I Walked, Stood, and Danced for Hours at My Dreamy Italian Wedding in These 4 Shoes

I recently got married, and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to stop talking about it. It’s arguably one of the most important, most beautiful days in a person’s life; between celebrating with all your loved ones, getting to feel your most beautiful, and committing to a lifetime of love with the person you want to spend forever with, it really is like a fairy tale (and mine actually was because, c'mon, I got married to the love of my life at an Italian villa!!). 

But, like with most fairy tales, not everything can or will go perfectly. You just have to be able to laugh it off (which I did!) and try to avoid those you can avoid, like dealing with painful feet after standing for hours at your rehearsal dinner or walking down the aisle.

Luckily, I didn’t have any foot pain because of a few footwear brands I love and trust for hours-long standing: M.Gemi, Cariuma, Scarlett Chase, and more. Each brand had plenty of options to pick from, so I selected a variety of styles, like quintessential white wedding heels, comfy, on-trend sandals that paired perfectly with a silky white rehearsal dinner dress, and cool sneakers (yes, really) on hand as a said my I dos. Awwwwww.

Because comfy footwear is a must-have for all occasions, not just weddings, I decided to round up the four wedding shoes I would wear again and again—in fact, I’ve worn them even after walking down the aisle, so each one isn’t just comfy, but also a worthy investment. 

Emmy London Harriet Mid Heels

I’ve had these Emmy London heels on my radar for years. Kate Middleton is a fan of the brand, and when she wears something, I’m certain I’ll love it, too (case in point: her Mother jeans or pleated skirts!) Of course, wedding shoes carry a different type of weight than just an everyday purchase, but I knew that the simple, clean design, interchangeable straps, and just-under-4-inch heel on these Harriet heels was exactly what I wanted to go with my simple wedding gown. 

I nearly wore them for my entire wedding—which lasted well into the early morning hours—and my feet didn’t hurt. While I was debating between a strap and non-strap style, I’m happy I went with the former, as it ensured the shoes stayed securely on my feet. They’re a splurge, but when you see the quality IRL, you’ll realize they’re worth it. After all, a shoe fit for a royal and a bride like me? I call that a sole mate. 

Scarlett Chase Coco 45 Sandals

Scarlett Chase is an under-the-radar brand that’s about to blow up—I can just sense it. I’m obsessed with the brand's boots that are basically as comfy as sneakers with a game-changing sole you have to try (trust me!), so I knew I wanted to wear a pair of the label’s heels for my special day(s). I opted for the Coco 45 sandals for my rehearsal dinner, a simple yet trendy metallic heeled sandal I paired with a long, white silk dress from L'agence. They were sent directly to Italy, so I had no time to wear-test them before the big event, but honestly, I didn’t need to. They were comfy from the second I put them on, with a rubber outsole that felt sturdy and an arch-cradling foam footbed that felt like I was walking on the clouds.

Cariuma White LWG Leather/Ice Salvas Sneakers

I’m pretty much Cariuma’s number one fan. I swear by the Brazilian brand’s sneakers for anything and everything, so when my husband and I were offered the chance to get custom-made sneakers stamped with our initials and wedding date, I felt like the luckiest girl in the world. I’ve tried countless Salvas (it’s become my go-to style), so I knew these wedding-inspired kicks wouldn’t need any pre-wearing. I packed them in my suitcase, brought them on the dance floor, and wore them on our wine tour the next day. It’s basically a necessity to have an unexpected (!!!) pair of shoes on hand for post-wedding festivities, and white sneakers paired with a wedding gown is a lewk, fashion girlies. 

M.Gemi the Valeria Heels

When I think of the perfect wear-with-everything heel, these M.Gemis come to mind. The versatile hue, super simple silhouette, and wear-friendly heel that I walked miles in are all key in making these shoes stand out above the rest. I wore these for my civil ceremony in New York City—which meant I really trekked around in these—and they passed all the tests. Much like my Scarlett Chase heels, I didn’t have time to break them in, but I didn’t need to; the heels were comfy from the moment I put them on until I took them off. I also brought these to Italy with me just in case I needed a wedding heel change (I didn’t, because my Emmy Londons were so great), but I firmly think everyone should have a versatile option like this on hand. You’re welcome in advance.