The secret to a carefree wedding day starts at your feet. The right shoes carry you through every moment, from your walk down the aisle to your last dance, with confidence, comfort, and grace. To help you find your perfect pair, we’ve gathered the most common wedding shoe mistakes brides make (and how to avoid them).
At Bella Belle, every pair is handcrafted with couture-level detail and triple-thick padding for 12-hour comfort. Because on your wedding day, your shoes should feel as beautiful as they look.
Waiting Too Long to Buy Your Wedding Shoes
Timing matters more than you think. Your shoes should be purchased before your first dress fitting so your gown can be hemmed to the correct height. Waiting too long can lead to last-minute stress, uneven hemlines, or shoes that don’t fit the look you envisioned.
After purchasing the perfect pair, give yourself plenty of time to try them on and break them in. We’d suggest a few living room twirls as soon as they arrive (on carpet of course) to get a feel for how they fit.
Do they make you want to dance? How do they feel? Notice any sizing concerns? If they feel a little tight, but not painful, stretch them to your foot while wearing them with a thick pair of socks. If they fit slightly big (the gap is less than a finger), consider adding an insole insert and a heel liner.
Giving yourself plenty of time to test them out and be sure they’re the perfect match for you is the key to skipping any last minute shoe stress.
Thinking No One Will See Your Wedding Shoes
Photographer: Emina & Vladan Gavric
Even if your gown is long and layered, your shoes will absolutely make an appearance during photos, your first dance, or a cheeky garter toss moment. Choose a pair of bridal shoes that complements your dress and reflects your personality.
If you love showing off your shoes, consider a gown with a slit or opt for a short reception dress that lets them shine. Whether it’s a classic ivory pump or a bold blue heel, your shoes deserve their spotlight.
Choosing Wedding Shoes That Aren’t Comfortable
As a bride, you’ll be spending most of your big day on your feet. From walking, mingling, and dancing so your wedding shoes should offer both style and support.
If you don’t usually wear heels, skip the stilettos. Try bridal flats like Isabella for vintage lace charm or Everly for a soft, fairytale touch. Prefer a little lift? Opt for low or block heels that provide stability without strain. Styles like Mia or Sabrina deliver both balance and beauty.
For our high-heel devotees, you already know the magic of a confident step. Whether it’s the bold platform silhouette of Serafina or the modern pearl strap of Luciana, our bridal heels merge couture artistry with lasting comfort.
Every Bella Belle design features three times the padding of standard shoes, so you can move through your day with confidence and comfort, no compromises required.
Forgetting to Break in Your Wedding Shoes
Just like every favorite pair of shoes, your wedding shoes will need to be worn a bit to fit your foot perfectly before you plan to wear them out. Take them out of the box early and wear them around the house on carpet for short periods. This softens the materials and helps them mold to your feet naturally.
Want to speed up the process? Slip on a pair of socks while wearing them to gently stretch the fabric. A few minutes a day ensures you’ll glide, not wobble, down the aisle.
Limiting Yourself to One Bridal Shoe
Why settle for one look when your wedding week offers so many moments to shine? From your engagement dinner to the rehearsal or bridal shower, give yourself permission to express every side of your style.
Add a little “something blue” for your bachelorette party in a platform heel like Catarina and a whimsical dash of fairy dust for your bridal shower in Eve Ivory. Hosting an engagement dinner? Serve freshly engaged bridal bliss with Sophia. A new crew of bridal shoes make endless outfit opportunities from your wedding events to any excuse to wear them again after the big “I do”.
Forgetting a Backup Pair
Whether you want to change into flats for the reception or guard against unexpected weather, having a backup pair keeps your day stress-free. Want to switch it up from a dramatic platform heel? Bring it down a notch in wedding flats that demand just as much attention without the extra height. Take Fiorella, for example. Her big bow and barely-there 0.5-inch heel make an iconic dance floor duo.
Whether you’ve got two different looks to style or you just want to switch up your shoes from ceremony to reception, we’ll always recommend planning a spare pair.
Thinking Your Shoes Have to Match Your Dress
We love a complementary combo, but your bridal shoes & gown don’t need to be a spot-on match! When it comes to pairing the perfect bridal look, focus on elements that complement one another as opposed to being a 100% color or fabric copy.
