Should I wear heels for my wedding?

Unless your heart is set on being a barefoot bride, chances are that choosing the right wedding shoes will be an important factor in planning your wedding day.

The biggest shoe decision for a bride comes at the outset: to heel or not to heel? Because high heels can make you look good and feel great on your biggest day.

But heels can also really hurt and make getting around more difficult, giving you a special occasion to remember for all the wrong reasons.

The decision on whether to wear heels is of course up to you. But we can help. Here are some questions you should ask yourself before choosing between bridal heels and nuptial flats.

Should I wear flats instead of heels for my wedding day?

If you’re wondering whether you should ditch the heels on your wedding day and wear flats instead, then you might be asking yourself the wrong question. Posing the question in this way kind of presumes that you should wear heels on your wedding day unless you can convince yourself of a reason why not to.

But this is not right.

The “heels are expected for brides” approach might be typical for supermodels or royalty, or for Carrie Bradshaw on the big screen. But real life isn’t like celebrity.

Many, many women choose shoes other than heels for their big day, even if you don’t see that so much on tv, movie weddings or in old-style bridal magazines. Don’t be deceived by the media on this one.

The truth is there is no “correct“ form of footwear for brides on their big day. What matters is what is best for you. It’s the bride’s day! So really you should be asking what are the best shoes for me on my big day?

You don’t need to wear heels on your wedding day and you shouldn’t feel any pressure to do so. Your guests are there to celebrate your love not admire your shoes.

Now we’ve got that out the way, let’s move to the big decision.

Only wear heels on your wedding day if you are experienced or willing to learn

There are only two types of women who should ever wear heels on their wedding day: those who are comfortable wearing heels for several hours during a single day, and those who are willing to learn.

If you don’t enjoy wearing heels, or are not experienced at wearing them, then there is no way you should even consider wearing them on your wedding day. Even little ones.

You might be able to get through a quick photo shoot in heels if you aren’t very confident in them, but as for a wedding – forget it!

Even if you’re planning on switching between heels and flats on the day – as many brides do – you still need a base level of comfort and confidence in the heels because you’ll be in them for longer than you think, and everyone will be watching when you are.

As a bride you’re going to be walking into the wedding venue, standing for the ceremony, standing for photos and to meet and greet your friends and relatives. You might get to sit down for a meal before standing again as you work the room to celebrate, before hitting the dance floor and then doing your final rounds of well-wishers before exiting to accommodation.

If you’re picturing in your head that you are going to do most or all of these things in high heels, then you’re going to be standing up and walking in heels A LOT. And everyone is going to be watching you while you’re doing it.

So if heels are not your bag, your wedding day is not the day to try something new. You’ll likely end up sore and your shoes will ruin your day.

Nobody can just rock up and decide they will wear high heels for several hours on a particular day if they’re not used to doing it. That person doesn’t exist.

The same goes for wearing different heels than your usual type. For example if you’re comfortable in mid-height heels or block heels, don’t suddenly break out the 4 inch stiletto pumps on your wedding day.

Most brides do switch between heels and flats on the day, or at least between stilettos and more modest heels. But you still need to be able to smile and walk in your bridal heels while they are on.

Making your choice of heels or flats

There are many consequences to your wedding shoe decision: wearing heels will change your height in photographs, and may alter how your wedding dress is tailored to sit. It might change what you ask your bridesmaids to wear on their feet too.

If you wear heels then you might also be restricted in where you can wear them, whether on the delicate floorboards of an ancient church or in a garden at a winery reception.

So do you choose heels for your wedding day, or do you try to look just as fabulous in flats?

Well that is up to you. But, if you are comfortable and confident wearing high heels, then there is nothing more fantastic than the feeling of stepping out in your big shoes on your biggest day.