25 Nontraditional Wedding Shoe Ideas from Stylish Brides

By Sarah Schreiber
Abby Jiu Photography

Before you shop for your big-day shoes, get inspired by these bold brides.

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Abby Jiu Photography

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.

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Black Booties

Ether and Smith

These black open-toe booties offered up a ton of sparkle thanks to pearl and crystal beadwork.

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Pouf Flats

Christine Doneé
More Pairs of Wedding-Worthy Flats

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.

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Something Blue

Abby Rose Photo
Even More Unique Ideas for Your Something Blue

Blue suede sneakers served as this bride's "something blue"—and as her dancing shoes.

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Ornate Floral

Bashful Captures

A classic pointy-toe pump was made completely unique by embroidered see-through panels and a metallic gold stiletto.

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Blue Booties

Jenna Henderson Photography

Lace-up booties with a chunky wood heel brought a touch of mod to this bride's classic lace wedding dress.

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Matching Loafers

Anna Delores Photography

After changing into blush and white suites, both brides donned heeled Gucci loafers to their outdoor reception.

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Edgy Boots

Callie Hobbs Photography
Even More Chic Bridal Boots and Booties to Inspire You

This bride brought some toughness to her look with these faux-crocodile skin boots.

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Dusty Rose

Gantes Co.
Love Millennial Pink? Here Are More Ways to Add the Hue to Your Wedding

Strappy square-toed pumps were the perfect choice for a bride who loved millennial pink.

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Celestial

Catherine Hall

Tiny metallic stars brought trendy quirk to these burgundy pumps.

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Blue, Yellow, and Pink

Taryn Kent

Powder blue, canary yellow, and sugar pink elastic straps added major playfulness to these platform heels.

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Lace-Ups

Fondly Forever Photography
More Laid-Back Ideas for a Casual Wedding

This bride went casual in the shoe department, opting for gladiator-style sandals for her summer wedding.

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Olive

Greg Finck

Olive-green velvet made these classically-shaped Prada heels one of a kind.

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Hexagon Heel

City Love Photography
More Real Brides that Wore Colorful Wedding Dresses on Their Big Day

From her canary yellow wedding dress to her metallic geometric heels, this bride was all for breaking the mold.

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Beaded Booties

Brandon Aquino

Grids of crystal beading gave these stiletto boots a unique, elegant look.

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Sandal Boots

Awake Photography
11 More Ways to Elevate Your Barn Wedding

Perfect for a rustic or barn wedding, these leather beauties juxtaposed beautifully against an all-white wedding dress.

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Quilted

Cassidy Parker Smith

Quilt-inspired embroidery and '70s tassel zippers imbued these high-heeled booties with vintage vibes.

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Black Satin Mules

Clary Pfeiffer Photography
Go Inside This Modern Atlanta Fête

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.

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Something Green

Patricia Lyons Photography

To incorporate her wedding's color palette into her look, the bride chose Manolo Blahnik's classic buckled pumps in an unexpected jade shade.

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Floral Party

Hunter Ryan Photo
More Colorful, Pretty Ideas for a Boho-Chic Wedding

Colorful, floral Tabitha Simmons sandals were the perfect fit for a bohemian fête, but they'd also work well for a garden celebration.

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Lucite

Steve Steinhardt

The ombré lucite heels on these blush pink Monique Lhuillier shoes transitioned from rose gold to clear.

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Ballet Slippers

Mariel Hannah Photography

On her wedding day, the bride paid homage to a 16-year-long ballet career by wearing ballet slippers down the aisle.

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Shoes on Wheels

Redfield Photography

For their hilarious, choreographed first dance, these brides slipped into roller skates, effectively turning the dance floor into a rink.

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Fringed

Clary Pfeiffer Photography

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.

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Black Ribbons

Rebecca Yale Photography
See More Photos from This Chic & Intimate Destination Wedding on the Amalfi Coast

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.

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Snow Boots

Stacey Hedman

Toasty snow boots kept this bride's feet from getting cold during her February wedding portraits.

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