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Brides-to-be have a laundry list of to-do’s: There’s vendors to book, a bachelorette to plan, a dress to choose, and so much more. But few decisions are as important as choosing a pair of the most comfortable wedding shoes to wear on your big day. The shoes you select should align with your bridal style, but more importantly, they should cushion and stabilize your feet so you feel steady, supported, and blister-free on your wedding day.
Thanks to today’s ever-evolving offerings, you don’t have to sacrifice support for style, either. “The market has evolved aesthetically in the most exciting of ways,” says Carrie Goldberg, founder and creative director of luxury styling firm CLG Creative.” Designers like Manolo Blahnik and Jimmy Choo who have long had standalone bridal offerings were joined by the likes of Aquazzura, Roger Vivier and Rene Caovilla along with newer names like Malone Souliers and Mach & Mach to offer options for the bride that are go far beyond the ages-old satin 85 millimeter pump.”
As for trends, Goldberg notes that “we’re seeing some brides opting for sky-high heels, crystals, feathers and more, while others are after lower heel heights, bridal flats, Grecian-inspired sandals or even wedding-appropriate white sneakers.” Nina Miner, chief creative director of dress shoe brand Nina, has been noticing similar wedding shoe trends among brides — noting that though some crave height, a desire for lower-heeled and flat styles is also still prevalent.
Supportive wedding shoe options now include everything from cushioned satin wedges to chic platform sandals and even orthopedic heels that look, well, far from orthopedic. The demand for comfortable wedding shoes is driving innovation in the bridal footwear category: Just this spring, bridal designer Pnina Tornai collaborated with Naturalizer for a collection of supportive, chic options.
We consulted with New York podiatrist Dr. Jackie Sutera and Silicon Valley podiatrist and E’Mar Italy founder Dr. Najwa Javed to round up 22 comfortable wedding shoes for brides to feel good and look fabulous on their big day. Whether you prefer simple, classic silhouettes or something high-glam, you’re bound to find a pair of the best bridal shoes here.
Heel height: 3.4 inches
Colorways available:
Materials: Leather; rubber heel patch
Courtesy of Naturalizer
Heel height: 3.25 inches
Colorways available: 1
Materials: Satin upper and non-slip outsole
What reviewers say: “Dream wedding shoes — they’re beautiful and elegant! If you have a high arch like me the cross section may put a little pressure on your foot but it was no biggie to me. I would also recommend ordering a half size down – I’m typically an 8 in Naturalizer and I had to order a 7.5 in these.”
Courtesy of Sam Edelman
Heel height: 3.5 inches
Colorways available: 24
Materials: Leather, suede, fabric, and patent leather options
What reviewers say: “I love Sam Edelman shoes in general, that’s all I ever buy. I needed some white shoes for a wedding and when I saw these I swear my heart skipped a beat. They’re comfortable like all of his shoes, and so beautiful on the feet. They truly elevate my outfits. The unique heel is STUNNING.”
Courtesy of Nina
Heel height: 2.5 inches
Colorways available: Seven
Materials: Satin upper and synthetic lining
Courtesy of Larroude
Heel height: 1.8 inches
Colorways available: 2
Materials: Leather
Courtesy of Neiman Marcus
Heel height: 2.75 inches
Colorways available: 2
Materials: Leather insole; fabric upper
What reviewers say: “Love these. Bought them for my wedding and wore them all day, no discomfort. I did end up buying a half size larger than normal. These are so incredibly beautiful and well made, definitely a statement shoe. The ribbon tie is also flexible so you can tighten if you’d like.”
Courtesy of Shopbop
Heel height: 3 inches
Colorways available: 1
Materials: Satin
Courtesy of Sarah Flint
Heel height: Two inches
Colorways available: White
Materials: Satin, mesh, and handmade nappa leather flower embellishments
Courtesy of Danielle Frankel
Heel height: 2 inches
Materials: Leather outsole and lining
Courtesy of Birdies
Colorways available: 14
Materials: No-slip rubber sole and satin lining
What reviewers say: “You can wear them immediately because they feel like slippers. They look beautiful and are so comfortable.”
Courtesy of Marione Parke
Heel height: 3.3 inches
Colorways available: 3
Materials: Nappa leathe
Courtesy of Amazon
Heel height: Four inches
Colorways available: 24
Materials: Leather or suede, depending on the style
What reviewers say: “Wore these shoes last minute for my wedding and they were SO comfortable; I had them on for about 4.5 to 5 hours with no problem. Also wore them as a wedding guest and were super comfy as well. Definitely investing in more colors because they’re a great, go-to shoe you can dress up or down!”
Courtesy of Shopbop
Colorways available: One
Materials: Twill upper, soft canvas lining, and rubber sole
What reviewers say: “Here comes the bride! These shoes are so cute and very well made.”
