Rachel Simpson knows shoes – since launching her own name collection in 2008, she’s won numerous awards for her gorgeous bridal footwear, and loads of our real brides have walked down the aisle in her designs.

Now though, she’s turning her attention to the men – after all, it’s not just you who deserves an amazing pair of shoes on the big day! Here’s what Rachel has to say about your fella’s footwear…

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“Traditionally grooms and their wedding day attire tend to take a bit of a back seat on the big day, as the men opt for hired suits and – dare we say it – rented shoes.

More recently though, more and more grooms are taking back the responsibility for their choice of wedding outfit – hurrah! There are now a wealth of non-traditional grooms’ suits to choose from, both on the high street and bespoke. Brighter colours and textured fabrics such as tweeds and cords are making their way down the aisle. When a colour or theme dictates what three piece your groom rents or buys, how else can they express their character and personality in the way they dress? The answer is simple – shoes!

Continue reading below…

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With all eyes on the bride, first impressions are vital for the groom and the simple things like his choice of shoe can make all the difference. As the saying goes, you can tell a lot about a man by the shoes he wears! Unless the thought of wearing someone else’s shoes really appeals, it makes sense to buy if you make sure you choose a style you can wear long after the big day.

There are a multitude of different styles and colours for grooms to choose from, both on the high street and from high-end designer brands. Be generous with the budget – it’s not all about the bride, and a good quality pair of men’s shoes is worth the investment. You don’t have to break the bank, though – just look our for quality features such as leather linings, good quality soles and leather uppers for maximum comfort.

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Style-wise, black patent leather lace-ups are the traditional choice – Oliver from the Rachel Simpson collection is a traditional style on a modern Italian inspired silhouette for a truly classic look. For grooms looking for a more statement shoe, Harris is a classic wing-tip brogue detailing on a stylish modern square toe. The black is a great choice to double up as the perfect work shoe later on, or go for tan, which looks great with a grey or navy suit.

The full Rachel Simpson collection can be found at rachelsimpsonshoes.co.uk. Other shoes are, of course, available. And if you still have the urge to hire shoes, you can always visit your local bowling alley!”

If you and your husband-to-be are still looking for his perfect wedding day look, take a look at the Grooms section of the website for more menswear, as well as loads of advice for men on the big day!