11 Most Comfortable Wedding Shoes

When it comes to choosing a pair of shoes for a wedding, finding footwear that can uphold its promise to cherish your feet through sickness and health all evening long is no small feat. 

But comfort and style don’t have to be exclusive—it’s possible to have it all when it comes to wedding shoes, no matter what sort of event is coming up on the horizon.

Below, we’ve gathered a wedding season’s worth of footwear ideal for any type of function you may be attending. From stately suede slippers to enchanted garden party wedges, read on to fall in love with your next wedding plus-twos.

11 Polished And Comfy Shoes For Every Kind Of Wedding

When dressing for a wedding, there are 3 key factors to consider that will help you choose your perfect shoes:

  • Wedding setting
  • Wedding dress code
  • Your personal preferences

Here, we’ll explore these factors for 5 different types of weddings so you can slip into your most comfortable wedding shoes yet.

#1. The Beach Wedding

If you’re attending a beach wedding this summer, footwear is key. 

You’ll want to look polished, but overly complicated shoes can turn the romantic combination of sand, salt, and surf into a nuisance—especially if you’ll be spending a good deal of time on your feet. 

Beachy, woven espadrilles are one of the best shoes for walking on the beach, which makes them an ideal wedding shoe for oceanside weddings, matching the breezy, casual atmosphere while holding the occasion in esteem. We recommend either:

  • Flat espadrilles – If the outdoor wedding will be held on the dunes, skip platforms or heels that can leave you wobbly in the sand, and opt for demure, polished flats. The Alpargata Rope Espadrille comes in a variety of sea glass-inspired colors with a blonde rope wrap footbed that parallels the color of the sand.
  • Mule espadrilles – To keep a relaxed feel without sacrificing those extra few inches of height, reach for a wedge like the Monica Mule Wedge Heel. Wedges offer far more comfort than your traditional stilettos, and they won’t have you sinking into the sand as you tread across the beach. For an extra dose of stability, choose a design with a slingback buckle that will keep your ankles supported all evening long. For espadrilles wedges outfit inspo, check out our blog.

When deciding which shoes to wear to a beach wedding, see if your host has any more information on the wedding agenda. If the ceremony is held on the beach, but the reception will take place indoors, don’t be afraid to stash a slightly more upscale pair of wedding shoes in your tote, and switch into them when the party gets started!

#2. The Garden Wedding

There’s nothing like a lush garden outdoor wedding to make you feel as if you’ve been swept into a midsummer night’s dream.

Match the timeless ambiance of botanical settings with two classic wedding wedges that can take you from the ceremony to the lantern-lit reception:

  • Peep-toe wedge – For more conservative affairs, opt for wedges that offer a touch more coverage while still giving your feet some room to breathe. The Michelle Wedge Heel in black or natural pairs perfectly with crisp, classic colors, while the mini leopard print style lets you turn up the dial on your wild side without going overboard.
  • Sandal wedge – Update a demure wedding outfit with a platform wedge sandal that lends plenty of support while showing a bit more skin. The Marisol Wedge Heel works magic on any form-fitting or flowing dress in your closet, with two playful textiles to choose from.

Whichever you go for, the seamless look of wedges will streamline any ensemble you plan on wearing—with the added bonus of being easy to kick off should guests decide to go barefoot in the wee wedding hours!

#3. The Indoor Wedding

If you’ve got hardwood or carpet floors in your corner, take advantage of the setting and embrace a style of wedding shoe that never goes out of fashion: heels.

Contrary to popular belief, heels are not synonymous with discomfort. Four factors make for a high heel you can wear all night long:

  • The quality of the shoe
  • The slope of the arch
  • The thickness of the heel and heel height (think block heel, kitten heel, etc.)
  • The ground you’ll be walking on

If the terrain is on your side, look for comfortable wedding heels that tick those last three boxes, such as:

  • Ankle cuff heels – Stable designs don’t mean frumpy styles. Look to the Majorca Sandal for an ankle cuff that keeps you holding steady no matter how much champagne is flowing. Fresh cutout styles let you show off your bridal party pedicure, while closed toe designs are perfect for black-tie affairs.
  • Sandal heels – Skip the complicated synthetic straps and aim for a model like the Ava Sandal with a retro and sturdy leather build. With a sturdier heel, you’ll stand strong from the dinner tables to the dance floor.

#4. The Intimate Wedding

As thrilling as it can be to dress for weddings with much pomp and circumstance, when the invitation reads “close friends and family,” you know you’re in for a cozier, more casual affair.

