The Comfiest Wedding Shoes for Brides, Bridesmaids, and Guests (2024)

The Comfiest Wedding Shoes for Brides, Bridesmaids, and Guests (1)

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We updated this article in September 2022 to add more information about each featured product, based on extensive research done by our team, and we consulted additional subject-matter experts to help inform our story.


The wedding dress itself may get top billing for wedding day fashion, but when it comes to staying comfortable all day long? You can’t underestimate the importance of choosing the right wedding shoes. Not only do weddings require you to spend hours on your feet—standing, walking, mingling, and dancing—they often take place in outdoor environments (the beach, parks, fields, or even barns) that aren’t conducive to every type of shoe. Which is exactly why identifying and buying the right comfortable wedding shoes is critical to wedding day success.

Because if you don’t? You’re going to know you made the wrong choice…and it won’t be very fun. The reality is, wedding shoes that pinch toes or rub heels leave many brides limping around on their honeymoon, says Nicole Freels, D.P.M., a podiatrist at Lexington Podiatry in Kentucky. Today, “fewer brides are wearing super-high heels for weddings,” says Dr. Freels. “Instead, they’re buying more practical shoes that can be worn more than once.” And that goes for bridesmaids and guests, too.

How we chose the best comfortable wedding shoes

We consulted Nicole Freels, D.P.M., a podiatrist at Lexington Podiatry in Kentucky, Howard Friedman, D.P.M., a podiatrist at Suffern Podiatry in New York, and Karen Langone, D.P.M., a podiatrist based in Southampton, New York to get the lowdown on how to choose the best wedding shoes for comfort and care. We also poured over customer reviews to ensure the products were up-to-snuff with real users.

Ready to find your next wedding look? Ahead, shop the best and most comfortable wedding shoes for brides, bridesmaids, and guests.

Top picks

1

Best Embellishment

Badgley Mischka Giona Sandal

The Comfiest Wedding Shoes for Brides, Bridesmaids, and Guests (12)

1

Best Embellishment

Badgley Mischka Giona Sandal

Now 30% Off

If you love the idea of wearing a sturdy block heel but want something delicate in design, this shoe is for you. Sparkling crystals embellish the toe strap and perfectly complement the glitter fabric that covers the rest of the sandal. The cushioned footbed and adjustable ankle straps also add to their comfort level. One bride-to-be said, “These shoes make me feel like a Disney princess, and are also super comfortable because of the block heels! Style and substance—won’t need to sacrifice comfort on my wedding day!” Bonus: They also come in dark blush satin and silver glitter fabric.

2

Best Designer

Stuart Weitzman Nearlynude Ankle Strap City Sandal

The Comfiest Wedding Shoes for Brides, Bridesmaids, and Guests (13)

2

Best Designer

Stuart Weitzman Nearlynude Ankle Strap City Sandal

If you want to invest in a designer shoe you can wear for years to come, Dr. Friedman recommends this pair by Stuart Weitzman. The heels aren’t too high, and the cushioned sole will keep you comfortable all day without sacrificing style. To ensure a perfect fit, make sure your foot doesn’t hang over the side of the shoe, says Karen Langone, D.P.M., a podiatrist based in Southampton, New York. “The foot should be completely supported by the sole,” she says.

3

Best Neutral

Steve Madden Irenee Sandal

The Comfiest Wedding Shoes for Brides, Bridesmaids, and Guests (14)

The Comfiest Wedding Shoes for Brides, Bridesmaids, and Guests (15)

3

Best Neutral

Steve Madden Irenee Sandal

Now 37% Off

These nude sandals are sophisticated and polished, and won’t take away from the dress, whether you’re the bride, bridesmaid, or guest. The upper is made of leather and suede, while a slightly cushioned lining adds extra comfort. Plus, the low heel means easy walking and dancing!

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4

Best Slingback

Naturalizer Taimi Slingback Sandal

The Comfiest Wedding Shoes for Brides, Bridesmaids, and Guests (16)

4

Best Slingback

Naturalizer Taimi Slingback Sandal

Another pick from Naturalizer—reviewers love this pair, especially because they can be repurposed after the big day. “These shoes fit my wide foot which also has a painful bunion and hammer toe,” one Nordstrom customer wrote. “Best of all, they are comfortable. I plan to wear them to a party, but they will work equally well for church, or casual dress too.”

