Wedding Blog
Since I’m having a beach reception, the traditional stileto-heeled bridal shoe won’t cut it.
For months, I’ve been looking at shoes of all shapes and sizes in search of something that will hold up in the sand.
I thought wedges might be a good option, but all the styles I liked that were still pretty formal-looking had a tapered wedge heel that didn’t seem like it would give me the support I need. I’m afraid I would still sink into the sand and that it won’t give me enough balance.
When I went on a shoe buying binge a few months ago, I bought these thinking I could wear them for the reception.
Looking back, what was I thinking? I can’t wear a closed-toe shoe on the beach. Sand is going to keep getting in them!
Now that the wedding is two months away, I think I’m just going to play it safe and get me some flip-flops. I wrote a post a while back on some good options, but I want to go with something that will give me a little height.
Back when I was in college, my MOH introduced me to Reef flip-flops. Being from New York, I never dared to walk around the city in flip-flops. But since I was in the suburbs for college, I thought, why not? We ended up getting identical Reef Smoothies and they are the most confortable shoes I own! I say own in that I still have them, more than 5 years later! And they look as good as new! Maybe the bottom is a little worn, but I swear by these babies!
I’ve tried other flip flops over the years, but none of them compared to my Reefs. I don’t want to risk getting blisters on my feet during the wedding.
I looked around for what type of wedges Reef made - I found a few good options, but I think I will go with the one with the most height!
I present to you the Reef Liv! I found it on zappos for $38 with free shipping both ways! They have a 2 3/4″heel too. I’m going to walk on the beach with them on a few days before the wedding and hope I don’t trip. My back-up? I will go barefoot!
What do you guys think? Do you have any other suggestions on what I could wear?
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Share this post: Bridal Shoes… or Should I Say Flip-Flops?
I love the idea of going barefoot! (if the reefs dont work out)
Reefs were uber popular growing up in Florida everyone wore them everyday, everywhere. I think they are both great options.
I don’t know if it’s just me and my feet but I can never wear thong-style shoes with any sort of height, because they quickly irritate the space between my big and second toes. This is especially true if the shoes are a traditional heel that pitches me forward. I think it’s better if they are platforms like those (so that your weight isn’t being forced forward, putting a lot of pressure on that sensitive little spot), but then the extra weight really starts to bother me, with chafing and pressure and whatnot, even if the shoes are light foamy flipflops (like those seem to be).
But other people seem to wear thong-heels with no problem, so I don’t know. Just a warning in case you haven’t worn anything but flat thongs (which I am a-ok with)!
hehehe. As someone who grew up on the beach I love (as in it makes me laugh lovingly) that you thought the closed toe shoes or the platform things would work in the sand for more than 1/2 hour. =)
Hands down - flip flops or barefoot. Anything else - you’ll wind up spending $.. and 1/2 hour later, you’ll be barefoot. If you still want to feel a little snazzy, deck out the flip flops with pearlies or jewels, or… barefoot sandals. Its what my bridesmaids and I will all be wearing for my wedding and reception.
i like these better!
http://www.reef.com/girls/productdetail/girls/footwear/sandals/1608
I live in Arizona where you can wear sandals all year round. Reefs are the best, hands down. Love them! And they do have some “dressier” ones that I can wear to work! Good choice!
Even though sand destroys a good pedi, I would probably go barefoot, and wear the Reefs to the reception. I love those doggone flip flops btw. I’m not a beach girl, but I have lived in flip flops my whole life (my mom said that’s why my feet are so big). I have a pair of cute brown braided ones, and those have got to be the toughest pair I have ever had. And I’ve had a lot of them!
I think there is something so romantic about getting married barefoot on the sand! And it also happens to be the most practical option.
If you don’t mind me asking, are you planning on keeping the white kitten heel ballet slippers? If not, I would love to buy them from you! They are exactly what I am looking for!
I remember having those types of sandals at BMC. Mine were cream colored and I got them from Charlotte Russe for $7. I think Old Navy had them at one point too.
I would personally go barefoot for a beach wedding, but if I had to choose a sandal I would go with the Skecher’s Triggers-Rapture [http://www.skechers.com/images/productimages/medium/37047_WHT.jpg][in white]. They stay firmly to your feet instead of dragging like is the case with most flip flops.
i love reef, love them!!!
