Heels or flats - which shoes are made for walking down the aisle?

Whether brides choose heels, courts or flats, the perfect pair of wedding shoes is essential for the big day.

For many women, shoes are an important part of their wardrobe and they are likely to have many pairs stashed away.  Whether they like to strut their stuff in high heels, walk proudly in a stylish pair of boots or stay comfy in some practical ballet flats, there are thousands of different styles to choose from.

It is the same for a bride on her wedding day and this could be one occasion when they will be extra keen to find the perfect item of footwear ready to walk down the aisle.

A survey recently commissioned by tszuji.co.uk revealed that 92 per cent of women remember the first pair of shoes they bought with their own money. With this in mind, the heels they wear to tie the knot will no doubt be equally memorable and the only problem is deciding which fabulous footwear will go best with the wedding dress.

One option could be a pair of statement heels, as Vogue notes that there has been a real craze for these shoes this year. Whether brides choose T-bars, stilettos, ruffles or embellishments to adorn their wedding heels, they could feel a million dollars as they walk through the wedding venue to meet their husband at the altar.

High heels may seem like too much of an effort for brides who do not want to put up with aching feet on a day when they are bound to be nervous, as well as excited.

An alternative option could be a pair of court shoes, which give some height without becoming uncomfortable. They are also a fashionable choice as Justine Picardie recently told the Daily Telegraph that after a year of extravagant footwear trends, "it comes as something of a relief to return to the simple pleasures of the court shoe".

Brides that need further convincing that courts could be the best choice may want to hear the advice of Tamara Mellon, founder of luxury shoe company Jimmy Choo. She stated: "The single most useful shoe a woman can own is a classic court shoe. It never goes out of style, so you can invest in a really nice pair and keep them for years."

If brides really want to make a statement, then they could opt for a pair of stand-out shoes in a bold colour to offset the tones of their wedding flowers or decorations. A sparkling gold or a flash of hot pink could brighten up a traditional white gown.

Another idea could be to match the colour of the shoes to the dresses worn by the bridesmaids and if women decide on a pair of ballet flats for their nuptials, then jewel tones could make up for the lack of height and make the footwear a special choice that the bride will want to keep forever.