Last updated on August 24th, 2022 at 12:25 pm
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- What shoes to wear to a wedding
- Bridal shoes
- Groom’s shoes
- Wedding party shoes
- Ceremony guest shoes
- Evening guest shoes
Weddings are a chance to create new and exciting memories with your dearest friends and family – but they take lots of time and planning. This is especially true when it comes to putting together your all-important outfit for the big day.
In this guide, we explain what the best wedding shoes are and where you can buy comfortable wedding shoes for ceremonies in a variety of settings.
What shoes to wear to a wedding
The key things to bear in mind when choosing your footwear for the big day include:
- Comfort and support. You’ll be on your feet a lot during the day. Make sure your shoes are comfortable and supportive.
- Style and theme. A stiletto heel might look stunning, but it won’t fair well at a beach wedding.
- Heel height. A wedding day is emotional enough without the added stress of worrying you’ll fall over in heels that are too high for you.
Top tip: If you want to wear a heel but don’t have much practice in them, opt for a block heel instead of a stiletto for better stability.
Bridal shoes
Picking the right pair of shoes for your wedding is just as important as finding the right dress. What shoes you should wear for your wedding all depends on the type of look and ceremony you’re going for.
A classic look
We recommend: Lilley Women’s White Wedge Court Shoe
If you’re looking for a timeless, classic style, you can’t go wrong with a simple court shoe. Stick to a neutral colour like ivory, silver or blush pink for a look that lets your wedding gown do all the talking. If you want to add something extra, pick a pair with added details such as diamantes or appliqués.
This pair of white heels is a great peep-toe option which will suit a more traditional look. The added wedge heel adds a bit of sass, and the neutral colour blends with any scheme.
Beach and outdoor weddings
We recommend: Lilley Women’s White Floral Wedge Sandals
No-one wants to spend their wedding ceremony pulling their heels out of the mud or sand… Sandals or decorative ballet pumps are a much smarter choice of wedding shoe if you’re having an outdoor ceremony.
While a stiletto heel might not be ideal for an outdoor wedding, you can still add some height with a chunky wedged sandal. This sparkly pair adds a touch of glam to a floaty beach dress or a cosy outdoor look – without overpowering your bridal vibe.
An alternative look
We recommend: Rieker Sina Womens Leather Sling Back in White
Not every bride wants to go down the traditional route. Your shoes are an excellent opportunity to bring a pop of personality into your look.
If you’re going for a tea-length dress or a more vintage look, this stunning Rieker pair is a great choice. The coloured lattice detailing adds a touch of brightness to your outfit – and the heel will make your legs look longer, too.
Groom’s shoes
As the groom, you might feel you’re more restricted when it comes to the styles of shoe available to you. But this doesn’t have to be the case. There are still plenty of ways you can adapt your footwear to suit your personality or theme of the wedding.
A traditional look
We recommend: Silver Street Felix Men’s Brown Lace Up Brogue Shoe
Traditionally, a smart and stylish lace-up or brogue is the way to go when it comes to picking your wedding shoes. But traditional doesn’t have to mean boring – intricate brogue detailing and unique colours can emphasise your individual style.
If you want to keep things traditional but add a little twist, a pair of brogues are ideal. The brown colour is a wonderful update to the conventional black shoe and will look fantastic with vintage, rustic or light blue suits.
A beach or outdoor wedding
We recommend: Red Tape Ulster Men’s Leather Slip-on Shoes in Black
If you’re getting married outside, you might not want to opt for a traditional lace-up pair of shoes. For a light and airy outdoor ceremony, a more relaxed loafer will work beautifully.
The black leather of this understated pair of loafers still offers a traditional wedding feel without looking too over-the-top at a beach or outdoor ceremony. Plus, they’re so practical you’ll more than certainly find reason to wear them again.
Top tip: If you’re having a beach wedding, a shoe you can easily slip on and off is ideal for those moments when your shoes fill with soft sand.
Wedding party shoes
Choosing your wedding shoes as a member of the bridal party can be tricky – especially for the ladies. Typically, groomsmen and the best man will end up in a pair matching the groom’s. For bridesmaids though, choosing a shoe can be a little trickier.
A classic look
We recommend: Lilley Women’s Patent Court Shoes in Nude
A neutral coloured court shoe is a great all-rounder if you’re looking for something that will suit most venues and colour schemes.
The pale blush colour of this nude court shoe is ideal for any colour scheme, from soft pastels to rich navy blue.
A beach or outdoor wedding
We recommend: Lilley Women’s Silver Diamante Wedge Sandals
Just like the bride, you won’t want to spend the ceremony sinking into the ground. If you’re attending an al fresco wedding, a simple sparkly sandal is the perfect finishing touch to your outfit.
This glittery pair of wedged sandals will give you the stability you need when walking down a softer aisle. The open design will look great at a spring or summer wedding, too.
Did you know: We have more great top tips and advice on choosing the best bridesmaid shoes in our bridesmaid guide.
Ceremony guest shoes
If you’re a ceremony guest, you’ll want to look formal without going too far. For men, a simple lace-up shoe or brogue will do perfectly. For women, a sparkly peep-toe or sandal will complement almost any look without drawing too much attention away from the happy couple.
A classic look
We recommend: Lunar Women’s Silver Diamante Heeled Shoes
These silver shoes have just the right amount of embellishment to suit the formal look of a wedding ceremony without distracting too much from your outfit.
We recommend: Beckett Men’s Lace Up Tan Brogue Shoes
A tan brogue is a fabulous look for a ceremony. It’s a little less formal than the traditional black lace-up shoes often favoured by grooms, but still pairs well with a suit and shirt.
A beach or outdoor wedding
We recommend: Lunar Trixabel Womens Metallic Silver Sandals
A sparkly sandal with a chunky block heel will give you the stability you need at an outdoor wedding. It adds just the right level of glam to your look.
We recommend: Beckett Men’s Black Slip-on Tassel Loafers
For an outdoor or beach wedding, a simple slip-on loafer is ideal. It delivers the formal element required for a wedding ceremony, but suits the relaxed outdoor vibes more than a lace-up shoe.
Top tip: It’s a great idea to have a pair of back-up shoes that you can change into for the evening reception. Something with a flat or low heel is perfect if you’re planning on dancing the night away.
Evening guest shoes
The rules for evening guests tend to be a lot more relaxed compared to ceremony guests. You’ll mainly be partying away and celebrating the happy couple with plenty of time on the dance floor. That means a comfortable pair of shoes that won’t rub or make your feet sore is crucial.
We recommend: Lilley Women’s Nude Block Heeled Sandal
A low, block-heel shoe will give you the staying power you need for dancing. The open design of these gorgeous sparkling sandals will help keep your feet cool and stop them from swelling.
We recommend: Catesby Men’s Black Slip-on Loafers
These navy loafers are the perfect complement to your evening look. The soft suede means they’ll look formal enough for partying, but won’t leave you feeling overdressed compared to the other evening guests.
