Best Wedding Shoes for Men to Wear on the Big Day!
A comprehensive guide for grooms and wedding guests on the best men’s wedding shoes! Whether you’re aiming for a traditional look or seeking casual comfort, we’ve got you covered.
You’ve got the future spouse or date, you’ve got the tux or suit but now it’s time to find the best wedding shoes for men. Sometimes shoes can be an afterthought but they honestly pull the whole outfit together. We will cover great choices for every dress code from formal classic style wedding shoes for men as well as some more unique options.
The importance of selecting the right shoe for the big day.
Women talk all the time about how to dress an outfit up or down depending on the shoe choice. The same can be said when considering wedding shoes for men. You’ll want to take into consideration your wedding attire, your tuxedo or suit’s color and the formality of the event.
The balance between comfort, style, and the wedding dress code.
When looking for the best wedding shoes for men you must strike a balance between comfort, style and the wedding dress code. Moreover, you should consider your wedding style. By that we mean, are you going to be hitting up the dance floor or will you be standing around mingling? Either way, shopping for a shoe that has a comfortable heel and insole but can also look nice is a high priority. Details on the outside matter as well. When searching for the best wedding shoes for men think about the stitching around the toe caps. Are you drawn to no stitching, wing tips or a cap toe wedding shoes for men?
We’ve gathered some of the best wedding shoes for men that work well for casual weddings or could be excellent choices for more formal wedding shoes.
Best Wedding Shoes for Men: Classic Choices for Formal Weddings
Oxfords
Oxfords are the classic dress shoe for men. They come in a variety of choices from plain toe, wholecut, cap-toe and wingtip oxfords. These terms basically mean that the stitching on the outside and around the toe changes up the look of the shoe. Oxfords usually come in brown and black. Obviously if you are attending or having a black-tie wedding you will want to match your darker colored or black wedding suit or tuxedo.
Nunan Plain Toe Oxford
Nordstrom • $80
These would make great brown wedding shoes. Lustrous, richly textured leather elevates these stylish oxford shoes crafted in a crisp silhouette.
Joseph Abboud Cap Toe Oxfords
Jos A Bank • $165
Classic and refined, these Oxfords by Joseph Abboud feature brogued medallion cap toes with additional brogued details on the vamp and around the ankle and heel. Would make great guest, groomsmen or groom’s shoes.
Florsheim Upscale Plain Wholecut Oxfords
Mens Warehouse • $99.99
Stylishly comfortable, these leather lace ups feature a plain toe and decorative perforation on the quarters. If you are looking for men’s wedding shoes in black they offer both shades.
Patent leather shoes
Patent leather shoes are the most common wedding shoes for men, especially for a black-tie wedding and a very common grooms’ shoes. The nice thing to remember about patent leather shoes would be the versatility. They make great shoes to wear to formal events but also can be worn for business functions and even some more casual weddings.
Leather Formal Derby Shoes in Tan
ASOS • $41
Derby shoes have open lacing on the stitching and these come with an almond toe shape. Perfect mens dress shoes for wedding season or the office.
Andrew Plain Leather Derby Shoes
Macys • $41.99
Lock down flawless workday style and wedding shoes for men with these sleek lace-up oxfords from Alfani. They also offer them in black.
Mens Leather Cap-Toe Dress Shoes
JCPenny • $64.99
With a classic cap-toe construction, these comfortable leather dress shoes will always deliver timeless style. Breathable, cushioned and comfortable, these wedding shoes for men are also available in black.
Suede loafers
Loafers are a great option because they can be a great choice for casual mens wedding shoes or when styled correctly they can also work well for formal weddings. Suede loafers work well for all seasons but don’t count them out as a great option for mens dress shoes in the summer.
Dark Beige Suede Loafers
H&M • $42.99
Available in three colors these loafers in faux suede with decorative tab are affordable and comfortable.These would make a great choice for a more casual wedding.
Men’s Marlowe Split-Toe Penny Loafers
Macys • $103.50
Thanks to its Red Zone footbed and soft microfiber linings, this Stacy Adams penny loafer will have you looking, and feeling, like a million bucks. And if you’re looking for color shoes they also offer a navy suede.
