Choosing the right wedding shoes can elevate or detract from the bride’s entire ensemble. The perfect bridal footwear should balance style and practicality, complementing the bride’s look, the event’s theme, and the dress while ensuring comfort throughout the day. Since traditional rules are more flexible now, finding a pair that perfectly matches your attire is easier. You can easily select shoes that enhance your style by carefully considering your options and planning.
Summary
Choosing the right wedding shoes involves balancing style, comfort, and practicality. Match your shoes to your wedding theme and dress, considering factors like colour, material, and formality. Opt for shoes that reflect your personality and ensure comfort by breaking them in before the big day. Ultimately, your shoes should complement your bridal look while keeping you comfortable throughout your special day.
Choosing Footwear That Matches Your Wedding Theme
The style of your wedding should guide your shoe choice. Wedding shoes can significantly impact your overall look, even if they’re often overlooked. For example, a delicate stiletto may not suit a casual backyard wedding, just as casual sandals might not work for a formal evening affair.
When selecting your shoes, consider the type of wedding you’re planning. The level of formality should be reflected in your footwear. Instead of focusing on idealised expectations, choose practical and appropriate shoes for your specific event.
Picking The Right Colour For Your Wedding Shoes
Choosing the right colour for your wedding shoes is an important decision, as it can enhance or subtly alter the overall look of your bridal ensemble. Here’s how to approach this choice:
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Complementing Your Dress
Opt for a timeless, cohesive look for colours that complement your wedding dress. Common choices include:
- White: The classic bridal choice, ideal for a traditional and seamless look.
- Beige/Nude: These neutral tones blend beautifully with most dress colours, giving the legs an elongated look.
- Grey: A soft alternative that adds a touch of sophistication without overshadowing the dress.
- Soft Pastels: Light pinks, blues, or yellows can add a subtle hint of colour without being overpowering.
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Making A Bold Statement
If you want your shoes to stand out, consider choosing a bold and eye-catching colour. Some options include:
- Violet or Purple: These shades add a regal touch and can be a beautiful contrast against white or ivory dresses.
- Black: For a modern, chic look, black shoes can contrast strikingly, especially for evening weddings.
- Jewel Tones: Emerald green or ruby red are perfect for brides who want to infuse their look with personal flair and vibrancy.
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Matching Or Contrasting With Accessories
If you’re struggling to find the perfect shade, consider these strategies:
- Custom Dyeing: Many wedding shoes can be dyed to match the exact colour of your dress, ensuring a perfect match.
- Contrasting Colours: Sometimes, a colour contrasting with your dress can add a unique twist. For example, a soft pink dress might pair beautifully with metallic gold shoes.
- Accessory Matching: Choose a shoe colour that complements the metals in your jewellery (e.g., gold, silver) or the embellishments on your dress, like pearls or rhinestones.
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Adding Embellishments For The Perfect Look
To further personalise your wedding shoes, consider adding embellishments that align with your overall bridal look:
- Pearls: Classic and elegant, perfect for a vintage or timeless wedding theme.
- Beads or Sequins: These can add a bit of sparkle and fun, which is ideal for brides who want a little extra shine.
- Rhinestones: Great for adding a glamorous touch, especially for evening or formal weddings.
By carefully considering these factors, you can choose a shoe colour that complements your dress and reflects your style, making your wedding day look truly your own.
Coordinating Footwear With Your Attire
Your shoes don’t necessarily need to match your dress exactly, but they should complement each other. In some cases, contrasting styles can enhance your look. A simple dress can be paired with bold, statement shoes to draw attention. Conversely, subtler shoes might be better if your dress is heavily embellished.
However, matching sparkly shoes with a glittery dress is also perfectly fine. Crystal or rhinestone-embellished shoes can be the ideal accessory for a dress with plenty of sparkle. Shops like Little Black Dress offer bridal shoes with beads and pearls that pair beautifully with heavily decorated gowns.
Choosing The Right Material For Your Shoes
When selecting the material for your wedding shoes, it’s important to consider aesthetics and comfort. Here’s a breakdown to help you make the best choice:
- Traditional Fabrics:
- Raw Silk: Offers a luxurious and classic finish, perfect for traditional wedding gowns.
