Are you a bride planning a tropical destination wedding or a beach wedding? Are you curious about what type of shoes you should choose for your beach wedding? Here at Lovella Bridal, we are not far from the Southern California coast and are often helping brides shop for their dream wedding dress for their beach wedding. We are often asked what type of shoes are best to wear for a sandy beach wedding day. Should they go barefoot or choose a sandal? Can you wear heels or platform shoes for a beach wedding?
Planning a wedding on the sand brings a special kind of magic, but it also comes with its own unique set of challenges, especially when choosing the right shoes. One of the most common questions we receive from brides is, "What type of shoes should I wear for my beach wedding? " This might sound like a simple decision, but your wedding shoes will impact not only your comfort, but also your dress alterations and how you move throughout your big day. Let's discuss all the things our beach brides should consider when selecting their wedding day shoes.
Video: What Type Of Shoes Should A Bride Wear For A Beach Wedding?
If you are a bride planning a beach wedding, you are probably wondering what type of shoes will be best to wear. Can you wear heels or platform shoes for a beach wedding? Should you just go barefoot? Before deciding on your bridal footwear, tune in to our latest bridal fashion advice video discussing what type of shoes a bride should wear for a beach wedding.
Consider the Surface
Before deciding on a shoe style, consider your ceremony and reception setup. Some beach venues offer platforms or built walkways for the aisle and altar area. If you’ll be on a flat surface like a wooden platform or concrete, you can absolutely wear a heel or wedge. Just be sure you’re comfortable walking in it and that it works with the dress length you’ve chosen.
However, if you’re getting married directly on the sand with no platform in place, your shoe options will be very different. In that case, high heels are generally not practical and can cause you to sink and trip, especially if your dress is floor-length.
Barefoot, Sandals, or Feet Jewelry?
Many beach brides opt to go barefoot or wear flat sandals if there is no platform or walkway and they'll be walking directly in the sand. There’s also the option of wearing bridal foot jewelry, decorative pieces that wrap around your foot and ankle for a barefoot look with a bit of sparkle. If you choose foot jewelry, be cautious of styles with prongs or sharp edges that might catch on your wedding gown, especially if you’re wearing a dress with delicate lace or tulle.
Flat sandals are a great middle ground, offering a bit of protection from hot sand while still keeping the beachy feel. Just make sure they’re secure enough to stay on your feet as you walk.
Think About Temperature
Temperature is another factor that should not be overlooked. Sand can get extremely hot, especially in warmer months. Walking barefoot might feel romantic at first, but if the sand is too hot, you’ll want a sandal to protect your feet. Comfort is key when you're standing for your vows, walking to photos, or greeting guests.
Don’t Forget About the Reception
One other important thing to plan ahead for is the transition from ceremony to reception. Often, a beach ceremony is followed by a reception on solid ground, like a deck, patio, grassy area or even a restaurant setting. If you plan to change into heels for the reception, remember that this can affect the way your dress moves and falls.
Here’s where your wedding dress alterations come into play. If your gown is hemmed to your ceremony shoe, switching to a heel later can make your dress appear shorter. On the flip side, if you hem your dress for a heel and then go barefoot or wear flats for the ceremony, your gown may drag and cause you to trip. To avoid this, have a clear plan in place before your first alteration appointment, which usually happens two months before the wedding. Decide which shoes you’ll wear at which part of the day and be sure to bring them to your fittings so your wedding dress can be hemmed to the correct length.
An Alternative Option: Two Dresses
If you are worried about the wedding dress alterations process and managing your dress length with different shoe heights, then you may want to consider two different dresses. Many brides already choose to wear one dress for the ceremony and a different dress for the reception. If you’ve fallen in love with the idea of walking barefoot on the beach but also dream of wearing a fabulous pair of heels for dancing, this might be the perfect solution. With two dresses, you can hem each one according to the shoe it will be paired with and skip the shoe swap logistics altogether.
More Helpful Bridal Styling Advice
We hope you have found this advice helpful when it comes to knowing what to consider when choosing bridal shoes for your beach wedding. For even more helpful advice when it comes to bridal styling and the wedding dress shopping experience, be sure to check out our past posts:
- What is The Proper Length a Wedding Dress Should be Hemmed?
- How To Choose The Perfect Wedding Shoes
- How To Accessorize & Style Your Wedding Dress
About Lovella
If you're shopping for your perfect wedding dress, come visit us at Lovella Bridal in Glendale, CA. We carry wedding dresses in all sizes and styles, including plus-size bridal gowns and a full selection of veils and accessories. Lovella Bridal is the premier, luxury bridal wedding dress shopping boutique located in Los Angeles, California. Lovella features couture, feminine, modern and chic bridal gowns in all sizes from the best wedding dress designers. Schedule an appointment to find the wedding dress of your dreams at Lovella Bridal. We can't wait to help you!
About Wedding Fashion Expert
Our wedding dress shopping tips and advice are from Nayri, Lovella's own, in-house wedding fashion expert. Nayri is truly the expert when it comes to bridal fashion and wedding style. As the Wedding Fashion Expert, Nayri is the top bridal fashion stylist and the best-selling author of the book "I'm Getting Married And I Have Nothing To Wear," the ultimate guide to helping brides find their wedding day style and their perfect wedding dress. You can subscribe to her YouTube channel or listen to her podcast for more helpful and practical advice on wedding dress shopping.
