What Shoes to Wear to a Formal Wedding

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First Things First…What is Formal Attire? Now, raise your hand if you immediately looked up “what exactly is formal attire?” Honestly, us too. Cue your guide to all things formal. On a scale of cocktail to black tie, formalwear falls somewhere in the middle. It’s more elevated than cocktail, but slightly less dressy than black tie. Unlike black tie, which typically sticks to tradition darker hues, simple silhouettes, and textures, a formal dress code allows you a bit more freedom with your outfit and footwear.

Heels to flats, dress shoes to sneakers (yes, there’s such thing as wedding-approved sneakers) - get ready to learn the ins and outs of a formal dress code.

Wedding Guest Shoes

Going solo, as a plus one, or in the bridal party, here are a few things to consider when deciding what to wear. #1: own the room in a statement shoe without stealing the spotlight. #2: beauty doesn’t mean pain, so choose something comfortable. #3: when going from ceremony to the reception, there’s no shame is having more than one pair of shoes.

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Statement Shoes for Weddings

Here’s the million dollar question, how do you look 10/10 and even win the “best-dressed guest award,” without upstaging the bride (because no one wants that)? For a bold, style elevating element, platform heels are a popular choice. Not only are they leading the trends, but these show-stopping faves take every look to new heights. With a formal dress, fancy jumpsuit, or dressy separates, this daring, yet elegant, style goes with just about anything. Don’t be afraid to add a little sparkle to your outfit too (emphasis on a little). For a more shimmer-inspired look, try wearing heels or sandals with subtle gem accents on the heel or ankle strap. This will add just the right amount of sparkle without being distracting. A pop of color is another fun statement-making element you can add to your outfit. Keep the color scheme of the wedding in mind and go for colors that would complement the theme and avoid hues that might clash.

Don’t worry guys, we didn’t forget about you! For a classic clean shoe with compliments basically built into it, try adding a leather dress shoe to your outfit. This high-quality material is a formalwear essential. Known for its sleek finish, leather dress shoes should always be a go-to when planning for a formal event. When thinking about colors, solid hues or subtle textures are your best bet. These elements will keep you looking your best throughout the night.

Comfortable Shoes for Weddings

Okay, but when do we get to talk about the comfortable shoe options? Right now! We all know the saying “beauty is pain,” but with these comfort-focused styles, it doesn’t have to be. Whatever your role in the wedding, everyone knows there will be a lot of standing, walking, and dancing. Tall stiletto heels may be tempting (and we know they look amazing), but they’re not known for being comfortable. If you still want to add some height to your shoes, try wearing a block-heel, low-heel, or a wedge shoe. Block heels offer support and comfort by evenly distributing your weight throughout the shoe. Plus, they’re super versatile and can go with whatever you plan to wear. Taking the heel height down a bit with low-heel shoes is another way to increase the comfort of your shoes. Less height, means less pressure on your feet. For a spring, summer, or beach wedding, a wedge shoe will be your best friend. The connected heel provides height and support, while making them easy to walk in and effortlessly comfortable. If the thought of a heel still makes your feet hurt, rocking a flat wedding shoe is also an option.

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Make Your Wedding Shoes Comfortable

So you found the perfect shoes (like you are obsessed), but they are NOT comfortable. This is where shoe inserts come in handy. Before you pass up on your dream shoe, try adding a cushioned insert for instant support and comfort. It’s like a comfortable-shoe DIY project. Also consider looking for wedding styles that are feet-friendly and comfortfocused. Start with brands like Kelly & Katie, Hush Puppies, Baretraps, Cole Haan, and more. If your heart is set on a not-so-comfortable pair of shoes, you can also bring another pair. There’s no shame in having a backup pair of heels or flats that are ready to take over when your feet need a break. Think of it like this, now you get to show off two pairs of your fave shoes! Rock your favorite heels to the wedding ceremony then switch to something more comfortable when you’re ready to hit the dance floor at the reception. If you plan on starting with a heel, try transitioning to a lower heel or break out the flats.

