A wedding is a long day on your feet. There's the ceremony, standing around for photos, cocktail hour on the lawn, dinner and then the dance floor. If you live with sore heels or plantar fasciitis, a pair of stilettos can turn the best day of someone else's life into the longest day of yours.
The good news: you don't have to choose between looking dressed up and feeling okay. Here's what to look for.
1. Go low, but not flat
It sounds backwards, but completely flat shoes are often the hardest on sore heels. A small, steady lift of around 3–5 cm takes some pressure off the back of the heel without pitching your weight onto the ball of your foot the way a stiletto does. A wedge spreads that lift along the whole sole, so it feels far more stable than a thin heel.
2. Look for a shaped footbed
Turn the shoe over in your hand and look inside. Is the footbed dead flat, or does it rise a little under the arch? A gently contoured footbed means you're not standing on a hard, flat board for eight hours.
3. Make sure it stays on
Slides and backless mules make your toes grip with every step, and that tension adds up over a long day. A back strap, especially a soft elastic one, keeps the shoe with your foot so you can walk naturally.
4. Choose sparkle in the straps, not the heel
The dressiest part of a wedding shoe doesn't have to be the heel. Jewelled straps, rhinestones and metallic finishes look just as special in photos, and they sit on a comfortable base.
5. Plan for the dance floor
Wear your shoes around the house for an hour or two before the big day so there are no surprises. Pack a pair of soft flats or slides in your bag for the drive home, just in case.
Our picks
Every Sunday Soles wedge has to pass the same five rules: a 3–5 cm wedge, arch support, a cushioned heel, a secure strap and going-out-pretty looks. For weddings, start with The Soirée Wedge or The Sunday Jewel Wedge.
This article is general information, not medical advice. If your foot pain is severe or doesn't improve, please see a doctor or podiatrist.