Curious about what shoes are appropriate to wear to a wedding? Don’t worry; I’ve got you covered!
There was a time when the lion’s share of weddings in America took place in churches, synagogues, and the like. Today, less than a quarter of weddings do. Now, I love it when a friend or family member throws a church wedding.
Admittedly, part of this has to do with the fact that I can mostly predict the dress code.
I’ll usually just pull out my trusty leather oxfords. But could I still do that for a barn wedding? It’s usually a toss-up. A beach wedding? Probably not, but who knows? What if I’m the groom?
The 15 best wedding shoes for men rounded up here cover a gamut of wedding styles for the modern gent, be he the groom, a guest, or in the party.
Quick Take
Here are our top recommendations from the list:
Our Pick
Allen Edmonds – James Dress Loafer
For a formal occasion like a wedding, whether you’re the groom or a guest, an opera pump is the epitome of elegance. This shoe showcases a modern and opulent twist on the classic design.
Budget Pick
Upgrade Pick
GUCCI- Horsebit Loafer
The black horse-bit gives a surprising monochrome effect, usually seen as an accent, adding a chic and modern touch to the shoe’s design. It’s both eye-catching and elegant.
Read on for more info and the complete list…
15 Best Wedding Shoes for Guys
Here they are, in no particular order:
Allen Edmonds James Dress Loafer
If you’re the groom or even a guest at a fairly formal ceremony, there’s nothing more upscale-looking than an opera pump. The Allen Edmonds James Dress Loafer is a brilliant take on the design because it’s lavish but modern.
Opera pumps are often adorned with a silk bow, which can be a little too dandy. For some, it can make you feel like you’re heading to the opera — in the Victorian era.
The James Loafer is instead decorated with a grosgrain keeper, which visually balances the high shine of the body and makes it a little more down-to-earth.
Plus, the toe isn’t sharp, making it less intimidating without taking away from the formality.
And while opera pumps are strictly formal, you don’t have to wait for a black-tie wedding to sport this shoe. It would go well with a navy, gray, or black suit, regardless of tie color.
And since this is Allen Edmonds, this shoe is a lifer. It’s fully bench-welted and has a special cork insole that will eventually mold to your foot.
Johnston and Murphy Tabor
I know that with many weddings, you sometimes spend a touch more than expected. Mercifully, Johnston and Murphy help in making sure you don’t have to do that in the footwear category.
The Tabor is an on-template plain-toe Oxford shoe and a quick and easy purchase. Its budget price tag isn’t immediately obvious at first glance of the shoe. In fact, from where most people will be looking at it, it might not be a budget shoe as far as they’re concerned.
The leather looks rich, while the stitching on the top of the soles indicates that it’s welted all around. Of course, this is all thanks to really good simulants, but it’s at least an effective trick.
Budget shoes like Johnston and Murphy aren’t right for every occasion. However, if you need a last-minute shoe, the Tabor is cheap and doesn’t need breaking in. It’s also an effective option for those who don’t wear formal footwear often and just need a once-in-a-while shoe.
Beckett Simonon Durant
The Durant from Beckett Simonon is the brogue Oxford for guys who are scared of broguing. Typically, all the added perforation makes a shoeless dressy or too ornate, but the Durant is a far more refined take.
The perforations are small and located only at the points of stitching. It’s clean, not superfluous, and still looks decorative but tempered.
Moreover, each colorway is fully monochrome, further ensuring this shoe isn’t too loud. All five of these colors, by the way, are neutral enough to go with most suits but still expressive. Some examples include the Bordeaux, a lively yet sophisticated red shade, and the warm Americana-esque oak variation.
Since Beckett Simonon uses a small-batch, made-to-order business model, you might be waiting a good month for your order to arrive. Still, it allows them to serve up long-lasting, handcrafted, full-grain leather shoes at a fraction of what you’d pay retail.
Le Majordome M21
Similar to the perforation on a dress shoe, hardware can sound too casual or even workwear with the right monk strap shoe, though that doesn’t have to be the case with the right monk strap shoe.
The M21 from Le Majordome is, and I don’t use this word lightly, a truly posh buckle shoe. Part of this has to do with its tapered shape, balanced out by a strong, chiseled toe, and part of this is the exceptional raw materials used.
If you needed to attend a cowboy wedding one day and a royal wedding the next day, and you could only bring one pair of shoes, you should take the M21.
Make sure to break it in first, though. This shoe is Goodyear-welted all around, making it water-resistant and resoleable but also robustly built. Meanwhile, the fine Italian calfskin is strong and lush, with beautiful hues of brown and gold throughout its perfectly oiled surface.
