When it comes to the dress code for your daughter’s wedding and the color combinations for it – there is an etiquette to follow. You are fortunate in that you are the mother of the bride, and thus you have the right to choose your dress color first, after which the mother of the groom will follow, likely selecting a different color so as to avoid any clash during the event.

And then, after you find that perfect dress for the event, you will need a pair of shoes to complement it.

It is important to emphasize that in recent years, so-called matchy-matchy combinations have run out of style. That is to say, avoid perfectly matching the shade of your shoe color to the shade of the dress color and, even worse, to the purse color. Rather, use your accessories to add a touch of vibrancy, liveliness, and give a hint of your own personality to the outfit.

There are several ways you can go about choosing the right shoe color, and we have sorted them out into categories:

Neutral hues are always a safe bet. Champagne, Taupe, Beige… These earthy, nude tones go well with any dress color. They are on-trend, and they won’t distract from the rest of your outfit, or from any other part of the ceremony. Neutral colors are also versatile enough that you will be able to wear them for many different events in the future – if the style of the shoe allows it, of course.
We will take a second to mention black in this category as well. It is a classic, sophisticated color, though slightly more difficult to match than neutrals. But only slightly! The fashion rule, so to speak, is that you shouldn’t wear black with navy blue or brown, as these colors don’t complement each other. Other than that, don’t be afraid to buy a stunningly sleek black pair of shoes for the big day!

Nothing speaks of courage and spunk more than a bold, eye-catching shoe color. Reach for crimson red, emerald green, or even a bright orange to spice up your mother of the bride look. Tread carefully when handling intense hues, however. One wrong step – one saturated color on another saturated color – and it could turn into a full-on circus clown outfit, which neither you nor the bride want. It is best to pair striking colors with more gentle ones, leaning towards neutral, so that you’re certain nothing is too jarring and no one is whispering how the mother of the bride didn’t grasp the basics of color theory.

Similar to neutrals, these two colors – if we can call them that – pair well with most outfits. You would do well to match them with your jewelry of the night, as it is considered tacky to wear both gold and silver at the same time. You can go as sparkly or as modest as you’d like – again, keeping in mind the rest of what you’re wearing and what effect you’re going for.

Weddings can last for quite a long time, and as an essential part of the wedding party, you will find yourself on your feet more often than not. Whether it is to touch up your daughter’s wedding gown, or to make rounds and greet the staggering number of family members and friends that will surely be there, or even to dance – it is of utmost importance that your shoes are comfortable and provide you with the necessary support through all of this.

Several factors go into determining whether or not the shoe you’re considering to buy will be comfortable. Let’s look at the major ones.

When it comes to the most comfortable heel height, it is unsurprising that the lower the heel the better you will feel.

You might think, going by this rule we’ve just mentioned, that flats are the best option if you want to be certain you won’t have any problems walking around during the wedding. And while that is a logical conclusion, it is not always the case. First of all, flats are not considered very formal or elegant. Admittedly, there are those which can look the part, especially if they are a more dazzling color of gold or silver, or adorned with rhinestones or anything similar, but at the end of the day, they are not a part of ‘evening wear’. Secondly, while flats do have, as their name says, flat heels, this can be detrimental to your feet more than you think. Most flats offer little to no arch support, which can lead to knee, hip and back pain, and could also contribute to developing of a painful foot condition called plantar fasciitis. Our advice? Skip the flats and go for something much more luxurious, and likely more comfortable to boot.

Two-inch heels, otherwise known as kitten heels, should pose no problem. This height won’t put unnecessary strain on the balls of your feet, and you will feel light and able to do anything you’d like.

Classic heel height is three inches, and these heels are similarly as easy to wear as kitten heels. It is the most common of heel heights and is considered sophisticated, comfortable and work-appropriate. You can rest assured that three-inch heels won’t lead to poor distribution of weight over your feet, and won’t cause any pain.

When talking about comfort, the heel type should also be taken into account. Stiletto heels are famously uncomfortable, as they narrow down all of your weight to one point. The result is that your steps are wobbly – like you’re walking on stilts – and you have a high chance of tripping and spraining your ankle in the process. When looking for a comfortable heel, go for a chunkier, wider heel. Look at wedges, thick or cone heels, and even platforms. If the heel is thin like in a stiletto but there is a platform under the front of your foot, it will still be considerably easier to walk in those shoes, even if the heel height is higher than four inches.

