Types of Wedding Shoes Every Bride Should Know

Planning a wedding is all about juggling with ‘n’ number of decisions. After all, every bride wishes to look her absolute best on her wedding day. As you walk down the aisle looking like a vision to behold, the right pair of wedding shoes can elevate your appearance to a great extent.

If you are a would-be bride who is feeling lost amidst the different varieties of wedding shoes, then you have come to the right place. Today we are going to walk you through the different types of wedding footwear which can match your vibe whether you are planning on a chic courthouse wedding, intimate backyard wedding, or destination wedding.

Types of Bridal Shoes to try in Wedding

1. Ankle strap
2. Ballet slipper
3. Flat
4. Mary Jane
5. Mule
6. Pump
7. Sandal
8. Slingbacks
9. Wedges
10. Stilettos

1. Ankle Strap

Put your best foot forward while walking down the aisle in ankle strap shoes having a low vamp front and an ankle strap lining the back and sides of your heel and ankle. Here you can choose amongst single or double straps ranging from chunky to delicate for matching your bridal vibe. Ankle strap shoes have a universal appeal which can enhance your serious or subtle feminine charm depending on the dress you select for your D-day. You can paint a gorgeous picture by teaming up your ankle strap in shades of beige, white, cream, blue, red, or metallic with a skinny stiletto heel while making heads turn in a thigh-high slit dress that reveals your toned legs to perfection. Making a bold style statement becomes easy with ankle strap shoes having crystal, lace, pearl, and feather embellishments which are ideal for both summer and fall weddings where you wish to hog the spotlight like a true diva.

Style: 4 out of 5 Stars
Colours: White, Beige, Cream, Red, Blue, Metallic
Material: Satin, Lace, Leather
Embellishment: Pearl, Lace, Crystal, Feathers
Websites to Buy: Dillards.com, Nodstrom.com, Amazon.com
Occasion: Formal wedding, summer wedding, Fall Wedding

2. Ballet Slipper

Contrary to popular belief, it is not mandatory to wear heels on your wedding day. Audrey Hepburn showed us that flats can also be fashionable especially if you wish to channel vintage boho vibes on your big day. The best thing about ballet slippers is that they complement a wide array of wedding dresses. You can go for the metallic neutrals in shades of chic gold or silver. Alternatively, you can opt for white flats embellished with glittering crystals, sweet bows, or rhinestone bling. Apart from being extremely adorable, the ballet flats can keep you basking in plush comfort round the clock for greeting your guests without developing sore feet. While this soft satin shoe usually comes with crystal, gem, buckle, and pearl studs, you can also add to your bling quotient by buying the ones adorned with artificial diamonds. The ballet slippers in pristine shades of pale pink, peach, blue, beige, cream, and white can match beautifully with the ethereal and feminine vibe of western wedding gowns.

Style: 3.5 out of 5 Stars
Colours: White, Beige, Cream, Blue, Pink, Peach
Material: Satin, Leather, Canvas
Embellishment: Lace, Crystal, Floral, Bow, Glitter
Websites to Buy: Amazon.com, Etsy.com
Occasion: Fall Wedding, Formal wedding

3. Flat

Flat – If you thought that a wedding is incomplete without stilettoes, then you are completely mistaken. A stylish pair of flats can help you make a bigger style statement compared to your regular stilettoes. After all, weddings can be very hectic and flats can have your back while trying to prioritize comfort on your wedding. Walking down the aisle in a pair of flats can actually paint a very chic picture. Wedding flats do not have a height of more than ½ inch and can have either rounded, pointed or square toes. Brides need to select wedding flats that can impart the right balance to their body structure. It is always advisable for brides to match the elements of their dress with the flats they chose. A crystal-embellished wedding flat is perfect for being paired with a dress having sparkly details while a lace flat can flatter brides wearing gowns with lace detailing.

Style: 4 out of 5 Stars
Colours: White, Beige, Cream, Red, Blue, Metallic
Material: Leather, Canvas
Embellishment: Pearl, Lace, Crystal, Floral
Websites to Buy: Dillards.com, Nodstrom.com, Amazon.com
Occasion: Beach wedding, outdoor weddings.

4. Mary Jane

Mary Jane – Channel vintage vibes on your wedding with the retro-inspired Mary Jane shoes with round toes and a single strap running across the instep. While most Mary Janes have a bigger heel, they can ensure a seamless fit to keep you basking in comfort on your big day. The full design of Mary Jane shoes can keep brides comfortable on their wedding day and look best when worn with a fifties-style gown. Creating a show-stopping look for wowing your guests becomes easier with the Mary Janes with a beautiful snow glitter finish. You can choose between Mary Lane shoes in shades of beige, white, blue, black, cream, or red with crystal, pearl, and floral embellishments for looking like a vision to behold on your fall or theme wedding.

