The Must-Read Guide to Wedding Shoes
During bridal appointments and alteration fittings we receive a lot of questions on wedding shoes. Below are some of our most frequently asked questions. We will do our best to keep this page updated with links to all the shoes we are loving from each season. We hope you enjoy our wedding shoe guide!
All wedding shoes within our blog have been thoughtfully curated by The Bridal Finery Team. Some of the shoes include affiliate links. If you buy your wedding shoes through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you.
For Bella Belle Shoes receive 10% off using Code: BR4LRFNR420
Closed-Toe or Open-toe Wedding Shoes?
With our boutiques being in Florida, this is one of the questions we hear most often! While open-toe shoes are a natural choice for warm-weather weddings, there really isn't a hard rule when it comes to choosing between open-toe and closed-toe. Your venue, season, dress, and personal style should all play a role. For 2026 and 2027, we're seeing brides embrace a range of styles, from delicate strappy sandals and peep-toe heels to pointed-toe slingbacks, ballet flats, and classic pumps. Closed-toe shoes can feel especially polished for a black-tie or formal wedding, while an open-toe sandal can be perfect for a Florida garden, beach, or outdoor celebration. Our biggest advice? Choose the shoe you genuinely love. Your wedding shoes are an accessory, so don't feel like you need to choose a certain style simply because it's considered "bridal."
Closed-toe satin slingback heels
Lace slingback wedding shoes
Peep-toe tulle wedding shoes
Pleated crepe wedding heels
Pearl wedding shoes peep toe
White closed-toe Satin pumps
open-toe bridal white lace heels
White Wedding sandal open-toe
What heel do you recommend for all day wear?
When it comes to an all-day wedding shoe, comfort is about much more than simply choosing the lowest heel. The construction of the shoe, the fit, the materials, and how accustomed you are to wearing heels can make a huge difference. We're seeing more brides choose lower heels, kitten heels, block heels, and elegant flats for 2026 and 2027, and we love it. If you're someone who lives in heels, there's absolutely nothing wrong with choosing a higher heel for your wedding day. But if you rarely wear heels, don't feel like you have to suddenly spend 10 hours in stilettos! A beautiful kitten heel, low slingback, embellished flat, or ballet-inspired shoe can look just as elevated while allowing you to actually enjoy your day.
One important thing to remember: your dress should be hemmed to the height of the shoe you'll be wearing. If you plan to change from a high heel into a flat or sneaker later in the evening, bring both pairs to your alterations appointments so your seamstress can help you plan accordingly.
Low heel ankle Strap satin shoe
Chic peep-toe wedding heels
White lace open-toe kitten heel
White bridal heels with rose
Bridal Jacquard platform heel
Floral lace kitten heel
Wedding Kitten heels in satin
Wavy leather pumps for bride
Is it okay to wear flats to the wedding ceremony?
Absolutely! There are no rules when it comes to your wedding shoes, and bridal flats have never been more beautiful. In the past, brides sometimes worried that a flat wouldn't feel formal or special enough for their wedding day. Today's bridal flats are a completely different story. We're seeing gorgeous satin ballet flats, lace flats, pearl embellishments, crystal details, pointed toes, bows, and delicate straps that feel every bit as bridal as a heel. Flats are also a great option for outdoor weddings, garden venues, beach celebrations, or anyone who simply knows they'll be happier without a heel. And remember, your guests aren't going to be analyzing your heel height as you walk down the aisle. What they'll see is a bride who feels confident and comfortable.
If a flat feels more like you, wear the flat!
White Satin ballet flats
Nude wedding Flats with lace
Classic Ivory Leather Flats
Bridal flat with Pointed-toe
Bridal Fashion Tip: Think of Your Wedding Shoes as an accessory!
When you picture your bridal look, your dress is probably the first thing that comes to mind. Then come the veil, earrings, hair accessories, and jewelry, but don't forget about your shoes! In 2026 and 2027, we're seeing brides treat their shoes as a true fashion accessory rather than simply something they need to wear under their dress. Think oversized bows, pearls, crystals, metallics, floral details, satin, colorful heels, ballet flats, and chic kitten heels. If your dress is simple, your shoes can be the statement piece. If your gown is heavily embellished, a clean satin or metallic shoe can balance the look beautifully. We're also loving the idea of choosing a shoe that you'll actually want to wear again after your wedding. A beautiful silver slingback, champagne heel, ballet flat, or colorful shoe can easily become part of your wardrobe long after the last dance. Your wedding shoes may only peek out from underneath your dress, but when they do, make them count.
Need to finish your wedding day look? Visit our online shop! We have robes, lingerie and bridal jewelry available!
If you live in Florida consider making an appointment to visit our Orlando Bridal Shop. Don’t live locally but want to be styled professionally? Book a virtual accessories appointment with one of our expert stylists.
“I do” heels with crystal strap
Double strap floral heels
Chunky pearl wedding shoes
Bridal feather ankle strap heels
Should wedding shoes have lace, beading, or be clean?