5

Best Wedge

Cole Haan Sadie Grand Open Toe Wedge Sandal

The Comfiest Wedding Shoes for Brides, Bridesmaids, and Guests (17)

5

Best Wedge

Cole Haan Sadie Grand Open Toe Wedge Sandal

You might gain nearly three inches when you slip into this shoe, but they’re so comfy you won’t even notice the height. “A wedge is always going to be comfortable because you can get the look of a heel without that same amount of force and stress on the ball of the foot,” Dr. Langone says. The wedge and cushioned footbed keep you steady on your feet as you’re dancing the night away, while the strap around your ankle holds your foot in place. Pick up the white pair for your big day and feel comfy all night long.

6

Best Closed-Toe

Seychelles Canopy Dress Pump

The Comfiest Wedding Shoes for Brides, Bridesmaids, and Guests (18)

6

Best Closed-Toe

Seychelles Canopy Dress Pump

Everlane’s beloved Day Heel used to live in this spot, but those are nearly impossible to come by. So, we recommend this comparable shoe as a substitute. They’re made of 100% soft leather with a rubber sole for your comfort, and the blush pink shade adds the perfect feminine touch for a wedding.

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7

Best Splurge

Loeffler Randall Dahlia Sandals

The Comfiest Wedding Shoes for Brides, Bridesmaids, and Guests (19)

7

Best Splurge

Loeffler Randall Dahlia Sandals

The epitome of ethereal bridal bliss, these block-heeled sandals are simply stunning. The soft fabric helps avoid uncomfortable rubbing in the toes, while a knotted vamp amps up the style factor. Pro tip: Go a 1/2 size up with these.

8

Best Sandal

NINA Noni Crystal Embellished Slingback Sandal

The Comfiest Wedding Shoes for Brides, Bridesmaids, and Guests (20)

8

Best Sandal

NINA Noni Crystal Embellished Slingback Sandal

We appreciate that these sparkly shoes have a lightly cushioned footbed and chunky heel for extra support. The leather outsoles also provide some traction. “You’ve got the elegance of the heel, but then the sandal fit in the front would accommodate a wider foot,” says Howard Friedman, D.P.M., a podiatrist at Suffern Podiatry in New York. In other words, he approves!

9

Best Low Point

Naturalizer Slingback Pump

The Comfiest Wedding Shoes for Brides, Bridesmaids, and Guests (21)

9

Best Low Point

Naturalizer Slingback Pump

Naturalizer is a brand known for providing comfort without sacrificing style. This shoe falls into that category and is perfect for someone who just wants a bit of a lift. Plus, it accommodates those with wider feet. “The shape makes my foot look thinner and the wide width is so subtle that it doesn’t look overly wide,” one reviewer wrote. “It just makes it comfortable to wear a pointier toe!”

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10

Best Sneaker

Keds x Kate Spade Champion Glitter Sneakers

The Comfiest Wedding Shoes for Brides, Bridesmaids, and Guests (22)

10

Best Sneaker

Keds x Kate Spade Champion Glitter Sneakers

Few things are as comfortable as sneakers, and these glittering pair of white Keds are *just* the thing to wear come reception time. Dance the night away in these glittery canvas-covered shoes with rubber soles. The ribbon laces add a little something extra to the sparkling look.

11

Best High Point

Nine West Abaline Pointy Toe Pump

The Comfiest Wedding Shoes for Brides, Bridesmaids, and Guests (23)

The Comfiest Wedding Shoes for Brides, Bridesmaids, and Guests (24)

11

Best High Point

Nine West Abaline Pointy Toe Pump

Something comfy and something blue...that’s how the saying goes, right? This shoe checks both of those boxes even though it’s a bit of a higher heel at 2 1/2 inches. The leather-lined, super padded interior will keep your dancing feet in hyperdrive all night long, and can we talk about that curved profile detail? Gorgeous.

12

Best Kitten Heel

Kate Spade NY Marseille

The Comfiest Wedding Shoes for Brides, Bridesmaids, and Guests (25)

12

Best Kitten Heel

Kate Spade NY Marseille

These short slingback kitten heels instantly elevate any look. A leather sole and interior make them comfortable to walk in, while a satin upper screams elegance. The bow detailing adds a feminine touch.