Typically, I’m against flip-flops as wedding attire, but a ceremony on sand is definitely an exception. Those Reefs seem like a good choice.
But I vote for barefoot! How cool is that???
The only thing is that your dress will be too long if you hem it for the reefs and go barefoot (tripping hazard), and too short if you hem it for barefoot and wear reefs (awkward looking). If you’re going to go between the two, I suggest going with a flat flip-flop.
if you’re not set on height, kenziekate has posted about some really beautiful flat sandals. http://kenziekate.blogspot.com/search/label/shoes
Barefoot! Barefoot! The other thing about flip flops in the sand is you could wind up kicking up quite a bit of sand as you walk, depending on how fluffy the sand is! But of course the reefs are great for the afterparty. That makes me wish I was getting married on the beach!
as a san diegan (and flip flops all year round kinda gal), i really don’t think that the reefs with height will work. in my opinion, platform flip flops are an abomination (okay, that’s a little harsh… but, i really dislike them, and im a short girl who LOVES heels). i think the extra bulk of the shoe will making walking in sand VERY difficult.
but anyway, i think if you are going to to the flip-flop route, you should give up on the height. i think the shoes that beereader posted are very cute. otherwise, i’m all for barefoot!
if you’re still stuck on the platform idea, good luck trying them out in the sand.
(and if you’re interested in an alternative to reefs, i was converted from my love of reefs a few years back to rainbow sandals. i’ve had the same pair for years now, and i LOVE them… i honestly wear them every day when im in san diego)
my friend wore espadrilles and they actually looked great with her dress
Those are cute but I find it really hard to walk in sand in flip flops. It’s a lot easier (and more graceful) for me to walk barefoot. So try them out for sure before you walk down the aisle!
I have the same height problem, so I’m always looking for cute flip flops with some heel. How about these, with a fancy little orchid?
http://www.shoebuy.com/pi/susan/susan248608_140015_lg.jpg
You can purchase them here: http://www.shoebuy.com/susan-mango-hibiscus/248608
My FSIL wore those to her wedding too! She lives in the Keys so she lives in flip flops. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her in something else.
I wear those shoes every day of the year! lol , no really those exact shoes , I have 4 different colors. My mom hates it. I do have to admit she was very proud when I announced I will not be wearing them for our wedding. For me they are super comfortable! But as has been said here before , try them out before you walk down the aisle.
Barefoot is definitely a classic way to go for a beach wedding. J. Crew also has some cute metallic flip flops:
BAREFOOT! ANYTHING but white chunk shoes!
How about cork wedges? pic sample here
http://www.fashion-era.com/images/bags_shoes/john-lewis%20whitesandal4936.jpg
or espadrilles.?
http://www.alternativeoutfitters.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=835
All I think when I see those flip flops is Britney Spears…lol…not the best by any means.
Barefoot with foot jewlery is also great! Like this but hopefully less pricey!
sorry the last link is not quite working but if you search Foot Jewelry you’ll see what I mean. 
http://www.bridalpeople.com/foot-jewelry-anklets/
I promise..one last try!
I can’t wear the Reef brand of flip flop, I wear Teva.
I think you should go barefoot & get a cute pair of sandals for the reception. I think it’ll be awkward to walk in those platforms in the sand.
I have reefs with a bottle opener on the bottom- what’s cooler than that??
I might go barefoot if I were you. I think it would be a little hard to keep balance on platform sandals on the sand.
Reefs are really wonderful sandals and sand hardly sticks to them at all.
@mtyf, Reefs have a very soft thong and is hardly noticeable at all, even for people who aren’t used to wearing thongs at all. You should give them a try. =)
hi,
what about these? they’re dyable satin sandals.
ivory satin: http://www.shelleygeorge.com/product/017582.shtml
silver:
http://www.shelleygeorge.com/product/018926.shtml
y
I am wearing these to my beach wedding ceremony - from Aldo. I am going to get a fantastic heel for my reception, which is not on the beach, but I haven’t decided on it yet. I’ll get my dressed hemmed for the heels and just have it be a bit long at the ceremony.
http://www.aldoshoes.com/eng/storeSection/redirect.cfm?sectionID=b2c/style/productDetails.cfm&itemID=68278033&&var=d&ckey=US&colorid=81
I agree–barefoot is the way to go. Plus, aren’t you worried about that flip flop sound as you walk down the aisle? (Am I the only one who hears that?). Not to mention the kicked up sand…
You’ll be a chic barefooted bride!
