A lot goes into putting together even the simplest of weddings. There are decorations, flowers, food, and of course, the bride's attire. Early in the planning process (about 6-9 months before the wedding day) the bride usually selects her dress, veil, and shoes. When the wedding is going to take place on a beach, choosing the right shoes to complement the wedding dress may seem a difficult task at first. Fortunately, trends in bridal sandals offer today's beach bride a wide selection of options.

Weddings are steeped in tradition; however, acceptable wedding attire has gotten away from the Victorian-inspired white dress and white shoes. The ever-increasing number of beach weddings is a sign that times have changed. Bridal beach sandals have two main requirements: style and comfort (not necessarily in that order).

Elegant Flip Flops and More

If the wedding will take place on the sand, flip flop sandals are a good choice. If you're trying to figure out how you're going to match your elegant bridal gown to a pair of rubber flip flops-don't worry. Gone are the days of plain beach flip flop sandals being the only footwear choice for beach weddings. Beach brides of today can choose from a wide selection of flip flop dress sandals that go beyond the thin, rubber-soled styles of old. A chic pair of silver dress sandals, such as those designed by Steve Madden, are made to complement the elegant bridal dress that is typically worn on the beach.

White high heels with a satin finish were at one time the standard accessories for a wedding gown. While shiny white shoes are still popular, dress sandals with shimmering rhinestones, luxurious suede, bold metallics, and unique ankle strappings are becoming more than trendy fashion ideas in wedding attire.

While the bride is typically the focal point of a wedding, the groom's attire should complement the bride. Flip flop dress sandals for men are without the adornment found on sandals for women, but are nevertheless suitable for a beach wedding. Men's flip flop dress sandals are typically available in white and earthy colors, such as tan, black, and dark brown.

Children are the little darlings of the wedding ensemble and deserve appealing footwear. Stride Rite offers stylish dress sandals for kids that include buckles and padding that protect their feet in unstable beach sand. Michael Kors dress sandals for kids are a bit more daring and suitable for older children.