We get it—you’re here because the big day is looming, and there’s that little voice in your head wondering if your shoes will be worthy of such a momentous occasion. Maybe you’re the one tying the knot, or perhaps you’re a loved one supporting the couple. Either way, finding the perfect wedding shoes is no small feat, but we’re here to equip you with all the know - how to nail your look, whether it’s a laid - back summer beach wedding or a glitzy formal evening affair. Let’s jump right in and find the pair that’s meant for you.
In this guide, you’ll discover:
- 5 crucial factors to consider when selecting wedding shoes
- A rundown of wedding shoe types
- Insights on men’s wedding guest outfits and shoe pairings
- The Oxford vs. Derby debate for weddings
- Essential wedding shoe DOs and DON’Ts
- Unique alternative wedding shoe styles
- 🚀 Bonus: Top - notch comfort tips
Key Factors for Choosing Wedding Shoes
When it comes to picking wedding shoes, several guidelines can steer you towards the best choice. You need to factor in the wedding type and dress code, your planned outfit, the season, the venue, and your role in the wedding.
1. The Wedding Dress Code
Most wedding invitations come with a dress code—formal, semi - formal, cocktail, or black - tie. This is your starting point. If it’s unclear, reach out to the wedding party for clarity.
- Formal Weddings (Including Black - Tie): These are the easiest to dress for. Black - tie events call for a black tuxedo and minimalist black leather shoes. For a formal dress code, a classic Oxford is a safe bet. Stick to black and darker browns to complement your suit. A good rule is to have your shoes darker than your clothes. This keeps the focus on the clean lines of your attire rather than drawing too much attention to your feet.
- Casual or Semi - Formal Weddings: Here, you have more leeway. You can introduce more patterns and lighter colors in your clothes and pair them with more casual - style shoes. Lighter brown shades like cognac and tan are perfect, and dark brown suede is also an option. Shoes with more embellishments, such as wingtips and semi - brogues (those with perforated designs in the leather), are versatile and great for these events. Penny or tassel loafers are excellent for semi - casual to casual weddings. We suggest avoiding sneakers for most weddings, but if you do go for them in an exceptionally casual setting, keep them simple with minimal flash and logos.
2. Your Outfit
Think about your outfit before choosing shoes. Will you be in a suit, a tuxedo, light and breezy linen, or a pastel button - up?
- If you’re wearing a suit or tie, stick to classic shoe styles like a cap - toe Oxford in black or dark brown. When wearing chinos and skipping the jacket, a Derby or semi - brogue Oxford pairs well.
- A key rule: always match your leather accessories. Get a belt that matches your shoes, and try to have a close match for your watch strap if you wear one. Our collection has matching belts made from the same leather as our shoes for a perfect match.
What Color Shoes to Wear with Your Suit
Remember, your shoes should be darker than your suit. Here are our quick tips:
- Black suit: Black shoes, always.
- Gray suit: Black or brown shoes.
- Blue suit: Black or dark brown shoes.
- Olive suit: Black or dark brown shoes.
- Brown suit: Brown shoes, darker than the suit.
- Tan suit: Brown shoes (almost any shade works).
- Charcoal suit: Black shoes.
3. The Season and Weather
The season impacts your shoe choice. For warm - weather weddings, bring out lighter - colored shoes and suedes.
- Summer Weddings: Loafers are a great summer choice, perfect for spring and summer vibes.
- Winter Weddings: Darker - colored browns, blacks, or navy shoes are ideal. Dress boots with leather soles and darker colors complement the season well.
4. The Venue
Where is the wedding? A historic church, a seaside beach, or a downtown brewery?
Match the formality of the venue with your shoes. For formal churches and intimate venues, stick to tasteful cap - toe Oxfords in black or dark brown. For low - key venues, leather Derbies or boots are expressive yet not sloppy choices. The hard rule: never wear flip - flops to any wedding, even on the beach. You can go sockless, wear a loafer, or opt for a minimal dress - style sneaker, but avoid flip - flops unless the dress code is super casual (like bathing suits and ball caps).
5. Your Role in the Wedding
- The Groom: The groom should be the best - dressed, but that doesn’t mean quirky patterns. Make an impact with classic, striking shoes that match your suit. A cap - toe Oxford in polished full - grain leather is a safe bet. A wholecut Oxford (made from one piece of leather) is elegant and stands out for its minimalism.
- Groomsmen: Groomsmen shoes should take cues from the groom. They should match the formality and style of the groom’s shoes without standing out. Don’t be stubborn about your favorite pair if it’ll make you an eyesore. Ask the groom for color and style and choose a similar option.
- Father of the Bride or Groom: You have more freedom but should still be tasteful. We recommend something conservative to match your suit or shirt, typically a cap - toe Oxford in a darker color.
- Wedding Guest: Stick to the dress code. Don’t turn the wedding into your fashion show. Let the bride and groom shine, and polish your shoes before arriving.
Types of Wedding Shoes
Different shoe types have different formality levels. Knowing which is best for each occasion is key to dressing well.
1. Oxfords
A timeless classic, Oxfords are the kings of men’s footwear. Every man should have a pair. They’re ideal for the wedding party or guests in almost any occasion—timeless and safe.
