Do you need a ceremony AND reception gown?

Most people I seen with multiple dresses have a couple things in common. One they can afford them.Two the ceremony dress is constricting and they want to get down at the reception. Three They just want the second dress. I personally am thinking of a second dress that I can dance better in. BUT my biggest problem with that is I paying out over $1000 for my gorgous Maggie Sotero dress and can't see paying more for second dress.

Some people get a different dress for the reception because they want something that's easier to move/dance in than their ceremony dress, especially if the ceremony dress has a long train or whatever (although you can also bustle the train to keep it from getting in the way). There's certainly no requirement for having a different dress, and while there are traditions for wedding dresses (relatively recent ones--look at wedding photos from the 30s or 40s and you won't see any "wedding dresses" like you see now), there is no hard and fast rule (see my profile pic). Wear what you like; get a second dress if you want and can afford one. Please yourself.

One consideration is whether or not guests have had ample time to take pics of the formal couple. Spending an hour at the reception in the formal gown would be just fine before a dress change. In addition, I'm sure the secondary dress is more about comfort rather than necessity. As a sidebar, I also personally don't think anyone needs to spend a small fortune on a second dress for the reception. A $50-$100 Dillard's dress can go a long way. =)

I have nothing against girls who wear multiple dresses, however even if I had an unlimited budget I would not change my dress. I love my gown and I want to leave it on as long as possible!

BTW welcome to Wedding Wire

I love your "long time lurker, first time poster" comment. WW ladies totally have me laughing tonight! Welcome to the posting world!

You don't have to wear multiple gowns. As shdvl said, there's a few reasons but none of them are requirements. I will be wearing the same dress for both ceremony and reception, because my dress is beautiful and I'm not going to want to take it off after 1/2 hour, lol

I have two dresses the big wedding dress with train and all then a camo summer dress thats flowy for the reception. you dont have to have 2 dresses but it does make things easier in the long run i think. my main reason to change after pics and all the traditional stuff is because my dress is heavy and sept it tends to be a little warm still. plus im not a big dress person so...

Awesome, thank you, ladies! still haven't gone shopping yet, but i'll keep all of this in mind when i do!

@Laura, I like the way you think, on this. Wearing a beautiful gown, that one will never wear again, in my opinion, is fantastic.

I do not see the need for another dress, unless you want one. Then by all means, do it.

I remember when I was little, the Bride and Groom would stay in the gown and tux until late into the reception. Then they would go change into their "going away" outfits.

I had another dress for the reception and it went completely out of my mind the minute I put on my dress. I didn't take it off until 2am..lol.

Personally, I don't care for the second dress idea. Maybe it's the frugal person inme- but if I spend that much money on one dress, I'm going to wear it as long as I can... especially since I have no occassion I can wear it again...

That being said, I am changing before we make our grand exit and head to the hotel for some 'special time" alone as husband and wife.

All of you make excellent points. I'm buying my dress in China (because I live here and heck, I can get a great one for under $100), so I could get two if the mood strikes! I really prefer something that is appropriate for both because the ceremony doesn't even start until 6:00 PM!! Any suggestions for a style that would look elegant under the chuppah but also movable for all the mingling? Fabric suggestions also greatly appreciated.

Honestly, I'm not a big fan of "practicality" as a major deciding factor for your wedding dress. That wasn't what I was worrying about when I picked mine, for d* sure. :p But seriously, look for a dress that you LOVE--when else are you going to wear it?

I didnt get a different gown, because i figured i spent so much darn money on the original i wanted to wear it as long as i could....plus i loved it. However, if i would have known it was going to be 93 degrees and muggy, i most definitly would have purchased a reception gown, one that was shorter and more airy...

Though people have good reasons for different dresses - I love it when brides stay in one dress for the whole day. People don't get a chance to really see it at the ceremony. And the PP's are right. If you love the dress, why wouldn't you want to wear it alllllll day!

I personally don't want to spend any more money than I already have and I love my dress so much but at the same time I do want to be comfy so I may just go ahead and get a second dress.

I personaly don't like the whole second dress thing...but i guess it depends on what you want for your wedding and reception...

I'm trying to find a dress I can move in (I only want/can afford one dress). Try looking at a-lines. The one Maggie I have in mind is a-line, but with a slight trumpet flare (which I prefer over a-line). It was very 'move-able'. The slight train will still need to be bustled. (BTW, the corset was broken on this sample dress, so the waist would be better defined, and it's too long for my short legs).

Here's another pic of the dress (this one not me - I'm not that busty, lol).

Well a lot of brides do have 2 dresses as for me i was thinking of only having 1 dress but after a fashion show that i went to i am thinking of a second dress only because the women that were modeling all these dresses were dancing in them and had so much trouble to move and i personally don't want that problem. Another thing that u can do is get a dress that has a train that detaches, my sister had a dress like that and everyone thought it was a different dress, it was pretty pricey but worth it.