Finding your gown can be quite a journey but completing your bridal look and finding the perfect pair of shoes for your big day can seem like a nightmare. There are so many options and so many different styles, do you wear heels or flats? Lace or Rhinestones? Here are some of our favorite styles and detailing that we suggest for your big day!
While you’re enjoying our shoe picks make sure to hover over the images to see the gown we would pair with each shoe’s unique style!
Flats
Whether you’re worried about comfort or simply not being taller than your honey, flats are always a great option! When choosing your flat shoes make sure to look for ones that have simplicity over the entire shoe and just a bit of detailing. Look for detailing on the toes or heels and a bit of texture over the rest of the shoe. All three of these styles have unique and different textures that give the shoes interest.
Bella Belle
Sophia Webster
Badgley Mischka
Vintage Inspired
Something old,
Something New,
Something Borrowed,
Something Blue
This poem guides us into our next two categories! While your shoes doesn’t actually have to be vintage they can definitely look it and fulfill both the “old” and “new” requirements at once! Look for shoes with muted tones like the sage green that create more of a sense of age or simple detailing like a draped bow that embody the feeling of time passed. Finally, beautiful lace detailing, specifically in round motifs will give you an elegant twist on lace doilies.
Something Blue
A pop of color! Who says you have to wear white or ivory on your big day? Adding a bright pop of color like blue is a great way to have a little fun but also get another line of that poem! Color is key with this type of shoe but don’t forget that just because you also have color doesn’t’ mean you can’t have a beautiful added cluster of rhinestones!
Kitten Heels
I am one of the biggest supporters of a good Kitten Heel; comfort is key on your wedding day. Your heel doesn’t have to be sky high to make you look like a queen on your big day. Look for shoes with lots of detailing and ones that still feel grand despite the small height.
Classic Heels
You can never go wrong with a classic shoe! Peep toes and pointed toes will never go out of fashion as one elongates and the other shoes off your pretty pedicure; so look for shoes that have something special about them but still have a classic silhouette. Don’t forget even the classic shoe can have a little sparkle; whether that’s glitter or in an elegant buckle both will look stunning!
Bows
Classy Bows, Sexy bows, and quirky bows this grouping has it all! Bows have always been and will always be a wedding classic; from decor to gowns to shoes you’ll see them everywhere so make sure you’re going understated as to not over do it. If you already have a bow on your gown stick with something smaller and more delicate like the black shoe. However, if your gown doesn’t have this detailing let it go big or go home.
Fashion Foward
Whether you just want a statement shoe with your simple gown or your whole bridal look is a statement, these shoes will help you complete the entire ensemble. These butterflies, feathers, and pearls are definitely pushing the limits; as to keep your fashion forward shoes from not going too “ott” follow these guidelines. The statement should center on the front or back not both. Take a peek at the butterflies, the front is kept simple while the back is loud and proud. Same with the oversized detailing on the pearl shoes. If your shoe has the statement all over, like our feathered pair, make sure the statement is not as noticable from far away. Meaning with the feathers you can’t really tell what they are until you get close enough to the shoe.
Beaded
The last three categories are by far the most popular for weddings and my favorites! Starting with our stunningly beaded shoes! A few things to keep in mind when choosing your beaded shoes. Start by taking close up photos of the lace and beading from your gown; the last thing you want to do is have them clash. Look for similar patterns of lace but NOT the same. If you try to match it exactly it will be either glaringly obvious they are not the same or be way too much of a good thing. Keep an eye out for similar beades and coloring of beads to the ones on your dress. If the beading on your gown is warm toned buy warm toned shoes. There are exceptions when it does work but typically mixing cold and warm tones will just look funny.
Tip: Make sure your beaded shoes aren’t sharp or they’ll catch on the hem of your gown. Chiffon is extremely easy to get pulls in. So, check before the wedding day.
Embroidered & Lace
Lace shoes are often times some of the most beautiful on the market! Follow the same tips above in the beaded section here too. Motifs should be cohesive but not the same and coloring should stay within one family, aka. Cold or warm. I also recommend that if you have a fairly flat lace on your gown, get some lace shoes with a bit of raised texture like a 3D or Corded lace. If you want to know more about lace and the different types, check out our post here!
Glitz
Last but certainly not least, are the so glamorous, shiny and mind blowing shoes you almost need sunglasses to look at them. If this is your type of shoes, girl go for it but test them out before the big day with your gown or you might have some fabric catching. A great way around this and a fabulous way to show off these beauties is to have a high low hem on your gown or a shorter dress in general! These shoes need to be on display! When looking for a shoe like this, make sure there is sparkle or beading all the way around the shoe or you can see the sparkle from every angle. The 3D effect created by the Manolo Blahnik’s is a great way to get a ton of glitz without having to have it all over. You can see that applique from all the way around the shoe.
