Loeffler Randall Camellia Bow High Heel Sandals
“I love these—I’ve worn them to weddings and have them in two colors,” says Forbes Vetted senior mattress and sleep editor Bridget Chapman. The chunky heel and and ankle strap let you stand, walk and dance comfortably, and the feminine bow is a playful style detail.
Cushioned Design And A Gorgeous Silhouette
Marion Parke Eleanor 85 Pump
“I absolutely love Marion Parke shoes because they have a very elevated look, but also have built in insole technology in addition to a built in arch,” says fashion stylist Kate Moroney. This shoe is not only beautiful, its patented technology increases stability and decreases pressure on the ball of the foot while walking.
Wear With Everything, At A Great Price
Ankis Heels
“I ordered these nude heels from Amazon on a whim a few years ago, and they’ve become one of my go-to wedding guest options,” says Forbes Vetted senior deals editor Kara Cuzzone. “These heels have gotten me through multiple weddings (including long receptions) without any soreness or discomfort. And at $40, I don’t have to worry about them getting dirty at an outdoor ceremony or scuffed up on the dance floor.”
Versatile, With A Wide Strap And Chunky Heel
Sam Edelman Daniella Block Heel Sandal
The block heel and wide strap at the vamp make this pick ultra comfortable. “It’s a great option for either the bridesmaid or a wedding guest,” says fashion stylist Gina Donnelly. “It’s sleek and simple, and these shoes will last you wedding to wedding.” The Daniella is available in medium and wide widths, and it comes in five colors in leather and two in suede.
Wedding Ballet Flat That Won’t Cause Blisters
Rothy’s The Square Mary Jane
“If you’re into Mary janes or ballerina flats for special occasions, I love love these to round out a polished outfit,” says Forbes Vetted deputy editor Jane Sung. “They are so comfortable—like walking barefoot but better. And something about the material plus rounded square toe makes them sophisticated in a quiet luxury kind of way.”
Wedge Heel For Firm Footing
Soludos Marseille Wedge
“For my own wedding I wore Soludos’ Marseille Wedges in a non-traditional black—but they are among the most versatile and comfy shoes I own,” says Ayer. “They definitely hold up for hours and hours whether dancing or, in my case, walking to and from city hall.”
Wedding Sneakers With Extra Bling
Betsey Johnson Sidny Sneakers
“I changed into these fun sneakers for dancing,” says Chapman. “My heels got me through the full day, but I was definitely ready to get out of them by dancing time.” This shoe even comes in 13 sparkly colors, so if you’re looking for other shades or patterns (hearts, perhaps?) there are lots of options.
Padded Straps For Hours On Your Feet
Dolce Vita Paily Heels
“I swear by Dolce Vita heels,” says Chapman.”I have them in multiple styles and can wear them all day and night for weddings.” The soft, padded straps of this style cushion feet even after hours on the dance floor.
Durable Base For Easy Walking
Vionic Zinfandel Block Heel Sandal
“I personally own this pair, and being a lifetime runner with a myriad of foot injuries, I can attest to the fact that these are incredibly comfortable,” says Moroney. This style comes in two widths and four colors, too. “The subtle blue is a perfect reception shoe that you can easily switch to for all-night dancing.”
Classic Wedding Shoe In Multiple Colors
Badgley Mischka Cady Heeled Sandals
A stable heel can immediately make shoes more comfortable, and this one’s slightly exaggerated base will give you firm footing when having to trek over grass or cobblestone surfaces. This pair comes in white, light sand and black.
An Embellished, Dressy Wedding Sneaker
Dolce Vita Zina Pearl Sneaker
“For the bride—don’t forget that this is your day!” says Donnelly. “Let loose and have some fun! Be prepared to kick off those heels and dance the night away.” Try this faux pearl-embellished pair or something with some sparkle.
Sparkle And Shine
Badgley Mischka Tampa Satin Heels
Donnelly loves Badgley Mischka shoes as bridal options. This pair features a soft champagne color, an ankle strap to keep these on your feet securely, and bead and crystal ornamentation to make them special. Make sure guests can see these peeking out from under your dress.
Stylish Flats For Wedding Events
Vivaia Audrey Round-Toe Embroidered Loafers
These flats are antimicrobial and breathable, and they have a wide toe box so your forefoot won’t get squished. “I just bought these for a wedding I’m going to in July,” says Forbes Vetted contributor Christine Colby. “I can’t do heels anymore, so I needed some fun flats. I like that they’re made from recycled material and can be machine-washed.” They come in 21 colors and patterns, too.
