Finding the right wedding shoes… Where do I even start? It seems like a daunting task. But if you’ve already bought your wedding dress, you’re one step closer to finding the right wedding shoes for you! If you haven’t found your wedding dress yet, skip over to this post for tips on how to choose the best wedding dress for your body type.
Now back to the shoes. There are so many options and so many things different to consider, so let’s just get started.
What to Consider When Choosing Wedding Shoes
- Comfort. This is the most important thing to consider! You’re going to be on your feet all. day. long. So choose something that will make your feet happy! Otherwise, you’ll be miserable for the entire day and nobody wants that.
- Style. You want to look nice on your wedding day, right? Of course you do! So consider shoes that not only match your personal style but that also match your wedding style. Whether it’s classy, vintage, beachy, or boho, make sure your wedding shoes go with your wedding dress and with the overall vibe of your special day.
- Your Wedding Dress. Speaking of your wedding dress, consider the length and cut when selecting your wedding shoes. If you’re wearing a full-length gown, you won’t even see your shoes under there so you could put anything on your feet and no one would notice. But if you’re wearing a shorter dress, everyone will be able to see them so act accordingly.
- Venue. Where you’re getting married matters. If your wedding ceremony is right on the beach, you’ll want to steer clear of thin heels and stilettos since you’ll just sink right into the sand. If you’re getting married at a large resort, you’ll probably have to do a lot of walking, so make sure you can do that comfortably or bring another pair of shoes to change into.
- Bringing more than one pair. This is a great idea and something I highly recommend to my brides! Choose one pair of shoes that you’ll wear for the wedding ceremony and photos, and another pair that you can slip into easily for dinner and dancing. Trust me, your feet will thank you at the end of the night!
- Price. Last, but not least, don’t forget to stick with your budget when selecting your wedding shoes.
Different Styles of Wedding Shoes
Heels
Heels are one of the most popular options for your wedding day. They’re stylish, sexy, and fun. Plus they make your legs look great! And who doesn’t want that?
But heels can also be uncomfortable, and they cause blisters easily – so be careful if this is your first choice for wedding shoes.
If you’re one of those women who just love wearing heels and wear them every day (first of all, I envy you), then this is probably a safe bet. But if you’re anything like me and 5 minutes in heels makes you want to cry your eyes out, then don’t even consider wearing them on your special day. You’ll be counting down the minutes until you get to take them off instead of enjoying every single second of your wedding day.
Heels are great if you have a hard surface aisle runner or an indoor wedding ceremony, but I do not recommend them for a beach wedding in the sand. They’re practically impossible to walk in on sand so keep that in mind if you don’t want to faceplant walking down the aisle.
A lot of brides wear heels for the wedding ceremony and then change into another pair (or go barefoot) for the reception.
Wedges & Block Heels
This is a safer bet if you’re having a beach wedding and want to wear heels. They’ll be easier to walk in the sand with and will still look nice since there are lots of different styles and colors to choose from.
While wedges and block heels are more comfortable than regular heels, be sure to choose a style that isn’t too high so you can endure wearing them for more than a couple hours.
Sandals
Sandals are the most comfortable option I’ve mentioned so far and will be the easiest to use if walking in sand or around a large venue or resort. Plus they’re easy to take on and off if you want to go barefoot for a bit. Sandals are typically more casual than heels or wedges, but they have the advantage that you can wear them all day and night without your feet hating you for it.
Flats
Either you love them or you hate them. If you love them, then they’re worth considering as your wedding shoes. They’re simple, comfortable, and very easy to walk in no matter what the surface.
Sneakers
This is an option that we don’t see very often, but it’s definitely a comfortable choice! Sneakers are great for walking around, and you won’t need to worry about tripping or falling like you do with heels or wedges. Plus, if you’re in a long dress, your feet will be covered up anyway.
Try a fun color to add a little pop or personalize them on Etsy with your wedding date or new last name. Just make sure the sneakers you choose are breathable since it’s going to be hot on your wedding day.
Going Barefoot
If none of these fit your style, just go barefoot! It’s a simple option. And absolutely free. Plus you’ll really be embracing the beach lifestyle. Sink your toes in the sand as you say “I do” and then dance the night away.
The only thing I would recommend is bringing a pair of flip-flops or sandals to slide on when you go to the bathroom.
Barefoot Sandals
Barefoot sandals are one of my fave options and a new trend that many of our destination wedding brides are supporting. They’re a beautiful way to dress up your feet without getting too fancy and while staying ultra-comfortable. You are basically barefoot, but your feet get a little decoration of their own. Plus they make a great gift for your bridesmaids so you can all match on your big day!
So How Do You Decide Which Wedding Shoes to Wear?
I recommend trying on as many different styles and options as you can. See what fits right and what feels good to you. Ultimately, you’re the only one who has to wear your wedding shoes so make sure they make you (and your feet) happy.
(A little secret: everyone will be barefoot by the end of the night anyway)