Courtesy of Badgley Mischka
Heel height: 3.5 inches
Colorways available: Three
Materials: Textile upper, faux pearl embellishments, and leather sole
Courtesy of MyTheresa
Heel height: 2.5 inches
Colorways available: 3
Materials: Satin and leather
Courtesy of Nordstrom
Heel height: 1 inch
Colorways available: Two
Materials: Leather and carbon fiber inlay
Courtesy of Sleeper
Colorways available: One
Materials: Silk and viscose upper; leather and faux suede lining
Courtesy of Jimmy Choo
Heel height: 2.6 inches
Colorways available: Two
Materials: Patent leather with pearl and crystal embellishments
What reviewers say: I bought these for a wedding. They were comfortable enough to dance all night without issue. And they’re super cute. They run a bit small because of the pointed toe, so if you’re between sizes go with the size up.
Courtesy of Amazon
Heel height: 3.5 inches
Colorways available: Seven
Materials: Polyester upper, faux leather outsole
What reviewers say: “LOVE LOVE LOVE! I found my new heel height that’s comfortable in addition to stylish!!!! The color is dreamy and goes with some many colors which makes it very versatile and worth the price point! I intend to order this shoe in another color very soon.”
Courtesy of Neiman Marcus
Heel height: 0.2 inches
Colorways available: 3
Materials: Rubber with pearl embellishments
What reviewers say: “This shoe is very well made. It’s beautiful and goes with so much. It’s very feminine. I would definitely recommend.”
Courtesy of Good American
Heel height: 4.33 inches
Colorways available: One
Materials: Lucite
What reviewers say: “Using these as my wedding shoes. I love them so much. After reading the reviews, I sized up. Usually a 12, purchased a 14 and they fit perfectly.”
Courtesy of Bella Belle
Heel height: 4 inches
Colorways available: One
Materials: Silk and mesh upper; leather sole
What reviewers say: “Dream wedding shoes. I bought these before I even bought my dress and felt like a princess but not one who would lose her shoes! Wore them all day without any soreness and worn them since to other weddings.”
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Women’s Wedding Shoes
- Your ceremony’s formality: “An espadrille may be tempting for a beach wedding, but it reads quite casual,” Goldberg says. “Save it for your honeymoon unless it’s truly hidden underneath the gown.”
- Any wardrobe changes you may have on your big day: If you plan to have multiple outfit swaps, Goldberg recommends starting with a heel that’s “delicate, complementary to the gown and comfortable to stand in, followed by the ultimate party heel” for dancing the night away at the reception. “Some brides like to have a second heel to change into with a bit more support, ideally with a platform and an ankle strap, and most like to end the night in a low-heeled mule or slipper, or in a cute sneaker for dancing that complements their last look of the night,” she notes.
- The material of your wedding apparel: “Keep in mind crystal details on shoes can snag delicate silks and tulles,” Goldberg says, so you may want to avoid embellished styles if your dress, jumpsuit or skirt falls into this category.
- The color of your wedding apparel: “Look out for various shades of white and ivory available for shoes,” Golderg advises. “You want to make sure your shoe isn’t drastically whiter or warmer than the tone of your gown.” With blue, champagne or metallic-toned shoes, you have a lot more versatility.
- The length of your gown: “As a styling trick, long wedding gowns with trains typically cover most of the shoe, so focus on the toe box first and foremost,” Goldberg says. “Save the higher heels for moments that matter, like your looks with shorter hemlines.”
The Different Types of Comfortable Wedding Shoes
- Sandals: Cute sandals are some of the most popular types of bridal shoes and are especially great for warm-weather nuptials. Typically, the most comfortable shoes feature block heels and supportive ankle strap details.
- Pumps: Classic brides will gravitate towards closed-toe heels, or pumps, offered in simple monochromatic versions to glitzy styles.
- Stiletto heels: A thin heel isn’t typically synonymous with comfort, as it provides little surface area to distribute your body weight across. But now, stilettos made with ample cushioning and innovative tech like anatomically contoured footbeds can help shoppers more comfortably wear thin-heeled styles for extended periods of time.
- Block heels: “Prior to Covid-19, block-heel wedding shoes were already enjoying strong sales at retail,” Miner says. “Besides being trend-right, they offer a bit more stability and comfort than a slender heel might.” These styles are also ideal for outdoor and beach weddings, as they won’t sink into the ground.
- Flats: If you don’t want to go the heel route, wedding flats offer a completely flat sole (that’s also great for outdoor weddings) and are often crafted in luxe materials with standout embellishments to make them look dressier. While flats naturally won’t put pressure on the balls of feet like heels do, it’s still important they have some cushioning underfoot to ward off foot fatigue. A
- Wedges: Wedges offer the lift of stilettos but with additional support, as their sole connects from the front of the shoe to the raised heel at the rear.
