This feature explores the rise of bridal sneakers as a stylish, comfortable alternative to traditional heels for Indian weddings. From beach and palace venues to mehendi and haldi, homegrown brands like Anaar, Chaljooti, Tiesta Shoes, Funky N Trendy and House Of Vian offer embellished, height-boosting designs that complement lehengas while easing foot strain and keeping brides dance-ready.
Weddings are about celebrations, family, fervour and fun. Check. Fatigue and foot pain. Also check. For, what usually lies beneath the chaos and drama in a shaadi is the dread at spending hours in a five kilo-plus multi-tiered lehenga with cancan, a heavy dupatta, ornate clutch purse and those six-inch stilettos, and trying to look effortless while juggling all of these. Safe to say, the going is far from easy if you are covering those long venues or jamming for hours on the dance floor, and we’re sure (like us) you’ve spent many a moment wishing you had at least one sturdy pair of shoes that took the load off your feet, gave you the right bounce and made those hours spent in a heavy outfit, more manageable.
Enter bridal sneakers, as the perfect antidote. They've got everyone to heave a sigh of collective relief, after all, the girlies want comfort, but they also want to have their style.
The wedding sneaker trend arose a few years ago and since, it's only grown bigger. The footwear is perfect for destination weddings at the beach, where you simply can’t have sand constantly entering your peep-toes and juttis or even at a heritage palace where you have to cover a few kms of walking through the day (and night). Brides and their gals are taking it into mehendi and haldi and may we add, even into D-Day!
Remember when stylist Rhea Kapoor teamed a pair of white Nike sneakers with her beautiful Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla lehenga, at sister Sonam Kapoor’s mehendi function? That was cool, too.
Today, there are a number of homegrown sneaker brands that fit perfectly in sync with the wedding scene, from their cream-and-gold-tones to having the right bling and lending a good height advantage via wedges and flatforms. They elevate any outfit from lehengas and shararas to co-ords, while also easing foot strain. Take a look at our curation of these wedding sneakers that will take you from wedding to after party, in style!
Maximalist and fun, these statement satin Sneak-O-Gold shoes with handwork go well with lehengas, saris, and just grabbing the style spotlight.
Slip into comfort with some pearl-encrusted charm in these sneakerina-style slip ons that look every bit regal. Bridgerton vibes? Yes please!
Go for this pretty pastel pink pair that totally accentuates the swirl of your lehenga. Made for dancing your way through the function.
Go minimalist with this cream-hued pair that has motifs of palm trees and pearls and can also have names and the wedding date beaded on request.
These Aurora sneakers with sequins, cutdana, beads and mirrorwork are light and comfortable, meant for those long nights of dancing and days filled with ceremonies and sparkle.