Wedding shoe trends for modern Indian brides and grooms: Where style meets sentiment

From lightweight midsoles and perforated linings to padded collars, comfort is finally taking center stage without compromising on grandeur (Images: Jeetinder Sandhu and Gully Labs)

This wedding season, the spotlight is on footwear that tells a story of love, craft, and personal expression. Gone are the days when wedding shoes were purely ornamental or painfully uncomfortable. Modern couples are redefining wedding fashion by seeking footwear that not only match their outfits, but their personalities too. This shift toward personalisation also mirrors the broader wedding trend of making each element meaningful — from invitations to jewellery, and now, footwear.

Modern silhouettes, Indian soul

Wedding footwearhas evolved into a meaningful extension of one’s personal style and story. From lightweight midsoles and perforated linings to padded collars, comfort is finally taking center stage without compromising on grandeur.

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Today’s couples want shoes that feel regal but move easily from the mandap to the after-party. Brides and grooms are mixing things up by pairing lehengas or sherwanis with sleek sneakers, handcrafted chappals, and hybrid dress-sneakers instead of traditional juttis. Says Arjun Singh, Co-founder of Gully Labs, “Overall we’ve seen a shift from heavy ornamentation to premium suedes, leathers. Embroidery is subtler; and, coordinated pairs are big. Most couples now want personal details that make their pair truly theirs. We’ve lately done embroidered initials, wedding dates, custom tones that match their outfits, or lace swaps, detachable charms and ghungroo anklets. There’s also a growing love for metal accents and playful add-ons that bring just the right amount of bling.”

Bespoke and bling

Bridal footwear, like the ceremony itself, is deeply personal. Comfort and customization now matter more than fleeting trends and couples are willing to invest in shoes that feel close to heart. Designer Jeetinder Sandhu notes, “Young clients want their shoes to feel deeply personal, almost like an extension of their outfit and story. We often customise everything from the colour and fabric to intricate embroidery that complements the bridal ensemble. Some even prefer having their shoes designed entirely from scratch, starting from a sketch that reflects their personality, wedding theme, or even motifs from their lehenga or sherwani. We encourage our clients not to go too matchy-matchy with their shoes and outfits, but rather to choose something timeless yet unique, and chic, a pair they’ll love and perhaps wear again beyond the wedding day."

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Festive sole-mate:

Every wedding shoe today is designed not just for the day but as a keepsake and a reminder of love, laughter, and the journey shared. The demand for custom shoes has grown beyond just the main ceremony; couples are now ordering personalised pairs for bridal showers, bridesmaid proposals, trousseau gifts, and “his & her” sets.

Traditional silhouettes like juttis and kolhapuris continue to inspire designers, but they’re being reinvented in contemporary ways. As Arjun Singh adds, “It’s all about balancing heritage with ease, sentiment with style. For brides, we love tone-on-tone embroidery in shades like Calico White that complement without overpowering and pops of colour like Naadu Orange or Saaj Orange for haldi, and Manik Red for the pheras. For grooms, sueded leather sneakers and textured tones like Barfi Burgundy and Loam Java pair perfectly with modern sherwanis, or a minimal leather chappal that sits effortlessly under a bundi.”

From handcrafted sneakers that dance through pheras to embroidered chappals that sparkle through cocktails, this season’s wedding shoes redefine what it means to step into forever.

FAQs on Shoe Trends for Indian Weddings

1. What are the current trends in wedding footwear for Indian couples?

Modern wedding shoes combine style and comfort, featuring lightweight midsoles, padded collars, and subtle embroidery. Couples prefer personalised details like initials, wedding dates, and custom tones matching their outfits.

2. How important is comfort in wedding shoes today?

Comfort is paramount in modern wedding footwear. Couples look for shoes that feel regal yet are easy to move in, from the mandap to the after-party, without compromising on style.

3. Are traditional Indian shoes still popular for weddings?

Yes, traditional silhouettes like juttis and kolhapuris remain popular but are being reinvented with contemporary designs, offering a balance of heritage and modern style.

4. How do couples personalise their wedding shoes?

Couples personalise their wedding shoes with custom colours, fabrics, and intricate embroidery. Some even design their shoes from scratch to reflect their personality, wedding theme, or motifs from their outfits.

5. Are wedding shoes only for the main ceremony?

No, custom wedding shoes are also popular for bridal showers, bridesmaid proposals, trousseau gifts, and “his & her” sets, serving as keepsakes and reminders of the joyous occasions.