Different dress for reception?

I’m not getting a second dress and I have a big dress too. I’m ignoring everyone saying I should change knowing full well I’ll definitely complain about it being heavy throughout the night 😂

Even Randy Fenoli says no to two dresses 😉
https://www.insider.com/randy-fenoli-says-dont-wear-2-dresses-on-wedding-day-2022-7

I will be wearing a second dress for my reception. Yes, I absolutely adore my wedding dress… but being comfortable and having a great time is way more important to me than wearing it for a few hours longer. I will have pictures of me in it that will last a lifetime, so what’s a few more hours going to do for me, other than make my night less enjoyable? 🤷🏼‍♀️

I have several white dresses that I have worn/am wearing for wedding events I will be bringing one of those to the venue to have as a back up. If I get too sweaty/uncomfortable or itchy from my dress it will absolutely affect my mood the whole night. I am bringing a back up just to have on hand but hopefully won't need it. Lulus has some really cute and pretty affordable options. What ever you decide have the greatest day!!

I’m going to bring a back up romper just in case I get too hot! What do your dresses look like?

I brought a back-up dress (that I already owned) but I didn't change into it. I just didn't want to take my wedding dress off - and it was a lot of dress.

I wore a ballgown for my wedding and reception, but changed into a short dress for my after party which was at a bar. I loved my wedding dress so much there was no I didn't want to wear it for the reception. I also wouldn't have wanted to attempt to figure out when the heck to change during the reception. I changed into my after party dress when guests who wanted to attend the after party made their way to the bar.

I think it depends what kind of reception you plan on having.

I had a very heavy ballgown with a long train, and didn't change or bustle or anything. I think in the vast majority of cases it's totally unnecessary.

Essentially unless you and your crowd are into very energetic club-style dancing and that plans to be the main feature of the night, I'm unsure why people would want to change. I did have sore shoulders by the end of the evening - my straps were a bit short as it was during pandemic time and I'd not been able to have alterations. But honestly I wouldn't have changed for anything in the world! I loved my dress.

I had a loop to help me carry it but despite the cathedral length train, I didn't use it for our first dance and was able to twirl just fine.

I think the idea of a reception dress has been promoted by the industry wanting to sell more dresses, and also just by brides tempted by an excuse to purchase another gown. In practice, all the fuss about bustling and needing to be comfortable doesn't really matter on the day. One has all year round to wear pyjamas!

I absolutely did. I had three changes and sis not regret it whatsoever. My gown was gorgeous but so cumbersome to dance and move around so I opted for a 2nd wedding dress that was simple and then later changed into a jumpsuit. I was never bothered by the “I will only wear this once in my life” sentiment. It’s is traditional for us to experience multiple dress changes.

I don't even have my gown yet, but I absolutely know that I'm wearing a second dress. A little bit so I can move and dance, especially for our hora, but tbh also because I'm dramatic and I want the moment.

In reverse compared to other posters, my ceremony dress was actually my backup dress. I wore it and a veil for about 45 min. I bought my reception dress with my husband first, and it is sexier, more romantic, more fashion-forward, and cost 3x more. I wanted to spend most of my time in that one.

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Michelle,

I could see that making some sense. Did your wedding dress still "make a statement"? I wasn't sure how to reword that.

Oops. I remember now. You had the two dresses both with overskirts.

Unless you are in a super air conditioned building, Vegas is hot year round.


While it’s popular on Pinterest and Instagram, I didn’t want to spend the extra money on a dress that will only be worn an hour max. That’s why it was important for me to find a dress that I would not overheat in and that I could also move in. In our circles, dress changes are not a thing, and with the standard 4 hour max reception block that many venues allow, there is no time to change dresses that doesn’t take away from spending time with guests.
Do what works for you within your budget.

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I think every bride looks amazing in their dress, no matter the shape, detail, or train length. I gravitate towards structural, so the mikado and ruching was still me. Didn't know I wanted a more romantic look until I put the reception dress on.

OP, Las Vegas is cold in December. I lived there for 5 years. It's desert and can reach 20F, no humidity. It warms by 3pm. If you're having an outdoor wedding, your guests will be wearing coats. Sleeves on a wedding dress is suitable. If you're indoor, you can wear whatever you like.

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I like a lot of the Mikado dresses. They have a more solid look. Maybe that is the idea of being structural. Your option sounds great. It also may be an option for brides who end up with two dresses accidentally.

If we do an after party I’ll have a 2nd outfit I’ll change into. Other than that though I’m staying in my dress.

I think one dress is perfect. I won’t want to take my wedding dress off after just the ceremony. It is so expensive already and a second dress just seems too “extra” for me. Nonetheless, I am practical and grew up in an era where brides only had one dress

I personally don’t understand the need for multiple outfit changes. I have my one dress and will wear it all day/night because I know that I won’t ever be able to wear it again afterwards. I don’t want to waste money on multiple outfits, but I also want to have lots of wedding reception photos to frame in my wedding dress

I am wearing my dress for the ceremony and reception but I got a more relaxed jumpsuit because we are having an after-party at a different location. My dress will be far too formal for the after-party venue and I am worried about getting it dirty. I plan on preserving it and seeing if one of my nieces wants to wear it one day when they get married. I would only have one outfit if we were just doing the ceremony and reception but since there is another event after everything, that is the only reason I have a second outfit.