Men’s Penny Loafers Moccasin
From a city wedding to the beach wedding. These classic loafers are go-to wedding shoes for men who enjoy an elegant look that lasts, whether it be a playful or conservative color.
Monk strap shoes
A monk strap shoe gets it name from monks in the medievel times. These wedding shoes for men feature a shoe with a strap that overs over the top and fastened with a buckle. The buckles add some dimension and texture to the overall wedding attire.
Double Monk Strap Dress Shoes
Macys • $71.53
The Tommy Hilfiger Summy is a polished double monk strap dress shoe with a modern tapered toe. Added comfort is provided with the memory foam cushioned insole.
Thomas And Vine Mens Jc Ransom Loafers
JCPenny • $60
These cap toe monk strap shoes feature buckles on either side with a comfort memory insole. Available in black and tan.
Best Wedding Shoes for Men: Unique Footwear Choices for the Fashion-Forward Groom
Velvet shoes
A fall or winter wedding paired with a fashion-forward groom always brings out some of the best wedding shoes for men like velvet shoes. The lux fabric immediately ups the elegance factor and where else to rock this style that at your own wedding or as a guest!
Men’s Velvet Green Loafers
Shein • $31.10
The emerald green color of these men’s velvet loafers immediately puts us in the holiday spirit. Great for winter weddings.
Men’s Penny Flats Velvet Loafers
These velvet loafers are easy to put on and off and will be comfortable for the groom, groomsmen or guest who wants to rock a rich and elegant vibe all night.
Lifted Smoking Velvet Shoe
Nordstrom • $100
A rich black velvet check upper distinguishes a pointy smoking slipper lined with a plush quilted lining for suave style with every step.
Velvet Slip-On Shoes
The Black Tux • $100
The perfect way to add a touch of sophistication to your look. These shoes are made with a high-quality velvet upper that is soft and luxurious to the touch.
Boots
Don’t knock boots out of the running for some of the best wedding shoes for men. Depending on the venue and formality of the wedding, boots can be great wedding shoes for men. There are casual boots and dress boots that offer comfort and versatility.
Chelsea Boots in Brown Faux Suede
ASOS • $46
This is your sign to stop scrolling. These Chelsea Boots in brown and black are a great choice to walk down the aisle in.
Men’s Landon Dress Boot
Macys • $60
The high-top chelsea dress boot by Vance Co. have premium faux leather uppers that rise to the ankles with subtle top-stitching bordering the stretchy side panels. Mahogany faux woodgrain block heels and outsoles finish the look.
Carlo Morandi Chukka Boots
Mens Warehouse • $109.99
Simply styled, these plain-toe chukka boots have a lightly pebbled genuine leather upper, three eyelet lacing, and rugged, lugged outsoles. These boots make great brown wedding shoes and are also available in black.
Ankle shoes
Ankle shoes or boots are great for more casual weddings but also can be styled for a semi-formal look. You’ll want your pants to fall over the top of the boot to give a streamlined look. Here are a few of our favorite ankle wedding shoes for men.
Mens Milden Flat Heel Chukka Boots
JCPenny • $69.99
These JF J.Ferrar men’s Milden chukka boots will be your new go-to for impeccable, minimal style. Pair with everything from jeans and a tee, to tailored pants and a shirt.
Lace Up Brogue Ankle Boots
ASOS • $30
Next stop checkout! Add these lace up brogue ankle boots to your cart along with style to your wedding day.
Men’s Bushacre Chukka Boot
Alwayas a classic. These men’s bushacre chukka ankle shoe works well for every wedding dress code. Available in 12 different shades.v
Wedding sneakers and slippers
Finally, no matter what anyone says, sneakers or slippers are always a great choice. You’ll look stylish and feel comfortable. You could even wear one of the above wedding shoes for men to the ceremony and change into your favorite kicks or slippers for the dance floor.
Wedding Groom Sneaker Personalized
Etsy • $169+
The OGs. Everyone loves Nike Airforce 1 shoes. And why not get them customized to truly be the best wedding shoes for the groom and bride.
