Shoe Etiquette for Brides

Considering Color... If you are familiar with the old saying, “Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue,” why not make your shoes blue? Or any other color for that matter?

Planning the perfect wedding means tackling dozens of details, not the least of which is choosing the perfect shoes for your big day. While you want them to be beautiful, you’ll also want them to be comfortable, because nothing can tread on such a special day like painful, ill-fitting shoes can. 

Many modern brides will opt for a few pairs of shoes to change into throughout different parts of the big day. For example, a traditional pair of heels, while lovely for the ceremony, can be traded for a more relaxed pair of flats— or even comfortable boots! — for dancing at the reception. Here are my top tips for finding the perfect shoes for your wedding day:


1. Find Your Dress First

Before you start your shoe search, it’s important to find your perfect dress. Of course, you can keep an eye out for shoes, but when it comes down to the big day, you’ll want shoes that match your dress. You might surprise yourself by selecting a dress that’s short or has more embellishments than you were expecting and this will alter what type of shoe you should get. Brides who choose shorter dresses often opt for more elaborate heels because you can see the entirety of the shoe. You may also need higher heels if your dress is on the long side to keep it from dragging.

2. Consider Color

If you are familiar with the old saying, “Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue,” why not make your shoes blue? Or any other color for that matter? Colors that signify good luck or fertility from one’s culture or nationality, can also be good choices. Whether they are going to be hidden under your long dress or not, you can have some fun with a colorful pair of heels or flats that make you feel happy on your wedding day.

3. Avoid Stilettos

Consider your venue before selecting your shoe style, shape and heel height. An outdoor ceremony with cobblestones or grass will restrict your shoe options. Stilettos make a poor choice for many brides. They are not as stable as chunky heels and wedges, and they will sink into grass, so you should stay away from them and instead opt for a block heel or wedge shoe for an outdoor wedding. Are the acoustics in a venue going to amplify any noises your shoes are making as you walk down the aisle? Types of flooring and any areas in which you will be walking are both things to keep in mind, and then double check, at your rehearsal.

4. Try Shoes on Before Purchasing

Before you commit to your wedding shoes, make sure to try them on. Walk around in them a bit. You will likely be on your feet all day, so it is essential that they are comfortable from the start. Do the shoes rub anywhere? Do they pinch? You might want a larger size or width of shoe because no one wants blisters when they are walking down the aisle. To make your shoes more comfortable, you can try replacing the insole with an orthotic version, or padded version, that will be more supportive and less restrictive to your arches and heels.

5. Choose More Than One Pair

As many modern brides will switch out their footwear for the wedding reception, and a few will even change dresses! This is generally because they want to be more comfortable for the dancing portion of the evening, but could also be to make a second style statement. If you are holding a winter wedding, this might be the time to wear a stylish pair of comfortable boots with your second dress. Whatever shoes you ultimately choose, you are certain to look magical when your big day arrives.

 

Contributor Rae Steinbach is a graduate of Tufts University with a combined International Relations and Chinese degree. After spending time living and working abroad in China, she returned to NYC to pursue her career and continue curating quality content. Rae is passionate about travel, food, and writing (of course).

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia