Wedding Shoes

From walking down the aisle to the last dance,  as a bride you'll need a great pair of wedding shoes  (maybe even two!) to accompany you through your special day. The shoes you choose depend on a few factors, including size, the gown,  and the bride's height in comparison to her groom. If you're planning to change your shoes between your trip down the aisle and your entrance on the dance floor, aim to have shoes of similar heights; otherwise, you gown might look a little too long or too short at some point. 

Of course, sizing is a given with any pair of shoes. They need to fit and feel comfortable throughout the ceremony  and into a long night of dancing. Luckily, sizing for wedding shoes isn't complicated. In fact, it's the same as street shoe  sizing making buying online a fairly simple method of shopping. However, many brides will prefer going to a store and actually trying on many pairs before selecting the right one. If you like shoe shopping, finding a pair for your wedding should be a cinch; there aren't many rules beyond "get what you like!" 

Once you have your perfect shoes picked out, don't forget to bring them to your dress fittings. You'll want to make sure your dress is just the right length, so this is important! Also be sure to try on your shoes with the hosiery  you plan to wear the day of the wedding to make sure they're comfortable. Finally, not all shoes sold as "bridal shoes" are dyeable,  so make sure to find out before you buy the shoes if you are planning on having them dyed. 

A few other things to consider when picking out wedding shoes are:

  • Heel Height

Choosing a heel height is an important factor in selecting shoes. You want them to be comfortable to wear, whether you are walking, sitting, or hitting the dance floor. Try not to stray too far from what you normally wear on a day to day basis. If you have never owned a pair of stilettos,  this is not the time to start experimenting with them. Just because some people will say that flats, slides, or sandals are best reserved for the honeymoon, don't think that you can't don them for your wedding. Ballet flats,  thong sandals,  mules,  sneakers,  or even boots  are allowed as long as they make you happy and reflect your personality. If you and your soon-to-be husband have been taking ballroom dancing lessons, you might even consider a pretty pair of ballroom dance shoes! 

When selecting a heel height, also consider the following:

    • The length of your dress. With a floor-length gown,  select a heel that will either lift it from dragging or one that will lower it enough so that it just skims over the ground. For a short dress,  you might want to lengthen your legs with taller heels.
    • Your height versus that of your partner. The heel should be selected to make you and your partner closer to the same height. Obviously, if you are very tall and your partner is much shorter than you, don't buy 3-inch heels.  It will just make the height difference more apparent.
  • Style

Consider whether your shoes will be seen. With very long dresses, chances are that your shoes won't be seen often, if at all. Therefore, you have a lot more leeway. However, short dresses,  which are becoming quite popular, and even ballet length dresses will put your feet ins the limelight. When this is the case, style is important and should be as much a reflection of your dress as of your personality. If that means matching the shoes to your gown, then by all means buy them in the same fabric and color. If you're not set on sticking to tradition, don't be afraid to explore the road less travelled; red shoes  have been spotted with blush-pink gowns,  while baby blue shoes  help you out with the "something blue". Another factor, which will probably be an obvious one, is that the shoes should be of the same level of formality as the dress and of the wedding overall. Imagine wearing stilettos  to an outdoor wedding where they'll sink into the dirt, or sporting flips flops  at a formal banquet reception. Just use common sense.

    • Wedding shoes don't have to be white. Some popular colors that are outshining white shoes  are gold,  silver,  and pastels.  However, if you do choose white, make sure that it matches! A diamond white dress  is not going to work with a pair of pure white shoes. To tone down stark white shoes you'll need to get a bridal wash. To save hassle, bring along a swatch with you to the store. When it comes to bridesmaids shoes, if you are dying them, send them all out to be dyed at the same time that they are all dyed together. Otherwise, the color can come back looking different from shoe to shoe.
    • When matching fabric, match the hem, not the bodice. Fabrics to consider are either boca  or satin.  Satin is usually preffered by brides with satin dresses, while Boca goes nicely with just about everything else. Both fabric types can be dyed as long as you aren't dying over white. After the wedding, any light shade can be dyed to black so that you can wear the shoes again. Be careful when ordering dyed shoes. Tell them if you are having an indoor or outdoor wedding since lighting will make a difference in the way the color looks. Also, for outdoor weddings, make sure to get a sealant put on the shoes so that they don't run or buy an extra pair just in case.
  • Cost

Weddings are expensive enough without getting into the details. However, you can't walk down the aisle without the proper shoes. So, the question is whether or not to spend $200 on a pair of shoes that you may never wear again. For those with cash to spare, this is probably not an issue. For those who have a strict budget, there are ways to get around expensive shoes. Even places like Payless ShoeSource offer a selection of wedding shoes.

  • Other Concerns
    • Can you wear leather instead of satin or cloth shoes? Sure you can, but they may be harder to match the color to your dress.
    • Do you have to wear hose  with sandals? It can make your look appear more polished, but it is by no means an absolute. Do what makes you feel comfortable, and always have a few extra pairs of hose on hand if you choose to wear them.

Trendy Styles of the Moment

Wedding shoes often mimic what's hot in the rest of the fashion world. So, for the time being, here are the must-have styles.

Sparkling accents  are hot on any color and are particularly in fashion when paired with a silver shoe.

Strappy high heels  are a popular favorite besides the traditional pump.  Ideal for summer weddings.

Slingbacks  are feminine and formal enough for any wedding type. Easily used in winter or summer.

Peep-toe pumps  are flirty, fun, and very in, very retro. Choose pumps or sandal style depending on the season.

T-Strap sandals  are simple, yet elegant and classy. They work well for summer or spring weddings.

Barefoot sandals  are the choice for the bohemian bride. Perfect for a beach wedding

Satin ballet flats  paired with a romantic empire-cut dress looks innocent, pretty and romantic.

Backyard wedding flip flops  are the way to go when casual is the dress-code. Sport a tiny heel or none at all.

Roman sandals  with short, flirty dresses or long bohemian styles are in vogue and very youthful and hip.

Wedges  and platforms  (in moderation) are back in style for now and give the petite bride extra height.

Popular Manufacturers

Related Products

Wedding Gowns

Bridesmaid Dresses

Wedding Gloves 

Mother of the Bride Dresses

Bridal Headpieces

International Resources

For this resource in your home country, please see:
FR: Indispensables pour un mariage

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