A stiletto and a lawn do not get along, and neither do a kitten heel and loose sand. We have written about wedding heels and white lace flats before, but neither piece looked specifically at venue, and venue changes everything when your ceremony is outdoors. If you are getting married on grass or sand, here are four shoes from our existing lineup that we would actually recommend, and why.
What to look for in a garden or beach wedding shoe
Surface is the whole game outdoors. A thin stiletto heel sinks straight into grass and disappears into sand within a few steps, so almost everything on this list is either a flat or a block heel with a wide enough base to stay on top of soft ground instead of in it. Beyond the heel itself, think about how the shoe stays on. A mule can slide off in sand, while a strap or a tie that wraps the ankle, like several of the styles below, keeps the shoe in place through a ceremony, photos, and however much walking your venue requires between them.
Four wedding shoes for grass and sand
Crochet Lace Block Heel Wedding Sandals with Wrapped Ankle Tie, Kailee P.
This is our first recommendation for a garden ceremony specifically because of the block heel, wide enough to stay on top of grass instead of punching through it, and the ankle tie keeps the sandal secure through a ceremony that might involve a grass aisle, a few photo stops, and a walk back. Shop the Crochet Lace Block Heel Sandals, $169.
Satin Pointy Toe Low Block Heels with Wrapped Ribbon Tie, Kailee P.
A lower block heel than most of what we carry, which makes it one of the steadier options on uneven ground like a garden path or a lawn with any slope to it. The ribbon ties up the ankle, so it stays put even if your reception has you walking between the ceremony spot and a tent on grass. Shop the Satin Pointy Toe Low Block Heels, $159.
Lace Mesh Ballerina Flats, Atana
For a beach ceremony, we point brides toward a true flat almost every time, since no heel height is sinkproof in dry sand. This one gives you lace detail and a leather lining without a heel to fight, and it is the dressiest flat we carry for brides who still want a bridal shoe to show up in photos. Shop the Lace Mesh Ballerina Flats, $474.
Crochet Lace Flats Ballerina Lace Up, Kailee P.
A more affordable flat with the same lace up ribbon detail that keeps a sandal secure, which matters more on sand than almost anywhere else since a loose slide on shoe is the first thing to go missing on a beach. Shop the Crochet Lace Flats, $129.
How to choose between a block heel and a flat outdoors
Grass tends to be more forgiving than sand, so a low block heel like the Satin Pointy Toe style can work on a lawn, especially if there is a path or a flat ceremony area rather than a slope. Dry, loose sand is a different story, a flat is almost always the safer call, and a wet, packed sand closer to the shoreline will hold a block heel better than you might expect if you really want the height. If you are not sure which your venue will be on the day, pack a flat as a backup even if you plan to walk down the aisle in heels.
Shop the full collection
Browse the rest of our bridal shoes collection for more options, or read our full roundups of wedding heels and white lace wedding flats if your ceremony is indoors or on a harder surface.
Garden and beach wedding shoes, answered
Can I wear heels at a beach wedding?
You can, but a thin heel or even a small block heel will struggle in dry sand. If your ceremony is right at the shoreline where the sand is wet and packed, a low block heel can hold up reasonably well. Otherwise, we would steer you toward a flat.
What is the best heel height for a garden wedding?
A low block heel, generally under 2 inches, is the safest choice for grass. It gives you a little height without the instability of a stiletto, and the wider base keeps you from sinking in on a soft lawn.
Should I bring a backup pair of shoes to an outdoor wedding?
Yes, especially if your venue has more than one surface, grass for the ceremony and a dance floor for the reception, for example. A flat as a backup to a heel is one of the simplest things you can pack.
Do lace up shoes work better outdoors than slip on styles?
Generally yes. A tie or strap that wraps the ankle, like the Crochet Lace Block Heel Sandals or the Crochet Lace Flats, stays secure through walking on grass or sand in a way a mule or slide can come loose.
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