The Wedding Shoes and Bags Guide
Getting married is kind of a big deal – we’ll help you get the shoes worthy of the occasion
There are so many questions when it comes to a picking a wedding outfit – are you going for a veil? Sleeves or no sleeves? What wedding shoes are you going to wear for your wedding? There’s a mixture of excitement and feeling seriously overwhelmed. If it’s footwear that has got you stressed out, take a look at our edit of the best wedding shoes for women and best wedding shoes for men.
Wedding Outfit Inspiration
The dress, the suit, the two-piece. There are many options for wedding outfit ideas – especially for bridal fits. Bride’s wedding outfits can really go from classic Grace Kelly inspired gowns to something more cutting-edge and colourful – think Gwen Stefani’s pink ombre look when she married Gavin Rossdale. If you’re leaning towards black-tie themed nuptials don’t be shy when it comes to your ensemble – go all out in ostrich feather trimmed details for full-blown glamour at the ceremony, then effortlessly transition into your wedding night/party outfit for an evening on the dance floor. For something more classic with an edge, opt for a structured satin dress finishing just above your ankle, so you can make that bit more of a statement with your footwear choice.
When you’re a groom, the go-to suggestion for wedding outfits is always the suit right? But it doesn’t need to be the usual tops and tails – step away from traditional silhouettes and embrace something ultra-sleek and modern in a perfectly tailored double breasted suit in an unexpected colour – think chestnut brown, forest green or even deep burgundy, and don’t be afraid to wear your suit with complementing footwear. Saying “I do” in sunnier climes? Make sure you stay suitably cool and chic in linen suiting and ensure your shoes are more relaxed for a laidback, yet dapper wedding look. We’ve rounded up some of the most popular wedding shoes for men and women, which you can mix and match depending on your chosen outfit. Shoes really do complete every look, so take some notes and prepare to turn heads.
Wedding Shoes For Women
Wedding shoes for brides have transformative powers and thankfully fashion has really moved on from when a satin covered kitten heel was the only option for any woman with a fiancée. No matter if you’re doing vintage styling or an ultra-sleek bridal aesthetic, we’ve got the wedding shoes not only to complete your look but elevate it.
1) Bridal Heels
To upgrade an already breath-taking look, bridal heels are the most glamourous choice. Ideal for boosting your confidence when taking those tentative first steps into your wedding ceremony, there are many styles to complement both traditional and fashion-forward looks. Ivory heels are the perfect pick to complete a more traditional wedding outfit and whether you favour open toed ivory mules or a soft pointed toe court heel with a diamante detail, you can be certain that any guests looking at your feet will be complimenting them as much as your wedding gown. For a more modern take on bridal shoes, it doesn’t all need to be about a white or ivory option – why not match your skin tone and opt for a sleek nude heel? Perfect for when you don’t want your wedding heels to be too much of a distraction. Take some inspiration from Bianca Jagger and pair a feminine suit and with towering slingback wedding heels to avoid looking overly matchy-matchy. The best thing about nude heels for a wedding is that you’ll wear them again, versatile, and effortlessly chic – they literally look good with everything. If the thought of wearing a towering stiletto heel for your wedding gives you vertigo there’s always the kitten heel wedding shoe, but not the typical satin kind – we’ve given that a much-needed upgrade. Think a classic slingback court with a cute, flared kitten heel or an embellished open back mule, which is comfortable enough for a bridal sprint to your other half.
2) Bridal Platforms
If fashion is your first love a bridal platform shoe is a fun way to complete your wedding look. Platform heels look excellent with a mini length wedding dress, they lengthen the legs and give a super playful angle to a wedding ensemble. Embrace a platform ankle strap leather court or an open toe strappy platform for a truly avant-garde take on wedding day styling.
3) Wedding Pumps
The classic wedding pump can take many forms, slim with a slingback, rounded toe with a stacked heel, pointed toe with a buckle detail – the options are endless. The court defines glamour but is also effortless – a total no-brainer for the bride who knows exactly what she wants.
4) Statement Shoes
Wedding shoes are a chance to show off your personality. When the expectation is a white dress of some sort, you may find it difficult to highlight your usual personal style, so by being a bit wilder with your wedding shoes is a great way to express yourself and turn some heads. If white wedding shoes just aren’t your vibe, a sparkly wedding shoe in a metallic tone works well, even at a more traditional ceremony and a high shine gold platform sandal could also look exceptional at any reception.