In order to endure several hours of moving around, a cushioned footbed, preferably with arch support, is a must. Insoles with cushioning provide shock absorption, and they mold to your foot for a better fit and a better feel. There are even insoles that have antimicrobial properties and will keep your foot dry and comfortable and prevent any unpleasant odors. Arch support preserves the natural form of your sole and reduces your chances of getting flat feet. If you have fallen in love with a pair of shoes but they don’t have to cushion or arch support, try investing in some gel inserts or cushioned insoles. They will dramatically increase the comfort level of your shoe, and you will have the bonus of taking them out and putting them into a different pair of shoes when it is time for a different occasion.

Aside from the fact that the nature of the materials the shoe is made of contributing to its quality level, durability, and price, it is important to know that the type of materials can also be a factor of whether the shoe is comfortable or not. Natural materials, such as leather and suede, have the ability to take shape of the wearer’s foot over time. This is why leather or suede shoes usually require a break-in period, after which they have been customized – for the lack of a better word – to your feet, and won’t cause you any blisters, chafing or hot spots. Synthetic materials are not so malleable, and won’t change much in their form, no matter how long you wear them.

On our list, we have included different types of shoes to appeal to different tastes, weather conditions and wedding themes.

Ultimately, you are shopping for yourself, and you should settle on a shoe which makes you feel confident and beautiful, and which you will love wearing. You should consider the season the wedding takes place in, as for example, sandals would be a bad choice for a winter wedding – especially if it’s full of snow or rain. Similarly, open toes might provide a much-needed relief from heat if it’s a garden summer wedding.

There are three shoe styles that have found their way to our page. Between 10 shoes that doesn’t sound like a lot, but one shoe style has endless variations, offering you a wide range of choices for the big day.

Pumps add instant glamour and elegance to any outfit. They make the wearer of the shoe appear taller, adjust their posture and accentuate the calves, buttocks, and chest. Pumps have a tendency to visually lengthen the leg and make the arch of the foot more defined.

As opposed to the pump, sandals leave most of the foot exposed. They are an excellent choice for warmer weather, as they not only help your foot to breathe and provide proper air circulation, they also reduce the risk of athlete’s foot and other types of infections. Just make sure you get a pedicure beforehand, and you’re all set!

The defining feature of the slingback is a strap behind the heel or the ankle. The benefit of this is that the strap is adjustable – usually through a buckle or an elastic segment – allowing the wearer to slide into the shoe easily, and to modify the fit accordingly, while still keeping the foot relatively secure.

Overall fit and comfort go hand in hand. However, the fit of a shoe is more than just its size. Sizing can vary from one brand to another, and you have to take into consideration the width of the shoe, as well as the closure type. Weddings will often require you to be on your feet for hours on end, so it's important to make sure you have shoes that fit you very well.

The three types of closures we have featured on this list are buckles, zippers, and slip-ons. Buckle designs offer more customization in regards to fit, especially closures around the ankle so you can accommodate things like swelling and fluid retention if necessary. However, this type of closure can be difficult to do, so you may need to get the help of one of the bridesmaids or someone else if this is a concern for you. Zippers are easier to close on your own, though they won't offer the same sort of customization as a buckle closure. Slip-ons are one of the most common types, as they're easy to put on and take off. However similar to zippers, they may not offer a whole lot of leeway in terms of fit, and you have to take into account the width of the heel section.

We make it a point to discuss the cost and value of each product we consider, and only the best ones make it onto our lists. The value of a shoe is often determined by the qualities it has and how those qualities relate to the overall price, as well as other similar products available.

From the standpoint of a consumer, you have to ask yourself what sort of benefits you will get out of the shoe, and weigh them against any potential cons. When it comes to shoes for weddings, things such as color, comfort, and overall style are important, more so than factors such as durability and weather resistance. You may want the color to match the overall theme of the wedding, but not pick the same color as the bride or the bridesmaids. With weddings being an all-day event, you'll want all-day comfort, which the overall fit will play a role in. You may want something that will be easy to walk around in for long periods of time and will resist staining in the unfortunate event something gets spilled or knocked over. We took an extensive look at all of these things, to ensure that each product offers the best value for the investment.