Platform Wedding Shoes: Height Without the Pain

Yes, for most brides a platform heel is more comfortable than a stiletto of the same height. The platform raises the front of the foot, which reduces the angle between heel and toe and takes pressure off the ball of the foot. A shoe like the Harlo Australia Eva measures 12.5cm but, with its 1.5cm platform, feels closer to 11cm underfoot. Pair that with a block heel and an ankle strap and you have a shoe most Australian brides can wear through the ceremony, photos and speeches.

It depends on the designer, so always read the details. Bella Belle lists the heel and the platform separately, so the Lexi is described as a 10.2cm heel with a 1.9cm platform. Harlo Australia and Badgley Mischka usually quote one total figure, so the Bryleigh's 13cm includes its platform. To work out how high a shoe will feel, subtract the platform height from the heel height. That number, called the pitch, is what your foot experiences.

Platform heels are usually easier to walk in than a stiletto at the same height because the slope of the foot is gentler and the sole is thicker and more stable. A block heel adds a wider base, which helps on floorboards, stone and stairs. The trade off is a stiffer sole, so you need to roll through the step rather than strike with the heel. Wear your platforms around the house for a few evenings before the wedding and the movement quickly feels natural.

Most platform wedding shoes sit between 10cm and 13cm in total height, with a platform of 1.5cm to 2.5cm under the toe. At The White Collection the Badgley Mischka Rylan and Romina measure 11.5cm, the Harlo Australia Eva is 12.5cm and the Badgley Mischka Bryleigh is 13cm. Because of the platform, each of these feels lower than its measurement suggests. If you are used to a 7 or 8cm heel, a 10cm heel with a 2.5cm platform will feel very similar.

Platform wedding shoes are one of the best options for petite brides who want noticeable height without wobbling. The platform adds lift under the whole foot, so you gain centimetres in your photos while the felt height stays manageable. An open toe or a slim ankle strap keeps the look light so the shoe does not overwhelm a smaller frame. Bring your shoes to every dress fitting so your seamstress can hem the gown to the exact height you will wear on the day.

Take shorter steps than you would in flats and let the foot roll from heel to toe so the stiffer platform sole moves with you. Keep your shoulders back and your weight slightly forward over the ball of the foot. Practise on stairs and on the surfaces you will meet on the day, such as grass, sandstone or polished floorboards. Many Australian brides also keep a pair of bridal flats nearby for the late part of the reception.

You can, as long as you choose a platform with a block heel. A wide block heel spreads your weight so you are less likely to sink into lawn, while a thin stiletto heel will dig straight in. The Harlo Australia Eva, Badgley Mischka Rylan and Badgley Mischka Bryleigh all have block heels that suit garden and vineyard ceremonies. For very soft grass, slip on a pair of clear heel stoppers for the walk down the aisle.

Platform heels remain a strong bridal choice, particularly in satin, pearl and crystal finishes that read as classic rather than trend led. Designers such as Bella Belle, Harlo Australia and Badgley Mischka continue to release new platform styles in soft white and ivory. Slim, low profile platforms with an ankle strap look elegant under a full length gown and work with both modern and romantic dress styles. Chosen well, a platform wedding shoe will look as good in your photos in twenty years as it does on the day.