Do I have to wear white shoes on my wedding day?

"Absolutely have fun and be creative! First of all, if you're not interested in going wild with color (which, by the way, is a fabulous option for the more adventurous in spirit), you can certainly wear a nude, neutral metallic, or lucite shoe, which you are likely to get more wear out of later," says Schoneveld. She encourages brides on a budget to look at the shoes as a chance to get creative. With some good craft glue and the right materials, it's possible to create a DIY version of embellished couture shoes. And there are lots of services out there "If getting artsy yourself is not going to happen", says Shoneveld. She recommends Thea Bloch-Neal of Hushed Commotion , who offers a service to customize any shoe (even Converse!) to match your bridal aesthetic.

What shoes should I avoid wearing on my wedding day?

"If you are not comfortable walking in heels but will be walking on an organic surface (like the woods, a park, or the beach), you really might want to just stick to a small platform wedge or even dressy flat sandals," Schoneveld advises. "There's no shame in wearing flats! It's better than ending up with a twisted ankle." She also recommends taking the weather and terrain into consideration. "I eloped in the Rocky Mountains in the winter and ended up wearing waterproof Ugg snow boots under my gown. They didn't show, and I really needed that sure footing in the snow!" Additionally, it's also key to wear a shoe that complements (and doesn't interfere with) the material of your dress. "A word of warning to brides wearing tulle (even if the tulle is just an inside layer of your gown!)—avoid wearing shoes with claw-set rhinestones. They grab onto tulle and lace easily!"

10 Gorgeous Wedding Shoes Real Brides Wore In 2022

Brides / Lecia Landis

While your wedding dress may be the star of the show on the big day, the shoes you wear are also an important style decision–especially if you're wearing a tea-length dress or plan to change into a mini dress for the reception. For tips on finding your dream wedding shoes, we consulted Rebecca Schoneveld, a New York-based wedding gown designer and bridal atelier owner.

Schoneveld recommends that brides consider the overall vibe of their wedding when shopping for accessories. "If you're going for a clean, modern look, I'd suggest a shoe with pearl accents, lucite details, and/or a modern toe shape. If you're getting married outdoors in cool weather, I love the look of boots worn under a dress!" It's also important to consider the landscape of the venue. "Think about the kind of ground you'll be walking on and how it will work with your heel type," says Schoneveld.

She also emphasizes the importance of comfort— last thing you want to be thinking about on your wedding day is sore feet! Schoneveld recommends block heels that offer more support and stability, heels with ankle straps, bridal flats, or even boots (depending on the season).

To help you find your perfect bridal shoes, we turned to real brides who walked down the aisle this year. From bedazzled flats to designer stilettos, they share the shoes they wore (or are planning to wear) on their wedding day.The most popular pick among this year's brides was the Loeffler Randall Camellia Pleated Bow Heel, available in a multitude of wedding-worthy colors. For shoes that are as comfortable as they are stylish, brides love the David's Bridal Crystal Embellished Straps Flat Satin Sandals and the Badgley Mischka Teenie Ankle Embellished Block Heel Sandals.

Read on for the best wedding shoes for every style and budget, according to real brides.

Loeffler Randall Camellia Pearl Pleated Bow Heel

Saks Fifth Avenue

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"I knew I couldn’t wear stilettos in the grass and needed a chunky heel. These shoes are the epitome of romantic and feminine, and they were absolutely stunning for a garden wedding. They were so comfortable and worked perfectly for my outdoor garden wedding—the bow, the fabric, and the look were all great. I wore the pearl color, but I’ve seen other brides wear the blue version for their 'something blue.' The shoes were very easy to take on and off, and my feet didn’t even swell at the end of the night! –Shayda Nazifpour Pucylowski

