Do I get a second dress or not?

I paid good money for my one dress - too much to only wear it an hour. I don't understand the concept of a second dress. It seems like a waste of money to me.

They are both pretty... but usually when I see people change for the reception, it's into a less "bridal" gown if that makes sense. Something form fitting, maybe even short. I've also seen all white pantsuits which were super fly. But I might wonder why a bride changed into another long gown if I were attending.... so I'd say just pick one and wear it the whole time. But that's just me.

Those dresses are pretty similar. I just don't see the point.

This is really a budget question. I see no reason to spend that much money on two dresses for the same event. As Lauren said typically when people switch dresses for the reception they go to something less formal, not equally as formal.

What's the point? It just seems like a waste of moolah, plus your first dress is so pretty!

@Fiddlin - I normally would be completely against it as well...butttt with the timeline my reception venue has planned out, I would have ample time/room to change without interrupting anything of significant importance other than maybe 5 minutes of the BP sitting around drinking cocktails and eating hors d'oeuvres

Your first dress is just gorgeous. I wouldn't want to take it off

I wouldn't get a second dress unless it was way different, and way more comfortable than your first dress. Sales are AMAZING, but shouldn't drive your decision, because in the end, you're still spending additional money on a gown that looks very similar to your OG gown.

I am wearing two dresses. They are both fit and flare but the ceremony dress is all lace, has a train and is strapless. Dress 2 is satin with beaded straps and a low back. No train. I'll definitely have the first dress on longer than an hour. Putting it on at 2:00 for pictures and wearing it through dances, dinner and cake cutting. Then changing into dress 2 around 9:00pm to get the party started. I think if it's in your budget and you love them both then go for it. They are both beautiful!

Thanks for the advice ladies. I honestly haven't been to a wedding in the last few years where the bride hasn't changed into another dress.

Do what you feel, me personally I'm having two wedding dresses, one in Ivory for my FH and the reception dress will be blush because that's what I wanted originally. I could give a damn about how anyone feels about it. Do what makes you happy.

Really? I've never been to a wedding where she did. I didn't realize that was a "thing" until WW.

Trust me it's a thing, there is a whole Instagram page showcasing brides in their second dress.

The silhouettes of those two gowns are so similar that I wouldn't spend the money on the second one. As a PP said, second gowns are usually more cocktail than bridal, and people definitely notice the change. I think most people won't really notice, or if they do, they're going to think that you just couldn't make up your mind so you bought both.

ETA: And I've been to tons of weddings and have never seen a bride change her dress. Never.

@Erin - I do love them both. I know they look similar in the pictures, but they are fairly different in person. My original dress is very formal with heavy, detailed beading and a very intricate back. The second is much lighter and IMO much more plain and simple, but still gorgeous. It's definitely well within my budget/what I originally planned to spend on my dress. I had a very hard time initially picking between the two, but chose the first dress because I had been looking at it wayyy before I got engaged and it fits better with my very formal ceremony venue. I'm glad someone else is doing this and I'm not completely crazy for considering a second dress haha

I dont get it. I couldn't see wearing my dress for an hour and changing to another. My dress is special and I will be wearing it every possible minute on my wedding day.

The first dress is a show stopper, don't take it off.

I don't get this fad. It's such a waste of money and very braggy to me. Like "look at my extravagant dress, but wait, there's another!!"

I'm sure there's somewhere else in planning or life you can put that money.

I'll never understand the 2 dress trend. I want to wear mine morr than just one day! Lol

I agree with Melissa, it seems like that money could be better spent somewhere else. I have never seen the need for 2 dresses. Your original dress is a knock out.