When it comes to selecting the shoes you'll wear on your wedding day, the options for brides are nearly endless.
When it comes to selecting the wedding shoes for the bride to wear on her big day, there are many choices. As with anything wedding fashion related, a lot more than you think goes into the choice – especially when it has to do with your wedding day. What heel height is right for you? Some brides choose to step away from high heels and wear comfortable wedding flats (or summer brides may prefer sandals), while others don striking pairs of stilettos in a color featuring shoe shades other than white. There are so many styles to choose from, and since many gowns don't even show off the bridal shoe, you can really play with style and color to fit your personality.
And just as with the second wedding dress trend, brides-to-be can also plan to wear two pairs of shoes – one pair for the ceremony and one pair for the reception or after-party. If you're having a beach wedding, consider a pair of flat sandals for the ceremony and then change into bridal shoes that feel more chic for your reception. Once you're ready to hit the dance floor, don another pair of sandals or try a style that's more similar to a bootie or sneaker to make dancing all night so much easier!
From simple white sandals of varying heel-height styles, to sparkling peep-toe pumps, to colorful or embellished bridal shoes, the options for shoes for brides are nearly endless. If you'll be wearing a floor-length wedding dress, chances are your shoes won't even show during the ceremony or even the reception, providing the perfect opportunity to have fun with your style of footwear. Select heels in a range of bridal-chic color options – maybe even your "something blue" – or choose non-boring wedding shoe styles made of unique materials or embellished with interesting hardware to stand out. Brides who desire a classic look for their wedding ensemble may choose an elegant sandal or add stylish jeweled embellishments on the heels or toe of pumps.
For more ideas, take a look at the bridal heels below to inspire your own wedding-day footwear. For additional inspiration, click on the links below your favorite images to see more from each of these real weddings!
Photo by Rebecca Walker for The Day; Real Wedding: Diana Ross Helps Plan Daughter Chudney's Maui Destination Wedding
Photo by Heather Kincaid; Real Wedding: Jewish Ceremony + Romantic Fall Reception Décor in Ojai, California
If you're not accustomed to wearing the types of shoes in the photos above, it's okay to wear a pair of sandals under your dress! If you want to include a pair of gorgeous heels in your wedding photo album detail shots, you can do that too! Simply bring the style of bridal shoe you love for your photographer to take photos of while you're getting ready, and then opt for something more comfortable for the ceremony and reception.
If you're worried about the price entailed for bridal shoes you may only wear once, remember that it's okay to re-wear these! Unlike your dress, your bridal heels can be worn over and over again, so the price per wear can be lowered for every night out on the town or special occasion as a Mrs. Of course, if you'd rather keep the heels you wore as a bride special for that day only, do what feels right for you.
The goal for brides is simple: search your favorite stores (online or in person) for heels or sandals that will not only help you feel most like a bride, but also feel comfortable on one of the most important days of your life. You'll want to look your best, but you'll also want to feel your best and not have to deal with any foot pain at the ceremony, reception, or after-party! The same goes for your bridesmaids – if you're designating which shoe style they need for the celebration, make sure they're either comfortable or you're flexible with having them change into sandals once they hit the dance floor. Happy shopping!
For more wedding shoe ideas, visit our photo galleries! Be sure to also browse through hundreds of real weddings by your desired color palette, style, location, and more for additional inspiration, and shop some of the most popular wedding shoes online.