What type of white shoes should I wear to my wedding?

If you're throwing a seaside or garden wedding, make sure to choose shoes that are sand and grass friendly like block heels or flats. For more formal affairs, high heels always make for a timeless statement. “If your dress is minimal and sleek, you’ll want your shoe to mimic that aesthetic, which could be a chic pump or strapped sandal,” said Becker

Are pumps comfortable wedding shoes?

Yes, but it depends on the style, heel height, and finding the right width for your feet. For brides looking to add comfort and support, pumps with a kitten or block heel will make the journey from the aisle to the dance floor pain and blister free.

Do bridal shoes have to be white?

Absolutely not! If you're not sold on wearing white shoes, bridal footwear comes in an array of sophisticated colors and shades. “Wedding shoes certainly don’t have to be white—opting for another neutral like nude is always welcome, pulling a hue from your color palette if it feels fitting to your aesthetic, or even leaning into an elevated texture like lace is a great alternative to a simple white shoe,” said Becker.

The 15 Best White Wedding Shoes for Your Bridal Style

Stuart Weitzman White High Heeled Shoe — Shoes by Stuart Weitzman; Photo by Lisa Poggi

A gown might steal the show, but a pair of white wedding shoes really seals the deal for a bridal ensemble. And with your dress picked out, it’s time to sort through the heel (or flat!) options to choose the best pair for your wedding day wardrobe.

But first, a few considerations. “The best strategy for choosing a coordinating shoe is ensuring it adds to the look of the dress rather than taking away—complementary is key,” said Kendall Becker, freelance trend forecaster and fashion editor. This can mean choosing minimal shoes, like a simple pump, for a slip style dress, or something with rhinestones if your dress has a ball gown silhouette. “You’ll also want to pay attention to shades of white––this can certainly vary and unless you’re going from a tonal look, it may not be ideal,” said Becker.

Then there’s the heel height. If you're used to wearing high heels and enjoy the extra lift, then the sky's the limit. But if you generally opt for flats or a low block heel, consider a mid-length so you're not in pain by the end of the night.

Our Top Picks

Best Sandals for a Beach Wedding:

Dolce Vita River Pearl Heels at Nordstrom

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Best Embellished Pump:

Badgley Mischka Galia Embellished Sandal at Nordstrom

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Best Loafers:

Lulus Ranae White Slide-On Loafers at Lulus

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Best Simple Sandal:

Meena Toe Ring Block Heel Sandal at Reformation

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Best Sneaker:

Kate Spade Trista Sneakers at Katespade.com

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Best Flats:

IVY Lace And Pearl Wedding Flats at Bellabelleshoes.com

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Best Pumps:

Sam Edelman Pumps at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Low Heel:

Loeffler Randall Pleated Bow Heel at Net-a-Porter

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Best Ankle Strap Pumps:

Jimmy Choo Satin Pumps With Crystal Embellishment at Nordstrom

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Best Espadrille Wedge:

Stuart Weitzman Playa Espadrille Knot Wedge at Nordstrom

Jump to Review

In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Brides

Nordstrom

View On Nordstrom View On Belk.com View On Bloomingdales

Seaside nuptials typically put a limitation on heels. If a barefoot processional doesn't quite do it for you, we suggest these pearl-embellished sandals for just the right amount of bridal bling and beach-friendly heel.

Price at time of publish: $125

Size Range: 5-11 | Heel Height: 2" | Runs: True to size

Badgley Mischka Galia Embellished Sandal

Nordstrom

View On Nordstrom

With crystals lining the ankle and toe strap for a timeless sparkle, these pumps are the stuff bridal dreams are made of. Sophisticated elegance like this is as versatile as it is alluring, whether peeking out from under a ballgown or finishing off a jumpsuit.

Price at time of publish: $225

Size Range: 5-10 | Heel Height: 4" | Runs: True to size

Lulus

View On Lulus

These darling loafers are perfect for saying "I do" in a low-key way (like a courthouse wedding) or switching into before hitting the dance floor. We love the gold hardware detail on the front and the casual open heel.

Price at time of publish: $36

Size Range: 5-11 | Heel Height: 0.5" | Runs: True to size

Reformation

View On Reformation

Slender, asymmetrical straps and a block heel give this versatile footwear a bit of contemporary edge. Plus, these are created sustainably with recycled materials, responsible sourcing, and eco-friendly practices.

Price at time of publish: $99

Size Range: 5-11 | Heel Height: 1.4" | Runs: True to size

Kate Spade

View On Katespade.com

Comfort is key, right? These glitter-embellished wedding shoes prove themselves to be total bridal bliss wherever your feet may take you. We love the elegant and sophisticated aesthetic in their minimalist design, Plus, the sole can be your “something blue.”

Price at time of publish: $98

Size Range: 5.5-11 | Heel Height: n/a | Runs: True to size

Bella Belle

View On Bellabelleshoes.com

Who said you have to wear heels to feel like a bride? These ivory lace and pearl-embellished flats prove that there's more than just one style of bridal footwear.

Price at time of publish: $405

Size Range: 5-11 | Heel Height: 0.5" | Runs: True to size

Macys

View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Nordstrom

Put your best foot forward in these strikingly classic white pumps. Sleek and monochromatic, you'll be wearing these ultra versatile heels long after your wedding day. The silhouette of the shoe embodies classic pump elegance.

Price at time of publish: $140

Size Range: 4-12 | Heel Height: 3.5" | Runs: True to size

Loeffler Randall Dahlia Pearl Pleated Bow Heel

Net-A-Porter

View On Net-a-Porter View On Bloomingdales View On Loefflerrandall.com

These soft and romantic sandals are as dreamy as they come. The ethereal style will have you feeling like you're floating on air—and that block heel means your feet won't know the difference.

