Chances are your hunt for wedding shoes falls into one of two camps. You're either a self-professed shoe lover and see your chosen footwear as an integral facet of your wedding day look (a beautiful pair of heels is worth a little bit of pain, right?). Or, you haven't given a whole heap of thought to your wedding day shoes, but you know you'll likely want to wear some, so they'd better be comfortable!
Regardless of which side you fall on, rest assured that finding the perfect wedding shoes is well within your grasp. There are so many styles to choose from, from sleek and elegant kitten heels to trendy platforms or flat wedding shoes (for those who say no to heels, even if it is their wedding day). To help you make the all-important decision, the Rock My Wedding Editors (and self-professed footwear fanatics) have compiled a collection of the best wedding shoes for all kinds of brides, organised by brand, style and colour to make your task just that little bit easier. But before you begin hunting for your perfect pair, don't forget to read our bridal shoe top tips to avoid any footwear faux pas!
10 top tips for choosing the best wedding shoes from the Rock My Wedding Experts
- Be sure to consider your venue's flooring and any journey you'll be making between locations. Is it carpeted or wooden floor? Will there be cobbles, stones or pavers outside? Will you be walking on grass, and will it be muddy? Are you having a beach wedding? All these things will help you decide whether you choose stiletto heels, block heels or flats.
- How high of a heel can you handle? Be honest with yourself about your comfort level and ability to walk in heels (if heels are your thing at all). There's no rule book - if you never usually wear heels, you don't suddenly have to just because it's your wedding day. Wear what you like, what makes you feel fabulous and what you can comfortably strut in all day. If that's a skyscraper heel - go for it, but if that's a pair of Converse - we're still in full support (no judgment here).
- Whatever you choose, comfort is key. Wedding days are long days. Incredible days, fun days - but long nonetheless. And you'll likely be on your feet for most of it, so it's essential to choose something kind to your feet. Or if you're intent on heels for your ceremony but want the freedom to let loose at the reception, we'd never say no to two pairs of shoes!
- As mentioned above, you don't have to have just one pair of wedding shoes. It's your wedding day - you can have as many pairs of bridal shoes as you wish! But be sure to let your seamstress or bridal boutique know, as your hem will need to accommodate the varying heights.
- A big factor in deciding which shoe style to choose is whether you plan to wear your wedding shoes again (which we totally think you should, btw!) Why wear a gorgeous pair of shoes just once? It's not great for your wardrobe and definitely not great for the planet, too. Ivory satin shoes may be less likely to have a place in your future wardrobe, and while there is an option to have them dyed in future - why not explore the idea of colourful or nude-coloured bridal shoes that can have a permanent place amongst your footwear regulars? Otherwise, you can always browse Recycle My Wedding to find a fabulous pair of pre-loved wedding shoes!
- Should you buy your shoes before or after your wedding dress? Well, it depends. You'll have chosen your shoes or dress because you love them, so whichever comes first - just make sure you consider that when selecting the corresponding piece. Always think of your overall look. Do you want matching or contrasting shoes to dress? If you're a coordinated queen, be careful - there are many shades of white and ivory (bring a swatch of your fabric if you can.) Or, if you'd prefer to add some colour (whether subtle and complementary or a bold pop of colour) - consider how your shoes tie with your overall style or colour scheme.
- Heavily embellished bridal shoes are stunning - who can ever say no to a bit of sparkle? But a cautionary word to consider - beware of snagging! If you've got a satin gown, netting or a train, you don't want any delicate hems caught on beautifully embellished shoes. If they're well-made, the clasps should be secure, and snagging shouldn't be an issue, so it's best to run your hands over those jewels and have a check.
- Regardless of your choice of shoes, as we all know, new shoes can be a bit... Uncomfortable at first, to say the least. So don some socks and wear them while you potter around the house. It'll make all the difference, and you'll hopefully keep the emergency pack of blister plasters at bay on your wedding day.
- Ever heard the rhyme "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue"? Well, the often omitted last line is "And a Sixpence in her shoe", thought to bring prosperity, love and happiness! There are bridal shoe designers who incorporate sixpences in the design, or you can find your own and tape/glue it onto the sole of your shoes for a nod to tradition.
- And lastly, a note on cost. You can go all out for a pair of Louboutins or Jimmy Choos. Or you can find the perfect pair on sale on the high street. The bottom line is, pay what you want, and don't let anyone convince you otherwise! Wedding shoes don't have to be pricey, as you can find gorgeous styles for under £50, too - as you'll see in our edit!
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No matter your budget or style, our editors have scoured the web to find all the best wedding shoes for your special day! We've included pairs ranging from just £21 from ASOS to £875 at Jimmy Choo - ensuring there's something for everyone. So, whether you consider yourself somewhat of a shoe person, or they're usually no more than an after-thought (your wedding dress being your first and foremost fashion priority) - we love a good bridal shoe, and promise, they could make all the difference for your wedding day look.
If you could never justify splashing out on designer shoes on an average day, treating yourself for your wedding day is just the occasion you need to warrant spending more. But, having a favourite brand doesn't necessarily mean it has to be designer. For those with a high-street brand that has served them well for years upon years, why switch now? Maybe you know the heels are comfy, and your wedding day isn't the time to take risks - trust us! So, with that in mind, here are the best wedding shoes by brands that are popular amongst brides to give you a nudge in the right direction:
Saeda 100 Ivory Satin Pumps with Crystal Embellishment
While we've all no doubt had dreams of shiny new Jimmy Choos or Louboutins, brands aren't everything, and for you, the style of your wedding shoe might feel more pressing. Whether you're useless with heels and don't want to be captured on your wedding day hobbling around, are more comfortable (and stable) in block or platform heels, or prefer something sleek and trendy like a slingback kitten heel - the choice is yours entirely! But we think that first choosing the style of your bridal shoe is always a good place to start. Here are the best wedding shoes by style:
ASOS DESIGN Wide Fit Hitched Bow Detail Mid Block Heeled Sandals in Ivory
Coast Savannah Bridal Satin Bow Detail Kitten Heel Court Shoes
Are bridal shades restricted to white, ivory and off-white tones? Incorrect! We love brides in a pop of colour and think it adds a unique and stylish aspect to wedding day attire. Whether you match your bridal shoes to your overall wedding colour scheme or your accessories like a bouquet or veil - saying no to ivory and opting for contrasting shoes is an easy way to take your bridal look from traditional to runway-worthy! Coloured wedding shoes don't necessarily need to be bold and bright if that's not your thing. A luxe gold or silver or even a classy nude tone works well, too. But if you are a fan of experimenting with colour, a hot fuschia pink is a popular choice, and wedding shoes are a great way to incorporate something blue! However, if you have your heart set on some white shoes for your wedding day, you can still wear something spectacular on your feet by opting for some sparkles! If you need some colour inspo, here are the best wedding shoes by colour:
Rainbow Club Mia Ivory Satin Embellished Block Heel Sandals
With bridal fashion, you should never overlook your wedding shoes, and we hope we've shown you just that! Even if you're not necessarily big on shoes, in the style sense, your feet will carry you for the entire wedding day, so it's essential to be kind to them by opting for a comfortable style. If now you've got your wedding shoes sorted, you need to hunt down the rest of your bridal attire, browse our inspiration on: