A bridal shoe can be any number of things. It can be a satin ballet flat, best suited for outdoor ceremonies and low-key affairs. It can be a kitten heel, worn alternatingly to a daytime bridal shower or a sleek rehearsal dinner. It can be timeless and crystal-embellished for the walk down the aisle; retro and platform for the after party. Then there are the second-tier events, like the bachelorette party and even the honeymoon… suffice it to say, if you’re getting married, you’re in for a year of many, many white shoes.
Vogue’s Guide to Chic Bridal Shoes:
To help narrow down the search, at least a little, we polled some very stylish women on where they found their own wedding shoes. From evergreen staples from Manolo Blahnik and Jimmy Choo to modern takes from Toteme and The Row (and even a few unexpected picks in bubblegum pink and firetruck red), their wishlist encompasses a lot of bridal styles; and, more importantly, a lot of bridal events. You’ll find your dream welcome party strappy sandal yet.
Ahead, nine chic brides-to-be share the bridal shoes they’re eyeing for their big day and beyond.
The Versatile Options
“I’m very into the idea of buying pieces for my wedding that I can wear again afterwards. I’ve been eyeing these cream Babouche Kitten Heels from Le Monde Beryl. They’re elegant but completely wearable beyond the day. For my welcome party, I’m wearing a beautifully tailored Destree dress. Since the dress is simple and elegant, I wanted the shoes to bring some color. I’m torn between these mint Jimmy Choo kitten heels and these pink snakeskin Miu Miu slingbacks. For my after-party, my bridal stylist Gabrielle Hurwitz helped me pick a beautiful embellished dress from Huishan Zhang that I cannot wait to wear. I already own a few pairs of Larroude’s Dolly Sandals and have danced all night in them, so I grabbed them in ivory.” —Tiffany Lopinsky, co-founder of ShopMy
The Sweet Details
“I found my dream wedding shoes after trying on about five different pairs. I completely fell in love with the Valentino Garavani Bowow Pumps; they’re a chic, 85mm heel with a dainty bow detail that makes it perfect to wear all day and during the night, for all the dancing we have planned. I’m also considering the Miu Miu satin ballet flats. They’d be perfect for the morning of my wedding (or even for my ceremony, as I am having a garden ceremony and they would be ideal to walk on the grass) and will make a great addition to my everyday wardrobe.” —Angelina Adhel Bol, model
The Unexpected Picks
“I am obsessed with these Dior shoes. As someone who tries to only buy vintage or make my garments out of deadstock fabrics, I might bend my rules to acquire these from one of Jonathan Anderson’s first collectsions. I love the sweet floral embroidery on leather; it gives it a modern twist. Perfect for a city hall moment in the spring. I love how they can be worn with jeans and a t-shirt beyond the special occasion: As a founder of a sustainable fashion brand, versatility beyond the wedding day is something we emphasize and stress to our own clients, and it definitely applies for my own wedding wardrobe.
I won’t share just yet what I’m planning to wear for our wedding, but I do think these Celine shoes would compliment my look for the reception (it’s a pant look). I love the python effect as it adds beautiful texture, and the cream and white tones create dimension. For the ceremony, I’m wearing a white and red coat...yes, you read that right. I think a red shoe is so sexy but also incredibly bridal. Stylist Bailey Moon recently introduced me to the brand The Jude, and I’ll be ordering the Date mule. And I have to give credit to my favorite shoe brand with a classic Manolo. I love to wear Mary Janes in my everyday wardrobe so easily I could slot these in. I love the idea of being able to dye these shoes after!” —Patricia Voto, founder of One Of
The French Favorites
“My fiancé and I are getting our civil ceremony in Paris so I wanted something modern yet classic. I’m wearing our tailored Nami pant that I made in white silk, with a top from The Row, and I’m pairing the look with Christen’s Tabi shoe. I like how it references two classics with the mixed color and the shape. (Also, the ceremony is in the morning, so flats seems nice.) For the dinner, I have this really daring dress from the last Dior show that I have paired with their new shoes; they are white satin and have the perfect shape. Super elegant, romantic, and comfortable.” —Philippine Namy, founder of Nami
The Minimalist Styles
“For our rehearsal dinner and wedding day, I’m slipping into clean, classic heels that feel timeless and look polished—yet still allow me to spend the entire night on the dance floor. I especially love these Jimmy Choo pumps and Proenza Schouler slingbacks. Plus, these sandals and flats are pulling double duty—chic enough for celebration events leading up to ‘I do,’ but comfy and breezy enough for my bachelorette and honeymoon—two sun-soaked escapes where the white dress code lives on.” —Kasey Busiel, marketing and production manager, Vogue shopping
The Playful Pieces
“My dress is quite simple, so I love the idea of a more playful pair of shoes peeking out from under it. I envision looking like an extra in a Sofia Coppola film, traipsing through a field with gauzy, dappled sunlight overhead. These Dior sandals are a playful way to embrace the outdoorsy vibe of our wedding. For the dance floor, I’ll need something easy to move in, and I love the idea of swapping heels for a pair of white Mary Janes. I find The Row shoes to be fairly comfortable without requiring much of a break-in, which is important since my wedding to-do list is way too long to worry about finding the time. While I haven’t found my after-party dress yet, I envision something lightly sheer and drape-y, ideal for moving around in.” —Aemelia Madden, fashion writer
The Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Shoes
“I’m engaged to get married in 2027, and I have no idea how we are getting married. I’m still in fantasy land: Are we eloping on a mountain top, in city hall, in a small church, on an island far far away? Maybe all of them. Looking at shoes is giving me a crystal clear vision. Off the bat, my instinct says a pair of Chanel slingbacks: A classic, to make any scenario honor traditions and feel utterly special!
If I’m getting married in city hall, I’d keep it classic and functional with Repetto’s Camille flats. If I’m getting married in a garden, I’ll avoid sinking in the soil in these Toteme wedges. If I’m getting married in a church, it would be very mid-century and nostalgic; these Roger Vivier shoes would be the perfect elegant flavor for a 1950’s tea-length dress that shows off the pumps. If I’m eloping on a mountain-top cabin, it’s going to be cozy; I’d want a white cashmere gown with these Mukluk Winter Boots. If I’m getting married far, far away, it’s likely we would be on an island, and I’d be wearing Bottega Veneta’s Sampieri sandals with sand on my toes, eating street food in a white bikini.” —Tara Thomas, chef
The Vintage Finds
“Perhaps it’s simply a disease of the mind, but I cannot think about bridal without thinking of Prada FW 2023. While I have a sneaking suspicion that everything will be vintage for my wedding, I do believe it’s important to have at least something old. If Prada 2023 isn’t your style, there are only two words you need for your vintage search: ‘white’ and ‘Manolo’.” —Jenny Walton, artist and author
The Sky-High Heels
“I inherited a love for shoes from my mom—I can never get enough! So when it comes to wedding preparations, the shoe shopping has to be one of my favorite parts. From the engagement, to the bridal shower, to the bachelorette party, and the many events of the wedding weekend itself, shoes are one thing that I’ve pretty much had nailed down since the proposal. And this is saying a lot, because I am not a decisive person (another trait that I inherited from my mom…). With a fiancé that’s 6’4”, I’m planning to wear heels that give me a bit of height, without sacrificing comfort too much. While I find a minimalist bridal flat very chic, you won’t find me wearing one. These classic Manolo Blahniks are my ceremony shoe, and I’m getting these Jimmy Choo sandals for late-night dancing.” —Alexandra Ditch, associate producer, Vogue shopping