Price at time of publish: $350

Size Range: 5-11 | Heel Height: 2" | Runs: Narrow

Jimmy Choo Saeda 100 Satin Pumps With Crystal Embellishment

Nordstrom

View On Nordstrom View On Bergdorfgoodman.com View On Harrods.com

If you're looking to show some leg, then look no further. The satin pointed-toe pumps will elongate your stems in the very best way while those crystal embellishments drip off your ankles and further amplify the effect.

Price at time of publish: $1,095

Size Range: 4.5-13 | Heel Height: 3.75" | Runs: Small

Stuart Weitzman

View On Nordstrom View On Bloomingdales View On Saks Fifth Avenue

What's a summer fête without a tried-and-true espadrille? With a thin ankle strap, jute-lined platform, and buttery nappa leather, we can't think of a more fitting bridal statement.

Price at time of publish: $395

Size Range: 3.5-12 | Heel Height: 3.2" | Runs: True to size

Lulus

View On Lulus

Feminine and timeless, these simple stilettos have an understated design that keeps them look grounded while that statement bow does all the talking. The super high heel gives you an extra lift at the altar.

Price at time of publish: $40

Size Range: 5-11 | Heel Height: 4.5" | Runs: True to size

Manolo Blahnik Lurum Jewel Leaf Mule Lurum Jewel Leaf Mule

Neiman Marcus

View On Nordstrom View On Neiman Marcus View On Saks Fifth Avenue

Shimmer your way down the aisle and around the dance floor in these elegantly refined stunners. We love these paired with powerful bridal suits and cool-girl minis.

Price at time of publish: $1,395

Size Range: 4.5-11 | Heel Height: 3.5" | Runs: True to size

Kate Spade

View On Dillards.com View On Katespade.com View On Saks Fifth Avenue

The thin ankle strap, the pointed, sheer lace toe — these are a pair of delicate wedding shoes that enhance any dress it's paired with. And with such an unobtrusive design, you're bound to wear these stunners to the wedding, after-party, honeymoon, and beyond.

Price at time of publish: $248

Size Range: 5-11 | Heel Height: 3.5" | Runs: True to size

Neiman Marcus

View On Nordstrom View On 24s.com View On Neiman Marcus

It's safe to say that these aren't for the faint of heart, but if statement is what you're after they'll definitely deliver. Prep your supermodel strut, because these bows are about to serve.

Price at time of publish: $995

Size Range: 4-13 | Heel Height: 3.9" | Runs: True to size

Dirty Laundry Unite White Snake Ankle Booties

Lulus

View On Nordstrom View On Lulus View On Journeys.com

These boots were made for walking… down the aisle. With a trendy, bootie style, small heel, and faux snake print, these are ideal for everything from saying “I do” to your first dance.

Price at time of publish: $66

Size Range: 5-11 | Heel Height: 2.5" | Runs: True to size

Meet the Expert

Kendall Becker is a freelance trend forecaster and fashion editor with years of editorial and commercial fashion experience.

What to Look For in White Wedding Shoes

Heel Height

Now that you've got some inspiration for that ideal bridal shoe, it's time to consider a few logistics. Namely, heel height. “When it comes to heel height, you’ll need to consider how comfortable you are walking in heels for long periods of time, the heel width, and the terrain of your venue. Oftentimes, less is more for all-night wear,” said Becker. Before you hit "Add to Cart,” evaluate all the aspects of your big day. Is your wedding venue indoors or will you have to walk through grass or gravel? If you'll be walking (or dancing) on uneven ground consider block heels or wedges or even a bridal sneaker like the Kate Spade Trista Sneakers.

Venue

While your shoe style of choice will be dictated more by your wedding dress than the venue, you should still consider both the vibe and logistics of your wedding locale. For example, beach weddings—where you can expect a sandy walk—are a good place to consider thicker heels or even something like the IVY Lace And Pearl Wedding Flats, and to accept that sand may end up in your shoe. If you’ll be doing lots of walking in between locations, avoid any shoe that might give you a blister.

Style

Shoes come in all sorts of styles that can make choosing the perfect pair difficult. A simple pump or white strappy sandals is a good place to start, but some brides even wear flats, sneakers, or boots for the big day. You don’t have to stick to tradition! If you’re still feeling lost, match the style of your shoe to your dress. Think ball gown plus embellished heels, or a bohemian style with espadrille wedges, like the Stuart Weitzman Playa Espadrille Knot Wedge.

FAQ

What type of white shoes should I wear to my wedding?

If you're throwing a seaside or garden wedding, make sure to choose shoes that are sand and grass friendly like block heels or flats. For more formal affairs, high heels always make for a timeless statement. “If your dress is minimal and sleek, you’ll want your shoe to mimic that aesthetic, which could be a chic pump or strapped sandal,” said Becker
Are pumps comfortable wedding shoes?

Yes, but it depends on the style, heel height, and finding the right width for your feet. For brides looking to add comfort and support, pumps with a kitten or block heel will make the journey from the aisle to the dance floor pain and blister free.
Do bridal shoes have to be white?

Absolutely not! If you're not sold on wearing white shoes, bridal footwear comes in an array of sophisticated colors and shades. “Wedding shoes certainly don’t have to be white—opting for another neutral like nude is always welcome, pulling a hue from your color palette if it feels fitting to your aesthetic, or even leaning into an elevated texture like lace is a great alternative to a simple white shoe,” said Becker.

Why Trust Brides

Joline Buscemi is a freelance writer for Brides. She writes beauty and wellness stories for publications including HuffPost, Byrdie, and Glamour. For this story, she spoke with trend forecaster and fashion editor Kendall Becker on choosing the perfect white wedding shoe.

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