Price at time of publish: $395

Valentino Garavani

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"My wedding is coming up at the end of the month and I'm obsessed with these shoes! I chose these for my wedding because they're a similar color to my dress (nude and ivory) and they have a small, manageable heel (2.5 inches). They don't look like 'bridal shoes'—meaning I can wear them with other dresses after my wedding. I've been wearing the heels in by wearing them around the house, so they should be even more comfortable on the big day. They're on pricey side, but I got them on sale—it was definitely a steal for designer shoes!"–Alexandra Allen

Price at time of publish: $1,100

Badgley Mischka Teenie Embellished Block Heel Sandals

Bloomingdale's

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"I loved these shoes and felt that they were the perfect blend of comfort and class. The details of the shoe are what sold me, since the floral designs matched well with the pattern on my wedding dress. The thick heel and strap around the ankle let me to wear them all night long comfortably. It was important to me to feel beautiful on my big day, while also enjoying every minute of it." –Haley Gonzalez

Price at time of publish: $245

Lulus

View On Lulus

"My wedding shoes were my absolute favorite detail from my wedding day. I danced the night away in these heels and I still get so many compliments on them. They were my 'something blue' and made me feel so gorgeous. I wanted a heel that was a comfortable height and an affordable price without compromising on style–these checked every box. Also, who doesn’t love a bow? " –Loren May Glendinning

Price at time of publish: $39

Gucci

View On Gucci.com

"Being about 5’10" in height, I tend to enjoy a lower heel. I got married on a grass lawn, so I knew I needed a thicker heel that wouldn’t get stuck, as well as a shorter heel for my own comfort. I can't always find a cat heel that I like, but Gucci came through this season!" –Sarah Micks

Price at time of publish: $890

Saks Fifth Avenue

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"As soon as I saw these Loeffler Randall shoes, I knew they were perfect. I love that they are stylish, incredibly comfortable, and can be worn outdoors on grass (our wedding is completely outdoors). I feel great after wearing them for hours on the dance floor. Plus, they're the perfect 'something blue' accessory!" –Lita Talisman

Price at time of publish: $395

LK Bennett

View On Lkbennett.com

"For me, traditional bridal shoes–the white and sparkly ones–seem so….ordinary! I know some women go for a pop of color, but I'm a big leopard print fan and these heels feel so ‘me.’ They’re a nod to my personality while I'm wearing an otherwise quite traditional outfit! I also love the heel height, since I’m not a stiletto girl." –Jenny Holliday

Price at time of publish: $163

Bergdorf Goodman

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"For my wedding at Claridge's in London, I wore Manolo Blahnik’s Hangisiflat in white satin. I chose to go with flats as it was going to be a long day and wanted to make sure I stayed comfortable, but still stylish. I wore them for the entire ceremony, all throughout the pictures, and during the wedding breakfast (seven hours total), and didn’t get any blisters, cuts, or marks. They suited the dress and venue beautifully and were extremely comfortable. These flats are well worth the money for a special day!" –Amanda Grant

Price at time of publish: $1,075

David's Bridal

View On David's Bridal

“I’ve been looking for bridal shoes for weeks and finally stumbled across this pair from David’s Bridal. My fiancé and I are about the same height, so I knew I wanted a low heel. Pearls are a big part of my wedding day look and I absolutely love the pearl detail on these shoes. The sparkles on the strap around the ankle and foot is just so pretty too. I know these will look beautiful on my special day!” –Paulina Jayne Isaac

Price at time of publish: $40

Saks Fifth Avenue

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"Our wedding took place on soft ground in an English woodland area, so stiletto heels were not an option. I also didn't want shoes that looked too "bridal". This pair felt celebratory and I knew I would wear them again. The thick, 3.5-inch heels were so comfortable that I wore them into the evening and while dancing at the reception. The pleated bow detail and gold color added a bit of "wow" to my overall look. Most importantly, we tried to make our entire wedding as eco-friendly as possible. The brand's values made me feel good about spending money on a product made by workers earning fair compensation, from a company that respects the environment." –Tara Tadlock

Price at time of publish: $395

Meet the Expert

Rebecca Schoneveld is a wedding gown designer based in Westchester, New York who specializes in ethically made, customizable, and size-inclusive wedding gowns. She launched her collection of gowns in 2010 and works with brides directly in her Irvington, NY flagship atelier. Many of her designs are also available in select bridal boutiques across the country.

