Reception Dress Etiquette

All I have to add is my DOC barely gave me enough time to pee and get my bustle done before shooing me off to keep the timing going. I hope that dress change you're having is FAST.

I wouldn't want to have missed a moment of the reception to go change clothes, I didn't even go to the bathroom except before the ceremony and when we got back to the hotel. I don't know when I would have done a wardrobe change.

Why change out of a beautiful dress that you spent good money on to just change out of it? I don't get it.

I'm going to be wearing two dresses. I left a lot of time for people to just dance and drink. After the cake cutting we are going down to the beach to take more pictures and I'll just change before we go down. I want pictures in dress 2 plus I don't want to get dress one all sandy. It'll take me maybe 5 minutes. Both of my dresses are really easy to get in an out of. This is dress 2. I bought it in ivory.

If you get a second dress make sure it's a different style than dress 1. Otherwise it looks stupid and people will be silently judging you.

@Erin that dress is beautiful! Have you received it yet? If so, is it what you expected? Of good quality etc?

Honestly... I don't see the point of this at all. The day goes by so quickly, it may be difficult to find the time to change. Or you may not want to leave the party to change.

What even is the point of having 2 dresses? Why not just wear one that you love the whole night?

I found one dress that I love and I can't imagine taking it off! I'll be wearing it all night. And maybe the next day. And forever....?

I thought I wanted a second shorter dress for the reception and then I decided against it. I paid good money for this beautiful dress. I'm wearing it all night.

I'm thinking back to my wedding to try to help answer. I only wore one dress but if I think back, I probably have changed between formal portraits after the ceremony (we did all other pictures after the first look) since we went to cocktail hour after. If you do end up deciding to get a second dress, I would make sure that they are both easy to get in and out of.

That being said, I have to agree with others that I don't see the point of having 2 dresses, since it seems kind of AW-ish to me and I really just don't understand it. I have seen though that they make dresses that are like "2-in-1" and have a big ball gown-like skirt that can be removed and underneath is something a little more form fitting. One of my co-workers daughter's recently got married and had a dress like that and it was actually really beautiful. Maybe look into something like that.

I wouldn't change into a different dress. You spent so much getting this wedding dress change out of it after the ceremony? Might as well just wear the "reception dress" for the ceremony too

@Baletica- yes I got it! I love it. The fabric is not the best quality. It's obviously not satin but some other satin looking material. It's a little thin so I'm having a lining added. For the price i think it's perfect. It was $150 at JJs House.

OP- you don't have to change right after the ceremony. That would be a waste. Wear it for ceremony,dinner, dances, etc. and then change. I'll be in dress one for pictures, ceremony, dinner, dances and cake. Then dress 2 for more pictures, garter and fun. I'll be wearing dress 2 for about 4 hours and dress 1 for 5 hours.

If you want to do 2 dresses, I would change after the special dances and toasts - before you open the dance floor! Make sure you eat first, and then sneak out to change while your guests are eating. If your coordinator has everything ready for you, you should be able to change in like 5 minutes! Honestly, the day goes SO fast so please and the reception absolutely flew so whatever you plan, do it quickly!

I will most likely be doing two dresses to keep with my theme. Masquerade Ball. (maybe a third for the Zombie Run) It will be added into my schedule. So I would say if you don"t have a timeline set in stone right now go ahead and add it in, Otherwise check with your coordinator or whoever is in charge of scheduling and see how realistic it will be for you to add it. Keep in mind the venue. Where will you have to change, how close is it to where the reception is being held and how many people you will need to assist you, along with a retouch bag to fix hair and makeup that may get a little wonky during the process.

I didn't even have time to get my bustle up. Can't imagine a dress change.

I barely had time to get the bustle up. We had time to do pictures before cocktail hour, and even at cocktail hour, I barely had time to go to the bathroom, get a drink/appetizers and enjoy it. It'll take more than 5 minutes especially when you need to get someone to help you out/in the dress.

Im thinking of doing two dresses as well. I definitely get wanting to change. U want to look beautiful for the ceremony and then be comfortable for the reception. My ceremony dress is beautiful but it would definitely not be an easy dress to dance in.

I'm getting married in a tropical country and I would melt completely if I stayed in my ceremony gown all night. I really want to stay cool so I bought this adorable Piña dress from anthropologie for after our first dance and right before I sing my beau a song. (We're doing a pineapple theme) Yes, I paid a lot for my ceremony dress and I may even end up keeping it on, but with the heat and just wanting to be comfortable... I wanted the option to change. Honestly, do what you want and feel good about it. Make your wedding how you'd like it. Who cares what everyone else thinks.