There is a lot to think about when you’re getting married. The outfit, the jewellery, the flowers, the guest list, whether your cousin is actually going to show up on time. Shoes tend to fall somewhere near the bottom of that list.
They probably shouldn’t.
The right pair can make a sherwani look sharper, give a simple suit some personality and, perhaps most importantly, get you through hours of standing and dancing without making you want to throw them into the nearest bush.
Your sherwani does not need another statement
If your wedding outfit already has enough going on, your shoes don't have to compete with it.
A heavily embroidered sherwani works well with a relatively simple jutti or mojari. You can pick up one colour from the embroidery or keep the footwear tonal. Think ivory with ivory, gold with warm neutrals, or a deep jewel tone against a quieter outfit.
The opposite works too. If you're wearing a relatively pared-back sherwani or kurta, the shoes can be where you bring in some personality. Embroidery, texture or an unexpected colour can make a simple outfit feel more considered.
The trick is not to match every single detail. Your shoes and sherwani are allowed to be friends without wearing matching outfits.
There is life beyond the jutti
Juttis and mojaris are classics for a reason, but they aren't your only options.
A kurta with relaxed trousers can work with minimal leather sandals or slip-ons, particularly for daytime functions. A bandhgala can be paired with a sleek loafer. A sharply tailored suit gives you room for Oxfords, Derbys or a polished loafer, depending on how formal you want to go.
And then there are velvet slippers, which have become something of a wedding-party staple. They work particularly well with tuxedos, bandhgalas and evening looks and are a good way to make formalwear feel a little less predictable.
Dress for the function, not just the photograph.
Your Mehendi shoes don't have to look like your wedding shoes.
Daytime functions are a good excuse for lighter colours and softer textures. Think beige, tan, ivory, suede or woven finishes. For a cocktail or sangeet, you can go darker and more dramatic with velvet, polished leather or shades like burgundy and chocolate brown.
The wedding ceremony is where traditional footwear makes the most sense, particularly if you're wearing a sherwani. For the reception, a sleek loafer or formal shoe can shift the look into something more contemporary.
Your wardrobe already has multiple outfits. Your shoes can have different personalities too.
Please try them on before the wedding.
This sounds obvious until you're six hours into your wedding and discovering a very specific area of your foot that has never experienced this much suffering.
New shoes need breaking in. Wear them around the house before the wedding and walk in them for a while. Do this with the trousers, socks or churidar you actually plan to wear because proportions and fit can change once everything is on.
If you're buying traditional footwear, don't assume that a slightly snug pair will magically become comfortable. Give yourself enough time to exchange it if needed.
Think about where you're getting married.
A pair of beautiful shoes with a completely smooth sole is less charming when you're trying to walk across a lawn.
For outdoor weddings, check that the sole has enough grip. If the venue involves grass, gravel or uneven stone, footwear with some traction will make your life considerably easier. Indoor receptions give you more freedom to choose delicate or highly polished shoes.
Also consider how much walking you'll actually be doing. A venue spread across different areas can turn a shoe that felt fine during a five-minute trial into a very different experience by the end of the evening.