Weddings are joyous occasions, filled with friends and family, but finding the right footwear to wear can be a huge headache. Most of us have experienced the pain of choosing the wrong footwear for a formal occasion, through the physical pain of ill-fitting shoes or the embarrassment of wearing something too formal or informal for the atmosphere. Whether you are the bride, a bridal party member, or a wedding guest, finding the perfect shoe for your outfit is just a matter of taking the most appropriate criteria into account. 

How to Pick Shoes If You’re the Bride…

As a bride, you spend months planning every detail of your big day. Just as you give special attention to choosing your gown, finding the perfect shoe for your wedding requires careful forethought and planning. There are many factors to consider in finding that special pair (or pairs) for your wedding. Keep in mind that neglecting to find the best option can result in some significant discomfort and embarrassment on your wedding day. 

First, consider the setting of the event. For example, if you are having a beach wedding, satin heels may not be the best option for walking in potentially wet sand. Make sure you choose something appropriate for the season (that means no sandals for a winter wedding) and a heel height in which you can comfortably walk. Nobody wants to take a tumble down the aisle in front of all their family and friends! 

If you anticipate doing a lot of dancing at your reception, consider getting a pair of elegant heels to wear for the ceremony and photographs. Then, you can change into a pair of cute flats so you can comfortably party the night away during your reception. It’s a great idea to practice walking in your shoes ahead of time before the big day. This will allow you to determine if you need to make any adjustments comfort-wise with inserts or padding. Keep in mind, as the bride, you will be standing in the shoes you choose for most of the day.

… If You’re in the Bridal Party…

If you are a member of the bridal party and your bride has given you the freedom to choose your own shoe for her wedding rather than choosing a specific shoe for the group to wear, then try your best to select a shoe that isn’t too flashy and goes along with the bride’s color scheme. It is important for the shoe to match both your dress and the occasion or venue. It may be worth it to talk to the other bridal party members to see what they are wearing so that there can be some uniformity among the group. If everyone else is wearing a modest heel, you wouldn’t want to show up in tall stilettos! 

While bridesmaids often have to pay for an expensive dress that they may never wear again, you may be able to find a neutral shoe option that you can wear for events in the future. Luckily, having to buy shoes for the wedding doesn’t have to break the bank. You can find great deals online at WSS, an online shoe retailer, and save even more money by finding WSS coupons. 

… Or If You’re a Wedding Guest

As a wedding guest, your main responsibility is to dress comfortably for the occasion and not wear anything too crazy that will clash with the bride and bridal party’s outfits. Look for a seasonally-appropriate shoe that you will be comfortable in for hours, especially if you plan on doing some dancing at the reception! Make sure to take into account how formal the venue is as well. It can be disrespectful to show up in casual flats to a wedding in an elegant ballroom!

Weddings can be the perfect opportunity to purchase and show off in a new pair of shoes. While the bride, bridal party, and wedding guests will all have very different roles at a wedding, they must all keep in mind that choosing the wrong footwear can hurt their experience. If you keep your comfort and the intended venue in mind, choosing the proper footwear for a wedding can be a breeze!