Wolf & Shepherd Monaco Loafer
Since Wolf & Shepherd was founded by a track and field athlete, their focus is dress shoes that are comfortable to stand or walk in. The Monaco loafer is unlined, extra bendy, and much softer than a fully lined shoe.
Plus, this means your feet are right on that memory foam footbed sans barrier.
Let’s be real. Often, weddings aren’t just you sitting around all day long. There are standing cocktail hours, after-parties, and sometimes even carrying presents to the car.
The Monaco is a slender loafer, though it isn’t pointy, with a beautiful suede construction. It also comes in cool coastal colorways, each breezy and versatile. The navy version is the most formal looking, though, unlike a black patent leather shoe, you could still wear it in even the most casual of ceremonies.
Florsheim Tux Cap-Toe Oxfords
If you need a shiny patent leather shoe but don’t want to spend a lot of money on it, I highly recommend the Florsheim Tux Cap-Toe Oxford. Why this budget-quality option, you ask? Well, if you don’t want to invest in a pair of shiny shoes, it’s likely because you won’t wear them that often.
A high-shine, highly conspicuous leather shoe isn’t exactly a menswear essential. It’s a special occasion shoe. So, if you end up only wearing it on less than 30 occasions in your life, especially if those moments are far apart in time, then why spend a ton?
It’ll only fall apart if you wear it with regularity.
The main priority is how it looks, and this shoe looks great. It’s a classic design; the leather gleams beautifully, and it’s immediately comfortable, making post-wedding dancing that much less awkward.
Allen Edmonds Fifth Avenue
We’ve highlighted the Allen Edmonds Park Avenue several times, including dubbing it a top-notch shoe to wear with a tuxedo. But its cousin, the Fifth Avenue, is definitely worth a look.
The perforated toe gives it a distinguished aesthetic while maintaining its overall class, which is usually what you want as a groom and sometimes what you want as a wedding guest.
It’s tried-and-true, but also distinguished. Have you ever found yourself attending a fall wedding that allows you to wear tweed, brushed wool, or cable-knit? In that case, the details on this shoe would be perfectly in line with your texture-clad outfit.
For a lot of you, the cleaner look of the Park Avenue is more your style. That’s fine. The point is that both are remarkably-built dress shoes that will never go out of fashion.
Allen Edmonds is, after all, one of the few American heritage shoemakers who hasn’t sacrificed quality for more sales in the face of fast fashion.
They use full-grain leather, and the outsole is 360 bench-welted, ensuring you can always resole. I like to refer to Allen Edmonds shoes as instant heirlooms.
Amberjack The Tux
Okay, before you get on my case about adding hybrid shoes to a wedding shoe round-up, hear me out. You might be put to work if you’re the best man or even at the groom’s party.
If your outdoor venue is rained out, and they need all the help they can get to move things indoors, you’ll likely need to volunteer, even if you’re already suited up.
The Tux by Amberjack features all of the athletic qualities of a sneaker but has the upper of a derby. The all-black version can easily be mistaken for a regular dress shoe, as it’s made of high-end Italian patent leather.
You can even wear regular dress shoes during the ceremony and switch to these shoes at the after-party.
On the function front, the soft sheepskin lining is perforated by laser, which provides incredible breathability. The dual-density outsole, meanwhile, combines the flexibility of a sneaker with the strength of a hiking boot. Did I mention the heat-activated arch support?
Suitsupply Tuxedo Oxford
The Tuxedo Oxford from Suitsupply is a visually intriguing patent leather shoe. It’s shiny, almost liquid-looking, but so simple that you can wear it in formal and everyday professional situations.
It’s a two-piece construction; the area where the two pieces of leather meet gives it a sort of sculptural quality. Lacing aside, that’s basically the only detail on the upper, though it gives it a real aesthetic distinction.
The calfskin leather, by the way, is quite soft and flexible right out of the box. Between that and the Blake-stitched construction, this shoe has a full range of motion.
Oliver Cabell Penny Loafer
Here’s a wedding shoe that would be perfect for a summer beach ceremony. This Oliver Cabell Penny Loafer has the graceful lines and splendid ornamentation of any dressy horse bit loafer. However, upon closer inspection, you’ll notice that the flat, rubber outsole makes them a boat shoe hybrid.
Again. Sophisticatedly pebbled leather and clean silhouette up top. Grippy and comfortably bouncy sole on the bottom.
Naturally, this also makes them the perfect choice for a boat wedding.
Aside from its remarkable combination of formalwear class and boat shoe comfort, this model is made using full-grain leather from Marche, Italy, and hand-constructed in Portugal.
What’s great about
Magnanni Cesar Cap Toe Oxfords
The rule of thumb when it comes to wedding dress codes for men is never to try to outshine the groom. Still, there are subtle ways to look interesting without begging for attention. Besides, you never know who you’ll meet at a wedding.