Sleek Splurge You’ll Wear Again And Again
Jimmy Choo Love 85 Patent Leather Pumps
The issue with lots of wedding shoes is that you buy them and only wear them once. But this pump is something you can wear for your wedding shower, wedding and for countless occasions afterward, so you’ll get good cost per wear. “These shoes were comfortable, didn’t catch on my dress and the heel height didn’t bother me,” says Forbes Vetted director of partnerships Madeline Kaufman. “I wore my shoes from 11am to 8 pm. I got married in the dead of winter in New York City. It snowed on my wedding day and these shoes kept my feet warm during outdoor photos.”
Nude Shoes For Every Wedding Event
Stuart Weitzman Nearly Nude Sandal
A nude shoe is an invaluable wedding wardrobe staple that goes with just about any dress and can take you through multiple seasons. The ankle strap keeps you secure and a block heel ensures feet stay ache-free. This style comes in four colors.
Kitten Heels With A Sweet Touch
Vincenza Heart Slingback Kitten-Heel Pumps
This sleek kitten style is ideal if you’re looking for something lower-to-the-ground, whether you’re the bride, mother of the bride, or you’re celebrating the happy couple.
Stacked Heels With Modern Bows
Alexandre Birman Clarita Block 60 Heel
These heels from luxury footwear designer Alexandre Birman are a favorite of stylist Emily Lytle Hockaday, personal stylist at Ready To Where. They’re polished and streamlined, and they complement a variety of dresses, from floaty chiffon midis to more structured styles. The Clarita comes in eight different colors (including white and metallics), and it’s also offered in a higher 90mm height.
Pointed Toe That’s Comfortable
Rothy’s The Knot Point II
“This metallic knotted pointed toe flat is so of-the-moment, and perfect for a bride who would prefer a little less height and a sleek silhouette,” says Moroney. “I love that Rothy’s shoes expand to accommodate your foot and have contoured cushion for extra arch support.”
At Forbes Vetted, we have covered footwear at length as well as wedding fashion and accessories.
- Forbes Vetted contributor Molly Calhoun frequently writes about women’s shoes, having covered everything from the best slippers for women to the best shoes for swollen feet. She prioritizes comfort along with style, whether dressing for formal events or every day.
- Forbes Deputy Editor Kari Molvar edited this story. She has studied fashion styling and has written and edited stories on lifestyle and fashion for some of the largest outlets worldwide.
- For this story, we polled Forbes Vetted staffers for their favorite wedding day shoes and wedding guest shoes. In most cases, we included shoes that our writers and editors have worn.
- We spoke with experienced women’s fashion stylists to gauge their favorite comfortable bridal shoes and shoes for wedding attendees.
How We Chose The Most Comfortable Wedding Shoes
When determining the best wedding shoes, we went through a lengthy research and reporting process.
- We started by looking at popular women’s footwear retailers, with a focus on bridal footwear and formal styles.
- We incorporated firsthand recommendations from a variety of Forbes Vetted team members. We also included favorite wedding shoe styles from seasoned women’s stylists.
- We looked at specs including heel height, strap width and placement, padding and sole material. Of course, we also took style into account.
- We included shoes for brides, mothers of the bride and wedding guests at different budgets, for all seasons and in various colors.
- We also took independent reviews for each pair of wedding shoes into account.
What To Consider When Choosing Wedding Shoes
Deciding on open versus closed toe can be determined by location, time of day and the season. You’ll be more likely to see closed toe wedding shoes during colder months or for city weddings. People tend to gravitate toward open toe shoes in warmer months. But the choice can also impact comfort, depending on the shoe: “Whether the bride or bridesmaid, I would opt for a more open shoe,” says Donnelly. “With all the standing during the ceremony, pictures and then dancing, your feet are going to swell. The last thing you want is a stiff, caged-in heel that cuts into your foot.”
It sounds obvious, but in general, the higher the heel, the less likely the shoe will be comfortable for long periods of time on your feet. “You also have to consider the heel thickness of the heel,” says Donnelly. “Most bridal, bridesmaids, and mother of the bride gowns tend to be long, so a slightly thicker heel will lessen the chance of you slipping or stepping on your dress.” A thicker heel will also be more stable on terrain such as grass. If you opt for a four-inch heel or stiletto heel, it may be a good idea to have a comfier backup pair, or even sneakers, to change into as the night goes on.
The benefit of a strap at the ankle is that it can keep shoes securely on your feet. However, if your goal is to visually elongate your legs, nude colors will work better. If you’re wearing a strappy sandal, thicker straps tend to be more comfortable than thin straps, especially when over bridge of the foot.
Even the most comfortable shoes can cause feet to become irritated after lots of hours on your feet, so it’s always a good idea to keep a few supplies in your bag: Consider adding a bandaid or two, moleskin and gel ball of foot pads if you start to feel discomfort.
