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There are many things that are very important to a bride on her wedding day, but you could say that THE dress and shoes rank fairly high on the list.
When you come to thinking about your wedding day look, sometimes it’s easy to find the dress fairly quickly, but we mustn’t forget the shoes. Finding the perfect pair isn’t just about looks, it’s about making sure you can walk down the aisle properly and carefully, then dance the night away without your feet hurting and spoiling those evening moments.
For many brides, especially those planning a relaxed and personal celebration, their dream is to look beautiful and feel comfortable—no pinched toes or tripping hazards here! Whether you're celebrant led wedding ceremony is in a top wedding venue, meadow, village hall, or your nan’s back garden, here’s how to choose shoes that complement your dress and keep your feet happy all day long.
Pairing Dress and Shoe Styles
The aim is not to try and match every detail, but to create a look that feels thoughtfully pulled together. Start by thinking about the style of your dress:
Classic bridal gowns: Look for shoes with a bit of lace or embroidery to echo that romantic, textured look. There are some lovely bespoke lace shoes and boots around these days.
Boho or floaty dresses: Sandals or flats with pretty embellishments can look stunning and suit a more relaxed setting. Try looking for some personalised trainers too - they are beautiful.
Simple, modern silhouettes: A bold shoe - maybe in your colour, can be a great way off showing your personality to all your friends and family.
Vintage-inspired dresses: T-bar heels or something more retro can bring your look together perfectly.
And if you’d like to tie in that ‘something blue’ why not make it the shoes you’re going to wear?
Hemming Your Dress for Your Shoes
It’s one of those details that’s easy to overlook, but your shoe height can seriously affect how your dress sits.
Make sure that you always wear your shoes whenever you have a dress fitting so your seamstress can ensure the hem is not too long, or worse, too short.
Switching to flats later? Let your seamstress know—you might need a bustle or small adjustment.
Test out your walk to make sure nothing catches or trips you up before the big day. Think about where you are going to walk - down steps, across a field or along an aisle. Either way your heel cannot get caught in your hem.
Walk the Walk: Tips for Walking down to meet your future husband (Without a Wobble)
Let’s keep things smooth and snag-free:
Break them in: Always wear your wedding shoes around the house in the weeks leading up to your big day. Not only will this break in the backs, but you will get used to how they feel.
Use the kick-step technique: Gently nudge the dress forward with your foot before stepping. You’ll have plenty of time to do this as you walk down the aisle as you won’t be hurrying anywhere.
Watch your posture: Shoulders back to bring you to your full height, head high and chin up. That aisle is yours to own!
Check the soles: No slippy bits—you want steady footing whether it’s a church aisle or a garden path.Make sure you scuff the soles when breaking them in so they won’t slip on anything.
Heel height: Make sure the heels are not too high for you to be able to walk properly in them. There’s nothing worse than tottering along in heels that you’ve never managed to walk in before, trust me.
And just in case things don’t quite go according to plan, don’t forget to pop some plasters, safety pins, and comfy flats into your wedding day kit, just in case.
Comfort Is Top of the List.
Don’t dismiss comfort on this all important day. When you’re thinking about your wedding, you don’t want your hurting feet to be the major memory. You want to remember how good felt and looked. Here’s how:
Pick soft, well-made shoes with supportive straps or cushioning.
Add gel inserts if you’ll be on your feet all day.
Bring a backup pair—sparkly flats, embroidered sneakers, whatever feels like “you.”
As a celebrant I always arrive at the venue in a pair of colour co-ordinated ballet pumps as I will be doing lots of walking around checking that everything and everyone are OK for their wedding ceremony. Then once I’m happy I’ll change into my heels and ensure that I’m ready and raring to make my couple’s wedding ceremony that unique occasion they are looking for.
Remember, it’s Your Day – Dress (and Walk) How You Want
Whatever style and type of shoe you choose for your special day, be it stilettos or barefoot in a field, the most important thing is feeling like yourself. Your wedding day isn’t a performance—it’s a celebration of you two. So pick a dress and shoes that help you feel natural, look stunning and know that you are ready to dance, laugh, and maybe shed a happy tear or two.
Photographs courtesy of:
Jessirwinphotography.co.uk
Thecrownandthesword.co.uk
@rozalie.photography