Comfort or cost saving?? (heels and alterations)

Go for the alterations! I have learned from too many nights out that I cannot wear anything higher than 3 inches without hating my life. Too many times I tried wearing beautiful 4 inch heels only to spend the night sitting down watching my friends dance because my feet hurt too much. Don't let that be you at your wedding!

I would buy a pair of shoes that are the right height and see how you do walking in them. Wear them for errands, etc. If you can manage then buy bridal shoes with the same size heel. If not pay to get it hemmed. No sense in not trying a $30 solution to save hundreds. I'm 5'1" but wear heels daily. Still, I'm opting for 3" and a hem.

You're going to be so tired with all that's going on that day; better to know you'll be comfortable in your shoes all day.

Get shoes you love and are comfortable and that you can wear all night and have the dress altered to suit them. If you were talking about an inch or two, I would say see if you can get the perfect height heels before you have the dress altered, but 3 1/2+ inch heels is a bit much for a person who is clumsy in heels and would prefer flats. If it was a shorter heel (like 2") I'd say you could make it work.

Since the appliques don't go all the way around your dress as a trim on the hemline, I don't think the alterations would be overly expensive. It's likely only a few of them that will need to be moved, as you can have the dress taken up in the front and stay a similar length in the back since the dress has a train. You are going to need some alterations regardless (you'll want a bustle for the train), so ask the seamstress what the cost would be to have the dress hemmed slightly.

Whatever you do, find shoes you love and that are comfortable before making any alterations or final decisions.