25 Stylish Wedding Shoes for Bride & Bridesmaid Ensembles

Second pair of bridal shoes? Why not?!

And just as with the second wedding dress trend, brides-to-be can also plan to wear two pairs of shoes – one pair for the ceremony and one pair for the reception or after-party. If you're having a beach wedding, consider a pair of flat sandals for the ceremony and then change into bridal shoes that feel more chic for your reception. Once you're ready to hit the dance floor, don another pair of sandals or try a style that's more similar to a bootie or sneaker to make dancing all night so much easier!

What Style and Color of Shoes to Choose for a Wedding Day

From simple white sandals of varying heel-height styles, to sparkling peep-toe pumps, to colorful or embellished bridal shoes, the options for shoes for brides are nearly endless. If you'll be wearing a floor-length dress, chances are your shoes won't even show during the ceremony or even the reception, providing the perfect opportunity to have fun with your style of footwear. Select heels in a range of bridal-chic color options – maybe even your "something blue" – or choose styles made of unique materials or embellished with interesting hardware to stand out. Brides who desire a classic look for their wedding ensemble may choose an elegant sandal or add stylish jeweled embellishments on the heels or toe of pumps.

For more ideas, take a look at the bridal heels below to inspire your own wedding-day footwear. For additional inspiration, click on your favorite images to see more from each of these real weddings!

Photo by Christian Oth Studio; Real Wedding: Sophisticated Wedding with Personalized Details at a New York Farm

Photo by Lorely Meza Photography; Real Wedding: Fall Outdoor Destination Wedding at Luxe Resort on Island of Maui

Photo by Mi Belle Photographers; Real Wedding: Colorful Outdoor Wedding with Supper Club Theme in Los Angeles, CA

Photo by Rebecca Walker for The Day; Real Wedding: Diana Ross Helps Plan Daughter Chudney's Maui Destination Wedding

Photo by Chung Li Photography; Real Wedding: Romantic City Hall Wedding with Korean Influences in San Francisco

Photo by Daniel Kincaid Photography; Real Wedding: UFC Octagon Girl Brittney Palmer's Sparkling Oceanfront Wedding

Photo by KT Merry Photography; Real Wedding: Soft-Hued Spring Wedding at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida

Photo by Heather Waraksa; Real Wedding: Summer Wedding with Vibrant Color Palette in Brooklyn, New York

Photo by Sarah & Ben; Real Wedding: Florida Wedding Celebration with Vibrant Colors and Wooden Details

Photo by This Modern Romance; Real Wedding: Modern Wedding at a Spanish Courtyard in Southern California

Photo by Elizabeth Messina; Real Wedding: Fairy-Tale Wedding with Enchanted Forest Theme in Santa Barbara

Photo by Adam Barnes; Real Wedding: Rustic-Inspired Waterfront Wedding in Small Town Maryland

Photo by Braedon Photography; Real Wedding: Rustic-Elegant Celebration on Ranch in Bakersfield, California

Photo by Caroline Tran; Real Wedding: Magical Garden Ceremony + Tented Reception with Chic French Theme

Photo by Heather Kincaid; Real Wedding: Jewish Ceremony + Romantic Fall Reception Décor in Ojai, California

Photo by Kris Kan; Real Wedding: Backstreet Boys Nick Carter's Santa Barbara, California Wedding

Photo by Yvette Roman; Real Wedding: A Classic Wedding with Rustic Touches at a Villa in Santa Barbara

Photo by Gloria Mesa Photography; Real Wedding: Light, Airy, and Relaxed Seaside Wedding with Soft Color Scheme

Photo by Bob & Dawn Davis Photography; Real Wedding: Million Dollar Listing Miami Star Chad Carroll's Cleveland Wedding

Photo by Caroline Tran; Real Wedding: Magical Garden Ceremony + Tented Reception with Chic French Theme

Photo by Maria Angela Photography; Real Wedding: Vintage-Inspired Purple Wedding near the University of Pittsburgh

Photo by Vue Photography; Real Wedding: Jewish Ceremony + Reception with Touches of 1920s Glam in Atlanta

Photo by KingenSmith; Real Wedding: Church Wedding Ceremony + Luxe Ballroom Reception in Chicago

Photo by Carasco Photography; Real Wedding: Timeless Chicago Wedding with Gold Details and Playful Surprises

Photo by Tine Hoffman for TM Photography; Real Wedding: Intimate California Wedding with Natural Elements and Modern Trends

What Shoes to Wear for This Special Day

If you're not accustomed to wearing the types of shoes in the photos above, it's okay to wear a pair of sandals under your dress! If you want to include a pair of gorgeous heels in your wedding photo album, you can do that too! Simply bring the style of bridal shoe you love for your photographer to take photos of while you're getting ready, and then opt for something more comfortable for the ceremony and reception.

The Best Shoe Is a Comfortable Shoe

If you're worried about the price entailed for bridal shoes you may only wear once, remember that it's okay to re-wear these! Unlike your dress, your bridal heels can be worn over and over again, so the price per wear can be lowered for every night out on the town or special occasion as a Mrs. Of course, if you'd rather keep the heels you wore as a bride special for that day only, do what feels right for you.

The goal for brides is simple: search your favorite stores (online or in person) for heels or sandals that will not only help you feel most like a bride, but also feel comfortable on one of the most important days of your life. You'll want to look your best, but you'll also want to feel your best and not have to deal with any foot pain at the ceremony, reception, or after-party! The same goes for your bridesmaids – if you're designating which shoe style they need for the celebration, make sure they're either comfortable or you're flexible with having them change into sandals once they hit the dance floor. Happy shopping!

For more wedding shoe ideas, visit our photo galleries! Be sure to also browse through hundreds of real weddings by your desired color palette, style, location, and more for additional inspiration, and shop some of the most popular wedding shoes.