While the majority of bridal planning focuses on the dress, hair, and makeup, most forget that bridal shoes hold an important role on the big day! Between comfortability and style, choosing the right pair for your wedding means factoring in the venue, number of events (think about all the standing and dancing you’ll be doing), and your overall bridal look. 

If you are planning a Sandals® Resorts or Beaches® Resorts destination wedding, check out the tips below for choosing bridal shoes that work in any setting!

Want to add a unique element to your bridal shoes? Consider hand-selecting the embellishments or writing your special date and both your initials and your other half’s on the bottom of the shoe. Photo credit: Finding Light Photography

Make comfort a priority

All the celebrating, photo sessions, and catching up with friends and family, means being on your feet for the majority of the wedding day. Keeping this in mind, we recommend making comfort and functionality your top priorities for bridal shoes. This means breathable shoes that will beat the Caribbean heat; shorter heels, flats, or sneakers for hours on the dance floor; and shoes that won’t slide and create discomfort while walking. Barefoot is always a great option for beachfront ceremonies and receptions, too. When in doubt, pack a few, event-specific pairs for easy shoe swapping throughout the day!

Bridal shoes for every venue

• Head over heels: For a more formal ceremony in a garden chapel or on the Sky Terrace at Sandals Royal Barbados, heels add a classic touch to these elegant settings. For maximum comfort, we recommend sticking to a lower heel height or chunky wedge that will carry you through the ceremony, photo ops, and evening celebrations alike!
• Toes in the sand: If your “I do’s” feature white sand beaches surrounded by marble blue Caribbean waters, then leave the shoes behind and go barefoot! Not only does this allow you to fully embrace the nature of the islands, but it also makes for a more laid back, casual ceremony.  
• Sandals at Sandals: Ceremonies that take place in a lush garden or Over-the-Water Serenity Chapel are the perfect venues for wearing sandals. Because garden settings lend themselves to grass and the chapels have long walkways leading up to them, a pair of sandals is the best option for walkability and versatility! Plus, sandals come in a variety of colors and styles, with collections designed just for brides!
• Switch to kicks: While this might not be your first thought when it comes to bridal shoes, it is one of the best ways to stay comfy in any setting! If you’d prefer to wear heels or sandals to your ceremony, but still want to rock a pair of white sneakers later in the evening, we say “go for it!” There’s no better way to celebrate all night on the dance floor than in a pair of stylish kicks. 

Sink your toes into the sand on your big day! Opting for a barefoot look during a beachfront ceremony is the perfect way to truly embrace the islands. Plus, it adds a more casual feel to the entire day and can create a whimsical look with any wedding dress!

Do it with flare

When it comes to completing the bridal look, the finer details make all the difference! Aside from the shimmering ring, you’ll want to choose other jewelry embellishments that align with your overall style. If you love the classics, simple satin bridals shoes paired with dainty pearl earrings and a pearl necklace will do the trick. For a flashier style, match pumps adorned in rhinestones with a pendant necklace and teardrop earrings.

From subtle sparkles to bold adornments, aligning your bridal shoes with your accessories can truly set your bridal style apart! Photo credit: Finding Light Photography

Complete the look with Red Lane® Spa bridal packages

Once you’ve found your ideal bridal shoes, it’s time to finalize hair and makeup! At Sandals and Beaches Resorts’ Red Lane® Spas, a team of top-notch hairstylists and makeup artists can help create your picture-perfect look. 

From facials and mani-pedis to La Bella Donna cosmetics and Moroccanoil® hair care, our Red Lane® Beauty Services will leave you glowing from head to toe! To schedule a consultation or book your beauty services, contact your dedicated wedding planner and they will handle the rest!