:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/jeannette-taylor-wedding-portugal-booties-103118062-2000-efeabc5eac1842779d0b38165e76275d.jpg)
Before you shop for your big-day shoes, get inspired by these bold brides.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/jeannette-taylor-wedding-portugal-booties-103118062-2000-1ebfa658b4b4455eb135f41262a66395.jpg)
When you think of wedding shoes, footwear in shades of white, cream, and nude are probably the first things that come to mind. But there's a lot more to the world of bridal shoes than pumps and sandals in the same color as the wedding dress. If you're the type of bride who wants to add a pop of color or quirk to your big-day ensemble, your shoe selection is the place to start.
The reason? You can make a bold footwear choice without throwing your entire look off kilter, since your shoes will likely be covered by your floor-length dress—something that really works for modern brides who want to make a subtle statement. For the following real brides, however, the shoes absolutely made the look. Some chose color-blocked heels and lacy booties, while others decided on olive suede pumps and black mules. Whatever the shoe choice—bedazzled Converse, walkable flats, floral sandals, or brightly-hued heels—these nontraditional wedding shoes were the ultimate accessories on the big day.
Of course, you can have the best of both worlds, if you wish. Wear a pair of quiet, classic heels down the aisle, and then kick them off for something more dance-friendly (like platform Nikes!) for the reception. This is an especially fun idea if you're changing into a second wedding dress. Another option? Designating your wedding shoes as your "something blue," the perfect way to mix the classic and the nontraditional.
Ready to see all the inspired options yourself? Click through to get inspired by these nontraditional—but totally fun—wedding day shoe options.
Black Booties
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/nontraditional-shoes-ether-and-smith-1217-2000-5d0a167d329040dbbe818574d745a859.jpg)
These black open-toe booties offered up a ton of sparkle thanks to pearl and crystal beadwork.
Pouf Flats
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/nontraditional-shoes-christine-donee-1217-2000-d751b811ccba4ce7a34cfa394cc11625.jpg)
A pair of blush pink flats, adorned at the toe with soft poufs, proved that you don't have to wear pumps on your day.
Something Blue
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/nontraditional-shoes-abby-rose-1217-2000-d98483416ecf43f5a328117d25bfe76f.jpg)
Blue suede sneakers served as this bride's "something blue"—and as her dancing shoes.
Ornate Floral
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/nontraditional-shoes-bashful-captures-1217-2000-98e4e3737aba4ac4a1ff589a8546302c.jpg)
A classic pointy-toe pump was made completely unique by embroidered see-through panels and a metallic gold stiletto.
Blue Booties
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/nontraditional-shoes-jenna-henderson-photographer-1217-2000-b8432308c375431ba42feb438ea864ca.jpg)
Lace-up booties with a chunky wood heel brought a touch of mod to this bride's classic lace wedding dress.
Matching Loafers
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/nontraditional-shoes-anna-delores-1217-2000-a606fa4d2f594f42b8f8364622624c27.jpg)
After changing into blush and white suites, both brides donned heeled Gucci loafers to their outdoor reception.
Edgy Boots
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/nontraditional-shoes-callie-hobbs-1217-2000-6b2913543aa6400dac46acf332375ff3.jpg)
This bride brought some toughness to her look with these faux-crocodile skin boots.
Dusty Rose
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/nontraditional-shoes-gantes-co-1217-2000-3ed097a8951d40799f952e7fc3693e30.jpg)
Strappy square-toed pumps were the perfect choice for a bride who loved millennial pink.
Blue, Yellow, and Pink
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/nontraditional-shoes-taryn-kent-photo-1217-2000-e18c4cbf75b54b7592fc1217bbe2c60e.jpg)
Powder blue, canary yellow, and sugar pink elastic straps added major playfulness to these platform heels.
Lace-Ups
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/nontraditional-shoes-fondly-forever-1217-2000-fa33dcaaae7a46e1a584acc38c1dbd97.jpg)
This bride went casual in the shoe department, opting for gladiator-style sandals for her summer wedding.