Style: 3.5 out of 5 Stars
Colours: White, Beige, Cream, Red, Blue, Black
Material: Leather, Canvas
Embellishment: Pearl, Crystal, Floral
Websites to Buy: Etsy.com, Zappos.com Amazon.com
Occasion: Theme wedding, Fall wedding

5. Mule

Mule – Mules are a variety of slip-on shoes which lack an Archils support or back strap. You can opt for mules as a second pair of shoes to rest your feet on your wedding day. However, mules tend to make a lot of sounds while walking around.  Mules are the first choice of fashion-forward brides who can be seen donning metallic footwear in shades of gold, silver, copper, or similar accents for adding a dash of bling to your wedding attire. You can also try out knot mules, bow mules, strappy mules, etc. Brides with a penchant for subtle hues can go for light pink, blush, nude or white shades. Heavily embellished or embroidered mules can help you nail a super bold look.

Style: 3.5 out of 5 Stars
Colours: White, Beige, Cream, Blue, Black, Green, Pink
Material: Leather, Canvas
Embellishment: Pearl, Crystal, Bow
websites to Buy: Amazon.com, Etsy.com, Glamour.com, Macy.com
Occasion: Fall Wedding, Summer Wedding, Winter Wedding

6. Pump

Pumps – Pumps have remained a classic wedding choice of all would-be brides since time immemorial. You can choose pumps in a variety of colors ranging from cream to white, beige, pink, and even red in close-toe designs with medium to high heels. Pumps carry a magical ability to transform even the simplest of your looks into highly glamorous ones so that you walk taller and feel confident along the way. Be it pointed, rounded or peep-toe styling, brides can exude raw sex appeal in the highly glamorous pumps. Pumps can be availed in different designs like sumptuous suede, shimmery tones, and even wooden heels for making your wedding look phenomenal.

Style: 4 out of 5 Stars
Colours: White, Beige, Cream, Red, Pink
Material: Leather, Lace, Satin
Embellishment: Pearl, Crystal
Websites to Buy: Amazon.com, Glamour.com, Macy.com, Nodstrom.com, Dillards.com
Occasion: Classic Wedding, Fall Wedding, Summer Wedding, Winter Wedding

7. Sandal

Sandals – Dance the night away in a comfortable pair of sandals having an open toe design with straps running across the toes. While the sandals are best suited for summer weddings, you need to be careful while buying the same as they can cut heavily into your skin after being on your feet throughout your wedding day. Nonetheless, the incredibly versatile sandals stand out as the numero uno choice of brides who give paramount importance to comfort. Showing off that expensive wedding pedicure becomes easy with a low heel sandal with chunky floral embellishments which look like a dream of being worn with short wedding dresses. Alternatively, you can go ahead with luxe sandals covered in silky smooth satin and finished with glittering bow detailed jewels for that premium feel on your big day.

Style: 3.5 out of 5 Stars
Colours: White, Beige, Cream, Red, Pink, Blue
Material: Leather, Lace, Satin
Embellishment: Pearl, Crystal, Bow, Floral
Websites to Buy: Amazon.com, Glamour.com, Macy.com, Nodstrom.com, Dillards.com, Asos.com
Occasion: Classic Wedding, Fall Wedding, Summer Wedding, Formal Wedding

8. Slingbacks

The timeless sling backs resemble a pump in the front region while it fastens with a strap at the back. If you thinking of picking a wedding gown with a shorter hemline, then slingbacks can make you look elegant and lady-like. The sling-back shoes are perfect for being worn to spring or summer weddings by dainty brides. You can opt for open-toe slingbacks having a shimmering glitter mesh or chic pointy ones in silky satin finish for matching your style vibe.  This sartorial stunner can serve as the best choice for brides who wish to be well-heeled on their wedding day. You can easily make a style statement with the iconic shape and fit of slingbacks be it sophisticated strappy court shoes or elegant kitten heel varieties. This style can be worn effortlessly underneath long gowns for turning glances as you walk down the aisle.