Wedding Shoes For Men
The groom can be overlooked when it comes to most weddings, but it’s important for a groom to love his look as much as the bride loves hers. Wedding shoes for men may first appear to be quite classic, most people think of the classic lace-up or brogue, which tend to look good with traditional wedding suits. Yet there are other options out there for men’s wedding shoes too, so why not discover a broader round-up of the best wedding shoes for grooms and groomsmen alike before making your big footwear decisions – we’ll make sure everyone is ultra-dapper for the big day.
1) Loafers
The wedding loafer is somewhat underrated – the stylish little brother to the popular brogue, loafers have that fashion-lover feel. A great option for wedding shoes for men as they’re both comfortable and versatile. Whether you want to team your loafers with a loud sock on the big day or go completely sockless (depending on the season), the loafer allows the groom and his groomsmen to have a lot of fun.
A tassel loafer is made for the on-trend statement maker and looks great with a cropped trouser for a summer wedding. Try a slip-on velvet loafer for an evening inspired dress code, perfect when paired with a chic double-breasted blazer. For a safe option go for the classic loafer – ideal for every type of wedding look whether it’s more relaxed or something classically smart.
2) Oxfords & Derbys
Oxford wedding shoes are a classic and timeless choice for grooms. When it comes down to what style to wear it really is all about colour and finish. A classic black leather Oxford shoe works well for a more formal setting and also looks great with a tux and a fitted suit. If you’re the type of groom determined to match your partner in the glamour stakes, a patent leather oxford is your friend – bold and beautiful these are a welcome addition to the reception dance floor. Finally, for something a little more rustic there’s the brown Derby – versatile and laidback they can be both formal and informal – the ideal shoe to invest in before your wedding as you’re guaranteed to wear them many more times afterwards.
3) Boots
Men’s wedding boots are a modern option for a winter wedding and give a much-needed edge to the typical suit silhouette. For a more formal approach try a classic desert boot in dark suede. For a wedding boot that says fashion-forward man, experiment in a sleek Chelsea style boot crafted from smooth supple leather. Want to give your wedding ensemble a bit of a rock ‘n’ roll feel? Opt for a suede boot with cowboy inspired stitching, the only footwear pick for a groom who favours a more edgy wedding aesthetic.
Best Wedding Bags
Who knew wedding bags would ever be a thing? The truth is what does a bride do with her smartphone on her wedding day – surely not leave it in the hotel suite? The wedding bag has been borne out of modern-day necessity. Today, a bouquet of flowers simply isn’t enough of a statement, a bridal bag is a must for today’s fashionable brides. Discover our pick of wedding bags, whether you want to complement a modern look or just have something to dance around at your receptions.
1) Clutch Bags
Clutch bags for weddings are rarely a surprise; small, chic and neat, they are the go-to for many a wedding guest. To elevate to bridal status, think simple and sleek. An envelope clutch crafted from soft leather in ice white looks great with a contemporary wedding look and for something with a bit more of the glam factor, try a sleek box clutch in a champagne gold hue. For brides who love that extra detail a satin clutch bag embellished with crystals is the perfect designer bridal clutch to have post-ceremony. And for something that leans into a more classic aesthetic – experiment with a fold-over clutch made of raffia and finished with a buckle detail – bridal fashion perfection.
2) Handbags
Designer bridal handbags don’t always have to be a clutch shape to look great on your wedding day. Play with different styles of handbag, but make sure your bag is on the smaller side to keep the focus on your overall wedding look and not to distract from that stunning gown or outfit. A mini crossbody bag in silver glitter or metallic leather can look dressier with the chain strap removed or tucked in and a structured mini bag with a top handle makes for a more head-turning choice, especially when embellished in crystals.
Destination Wedding Shoes
Destination weddings demand high-impact looks that can keep up with the amazing scenery and holiday views. If you are lucky enough to be jetting off to exotic climes for your wedding, or doing something a bit different like getting married in a Tuscan cornfield or with a lush lake view as a backdrop, destination wedding shoes will have you covered. Whether you’re in the French Riviera, South America, or hopping across Greek islands, a wedding in sunnier climes usually calls for a more relaxed dress code. Casual wedding outfits for grooms, like lightweight suiting without ties or perhaps even tailored wedding shorts, call for a shoe that is also less formal and more comfortable. The wedding sneaker in supple leather with a low top silhouette is a crisp option for the stylish groom abroad. Style-wise, a destination bride might favour a relaxed silk slip dress over something more structured – shoe-wise, bridal flats are your friend as well as the dream beach wedding shoe. A crystal-embellished or metallic slip-on sandal is perfect for the fashion-forward bride saying her vows on a manicured beach. For a bit more of a boho feel, a statement Grecian-inspired sandal with metal details manages to be both practical, yet eye-catching for warm-weather nuptials.