Pleaseeeeeeeeeeeee try them on the beach before you try and walk down the “aisle” in them. I bought platform sandals because they could not alter my dress any higher than they did so I had to have a shoe with a 2″ heel. I found sandals that matched perfectly (!) BUT when I went to the beach to take my bridal pics I found out that they were impossible to walk in on the sand. I ended up going barefoot (and getting a splinter on the deck LOL) and just kicking my dress out of the way when need be. Even with the dress being too long I am SO glad I went that way, I would have fallen for sure had I of worn the platform flip flops.
I wore kick butt heels for the reception on solid ground though (well until our first dance in the pool). I had to have my heels at some point!
I will switch into these in ivory after my feet start to hurt… They come in different heights. I am having an ourdoor in grass wedding ceremony and the reception is on pavement, but with 3.5 inch heels, I think brial flip flops are more my scene.
http://www.myglassslipper.com/products2.cfm/dept/FLIP%20FLOPS/ID/3900 These are cute too. http://www.myglassslipper.com/products2.cfm/dept/FLIP%20FLOPS/ID/3460
Search ebay for “bridal flip flops”, as well.
Good luck!
I actually owned this exact pair of Reefs (except in black). They are cute, but I think they are going to be too tall to wear in the sand. It’s not easy to walk in the sand with any sort of heel and this is quite a platform. The platform also gives them a 70s kind of look–is that what you are going for? I would seriously consider going barefoot or with flip-flops that aren’t platforms. The last thing you want is to trip on your wedding day! And I can almost guarantee that with this height your ankle will turn. I had trouble walking in these on a hard surface.
This is what people wear in beach weddings:
http://www.ladybead.com/index1.html
I think this is what someone else meant by
foot jewelry. My friend had a wedding in the Bahama’s and she and her entire bridal party wore these.
I live at the beach, and looooooove Reefs. I swear by them, and they are the only flip flops I wear. I don’t wear any flip flops on the sand, though, because I hate when they flip sand up on the back of my legs and it’s really much easier to walk on sand barefoot. I would personally opt to go barefoot, but that’s just me (plus, I’m incredibly klutzy and would definitely fall off the platform flip flops).
go barefoot!!!! 
I would love to go barefoot, but my wedding will be in a church. I agree with mrsmek…you don’t want to be kicking sand up at your legs and then it will be all over the back of your dress. It is so cool and beach-y to go barefoot!!!! Every time you walk on the beach after the wedding, you will be reminded of your wedding, but it would be neat to just have the feel of sand in your toes make you think of the wedding, too!
i had a pair of white platform jcrew flip flops that i adorned with crystals for my beach wedding. i wore them to the ceremony but took them off when we got to the beach. its hard to walk with flip flops on the sand. but i planned to get married barefoot and it was great. i also had the problem with flipping sand up my dress….
i say buy a pair of really cute flat sandals to wear at the reception and go barefoot for the ceremony. that way you won’t have to worry about your dress being too long to go barefoot.
i second (third? fourth? twelfth?) the barefoot idea.
platform flip flops already seriously up your chances of breaking an ankle. add in sand? no one wants to spend their wedding reception in the hospital!
A girlfriend of mine went barefoot, and just wore some really beautiful foot jewelry. It was basically a thong of rhinestones that went between her toes and around her ankle.
So, so, fresh and fun. I totally would do it for a tropical wedding!
we got married in the sand too…David’s Bridal had really cute flats (flipflops) that were dressy enough even if it weren’t the sand, and were super comfortable through the whole night of dancing as well!
I’ve seen these decked out in rhinestones or these flat thong sandals with rhinestone straps. That grecian look would be stunning.
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Mrs. Lovebird, New York/Cancun
Age and Occupation: 25, Attorney
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Medical Student
Engagement Date: September 22, 2006
Wedding Date: July, 2008
Venue: Dreams Cancun Resort & Spa
About Me: Born and raised New Yorker planning a destination wedding in Cancun, Mexico and a traditional Chinese banquet in New York City. Got proposed to in Cancun, so it’s only fitting we are going back to get married. I love trivia, board games, bargain shopping, asian dramas and eating yummy food!
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