👠 How to Choose Your Perfect Bridal Shoes
Beautiful shoes can make you feel bridal magic from the ground up ~ but there’s a bit more to it than sparkle and heel height!
Here’s what every High Vibe Bride should know before stepping into her big day shoes... from flats to heels to hiking boots~ here is the lowdown!
✨ When to Choose Your Shoes
If ordering your dress,choose your wedding shoes before your dress arrives, so you can be ready to have your hem pinned to the perfect length without delay.
If you’re buying off the rack, most gowns are cut for someone 5’9” to 6’2”, so unless you’re that tall, plan for hemming!
If your dress is off the rack, choose your shoes anytime after your dress is purchased, but definitely before your first alterations fitting, typically 3 months before your wedding date, so you can hem your gown to the height of your shoes!
Wondering what to pick? Our guide below lays down our BEST tips for matching your bridal style, in COMFORT!
⚠️ Prioritize Comfort~ A True Story from the Fitting Room
We once had a bride actually pass out during her fitting because her wedding shoes were cutting off circulation to her feet! 😳
She’d chosen a stunning pair of heels, but they were too tight across the toes and ankle. Standing perfectly still for her hem pinning... combined with excitement and nerves~ was just too much for her poor feet. Thankfully, she recovered quickly after sitting down and sipping some water, but it was a powerful reminder.
You’ll be standing still for pinning, fittings, and of course ~ your whole wedding day. Don’t let your shoes compromise your comfort or your health. It’s not worth it, babe!
💃 For our Heels Girls~ Comfort Meets Style
Do you want that extra lift and height that only a feel can offer?
RAD, we support that for you! Our favorite heels are either chunky heels, wedges, or ballroom dance shoes!
We’re obsessed with ballroom dance shoes for brides! They’re made from real suede and leather (which stretch and move with your body), designed for long hours on your feet, and are so lightweight it feels like walking on clouds. Choose the suede sole for a smooth and most flexible shoe- unlike anything youre ever worn.
A recent bride told me she was still feeling comfy after an hour long fitting to pin her hem, wearing you guesses it~ ballroom dance shoes!
They come in nearly every color, style, and heel height imaginable, and some sites even offer custom-made styles!
Heels Comfort Tips~
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When in doubt, choose a flared heel instead of a stiletto—it offers more stability and prevents your heel from poking through delicate fabric like your train.
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Avoid clear plastic or vinyl straps—those can dig in, trap heat, and cause serious discomfort over time.
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Add a padded insert to the ball of your foot, arch support, or back of the ankle as needed
🎨 Choosing the Right Color for Your Vibe!
Honestly- we freaking LOVE colorful wedding shoes, too!
BONUS= a fun colorful wedding shoe makes wedding ready pics POP, and the re-wearabilty factor makes it a more sustainable choice than a traditional white bridal shoe that you may only wear once!
Color ideas
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Make it your something blue
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Match your Bridesmaids
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Wear your fave power-color
If you are wanting it to match your wedding dress color- remember- Always pick a shoe color close to your gown shade, or slightly warmer.
Most wedding gowns are actually off white/light ivory, and if yours is also, be sure to avoid shoes that are stark white—they’ll look too “white-white” next to your dress.
Ivory, nude, champagne, or blush all complement beautifully and will photograph like a dream!
Our favorites are nude or champagne tones, since they hide smudges after dancing, blend effortlessly with your dress, and can be worn again long after your wedding day!
🎨 Heels Alternatives? We got you!
There are SO many valid reasons not to wear heels for your wedding, like~
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You are getting married outside on uneven terrain, like having a beach wedding or a mountain elopement!
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You don't want to be taller than your fiance
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You want to feel stable and grounded
A great pear of hiking boots is a WIN for a more adventurous wedding involving hiking, like many of hte Colorado elopements we help brides find dresses for!
Flats are just plain good sensible shoes- and come in a variety of great colors and textures. We love suede, little pearls ect.
DO stay away from the embellished does that feature crystals set in with prongs- that definitely will snag up on the delicate layers of your dress!
💃 No Shoes, No Problem!
Many brides are opting for simple, backyard weddings without shoes. Personally, I love this and would do it, too-- or maybe even get a fancy pair of Birkenstocks for the wedding?
If you are on a beac, opt for foot jewelry for a subtle detail but barefoot... and oh so enticing!
Be sure to practice your first dance in your wedding shoes!
🌿 Final Thoughts