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13

Best Platform

Madden Girl Women's Siren Heeled Sandal

The Comfiest Wedding Shoes for Brides, Bridesmaids, and Guests (26)

13

Best Platform

Madden Girl Women's Siren Heeled Sandal

While platform pumps might look overwhelming or intimidating, they’re actually pretty easy to walk in. These heels come in a gorgeous rhinestone-studded blush color for an especially eye-catching wedding look. They also offer plenty of height without the foot pain associated with 4-inch heels. If you’re looking to turn heads (without breaking an ankle), these Siren Heeled Sandals will do the trick.

14

Best for Western Weddings

Ariat Pearl Western Boot

The Comfiest Wedding Shoes for Brides, Bridesmaids, and Guests (27)

14

Best for Western Weddings

Ariat Pearl Western Boot

No western-themed wedding is complete without the perfect pair ​​of cowgirl boots, and these white and faux pearl-studded leather boots from Ariat are every bit as comfortable as they are show-stoppingly gorgeous. In fact, the soles come with ATS technology for stability and all-day comfort, so they’ll work every bit as well at the wedding ceremony as they will dancing at the reception.

15

Best for Pre-Wedding Prep

EMU Australia Mayberry Gems Womens Sheepskin Slippers

The Comfiest Wedding Shoes for Brides, Bridesmaids, and Guests (28)

15

Best for Pre-Wedding Prep

EMU Australia Mayberry Gems Womens Sheepskin Slippers

Getting ready for a wedding often takes hours, and there’s no sense in putting on a pair of heels ahead of time, even if they’re surprisingly comfortable. Instead, give yourself permission to relax and enjoy the pampering that takes place (hair, makeup, a glass of champagne?!) in the hours before the big moment, and don this pair of soft and cozy slippers from EMU Australia. The crystal gem-studded, faux fur straps offer the right amount of “bling” to elevate the pre-wedding experience, while the textured rubber soles ensure you can still run around to help with last-minute wedding tasks with ease.

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16

Best for Garden Weddings

Naot Footwear Pier Wedge

The Comfiest Wedding Shoes for Brides, Bridesmaids, and Guests (29)

16

Best for Garden Weddings

Naot Footwear Pier Wedge

Whether it’s a backyard wedding or a wedding in Central Park, if you're attending an event where you’ll be walking across expanses of grass, the last thing you need is for your heels to sink into the dirt. The Naot Women’s Pier Wedge comes in three different wedding-appropriate colors (white, rose gold, and black), and offers the perfect, wide-wedge platform heel to keep your feet off the grass and your heels above ground.

17

Best for Beach Weddings

Oka-B Livie Starfish Flip Flop Sandal

The Comfiest Wedding Shoes for Brides, Bridesmaids, and Guests (30)

17

Best for Beach Weddings

Oka-B Livie Starfish Flip Flop Sandal

Nothing rounds out a beach wedding look more than the perfect pair of wedding flip-flops, and Oka-B has you covered for the big day in comfort and style. The Livie Flip-Flops come in a crisp white color and are adorned with a beach-appropriate crystal-covered starfish. And while most flip-flops are comfortable enough, this Oka-B shoe offers arch support and massage beads along the soles for all-day wearability.

How to choose the best wedding shoes

The Comfiest Wedding Shoes for Brides, Bridesmaids, and Guests (31)

  • Look for cushioning or padding under the ball and the arch of the foot for added comfort.
  • Check that the shoes have rubber soles to help absorb shock and offer better traction.
  • Consider choosing a block heel or wedge for support and stability.
  • Make sure you have enough room to wiggle your toes—you don’t want your toes to feel cramped or pinched.
  • Purchase shoes designed for a wider foot if you have wide feet or bunions—a wider forefoot is an important feature in these instances.

The Comfiest Wedding Shoes for Brides, Bridesmaids, and Guests (32)

Laura Williams

Laura Williams, MS, ACSM EP-C, is a certified exercise physiologist through the American College of Sports Medicine who holds undergraduate and master's degrees in exercise and sport science. She also holds certifications in behavioral change, fitness nutrition, sports conditioning, and youth fitness. She authored the internationally-published book, "Partner Workouts" in 2016, and her bylines have appeared in national print and online publications including Men's Health, Reader's Digest, Runner's World, Healthline, Verywell Fit, Thrillist, The Healthy, and Men's Journal. After years of engaging in more traditional workouts, in 2018, after being unexpectedlywidowed at the age of 36,she turned to surfing, beach walking, and horseback riding to help in her healing process.

The Comfiest Wedding Shoes for Brides, Bridesmaids, and Guests (2024)

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