Men’s Brady Sneakers
Target • $25
Bring on-trend style to your casual wedding or beach wedding with these Brady Sneakers from Goodfellow & Co™. Boasting a padded collar construction and breathable cotton upper, these medium-width shoes are a delight to walk in, whether walking down the aisle or dancing the night away.
Mens Premium Genuine Leather Penny Slippers
Lightweight, flexible and comfortable. These make for a nice option for both the ceremony and reception.
Best Wedding Shoes for Men: Finding the Right Shade to Match Shoes with Suits
Now that we’ve given a rundown on some of the best wedding shoes for men, let’s talk about pairing colors with your suits. Typically, fashion experts will say the darker the suit, the darker the shoe. However, this does give a little more leeway when it comes to colored shoes and colored or patterned suits. So let’s break it down.
Pairing black leather shoes with a black tuxedo or blue suit.
Normally, stylists would tell you to stick with black shoes when it comes to black-tie weddings or events. The classic look would be a patent leather shoe, but you don’t have to adhere to a shiny shoe if you find another style that is more comfortable. If you want to shake things up you could opt for a loafer in a deep blue if you want it to match your blue suit. Just remember, it may be a tad hard to find the exact shade. So, try to keep the colors muted.
How brown shoes can complement various suit colors.
Brown wedding shoes are a great neutralizer when it comes to colored suits. Obviously, with a tan suit you’ll want to stick with tan shoes. However, brown looks great with patterned dress coats, deep blues, greens and of course browns in various fabrics like corduroy or even velvet.
Tips on selecting the right shade of shoe, from navy to khakis.
The dress code will typically dictate what shade of shoe you’ll pick but a good rule of thumb would be the lighter shade of suit or pants like khakis and navy gives you more wiggle room for what color shoe you can wear. Dark browns, oxblood, and dark burgundy shoes are a great alternative to black shoes.
Best Wedding Shoes for Men: Special Recommendations for the Beach Wedding Groom
Toes in the sand? Maybe. If the bride and groom are okay with going no shoes for a beach wedding! Otherwise, let’s have a backup option. Loafers, driving shoes, and boat shoes are a great shoe choice for the groom’s shoes. They are are comfy and stylish and unlike your dress shoes will be able to withstand the conditions of the sand and surf.
Comfort meets style: loafers and lightweight dress shoes.
Loafers in Light Pink Suede
ASOS • $60
This colored loafer is a great choice for men’s beach wedding shoes. You’ll look sharp and stay comfortable in these affordable shoes.
Men’s Porter Cross Embossed Loafer
Macy’s • $34.99
In casual or dressier beach weddings, the Porter loafer by Alfani is ideal with its minimalist yet familiar lines and cross embossed upper.
Heritage Bit Moc Toe Lightweight Dress Shoe
Jos A Bank • $29.99
Buttery soft in gently pebbled leather, the Heritage by Joseph Abboud is a supremely comfortable and stylish driver. These business casual drivers feature a classic horse bit and moc toe design.
Best Wedding Shoes for Men: Common Questions
Can a groom wear loafers?
Grooms can certainly wear loafers when the wedding is more casual. These are a great, stylish, comfortable option for the groom. If the wedding is more formal, opt for a velvet loafer to add a touch of elegance.
What shoes should men wear at their wedding?
As mentioned earlier, the wedding dress code usually dictates the shoe choice but there are a plethora of wedding shoes for men. From patent leather shoes to oxfords to even your favorite pair of sneakers, there is something for every personality.
The Perfect Pair for Your Big Day
When it’s time to pick the perfect pair of wedding shoes for men, consider the dress code first. Once you know the general style of shoe that pairs well with your tuxedo or suit, think about comfort level. Will you be dancing or walking on sand? Will you be indoors or outdoors? Make sure the bride is on board with your shoe choice and the two of you have a cohesive look with your wedding day attire. All of these questions help you find the perfect pair of shoes for your wedding. Remember the lighter the suit, the more flexibility with the color of the shoe, and the darker the suit, the darker the shoes. Don’t forget the socks!
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