Guys, don’t think that you don’t have comfortable shoe options because you do! Adding an insert is recommended for you too. Also think about the toe shape when shopping for your wedding shoes. Look for oxfords, loafers, and wingtips with a more rounded toe. This will help give your feet plenty of room and limit any squeezing. Brands like Cole Haan and Florisheim are known for their comfortable dress shoes, so give them a look.

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Wedding Party Shoes

If you’re a part of the bridal party you’ll really want to pay attention to the shoes that you wear. This is, after all, a night to remember and that includes your shoes. Looking your best while complementing the bride is priority number one. If you’re a bridesmaid, be sure to pick shoes that are both comfortable and fit the formal wedding dress code. A lower heel, flat, or block heel are ideal for all the walking and standing you will be doing. Choose colors that match the wedding color scheme or go with a more traditional or neutral palette (just stay away from light colors that may look white). You’ll also want to keep the amount of sparkle to a minimum so you don’t draw attention away from the bride. For our groomsmen, look for dress shoes that match your suit. Keep in mind how comfortable the shoes are because you will also be on your feet for most of the wedding. We also recommend sticking with leather dress shoes because of its timeless and clean look. Try not to wear dress shoes with a fabric finish as they may come off as too casual for the formal dress code.

Wedding Shoes for the Bride

The big “I Do” is just around the corner and you need the perfect wedding shoes. We got you covered. As the bride, think of this as your red carpet moment and you get to make the rules. Don’t be afraid to go all out with the glitz and the glam. A touch of bling or completely covered in gems, this is your time to shine (literally). Feel free to play with the color of your wedding shoes as well. Add a metallic detail with gold, silver, or rose gold wedding shoes. For your something blue, consider adding a pop of color with blue wedding shoes. You also can never go wrong with classic white, ivory, or nude wedding shoes. These timeless colors are a wedding favorite for a reason. Head into the reception in something slightly more comfortable or make a second grand entrance in another pair of show-stopping shoes. Consider slipping into a flat or a wedding-approved sneaker to comfortably dance the night away.

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Wedding Sneakers for the Bride

Heels not really your thing? Introducing wedding sneakers! Let’s face it, some of us just prefer a sneaker and that’s okay. Just because it’s your wedding day doesn’t mean you have to wear a heel. Walk down the aisle in comfort and style in wedding-approved sneakers from top brands like Converse and Vans. All-white or in your fave pop of color, saying “I Do” in a pair of sneakers is a total power move. If you’re into the wedding-sneaker trend, but also a fan of bling, the Betsey Johnson Suton is the sneaker for you. Decked out in gems, this wedding sneaker is the perfect combo of head-turning appeal and comfort.

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Wedding Shoes for the Groom

Calling all grooms, this section is for you. This is your big day too and you’ll want to look the part. For the perfect wedding shoes, here are a few things to consider: style, material, and color. Oxfords and wingtip dress shoes are a good place to start. Known for it’s classic, sleek ,simple design, oxfords are your standard formal shoe. When you think dress shoe, the oxford is probably the first thing that comes to mind. Wingtips are similar is silhouette and design, but can lean towards being slightly less formal. You might also consider a loafer. Because some loafers can come across as casual, wearing a leather loafer is advised. That said, the material of your wedding shoes can make the difference between being formal or casual. We suggest sticking with leather when selecting a dress shoe. Leather gives any shoe a refined, classic, and timeless finish. Now let’s talk color. Standard formal colors are black, brown, and navy and should match the color of suit you’re wearing. For black men’s dress shoes, we suggest pairing with a black or gray suit. Brown dress shoes pair well with blue to navy and more neutral outfits. Pair navy shoes with a navy suit. If wearing an all-white suit, finish the head-to-toe white look with a pair of white dress shoes. This pairing is clean, classic, and fresh.