- Platforms: Like wedges, platform wedding shoes are ideal for brides who crave a marriage of height and comfort with their footwear. The 70s-inspired silhouettes are defined by a front platform that helps redistribute pressure at the ball of the foot where impact is most concentrated, and are often accompanied by tall, thick heels to boost support. For these reasons, Miner notes she’s seen a growing number of Nina customers choose the brand’s towering platform styles.
- Booties: Brides who stray away from tradition will love bridal booties. These come in everything from elegant lace designs to sleek leather, sparkling pairs and even cowboy-inspired options that are perfect to wear if you’re going for a western theme with your wedding. These also offer more structural support than classic pumps and sandals, as they typically encase most of (if not all) the entire foot.
- Mules: These breezy options are great for warm-weather nuptials and are easy to slip when you’re ready to walk down the aisle. They come in both flat and heeled versions. Goldberg tells us she often styles pointed-toe mules when working with lower heel heights, as they “keep the look elegant and ladylike without brides having to sport a five-inch stiletto and can add some edge to super-feminine dresses.”
The Best Wedding Shoes for Different Foot Concerns
- The best wedding shoes for plantar fasciitis: Dr. Javed recommends that people with plantar fasciitis avoid platform styles, as these individuals “will usually find relief and reduction in symptoms when wearing shoes with a slight heel drop.” She says to look for “shoes with at least two inches of elevation to help reduce the pull of the Achilles, which is connected to the plantar fascial band.” For beach weddings, there are plenty of sandals for plantar fasciitis to choose from.
- The best wedding shoes for bunions: To prevent rubbing, avoid narrow and pointy boxes. “Instead, opt for a rounder or square toe box,” says Dr. Sutera. Also look for shoes that feature some stretch in the upper, as this makes the less constricting on your feet. Dr. Javed says that people with bunions should go for pairs with no more than two inches of heel elevation.
- The best wedding shoes for high arches: Those with high arches may experience more pressure on the ball of the foot than those with flat feet, because of weight distribution. To prevent additional pressure, look for heels no taller than 2.5 inches high. Alternatively, choose a pair of comfortable women’s flats that feature arch support to stabilize your feet.
- The best wedding shoes for wide feet: Similarly to bunions, people seeking shoes for wide feet should prioritize a rounded or square toe box. According to Dr. Sutera, a wider toe box also leaves room for your feet to expand and swell throughout the day. Seek out shoes available in wide-width options if possible.
- The best wedding shoes for flat feet: “Those with flat feet or fallen arches should choose options with a heel that’s at least one-inch tall, but no more than three-inches tall for optimal midfoot support,” says Dr. Javed.
Meet the Experts
Carrie Goldberg is the founder and creative director CLG Creative, a creative consulting agency and luxury styling firm with a focus on everyday and bridal fashion. She was formerly the weddings and travel director at HarpersBAZAAR.com, where she oversaw the site’s Bride channel and travel and dining content and styled fashion and bridal editorials for BAZAAR.com.
Nina Miner is the chief creative director of Nina shoes, a brand that has specialized in comfort-driven dress shoes since 1953 (the brand was created by Nina’s father and uncle and named after her). The company offers a line of wedding-ready shoes for the bride, mother of the bride and bridesmaids, complete with comfort features like lightly padded footbeds and available in wide-width options.
Dr. Jacqueline Sutera is a New York-based podiatrist specializing in the prevention and treatment of foot pathology. She is a Vionic Innovation Lab member, as well as a Fellow of the American College of Foot & Ankle Surgeons and a member and spokesperson for the American Podiatric Medical Association and the New York State Podiatric Medical Society.
Dr. Najwa Javed is a Silicon-Valley based podiatrist and founder of E’mar Italy, a luxury heels brand focused on creating wearable elevated styles. Her shoes all feature a patent-pending inlay that uses biomechanically-designed arch inclines to redistribute pressure, and many are designed to be comfortable wedding or everyday heels.
Meet the Authors
Sam Peters is the senior style commerce editor at Fairchild Media Group (FMG). She previously oversaw Footwear News’ shopping vertical for three years, where she became an expert on the latest footwear trends and innovations by testing and reviewing shoes in a wide range of categories — from athletic to streetwear styles. Prior to her role at FMG, she has written about wedding trends, including bridal fashion for Bridal Guide. Peters penned the original version of this comfortable wedding shoes story.
Claire Sullivan is the Senior Beauty and Lifestyle Commerce Editor for WWD and Footwear News. She’s spent over five years researching, reporting on, and writing about the beauty and wellness industries for publications like Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle, and Byrdie. Her experience at Martha Stewart Weddings involved daily research and reporting on wedding trends. Sullivan wrote the 2023 update of this comfortable wedding shoes shopping guide, adding the latest comfortable bridal shoes worthy of our list, plus additional tips on choosing the right pair for your big day.
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