I really like Shimano M520 pedals especially for beginners as they are relatively inexpensive ($40) and, being double sided, a bit less to deal with when clipping in. MTB shoes are also more walkable than road shoes. I now have road shoes with ARC style pedals on my roadie and deck-style shoes with A520 SPDs on my commuter. The road shoes make a big difference on long rides but the SPDs are a lot easier around town.
One word of caution: cheap pedals are often hard to click into/out of and are not good for learning. You don't have to spend a lot but get a quality pedal. Shoes are more about what fits you and they way you will use them.
Lastly, I used clips and straps for decades and they are much better than nothing. You can set your bike up for less than $10 and see what you think.