Wedding Shoes - What to Choose

Wedding Dress Overture - Etsy $59.99

OK - So apparently I was the only person who did not know brides were supposed to get special shoes to wear on their wedding day. I guess I did not understand why you would - no one is going to see them unless you are wearing a tea, ballet, or shorter length dress. I just assumed you wore white shoes to match your white dress...I can distinctly remember some wedding photos my fiance and I were sent from a wedding that happened back in 2009. There were probably 30 pictures of shoes - both from the bride and bridesmaids. I thought this was the silliest thing I had ever seen and they looked like a catalog shots - not wedding pictures. I had never seen pictures of just wedding shoes from a wedding before either. Now, I have seen some nicely done pictures where the wedding rings are placed around the heel of the shoe and the picture is very artsy and cute. But just shoes?

Badgley Mischka - Zappos $200

Well, that was until I realized what brands of shoes some brides were buying to wear on their big day. Brides are dropping top dollar on elegant heels by designers like Badgley Mischka, Kate Spade, and Christian Louboutin just to name a few. Any shoes you buy from these designers are going to be over $400 a pair if you get them from a physical store (not online). 

When you take into account the national average spent on a bridal gown is $1,100 I guess it really does not seem as ridiculous to spend $400-$600 on a pair of shoes...unless you are me and think this is just beyond absurd. However, I guess if you are going to spend that kind of money on a pair of shoes then they are worth photographing. I can see how it could be very nice to have some close up pictures of your gown, veil, shoes, and rings to then have printed and framed for display in your home. But I do not see the rationale behind spending half of what you spent for a gown on shoes just for a photograph.

Mix No. 6 - DSW $24.95

I can understand you not being able to wear your wedding dress more than once. But shoes? Why would you spend another $400 for a pair of heels that you know damn good and well you will not wear all night, and probably not wear again? Most brides who get married in heels wear them down the aisle so they are face to face with their soon to be hubby. 

Statistically, most brides are shorter than their husbands so it makes sense to wear heels at the altar. But dancing the night away in heels?! That is just a recipe for disaster. Most of us ladies know the dangers associated with dancing in heels. You get blisters, roll your ankles, and trip. It just happens. Then, even if everything is smooth sailing, eventually your legs will start to hurt and you get to the point where you are just dying to get those heels off your feet.

Lucia Bridal Flip Flops - David's Bridal $29.50

 Because of all the issues you run into dancing in heels, many brides are giving Dollar Store flip flops to her bridesmaids inside their gifts at the rehearsal dinner - and keeping an extra pair for herself! Or, they are letting bridesmaids know they are encouraged to purchase a second pair of flats to wear for dancing. In other words, some brides have the gall to tell their bridesmaids that in addition to buying a dress and a pair of heels, they are being asked to purchase a second pair of matching flats for the reception. 


Personally, I would never ask my bridesmaids to buy two pairs of shoes. I can understand a bride wanting her girls to have matching footwear, especially if they are wearing shorter dresses. But I do not think it is fair or necessary for the bride to tell her bridesmaids to buy heels and flats or buy really expensive shoes.

My Glass Slipper - Monique Lhuillier $397.50

Always keep in mind your venue as well! I think a lot of brides forget if they are going to have their ceremony outside, plan on walking out to a wooded area for photos after the "I Dos", or are going to be on uneven ground (cobble stone, slat floors, gravel, etc.) you are going to either sink into dirt, have a very hard time walking, or completely destroy the leather sole of the shoes. Almost all of the higher end wedding shoes have very thin tipped heels and all leather bottoms. 

I made the mistake of wearing one of the nicest pairs of heels I own to an outdoor wedding. Not only did I sink in the grass 3 inches from the heel AND got them all muddy, but holes also poked through the leather soles from errant gravel in the area. The shoes had to be sent away for repair the following week.

Fioni Glitter Pump Payless Shoes $19.99

It is for these reasons that you might want to think about going the cheap route with your wedding shoes. This is not to say that inexpensive is always cheap looking. For one, if you are wearing a traditional length gown, no one will see your shoes. No one will be LOOKING at your feet as you walk down the aisle either. All eyes will be on YOU and your smiling face! Plus, if you are going to wear heels keep in mind they will probably be coming off shortly after the ceremony. When my future sister-in-law got married a few years ago, I think her and all her bridesmaids wore white platform flip flops down the aisle. If they wore heels then changed shoes, no one ever knew!

I asked the question "Will you wear your shoes again?" on WeddingWire just to get a few opinions. About half of the responders said they will either wear shoes they already own, or will buy cheap shoes because they know they will not wear them again. Others said they would be buying specific shoes for the wedding, but will be buying shoes that they know they will probably wear again. Almost everyone agreed it is not necessary to splurge on a pair of wedding shoes and that being comfortable standing in whatever shoes you wear all day is the most important factor. One bride did lament that she bought a pair of satin shoes for her wedding and she did wear them a few times after - but she officiated a wedding outside wearing said heels and sunk into the mud, completely ruining them. 

Depending on how long my dress is after it is altered will determine what shoes I will wear. I have a pair of emerald green flats that would be cute but I might have to wear a bit of a heel on my big day. Regardless, if I have to buy a new pair of shoes I will probably get them from DSW or Payless ShoeSource. While the idea of buying online is enticing, I think I want to try on the shoes and get a feel for them if I will in fact be wearing them all day. I will write an update post once my dress is finished and I go shoe shopping!