There’s nothing quite like a seaside ceremony. The venue is beautiful, the weather is gorgeous, and the golden-hour reception is sure to be unforgettable. The only small catch? Finding a wedding guest shoe that works on the beach. Sand and stilettos just don’t mix. But while this style choice can be trickier than usual, it’s also a chance to get creative. Go for beach-friendly silhouettes like sandals, flats, and wedges that still pack enough style to complement your outfit.

The Best Beach Wedding Guest Shoes, According to Vogue:

The Classic Sandal
H&M strappy sandals – $40, H&M

The Shiny Slide
Staud Carrie knotted sandals – $295, NET-A-PORTER

The Tomato Wedge
Mango wedge leather sandals – $250, MANGO

The Designer Style
Alaïa patent wedge sandals – $1,490, NET-A-PORTER

The Woven Heels
Larroudé Dew Drop macrame sandals – $300, SHOPBOP

The Grown-Up Jelly
Chloé jelly sandals – $610, CHLOE

The Breathable Ballerinas
Banana Republic woven ballet flats – $200, BANANA REPUBLIC

The Fisherman Sandals
Zara metallic fisherman sandals – $60, ZARA

Brands like Staud, Le Monde Beryl, and Aeyde are experts at turning simple shoe shapes like flats and strappy mules into elevated works of art, perfect even for the most formal events. There are also luxury designer options, from Chloé’s cult-favorite jelly sandals to Bottega Veneta block heels and glam wedges by Prada and Alaïa. A little digging reveals a world of choices beyond the classic high heel, ready to suit all your beachy needs.

We’ve put together a list of all the beach wedding guest shoes we love—festive and perfectly suited for a romantic seaside ceremony.

Sophisticated Sandals
There are few summer occasions where a chic pair of sandals doesn’t make sense—and that includes beach weddings. Strappy pairs with metallic details, like Amanu’s gold-hardware shoe, feel just as formal as the highest stilettos, all while keeping you safely grounded in the sand.

– Amanu – The Marrakech leather flats – $375, NET-A-PORTER
– H&M – strappy sandals – $40, H&M
– Emme Parsons – Susan metallic-leather sandals – $515, NET-A-PORTER
– Aeyde – Nettie metallic leather sandals – $445, NET-A-PORTER
– Staud – Carrie knotted sandals – $295, NET-A-PORTER
– Tory Burch – pierced slides – $350, TORY BURCH

Sleek Wedges
One step up from flat sandals is the wedge: elevated but stable, so you can safely walk across the shore to your seat. We’re loving options in bright colors, like shiny lime green and poppy red, as well as unexpected materials, like Alaïa’s plexi wedge.

– Tory Burch – pierced sandals – $425, TORY BURCH
– Prada – metallic leather sandals – $1,320, PRADA
– Jamie Haller – The Kit leather mules – $765, NET-A-PORTER
– Alaïa – patent wedge sandals – $1,490, NET-A-PORTER
– Mango – wedge leather sandals – $250, MANGO
– Jude – Yaga leather wedge sandals – $580, NET-A-PORTER

Steady Block Heels
If you want to wear heels to a beach wedding, the best choice is definitely the block heel. They’re much less likely to sink into the sand than stilettos, while still giving you a little extra height. Larroudé offers beachy vibes with a sculptural stacked heel and macrame weaving, while Bottega Veneta and Madewell take a more minimalist approach.

– Bottega Veneta – Livia thong sandals – $1,100, BOTTEGA VENETA
– Larroudé – Dew Drop macrame sandals – $300, SHOPBOP
– Chloé – jelly sandals – $610, CHLOE
– Madewell – The Maycie asymmetric sandals – $118, MADEWELL
– Valentino – Annet sandals – $950, NORDSTROM
– Margaux – The Cleo sandals – $345, NORDSTROM

Summery Flats
Beach, meBallet flats! If you want to skip heels but find sandals too casual, ballet flats are the perfect choice. Trendy details like crystal-covered mesh, colorful woven patterns, and even lace make these shoes feel festive and stylish.

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Banana Republic
Woven ballet flats
$200 BANANA REPUBLIC

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Dôen
Pillar Mary Janes
$348 DÔEN

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Loeffler Randall
Devon lattice slingback sandals
$295 NORDSTROM

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Zara
Metallic fisherman sandals
$60 ZARA

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Le Monde Béryl
Luna crystal-embellished flats
$815 NET-A-PORTER

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Christopher Esber
Minette mesh ballet flats
$590 NET-A-PORTER

Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of frequently asked questions for guests attending a beach wedding based on the 24 shoe options available

BeginnerLevel Questions

1 Can I wear heels on the sand
Yes but only if they are thick chunky heels or wedges Stilettos will sink immediately

2 What is a wedge shoe
A wedge has a solid triangularshaped heel that runs from the back of the shoe to the arch It provides more stability on soft ground than a traditional heel

3 Are flat shoes okay for a beach wedding
Absolutely Flats are often the most practical choice and can be very stylish Look for fun sandals espadrilles or embellished flats

4 What is an espadrille
An espadrille is a casual shoe with a canvas or cotton upper and a flexible sole made of jute They are a classic beach wedding staple

5 Can I wear flipflops to a beach wedding
Only if they are dressy flipflops Avoid basic rubber ones Look for leather metallic or beaded options

6 Will my shoes get ruined at a beach wedding
Sand saltwater and moisture can damage delicate fabrics and leather Its best to avoid suede or silk for a beach ceremony

Advanced Practical Questions

7 What is the best heel height for walking on sand
A 2 to 3inch wedge is the most stable Anything taller than 4 inches can be risky even with a wedge

8 Are block heels better than wedges for the beach
Wedges are generally better because the entire sole touches the ground distributing your weight evenly Block heels have a smaller surface area

9 How do I keep my shoes from sinking into the sand
Look for shoes with a wide base a textured sole or a platform You can also buy heel stoppers for wedges

10 What is a platform shoe
A platform has a thick sole under the entire front of the foot which adds height without making the heel angle too steep This can help with balance on uneven sand

11 Should I wear opentoe or closedtoe shoes
Opentoe