- Crepe: Provides a soft texture that complements delicate fabrics in bridal wear.
- Satin: Adds a smooth, elegant sheen that pairs beautifully with most wedding dresses.
- Unconventional Materials:
- Leather: Ideal for adding a sophisticated and modern touch while being durable and versatile.
- Metallic Finishes: Great for brides looking to make a statement, offering a subtle shimmer or bold sparkle.
- Materials to Avoid:
- Vinyl: While visually appealing, vinyl doesn’t breathe, leading to potential discomfort and swelling.
- Plastic: Similar to vinyl, plastic is restrictive and can cause pinching or blisters, making it unsuitable for long wear.
By considering these points, you can choose a shoe material that enhances your wedding attire and ensures comfort throughout your special day.
Prioritising Comfort
Think about the types of shoes you usually wear. Wear them on your wedding day if you’re comfortable in 4-inch stilettos. Just look for a pair with extra cushioning to keep you comfortable throughout the day.
Don’t feel pressured to wear heels if you prefer flats or sneakers because it’s a wedding. Your comfort should be the priority; plenty of beautiful options are available in various styles.
Opt for shoes made from leather or other natural materials, allowing your feet to breathe and move comfortably. Whatever you choose, stay true to your personal style and comfort preferences.
Choose Shoes That Complement Your Personality
You’ve spent a lot of time finding the perfect wedding dress, so your shoes should reflect your style and personality. Think about the details on your dress—classic lace, modern rhinestones, or delicate embroidery—and find shoes that complement those features.
At the same time, make sure your shoes don’t clash with your dress. It’s all about balance, and the right shoe pair can elevate your look.
Break In Your Shoes
Once you’ve chosen your shoes, wear them around the house to break them in. This will help you avoid blisters and discomfort on your wedding day. Also, walk around on the carpet to ensure they’re comfortable without scuffing them up before the big day.
Practising your dance moves in your wedding shoes is also a good idea. This will help you feel confident and comfortable when it’s time to hit the dance floor.
Conclusion
The perfect wedding shoes are key to ensuring your bridal ensemble is stunning and comfortable. Every detail matters, from matching the shoes to your wedding theme and venue to reflecting your style. Whether you opt for classic heels, modern sneakers, or something uniquely bold, your footwear should enhance your overall look without sacrificing comfort.
When choosing your shoes, consider the colour, material, and style that best complements your dress and aligns with the formality of your event. Remember to break in your shoes before the big day to avoid discomfort and ensure you feel confident and at ease, as you walk down the aisle and dance the night away.
Ultimately, the right pair of shoes will complete your bridal look and allow you to fully enjoy every moment of your special day, ensuring you step into your new chapter with style and grace.
FAQs About Wedding Shoes
Which Shoes Are Best For Marriage?
If you’re throwing a seaside or garden wedding, make sure to choose shoes that are sand and grass-friendly like espadrilles, block heel sandals, or flats. For formal ballroom weddings, closed-toe pumps or embellished sandals always make for a timeless choice.
Do You Need New Shoes For Wedding?
Break Them In. A new pair of shoes need to be broken in – at least around the house – before wearing them on your wedding day. Brides + bunions + heel pain = not a happy bride.
How Much Is the Average Wedding Shoes?
The average cost for wedding shoes is $175, but can go as high as $900 if you want a designer brand. Just like the dress, venue, and overall wedding-know how much you’re willing to pay for wedding shoes. This will help narrow down your search before you start.
What Shoes Should A Groom Wear To A Wedding?
Wedding Shoe Guide: What shoes should the Groom wear?
- Patent Leather Tuxedo Shoe.
- Patent Leather Loafer.
- Velvet Loafer.
- Patent Leather Loafer (with Grosgrain band)
- Dark Brown Oxford.
- Dark Brown Monk Strap.
- Honey Cap Toe Oxford.
- The Leather Sneaker.
What Kind Of Shoes Are Appropriate For A Wedding?
The shoes you ultimately pick will also depend upon the type of wedding you’re going to. If it’s a more casual beach wedding, you’ll probably want a nice pair of sandals, but if it’s more of a black-tie gala affair, you’ll want to opt for either classic and simple heels or over-the-top luxe shoes.