Intimate weddings call for polished shoes that keep the attention on the happy couple. Our collection of women’s flats are your go-to for events of this order, which makes these two options ideal for the occasion:

  • Elegant flats – Smoking slipper-inspired flats are a modern style that infuse any little black dress with one of menswear’s greatest hits. The secret to making flat shoes wedding-ready is to choose elevated fabrics that turn slip-ons into a statement. Our Darcy Flat comes in three luscious colors that fit the bill: mini leopard suede, stone grey suede, or fresh black leather.
  • Retro-inspired flats – Our crisp Jutti D’Orsay Flats would be as comfortable on the cobblestone streets of Paris as they are for a close gathering of friends and loved ones. With a delicately tapered toe and refined animal-inspired fabrics, this pair offers coverage and comfort while putting a timelessly romantic spin on your outfit of the evening.

#5. For The Multi-Day Wedding

Multi-day weddings call for an adaptable approach and a little extra room in your suitcase.

To prepare for every event on the agenda, versatility is critical. When done right, you should only need two pairs of shoes to rally alongside the group for events—both casual and upscale. We recommend:

  • Day-ready sandal – Join in activities with a comfy sandal that holds you steady without piling on excessive amounts of material. The Bree Sandal is designed with an OrthoLite Eco LT Hybrid insole to provide plenty of give and cushion as you make your way through the day’s activities. 
  • Night-ready platform – When daylight dwindles, skip the heels and find some extra height with a platform sandal in flattering neutrals that match the most elegant ensembles in your suitcase. Ever-chic suede is one fabric that steps up your look no matter which outfit you exit your hotel room in. Our Willow Platform Sandal spans the color spectrum from refined black to petal-soft peony, and its OrthoLite® cushioned insole has you covered for when it’s time to hit the dance floor.

Cultivated And Comfortable: Footwear By Wedding Dress Code

Aside from the wedding location, it’s a gesture of respect to your hosts to stick to the dress code stipulated on your invitation.

If you’re not quite sure where to start, fear not—here are the 7 types of wedding dress codes you’ll see, and a quick style guide on what shoes to wear for each:

  • White-tie – White-tie weddings are among the most gussied up you’ll get, and you may be asked to wear a Grace Kelly-style ball gown. If you’re preparing for a wedding this formal, skip the sky-high heels and aim for wedding flats or a comfortable shoe with a low heel like a kitten heels to swan around in your wedding best without a slip-and-fall.
  • Black-tie – Floor-sweeping dresses or refined cocktail dresses are your best friends for black-tie events, the second most formal on the wedding totem pole. Save your espadrille-inspired footwear for these events, and opt for sandal heels or polished wedding flats to stay up-to-code.
  • Formal – Slightly more casual than a black-tie wedding, formal dress codes give you some more freedom with your feet. Some wedge shoes or heels will work wonderfully, as will standard heels, but aim to match your outfit to your shoes to keep clashing to a minimum.
  • Cocktail – Hemlines hike a bit higher at cocktail dress-code weddings, so you’re at liberty to wear heels as long as they air on the refined side. You can play with patterns in your footwear to dress up an understated cocktail dress, but choose options that stay within the same color family.
  • Dressy casual – Dressy casual dress codes may be used for day or night events and are a popular choice for garden weddings. In this scenario, take a cue from the event location before you settle on which option is the best wedding shoes that compliment your wedding outfit.
  • Casual – Casual attire is usually a match for beach weddings, with ample room for you to wear what makes you look and feel your best. Think woven, light-wash color schemes that pair beautifully with a rope-detailed sandal or flat. 
  • Destination – Your destination wedding agenda is your go-to guide for packing footwear that will take you through each event in comfort and style. Lighten your load (and your airfare) by choosing 2–3 options that can take you from sunny days exploring your destination to the centerpiece of the trip: the wedding ceremony.

Find Wedding Season’s Perfect Pairs With TOMS

No matter how busy your agenda is this wedding season, find your perfect shoe and give your feet the treatment they deserve with TOMS footwear.

Every TOMS design is crafted for utter comfort and timeless style, with versatile shoes for women to accompany you for every event on the docket and long after the season fades. Whether you’re headed to a small gathering with your closest friends or a glittering affair that has you dressed to the nines, shop TOMS’ wedding-ready collection to find your One in shoes.

Reviewed By Andrew David Stewart

Andrew David Stewart is the Manager of Digital Marketing at TOMS and has been working in the digital marketing and social media world for 6 years. Andrew is a lover of nature and the outdoors, and is passionate about telling stories through digital media.

Sources: 

Insider. 8 things you can do to make wearing high heels more comfortable. https://www.insider.com/how-to-make-heels-more-comfortable-2018-2#consider-where-youll-be-walking-5

Brides. Every Wedding Guest Dress Code, Explained. https://www.brides.com/story/wedding-dress-code-explained