What to Look for in Wedding Shoes

Comfort

"Comfort is king! I would absolutely not sacrifice comfort over style, at least not for shoes you plan to wear for the majority of the wedding day," Schoneveld advises.

It's also important to think about what you wear in your everyday life. "We always discourage our brides from wearing a heel height that's much higher than she's used to wearing, says Shoneveld. To help prevent soreness and blistering, she also recommends investing in metatarsal pads or another insole designed specifically for high heels.

"A shoe with a block-style heel is much easier to walk in than a stiletto or kitten-type heel, plus they don't sink into grassy surfaces," she adds. "Ankle straps are super cute, plus they keep the shoe on your foot more securely–double points for comfort and style!"

Keep It Simple

"Personally, I don't think it's worth it to spend tons of money on flashy wedding shoes, unless your gown is short or has a dramatic split front," says Schoneveld. "In that case, please go for something amazing!" In this case, Schoneveld says to bring a back up pair of more comfortable shoes to have on hand for dancing.

FAQ

Do I have to wear white shoes on my wedding day?

"Absolutely have fun and be creative! First of all, if you're not interested in going wild with color (which, by the way, is a fabulous option for the more adventurous in spirit), you can certainly wear a nude, neutral metallic, or lucite shoe, which you are likely to get more wear out of later," says Schoneveld.
She encourages brides on a budget to look at the shoes as a chance to get creative. With some good craft glue and the right materials, it's possible to create a DIY version of embellished couture shoes. And there are lots of services out there "If getting artsy yourself is not going to happen", says Shoneveld. She recommends Thea Bloch-Neal of Hushed Commotion, who offers a service to customize any shoe (even Converse!) to match your bridal aesthetic.
What shoes should I avoid wearing on my wedding day?

"If you are not comfortable walking in heels but will be walking on an organic surface (like the woods, a park, or the beach), you really might want to just stick to a small platform wedge or even dressy flat sandals," Schoneveld advises. "There's no shame in wearing flats! It's better than ending up with a twisted ankle."
She also recommends taking the weather and terrain into consideration. "I eloped in the Rocky Mountains in the winter and ended up wearing waterproof Ugg snow boots under my gown. They didn't show, and I really needed that sure footing in the snow!"
Additionally, it's also key to wear a shoe that complements (and doesn't interfere with) the material of your dress. "A word of warning to brides wearing tulle (even if the tulle is just an inside layer of your gown!)—avoid wearing shoes with claw-set rhinestones. They grab onto tulle and lace easily!"

Why Trust Brides

Chloe Caldwell is a Commerce Writer for Brides and specializes in shopping and lifestyle topics. She has more than five years of journalism experience writing about all things fashion, beauty, travel, and wellness.

The 8 Best Men's Dress Shoe Brands of 2023

Best Bow

Loeffler Randall Camellia Pearl Pleated Bow Heel

Best Pumps

Valentino Garavani Rockstud Caged Pump

Best Block Heel

Badgley Mischka Teenie Embellished Block Heel Sandals

Most Likely to Wear Again

Lulus Lyle Light Blue Satin Pointed-Toe Mules

Best Sandal

Gucci Double G Slide Sandal

Best 'Something Blue'

Loeffler Randall Camellia Pearl Pleated Bow Heel

Best Non-Traditional

LK Bennett Audrey Leopard Print Calf Hair Kitten Heel

Best Sparkle

Manolo Blahnik Hangisiflat Satin Crystal-Buckle Flats

Best Flat

David's Bridal Crystal Embellished Straps Flat Satin Sandals

Best Metallic

Loeffler Randall Camellia Pearl Pleated Bow Heel

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