This is one of our favorite questions because there really isn't one right answer! Your shoes don't have to perfectly match your dress, in fact, we love when they add a little personality to the look. If your gown has sparkle or beading, a crystal or embellished shoe can beautifully continue that detail. A lace gown can look gorgeous with a lace shoe, while a clean satin or crepe gown gives you the perfect opportunity to add a statement shoe with pearls, bows, crystals, or even a pop of color. We're also seeing more brides intentionally choose a shoe that contrasts with their gown rather than matching it exactly. A simple ivory dress with a silver metallic heel? Gorgeous. A minimalist gown with a dramatic bow? Absolutely. A clean satin dress with a floral shoe? We love it.
The goal isn't necessarily to match, it’s to make the entire look feel intentional.
Pearl and sequin bridal shoe
Slingback satin Wedding Heels
Satin Wedding Heels with Pearl
White mesh ankle-strap heels
Geometric lace closed toe heels
Floral beaded slingback heel
White Floral wedding shoes
Ivory Crystal wedding heels
What color wedding shoes should I wear to my wedding?
Ivory and white will always be classics, but your wedding shoes are one of the easiest places to have a little fun with color.We're seeing brides experiment with soft blue, blush, champagne, silver, gold, lavender, and even bolder colors for a more fashion-forward bridal look. Of course, a blue shoe is still one of our favorite ways to incorporate your "something blue." A soft powder blue or baby blue can feel romantic and subtle while still giving you that meaningful detail. Metallics are another beautiful option for the modern bride. Silver, champagne, and soft gold can add dimension to an ivory gown while giving you a shoe you'll actually want to wear again. And if you're a bride who loves color? Go for it! Your wedding shoes don't have to be white just because your dress is. If you are color-matching the shoes to your wedding dress, I recommend sticking with a bridal brand. A shoe brand that focuses heavily on weddings always have better shades of white, off white, and ivory. Check the return policy on the shoes and bring them into your first fitting to see if the color is right. Depending on the designer, we might be able to order a swatch of your dress so you can color-match at home.
Baby blue satin wedding shoes
Silver leather slingback pumps
Bridal pink heels with bow detail
Pointed toe olive green pump
Metallic gold leather heels
Light bridal blue sandal heels
Pastel 3d floral wedding heels
Light pink satin wedding heels
How Much Does an Average Bride Spend on Wedding Shoes?
Wedding shoe prices can vary dramatically, and there isn't a "right" amount to spend. You can find beautiful bridal shoes at a variety of price points, from affordable options to designer shoes that are well over $1,000. One question we recommend asking yourself is: Will I wear these again? If you're investing in a designer pair of shoes that you'll wear for your wedding, anniversaries, date nights, and other special occasions, it may be worth spending more on a pair you truly love. On the other hand, if you're looking for something specifically for your wedding day, there are plenty of beautiful options that don't require a huge portion of your bridal budget. Whatever you spend, prioritize fit, comfort, quality, and how much you love the shoe over the price tag.
Leather Closed-Toe Heels
Lace Closed-Toe Kitten Heels
Crystal Ankle Strap Heels
Pearl Peep Toe Wedding Heels
New Wedding Shoe Trends
In true Pinterest fashion, what kind of guide would this be if we didn’t update and include all of the latest trends we’re seeing?! For 2026 and 2027, bridal shoes are becoming more personal, more playful, and much more fashion-forward. Brides are no longer feeling like they need to choose a traditional ivory heel simply because it's their wedding day.
Recently a lot of our brides have been into Badgley Mischika shoes. They have a wide variety of shoe types and heel height! We love the way the shoes look with the dress and our brides say they’re pretty comfy!
Satin trim mesh wedding heels
White slingback silk block heels
Metallic Satin block heels
white platform sandal for bride
Another trend we’re loving is a twist on the classic reception shoe twist! It is not uncommon for brides to ditch their heels for sneakers, flats, or even boots when it’s time to bust a move on the dance floor. Lately, we’ve been seeing brides bring in ballet flats, cowboy boots, Converse, and Air Forces!
Nike women White AirForce 1
white sequin ballet flats
Chuck Taylor Leather All Star
Bridal white cowgirl boots
What are the most popular shoe brands brides wear?
One of our most favorite shoe brands to recommend to our brides is Bella Belle. Remember we have the special code for our brides too! We love these shoes for all day comfort, price point, and colors. The Bella Belle team makes it easy to shop and they always ship out the shoes quickly. For a splurge shoe a bridal designer brand like Monique Lhuillier and Galia Lahav are certainly worth a look. Here are other shoe brands we see our brides wearing: Badgley Mischka, Jimmy Choo, Harriet Wilde, Christian Louboutin, Dolce Vita, and Stuart Weitzman. Brides spend $100 - $1,000 on their shoes.
Watch our YouTube Video about comfortable wedding shoes below!
Enjoy a discount code for Bella Belle Wedding Shoes!
Receive 10% off at Bella Belle Shoes with code: BR4LRFNR420
