Let’s talk about one of the most unexpectedly stressful parts of bridal dressing:
Shoes.
If I had a dollar for every bride who stood in my studio saying,
“Darcel, I still haven't found my shoes…”
I would personally fund a footwear vault.
And shoes are one of the things we discuss at the very start at consultation, so it can feel a little panicky to be halfway through the fittings process and still not know, or be able to find, the perfect fit.
Finding the right shoe is easily one of the most difficult parts of finishing a bridal or special occasion look. The dress gets all the glory, but the shoe? The shoe has to work. It has to support fittings. It has to carry you through photos. It has to survive a ceremony, cocktail hour, and a reception where you absolutely will be dancing.
And here’s the first thing I tell my brides:
Your wedding shoes do not have to be white to be bridal.
(Read that again.)
White is beautiful. Ivory is classic. But bridal is about intention, not colour. Champagne, blush, gold, blue, even a statement tone — all fair game. (We’ll dive deeper into adding a pop of colour in your wedding ensemble in another post soon.)
Now, after years of fittings, hemming, bustling, and watching brides test-walk across my studio floor, I have seen too many beautiful shoes not to share the ones that consistently deliver.
So welcome to the very first VdV Edit - shoes that have passed through my studio before my very eyes and earned my approval, or even footwear I myself have purchased and can attest to.
Girl, have I got a link for you.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them — at no additional cost to you. I only share pieces that have passed through the VdV studio and earned my personal approval.
The Elegant Minimalist Heel
These are the barely-there, clean-line, elongating-the-leg kind of heels. Perfect for modern brides, satin gowns, crepe silhouettes, or anything architectural.
One brand that consistently delivers when it comes to special occasion footwear is Badgley Mischka. Known as the go-to footwear for bridal clients, here is one of the top picks from this brand that I have seen brides choose:
The Cher Pump (the Regal Blue has passed through the studio three times, to be exact!)
The Badgley Mischka Cher Pump in Regal Blue and Soft White
Another timeless option, with a platform for some extra height and just enough sparkle at the back to still be elegant but special:
The Badgley Mischka Kiara Pump in Ivory (left) and White (right)
What I look for:
Stable heel placement (no awkward wobble during fittings)
Good ankle strap support where relevant
Clean finishing — no visible glue or uneven dye
Cushioning that can survive at least 6–8 hours
If it looks delicate but feels sturdy? That’s a win.
The Statement Heel (For the Bride Who Understands Fashion)
I have seen rhinestone bows, sculpted heels, pearl embellishments, florals - and I support all of it.
Especially when your dress is clean and structured, a statement shoe underneath is such a beautiful surprise moment.
Studio-approved favourites:
- Jessica Simpson Olivine - I mean, just look at her!
- Badgley Mischka Olympia Sandal - this is a classic sparkly strappy heel that can serve you well for any special event!
Badgley Mischka Olympia Sandal
- Betsey Johnson Lorra Heel - this one was definitely the one for a VdV bride in November 2025, and it's so much more beautiful in person, believe me!
The Comfort-First Bridal Heel
Now let’s talk about reality.
Some of you are not “12-hour stiletto” women. And that is perfectly fine (I type this with a single tear rolling down my cheek, but it's fine... really, I'll be okay... I think...)
Block heels. Lower kitten heels. Even a beautifully finished bridal sandal.
I have had brides stand in fittings for hours without a single complaint in these:
- Badgley Mischka Blakeley Wedge Sandal - I'll be perfectly honest, I would be the last person to recommend wearing wedges on your wedding day, but these fit the bill beautifully if heels are too uncomfortable and work well for outdoor, grassy settings!
Pointed Toe Pearl Wedding Flats - The bride who wore these was perfectly on trend for her Baroque period-themed wedding and was able to dance all night long without complaint!
Pointed Toe Pearl Wedding FlatsZzheels Bow Knot Chunky Heel - A stack heel is a great way to get some height without the pain of a stiletto, and super chunky heels are very on trend in recent times!
Zzheels Bow Knot Chunky Heel
What matters here:
Padding in the ball of the foot
A heel height you’ve actually worn before
An ankle strap if you’re not confident walking in heels
Your face should glow in photos — not strain because your feet are on fire.
The Unexpected Colour Moment
Listen to me carefully.
Champagne. Soft blue. Blush. Metallic gold. Even something intense like fuchsia or a deep jewel tone. You're the bride. You can do what you want.
These tones photograph beautifully and often complement ivory gowns better than stark white ever could.
Some favourites I’ve seen styled beautifully:
IvoireCh 4" Pearl Wedding Sandals in Champagne
IvoireCh 4" Pearl Wedding Sandals in ChampagneDREAM PAIRS D'Orsay Wedding Party Pumps - These exist in white, but the blue pair is currently in studio for fittings waiting patiently for the grand entrance in April 2026.
DREAM PAIRS D'Orsay Wedding Party Pump
And yes, not to worry... we are absolutely going to talk about how to intentionally add colour to your bridal look in an upcoming post - because bridal does not mean boring, and it definitely shouldn't mean that you can't ever wear them again once you've walked down the aisle!
What Makes a Shoe “VdV Approved”?
It’s not about price point alone.
I’ve seen affordable shoes outperform designer pairs - and I’ve seen expensive ones disappoint.
For a shoe to earn a quiet nod from me during a fitting, it needs:
Structure
Balance
Comfort
Elegant finishing
And a silhouette that works with the gown, not against it
Affordability matters. Comfort matters. Style absolutely matters.
And if I’ve watched it survive multiple fittings in my studio? You can trust it’s earned its place here.
This is just the beginning of The VdV Edit.
We’ll be covering:
Shapewear that actually works under custom gowns
Bridal accessories that elevate without overwhelming
Second-look reception pieces
Special occasion heels worth investing in
And the foundational garments every well-dressed woman should own
Because if it’s coming through my studio, and it’s doing its job well?
You deserve the link.
Stay tuned - and save this post for when you’re ready to click.
With Love,
Affiliate Transparency: At VdV, I believe in recommending only what I would confidently suggest to my own brides and clients. Some links shared in this post are affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if you choose to purchase through them. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support the continued creation of helpful content, bridal education, and studio resources.
Every item featured in The VdV Edit has either passed through my studio personally or reflects the standard of quality, comfort, and design I look for when dressing my clients.
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