Olive
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/nontraditional-shoes-greg-finck-1217-2000-83bb0baf1a9d496eb7b8e9f870a99a43.jpg)
Olive-green velvet made these classically-shaped Prada heels one of a kind.
Hexagon Heel
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/nontraditional-shoes-city-love-photography-1217-2000-7c4b120dcc054d1faa7c1b114bff868d.jpg)
From her canary yellow wedding dress to her metallic geometric heels, this bride was all for breaking the mold.
Beaded Booties
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/nontraditional-shoes-brandon-aquino-1217-2000-d96f21fd8ee747fb84a84fc7c91f830c.jpg)
Grids of crystal beading gave these stiletto boots a unique, elegant look.
Sandal Boots
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/nontraditional-shoes-awake-photography-1217-2000-c5231ee1ef4042d5a42867411564ad09.jpg)
Perfect for a rustic or barn wedding, these leather beauties juxtaposed beautifully against an all-white wedding dress.
Quilted
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/nontraditional-shoes-cassidy-parker-smith-1217-2000-6a475ea2a65e48b8826f4aac3cb5d674.jpg)
Quilt-inspired embroidery and '70s tassel zippers imbued these high-heeled booties with vintage vibes.
Black Satin Mules
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/stephanie-christopher-wedding-shoes-011-6422582-1117-8b4e6b398b9f4a23868326289019aa36.jpg)
Before the bride even decided on her wedding dress, she purchased these heeled N°21 mules. The black knotted-satin shoes were something she knew she'd "wear again and again," she said.
Something Green
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/madelyn-jon-wedding-massachusetts-shoes-103127702-2000-1e59229366ba4dbea945d6ed31392b07.jpg)
To incorporate her wedding's color palette into her look, the bride chose Manolo Blahnik's classic buckled pumps in an unexpected jade shade.
Floral Party
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/samantha-michael-wedding-shoes-8787-6400558-1017-6b01e91b20874b7c848bbbd6b59ad8b9.jpg)
Colorful, floral Tabitha Simmons sandals were the perfect fit for a bohemian fête, but they'd also work well for a garden celebration.
Lucite
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/perri-phil-wedding-shoes-0412-6238775_103042284-2000-f1bdef012ddd46d7a8dea48d05e6f175.jpg)
The ombré lucite heels on these blush pink Monique Lhuillier shoes transitioned from rose gold to clear.
Ballet Slippers
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/reagan-maxwell-wedding-balletslippers-13-6381158-0817-2000-32242f381aa24ea7b7f1c42d7ffca1a3.jpg)
On her wedding day, the bride paid homage to a 16-year-long ballet career by wearing ballet slippers down the aisle.
Shoes on Wheels
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/deborah-meryl-wedding-pennsylvania-first-dance-102963705-c7ab653c98d749db841d70315b501324.jpg)
For their hilarious, choreographed first dance, these brides slipped into roller skates, effectively turning the dance floor into a rink.
Fringed
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/louisa-robert-wedding-shoes-fringe-04-6274642-0317-2000-d7f11fea85754c7ea41d0d410af0644a.jpg)
Party-ready, but subtle enough for daily wear, these tasseled metallic Aquazurra heels were the perfect choice for a bride who wanted something she could wear over and again.
Black Ribbons
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/jenna-shane-wedding-her-accessories-059-6271509-0217-2000-e8a570ae6d2d40f5a179472574ed0664.jpg)
These black velvet Manolo Blahnik heels weren't the only nontraditional part of this bride's look—the blue of her sapphire engagement ring represented water, a significant symbol in her and her husband's history.
Snow Boots
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/sandy-craig-rw0513-087_vert-2000-1d40e22fa3d54801b0284551a4cb835a.jpg)
Toasty snow boots kept this bride's feet from getting cold during her February wedding portraits.