2. Derbies
A versatile option for guests, Derbies are more casual than Oxfords. Unless it’s an especially formal Derby (like our Noah two - eyelet derby), they’re not common for grooms. But guests can wear them with a suit to more casual weddings. They’re also easy to wear outside of events.
3. Loafers
A low - key alternative, loafers have many uses, including weddings. Tassel loafers are more formal than penny loafers and pair well with a suit. Penny loafers work well with a button - up and sports jacket. Not recommended for grooms or groomsmen in most cases, but a tasteful choice for guests.
4. Monkstraps
Known for their unique buckle closure, monkstraps are a stylish, contemporary option. Whether you’re the groom or a guest, they can elevate your wedding style. They look great sockless in summer and transition well from suit to chinos.
5. Boots
If you love boots, you can wear them to a wedding. They’re typically for colder weather, so be mindful of the season. We recommend leather soles and tapered toes for a more formal look.
Oxford or Derbies for a Wedding?
The general rule is that Oxfords are more formal, Derbies more casual. So, Oxfords pair well for grooms and the wedding party, while Derbies are great for guests.
Oxfords for Weddings
Oxfords, especially cap - toe ones, are quintessential men’s formal wear. Sleek, minimal, and suitable for any wedding role. If you buy one pair, make it a cap - toe Oxford matching your suit color. Even without a suit, a dark or cognac brown Oxford with a matching belt offers endless outfit combinations.
Derbies for Weddings
Derbies have a different lacing system, making them less formal and more versatile. Grooms should generally go for Oxfords, but Derbies work well for guests in almost any venue. A black or dark brown leather Derby is never out of place with a suit, but avoid them with a tux.
DOs and DON’Ts for a Wedding
DOs
- Follow the invitation’s dress code or ask the wedding party for clarification.
- Make an effort with your dress to show appreciation for the invitation.
- Polish and brush your shoes.
- Choose shoes and styles you can wear again—think neutral colors and brown shoes.
- Seek feedback if unsure about your outfit.
DON’Ts
- Wear whatever you want if you disagree with the dress code.
- Wear damaged or tattered clothes/shoes just because they’re your favorite.
- Show up in flip - flops or athletic sneakers.
- Buy shoes you’ll only wear once and then discard.
- Let outfit - picking stress you out.
Alternative Wedding Shoe Styles
If you want to keep your personal style without causing a family uproar, try these unique twists on classics.
1. Blue Wedding Shoes
An underrated leather color, blue is a stylish alternative to black calf. Pair with blacks, grays, and dark blues for a navy undertone.
2. Oxblood Wedding Shoes
A dark burgundy leather, oxblood is a great alternative to black shoes for most occasions. Except for black - tie weddings or tuxedos, it can pair well with black or charcoal suits.
3. Spectator Shoes for Weddings
With a striking leather combination, spectator shoes are a vintage throwback. Best for summer weddings, pair with seersucker suits and light linen.
4. Brogues for Casual Weddings
More laid - back than cap - toe Oxfords, wingtip or semi - brogue cap - toe Oxfords are good choices. Broguing (perforation patterns) reduces formality—some broguing on the cap - toe is more formal than a full wingtip.
5. Wedding Chelsea Boots
Chelsea boots are everywhere for a reason—easy to slip on and versatile. For weddings, go for a leather - soled option with smooth leather (like our Benjamin Chelsea boots) for an elegant look.
Wedding Outfit for Men Guests
When putting together your look, follow these guidelines: start with your suit, match your belt to your shoes, pick complementary socks, match your tie to your pocket square, and choose a conservative shirt color lighter than your suit.
1. Black Suit Outfit
- Black suit
- Black cap - toe Oxfords
- Black thin wool or cotton socks
- Black leather belt
- White cotton or silk shirt
- Black silk tie
- White linen pocket square
2. Blue Suit Outfit
- Blue suit
- Dark brown cap - toe Oxfords
- Dark blue, gray, or burgundy wool or cotton socks
- Dark brown matching leather belt
- White cotton shirt
- Dark blue or burgundy grenadine tie
- Dark blue or burgundy pocket square
3. Casual Wedding Guest Look
- Light - colored pastel shirt (like light blue or yellow Oxford)
- Dark navy pants
- Cognac Oxfords or brown loafer
- Matching cognac or brown leather belt
Comfort Tips
1. Break in Your Shoes
Don’t be stuck with stiff new shoes on a long day. Wear your shoes for at least a week before the wedding. Even grooms wanting pristine shoes should do this—scuffs can be fixed with polish.
2. Wear Rubber Soles
Rubber soles are forgiving for long evenings of dancing. Options like our Goodyear Lite Collection offer a sneaker - like feel without losing elegance.
3. Get the Right Size
It seems obvious, but if unsure about fit, go for the pair that feels right. A shoe should never be uncomfortable, even on the first wear.
The Most Elegant Shoes for a Wedding
For grooms wanting to stand out, elegant shoes have a tapered, elongated shape, a dark conservative color, and minimal embellishments. Many agree a wholecut Oxford in black calf (like our Miquel) is the most elegant—sleek and minimal, perfect with the right suit. A cap - toe Oxford is also a classic, elegant choice.
Can I Wear Boots for Winter Weddings?
Yes, but choose a style that’s more formal. Leather soles are preferable, and an elongated or tapered toe looks better than a blunt rounded toe. Boots on grooms are becoming more common, a great way to show personality while staying elegant.
