Ask a Professional Bridesmaid: If I'm a Bridesmaid, Do I have to wear Heels?

Ask a Professional Bridesmaid: If I’m a Bridesmaid, Do I have to wear Heels?

Dear Jen,

My shoe closet consists of mostly flip-flops and converse, anything low to the ground. I absolutely dread wearing heels. I only own one or two pairs and wear them when I absolutely have to. My best friend asked me to be a bridesmaid in her upcoming wedding. I can’t wait. I already bought the dress and have all the accessories picked out. The last thing I need is a pair of shoes. She wants us to wear navy shoes, so I’ll have to go out and buy a new pair but I don’t want to invest in a pair of heels I’ll never wear again. What do you recommend I do?

Sincerely,

Heel Me, Please.

Dear Heel Me, Please.

Before you leave your house and head to any wedding, the number one thing you should remember to bring is an extra pair of shoes. Heels are wonderful for pictures and pictures only. After that, give your feet a break before they literally break. It happened to me once, my first time as a bridesmaid. I wore a tight pair of black heels that squeezed my shoes so hard that in the middle of the ceremony, before the bride and groom solidified their forever love with a slobbery kiss, my feet went numb. Imagine what it was like walking down the aisle with toes that I couldn’t feel. Every single step was a reminder that finding a good pair of heels was equally as hard as finding a good guy that didn’t make me uncomfortable after our first date.

I carry a cute pair of foldable flats with me at every wedding and pop those on the second the photos are done and the ceremony is over. I suggest you do the same. But if you have to pick up a new pair of navy shoes, perhaps go on a quest for a pair of wedges or lower heels that will give you more support and comfort. Buy something you like. Something you feel comfortable in. In the end, with the booming flowers and the chiffon flowing in all directions and the smells of freshly cooked appetizers wafting in the air, very few people will take even more than a few second glances at your footwear. So wear what you want. And bring Band-Aids. Lots of them!

More Posts

wedding seating chart ideas
Wedding Seating Chart
Jen Glantz

19 Wedding Seating Chart Ideas That Actually Solve Your Guest Drama

TL;DR Put relationships first, aesthetics second. Most couples do this backward and end up with pretty charts and miserable guests. Your display format matters more than you think. It’s the difference between a two-minute wait and a twenty-minute traffic jam. Build flexibility into your system from day one. Late RSVPs

Read More »
what color dress with gold shoes
Color Analysis
Jen Glantz

25 Dress Colors That Prove Gold Shoes Go With Everything

Let’s be real: we’ve all been there. You’re standing in front of a full-length mirror, one gold stiletto in hand, staring at a pile of rejected dresses on the floor. Adding a dose of class to your outfit by slipping into a pair of gold leather pumps sounds great in

Read More »
wedding planning
Wedding Planning
Jen Glantz

You’re Burning Out Your Best Friends and Calling It Wedding Planning

Quick navigation: Jump to whatever section is eating you alive right now. Before you dive in: Wedding planning right now puts a disproportionate amount of emotional and logistical weight on the couple’s inner circle. That’s not an accident. It’s a structural problem, and it’s getting worse. Micro-weddings are not actually

Read More »