Style: 3.5 out of 5 Stars
Colours: White, Beige, Cream, Red, Pink, Blue, Purple, Metallic
Material: Leather, Satin, Silk, lace
Embellishment: Pearl, Crystal, Floral
Websites to Buy: Amazon.com, Etsy.com, Macy.com, Ebay.com, Dillards.com
Occasion: Classic Wedding, Fall Wedding, Summer Wedding, Formal Wedding, Winter Wedding

9. Wedges

Skip traditional footwear on your wedding day in favor of elegant wedges which can add a romantic look and feel to your wedding attire. Plain white wedding wedges are perfect for minimalist brides while ladies who wish to go a bit rustic can opt for woven platforms. If you are trying to put up a glamorous look on your wedding day, then you can choose a pair of white wedges with heavy embellishments and bow detailing. Espadrille wedges in white tones can elevate the style quotient of boho-chic brides as the silk straps across your ankle make your every look a highly instagrammable one.

Style: 4 out of 5 Stars
Colours: White, Beige, Cream
Material: Silk, Satin, Shiny Fabrics
Embellishment: Pearl, Crystal, Floral
Websites to Buy: Amazon.com, Macy.com, theknot.com
Occasion: Classic Wedding, Fall Wedding, Formal Wedding, Beach Wedding

10. Stilettos

Brides can never go wrong with stilettoes on their wedding day. The elegantly designed stilettoes can elongate your silhouette while adding a much-desired level of oomph to your overall look. Nailing a sexy look becomes easy with stilettoes which can make women feel stylish and confident at the same time. Brides can choose between white, cream, and beige stiletto for their wedding day with crystal, pearl, or floral embellishments for taking a stylish step forward.

Style: 5 out of 5 Stars
Colours: White, Beige, Cream
Material: Silk, Satin, Leather
Embellishment: Pearl, Crystal, Floral, Bow, Glitter
Websites to Buy: Amazon.com, Macy.com, Asos.com, Nodstrom.com
Occasion: Classic Wedding, Fall Wedding, Formal Wedding

Things to consider while buying wedding stilettoes

• The season in which you will be reading out your vows is an important consideration of the type of wedding shoes you purchase. Ladies getting married during the chilly months of December need to refrain from wearing open-toed sandals as that might freeze their feet. Spring or summer brides can sport a strappy heel or a wedge along with their pristine gowns.
• The place in which you are getting married is a determining factor of your choice of wedding shoe. If you are planning on an outdoor venue, then it is best to check out the ceremony area before investing in a costly pair of shoes. Cobblestone designs are a popular feature of various outdoor venues making stilettoes an almost impossible option. It is also pretty cumbersome to wear stilettoes if there is a lot of grass around as the pointy edges might get caught in the mud. While planning for a beach wedding, you should refrain from wearing wedges, heels, or uncomfortable sandals which might get caught in the sand. It is not rare for brides to opt for two different pairs of shoes for their wedding and reception.
• You might have to be on your toes for hours on your wedding day and thus it always pays to invest in a comfortable pair of footwear. After all, there is no meaning in enduring pain over prolonged stretches of time on the happiest day of your life. Comfort is a top priority of millennial brides and the type of shoe you choose needs to be in sync with the same. If you are not a stiletto person, then we wouldn’t advise experimenting with something completely new on your wedding day. No bride wishes to trip down the aisle in front of her fiancé, friends, and family. Weddings are usually very long and couples often spend the entire stretch standing. Whether you are showing off those killer moves on the dance floor or greeting guests, wedding days are synonymous with brides having to be on their feet. This makes comfort a factor of paramount importance. However, if you wish to stand tall on your special day, then you need to practice adequately in those pointy heels by walking around in them.
• Your choice of wedding shoe needs to compliment your wedding attire. White shoes look like a dream when worn with an all-white ensemble by traditional brides. It also becomes imperative to match the style of your dress and shoes. The length of your dress is an important consideration as wearing stilettoes won’t look good if the dress hemline doesn’t brush against your toes.
• Lastly, you will have to decide on and stick to a particular budget. Weddings tend to be very expensive as you need to pay for the venue, caterer, dress, tux, and many more. Brides usually don’t like spending a fortune on their wedding shoes. This is why you need to set the price beforehand so that you can filter out your choices easily.

Brides usually don’t repeat their wedding ensemble post-nuptials. But the same doesn’t hold true for shoes that can be re-worn to other occasions in the future. Wannabe brides can take a cue from their wedding venue and dress for inspiration. Sumptuous velvet pumps or lace booties are ideal for winter brides holding the ceremony against a snowy backdrop. Summer brides who wish to show off their shapely legs in short wedding dresses can flaunt their wedding shoes to perfection by picking styles in breezy fabrics like woven linen and raffia.