The Cesar Oxford by Magnanni combines tuxedo-ready formality with office-appropriate professionalism. Suffice it to say, they’d work in either situation and look unique and classically elegant at the same time.
Its obsidian-slick main body, made out of patent leather, is eye-catching but subdued by the matte leather mid-vamp, made of attractive nappa. Similarly, the Hermes-like orange outsole is a fun accent that just peaks out occasionally.
Construction-wise, Magnanni shoemakers stitch the insole to the lining and the upper. This old master technique gives the shoe light flexibility and strength.
Bruno Magli Niko
Maybe you do attend a lot of formal weddings, or, for whatever reason, you need a shiny patent leather shoe that you can wear often. If so, I’ll direct you away from the Florsheim entry and straight to this Bruno Magli Niko.
It’s made in Italy, the patent leather is beautifully polished and shines like black stainless steel, and the matte laces and collar detailing uniquely add subtle yet effective differentiation. Everything else about this shoe is completely classic.
Also, the stack-heeled outsole is made of rubber and leather, combining sturdiness and comfort with traditional, elegant looks. The full leather lining increases those qualities even more while adding extra support.
Beckett Simonon Beaumont
If you’re not 100% sure whether to go more casual or more formal at a wedding, this Beckett Simonon Beaumont covers each end of the spectrum and everything in between. It’s classy, effortless, and, most importantly, safe.
Qualities like the American-style beef roll and moccasin toe add some casual detail and architecture without looking overly bulky. At the same time, the stacked heel, high back collar, and polished horse-bit balance that out with formality.
Like the Durant, you might have to wait a bit for this shoe to arrive after you’ve ordered it because of Beckett Simonon’s middleman-cutting business model.
On the bright side, you get this handcrafted full-grain leather shoe that’s been impeccably hand-waxed using carnauba wax and shea butter, which is why the color is so vivid.
Meanwhile, the steel shank provides stability, while the Blake-stitched construction tempers that solidity with flex and comfort. These are the kinds of practical features you want with a wedding shoe. The SBR rubber heel will help you grip the dance floor so you aren’t slipping and sliding across the room.
Ace Marks Wholecut
Another less is more aesthetic, the Wholecut Oxford from Ace Marks is made from strikingly lush patinated Italian leather. Its completely bare design allows this perfect material and the dashing tapered silhouette to take center stage.
Even if you wear jeans to a wedding, after respectfully making sure that it’s allowed, this shoe will go with it. It’s such an elegant blank slate that it takes on the personality of any outfit you wear.
The pliant leather is strong and hand burnished, while the low pressure last and blacke-stitched construction give your foot a comfortable range of movement despite the one-piece construction of the upper.
Gucci Horsebit Loafer
Sometimes, you have to go back to the source. Gucci introduced the Horsebit loafer in the early ‘50s; today, they’re synonymous with the design.
I love this rendition of their modern loafer because the black metal horse-bit creates an unexpected monochrome effect for the entire shoe. Typically, the horse bit sticks out as an accent. This chic and contemporary touch makes it part of the topography.
It’s simultaneously eye-catching and classy.
This makes it easier to wear with a formal tuxedo or black suit. Its price of admission is admittedly and unsurprisingly high, but if you want a special pair for your special day, Gucci is a good place to turn to.
FAQs
Need some quick answers about wedding shoes? Here are the most common:
What shoes should men wear to a summer wedding?
It depends on the dress code of the wedding. Since smart casual is common in the summer, you can often go for a breathable pair of dress shoes. Loafers are usually a great option.
What shoes should men wear to a beach wedding?
You typically can’t go wrong with a pair of leather or suede loafers. If the dress code permits, you can even go sockless. Some beach weddings are casual enough for canvas shoes, but always double-check with the invitation and don’t take any chances.
What are the best dress shoes for grooms?
A dark leather Oxford shoe goes well with any suit or tuxedo. Depending on how casual or formal you want to be, you can also go for a type of loafer, like horse bits or pennies. Regardless, you’ll usually want to go for leather over other materials.
Conclusion
Every wedding has its own distinct vibe and style.
If you’re the groom, once you and your bride decide what works for you, you may end up in shoes as casual as sockless slip-ons or as formal as opera pumps.
If you’re a guest, keep in mind that it’s your friend’s day and that you should respect their requests when it comes to dress code.
It’s a bit more complicated now that weddings can take place anywhere and fall anywhere on the dress spectrum, and there are plenty of shoe styles to choose from.
What type of shoes did you (or will you) wear at your wedding? Let me know in the comments!
www.themodestman.com
