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No matter how gorgeous your dress, jewelry, or handbag, shoes can make or break an entire outfit!
And when it comes to weddings where there’s sure to be dancing, selecting the perfect pair can also make or break the entire experience.
Whether it’s one wedding or multiple wedding receptions on your upcoming calendar, here’s how to choose the right wedding guest shoes. We’ve also included some product recommendations we think you’ll love!
What to Consider When Choosing Wedding Guest Shoes
Photo: Bella Bridesmaids Mobile | MPH Photography
There are four important factors to consider when deciding what type of shoes to wear to a wedding:
Here’s what to consider for each:
Choose Shoes That Fit the Dress Code
Formal dress codes like white tie, black tie, black tie optional, and semi-formal call for formal dress shoes.
High heels are best if you feel comfortable walking and dancing in heels, but elegant flats and elegant low-heel shoes can also work!
For fancier weddings, metallic hues — and shoes with beading or embellishments — are ideal.
Casual and dressy casual dress codes allow for more flexibility.
Depending on other factors, like the season and the venue, a simple pair of flat slip-on sandals may be all you need. When choosing casual shoes, avoid ultra-casual footwear like sneakers and flip-flop sandals. The only exceptions to that rule are a themed wedding, a laid-back beach party, or a low-key backyard bash that calls for ultra-casual attire.
Choose Shoes That Make Sense for the Season
Strappy sandals with high heels, high-heel pumps with closed toes, and peep-toe pumps and heels work at any time of year.
Flat, open-toe sandals tend to read more beachy and summery. So, they’re most appropriate for spring, summer, and warm-weather weddings.
Pick Shoes That Make Sense for the Venue
You’ll definitely want to consider where you’ll be walking and dancing!
For indoor wedding venues, stiletto heels are always a gorgeous option.
But if the wedding is outdoors on sand or grass, flats, wedges, and chunkier heels are better choices. Even if you’re a pro at walking in stilettos, moving around when your heels sink into the ground with each step is not easy.
Choose Shoes That Complete Your Outfit!
Pick a pair that complements your outfit when deciding which shoes to wear. No matter what type of wedding guest dress you plan to wear, you’ll want to style yourself from head to toe!
Heels: Perfect for Formal Weddings
There’s nothing more elegant and feminine than a great pair of heels. Our heel collection features low, high, stiletto, strappy, and chunky options.
These heels will give you height, elongate your silhouette, and put the finishing touch on any wedding-worthy outfit.
Sam Edelman Daniella Block Heel Sandal in Black Suede
The Sam Edelman Daniella Block Heel Sandal is a stunning choice if you like a chunkier heel that’s easy to walk and dance in. These heels feature a block heel, a buckled ankle strap, and a flat strap across the top. These comfortable high-heel dress sandals are a beautiful option for indoor or outdoor events.
Complete your look with Daniella in black velvet for fall and winter weddings.
Soft beige leather and bright white leather work best for more casual events.
The silver metallic and gold metallic versions are ideal for ultra-formal celebrations at any time of year. Metallics are neutrals that you can wear with any color, and they add a pop of shine to even the most formal, full-length evening gown!
Related: Can You Wear White Shoes to a Wedding as a Guest?
Platforms: Perfect for Outdoor Weddings on the Grass
We’ve curated our platform collection for two reasons.
One, we love platforms! Two, platforms are our go-to choice for weddings on grass and sand. If you want to feel sturdy and stable, platform sandals are the way to go.
Dolly Broderie Sandal In Black Raffia
The Larroude Dolly Sandal is a timeless platform with a cool, modern twist and a thick heel and ankle strap. Also high and sturdy, Dolly offers amazing stability and is a chic alternative to stilettos, slides, and mules. Larroude makes this shoe in multiple colors and fabrics to complement every dressed-up and dressed-down look.
In raffia or denim, Dolly is a gorgeous choice for casual events.
You can pair the black suede, silver metallic, or gold metallic Dollys with formal floor-length gowns, sleek jumpsuits or pantsuits, and chic midi-length slip dresses.
Sandals: Perfect for Semi-Formal Events
From kitten heels to lucite mules, our sandals make completing a wedding guest outfit effortless! Whether you prefer a strappy look or a simple slip-on, dressy sandals never go out of style.
Just be sure you have a fresh pedicure before stepping out in open toes.
Larroude Valerie Mule in Silver Metallic Leather
The Larroude Valerie Mule is an ultra-versatile option if you’re looking for women’s shoes you can wear repeatedly. We’re talking weddings, cocktail parties, holiday parties, and fancy and semi-formal celebrations.
In silver metallic leather with a knot detail, these sandals pair perfectly with long gowns, midi-length dresses, pants, and short dresses.
Valerie’s kitten heel is a great alternative to sky-high stilettos and offers a slight height boost. Most people consider kitten heels more comfortable than 3-5” heels. The neutral silver finish also makes them easy to pair with any wedding outfit in any color.
You can even wear them as bridesmaid shoes or mother-of-the-bride shoes.
Valerie Slingback Sandal In Gold Metallic Leather
Larroude also makes the Valerie Slingback with a 3.8” heel if you prefer high-heeled sandals to kitten heels.
Flats: Perfect for Casual Weddings
Flats are timeless because they’re as comfortable as can be! Our flats collection includes an array of versatile styles.
Some of our flats are casual, others are dressy, and a few are classics you can wear forever and ever, over and over again.
Yosi Samra Samara Foldable Ballet Flat
The Yosi Samra Samara Foldable Ballet Flat is a versatile round-toe option we adore. Ideal for wearing on any floor or terrain, these ballet flats are the “dancing shoes” you need to get your groove on during a wedding reception.
Super pretty when paired with an A-line midi dress, Samara ballet flats feature a foldable design, making them a great second option.
Tuck these into your handbag if you’re planning to wear stilettos to a wedding reception. Then, change your shoes if your feet feel tired or sore mid-way through the celebration.
Shop our entire collection of wedding guest shoes featuring heels, flats, sandals, and more!
Wedding guest shoes should complement your outfit, meet the dress code, and be appropriate for the season and the venue. Of course, they should also be comfortable.
With so many different silhouettes, colors, and heel heights, we recommend picking a pair you feel good in. The right shoes don’t just make the outfit — they boost your mood so you can dine, dance, and celebrate the night away!
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