Article: Wedding Elevator Shoes for the Groom: How to Add a Few Inches
Wedding Elevator Shoes for the Groom: How to Add a Few Inches
The simplest way to look taller on your wedding day is a pair of elegant dress shoes with a hidden lift of 2 to 4.7 inches (5–12 cm). From the outside they look like classic suit shoes – the difference only shows in the photos, and in your favour. Below we explain how much height to choose, which style to pick and how to try your shoes on before the big day.
Why height matters on your wedding day
Your wedding leaves you with hundreds of photos – and in most of them you are standing right next to your bride. If she wears heels, a height difference you never notice day to day suddenly shows in every shot of the two of you.
A few extra inches change the proportions in the photos, during the first dance and as you greet your guests. Above all, they change how you feel: you can focus on the day itself, not on how you look next to your bride or your best man.
How elevator shoes work
An elevator shoe has a lift hidden inside, under the heel, which tapers gently towards the toes. Your foot sits higher, but from the outside you see an ordinary dress shoe with a normal sole – no visible platform and no high heel.
That is the difference from shoe lifts slipped into regular shoes: an insert raises your heel but pushes it out of the shoe, so the shoe slips and the height is limited. In an elevator shoe the whole construction is designed around the higher heel from the start. Read more in our guide How do elevator shoes work?
Why we don't recommend shoe lifts in regular shoes is explained in our article Shoe lifts or elevator shoes?
How much height should you choose for your wedding?
The best-selling styles in our wedding collection add 3.15 inches (8 cm) – clearly taller, while the shoe still looks completely classic. Your bride's heel height is a good guide too: if you want to keep the same height difference as usual, choose a similar lift.
| Lift | Who it suits | Wedding styles |
|---|---|---|
| 2–2.4 in (5–6 cm) | A first pair of elevator shoes, a subtle difference | Ivano, Dario, Ottavio (5 cm), Armando, Luca (6 cm) |
| 2.75 in (7 cm) | Clearly taller, a very natural look | Dionigi, Basilio, Engelberto, Paolo |
| 3.15 in (8 cm) | The most popular wedding choice | Rossi, Antonio, Fontana, Colombo |
| 3.5–4 in (9–10 cm) | For men who want real height and already know elevator shoes | Apollo, Augusto (9 cm), Norberto, Marco (10 cm) |
| 4.7 in (12 cm) | Maximum effect | Abaco |
See the full range in our Wedding shoes collection.
Which style and colour go with your suit?
Smooth, lace-up dress shoes suit a wedding suit best – the more formal the ceremony, the simpler the shoe.
- Oxfords (closed lacing) are the most elegant choice, ideal with a dark suit, a tuxedo or a church wedding.
- Derbies (open lacing) are slightly less formal and more comfortable for a wider foot; they work well for a registry office or outdoor wedding.
- Black goes with navy, charcoal and black suits. Brown looks better with light, beige and blue suits, especially in summer and outdoors.
- Trouser length matters: the hem should just touch the shoe. Too short shows the ankle and visually shortens your figure, so you lose part of the effect.
How to try the shoes on – and what if they don't fit?
We dispatch within 1 working day, so you can order even shortly before the wedding.
- Try them on at home, ideally on a carpet and in the socks you will wear on the day. Walk around for a few minutes and stand in them.
- Not the right fit? Exchange them. You have 60 days to return or exchange, and when you exchange for another size or model we send the new pair free of charge. See Returns & Exchanges for details.
Remember that shoes worn outdoors can no longer be returned as new, so until you decide, only try them on indoors.
Frequently asked questions
Will anyone notice I'm wearing elevator shoes?
No. We design elevator shoes from scratch and specialise in nothing else, so the lift is completely hidden inside the shoe. From the outside you see a classic, elegant dress shoe – no one will notice they are elevator shoes.
Can I wear them for the whole wedding?
Elevator shoes are designed to be worn all day.
Can I dance in them?
Yes. If you plan to dance a lot and this is your first pair, choose 2 to 4 inches (5–10 cm).
How do I choose my size?
Measure your foot and check the chart in our guide How to choose your size? If the size doesn't fit, you can exchange it within 60 days.
What if the wedding is only days away?
Order as soon as possible – we dispatch within 1 working day. Try the shoes on as soon as they arrive, so there is time to exchange the size if needed.
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