Consider contrasting lace embroidery on your gown with modern wedding shoes like Weslyn for a little cool girl bling or Molly for a sleek princess feel. Wearing something simple and silky? Add a pop of modern sophistication with polished details like Cecilia’s pearl strap.
The choices don’t end with simple details in shades of ivory. Get creative with a surprise pop of color! Do something blue on your feet with Athena’s dusty Cinderella blue sparkle or complete your fairy bridal theme with Eve Lavender. From soft pink tones to spicy red styles, select the color that makes your heart glimmer when it peeks out from under your dress.
Take your look a step further, fashionista! Choose your shoes according to your veil or your jewelry.
Still looking for more bridal outfitting inspo? Tap here for more tips.
Forgetting to Consider Your Venue
One of the most impactful elements of your day aside from what you’re wearing is where you’ll be. Location means a lot when it comes to picking your wedding shoes! Be mindful of your terrain while you’re browsing to avoid falling in love with a pair that won’t work for your event space. (AKA the ultimate heartbreaker)
Taking your wedding to the beach? Save your soles from sandy mishaps with open toe heels or sandals. Not only do they help keep sand from getting trapped, they let you feel the sea breeze and show off your wedding pedi.
If you’re planning an outdoor wedding, you’ve still got plenty of options beyond a block heel! While block heels are perfect for grassy terrain because of their extra sturdy heels, we’ve got tips and tricks to make a stiletto work, too! Add a heel stopper to a skinny heel to help avoid sinking in grass or stick with a pair of flats to keep it simple.
Pairing Delicate Dresses with Snag-Prone Shoes
Lace and tulle gowns are stunning but delicate. Be cautious with shoes that feature sharp crystal prongs or heavy beading, as they can catch and snag your dress.
If you love a little sparkle, choose snag-safe embellished styles like Joselyn or Emery for a soft shimmer that won’t harm fine fabrics. Or, if you’re drawn to crystal detail, go for designs like Campbell; they dazzle without the risk.
Pro Tip: Are you set on a pair with crystals held by prongs? Apply a few coats of clear nail polish onto the prongs that hold the crystals to help reduce the amount of times they catch your dress. Watch our tutorial video here.
Only Wearing Block Heels For Outdoor Weddings
If you think your only option is a block heel for your outdoor event, we’ve got a surprise for you. Although their extra stable chunky heel provides stability on uneven surfaces, you’ve got tons of choices aside from these outdoor icons. The secret trick to wearing low heels or high heels for your garden fantasy wedding is simple – just add heel stoppers! They help prevent you from sinking into the grass or between pavement cracks, not to mention they keep your heels clean from being outside.
Buying Shoes You’ll Never Wear Again
Don’t let your wedding shoes live out their days in the back of your closet. Choose a design you’ll be excited to rewear, for anniversaries, dinner dates, or celebrations.
Bella Belle shoes are made with durability, comfort, and timeless style, so they transition effortlessly from “I do” to every occasion after. Try versatile colors like ivory, blush, or metallics for endless outfit pairings.
For a soft, romantic touch, Celeste’s sweet tulle bow and airy silhouette make a stunning statement under the sun. Prefer a little more sparkle? Channel your inner golden hour goddess with Teagan, featuring radiant crystal rope straps that catch the light with every step.
Choose a style you’ll love long after the wedding. Investing in beautiful, versatile shoes means you’ll always have something timeless to wear again.
Bonus Tip: Don’t Forget to Budget for Your Shoes
Wedding shoes are more than an accessory; they’re part of your experience. Set aside room in your budget early to avoid last-minute surprises and ensure you can invest in the pair that feels truly made for you.
Step Confidently Into Forever
Choose a style you’ll love long after the wedding. Investing in beautiful, versatile shoes means you’ll always have something timeless to wear again. Looking for more wedding inspiration? Check out reviews from Bella Belle brides and our Ultimate Shoe Guide for more.
Note: Our shoes are in US sizing. We do not recommend going by the shoe’s measurements or your foot measurements, as everyone’s feet are uniquely shaped. Please note this is a suggestion based on customers' feedback and standard international shoe size conversion, and it is not a guarantee. We strongly recommend going by your usual dress shoe size and referring to the size fitting recommendation on each product page. For extra help, check out our FAQ for common sizing inquiries. We can also be reached here.
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