. Luckily I can wear heels and found a lovely pair that didn’t break the bank. (Huge fan of zappos & 6pm!). I wore them with a LBD w ivory accents, a red sheath dress, and a few others. I saw quite a few other woman with nude pumps as well. My 25yo niece gave me the thumbs up. :)</p>
<p>I already have orthotics. They really help but they don’t fit in all shoes, so I need to use gel inserts sometimes. But I suppose if the orthotics don’t fit in the shoe, the shoe probably isn’t good my foot!</p>
<p>Thanks - lots of great ideas for my “fussy feet”.</p>