You’ve probably seen this trend with celebrities like Chelsea Clinton, Carrie Underwood and Mena Suvari. Though changing into a second dress for the wedding reception is common in other countries, it’s only been practiced here in the States for about 10 years. In a recent New York Times article, Monique Lhuillier attributes the trend to the increasing bulkiness of wedding dresses. Wedding dress styles have continued to get bigger and heavier, making them hard to sit in, much less get your groove on during your wedding reception.
Why wear a second dress?
Ease:
As stated above, changing to a second dress will allow you to enjoy your wedding reception without worrying about miles of tulle or bulky bustles.
Style:
Did a short 50’s style dresses catch your eye when you were dress shopping? Did you go with a more classic style because you felt your wedding day should be sophisticated? Wearing a separate dress for your reception will allow you to get a little sassy and wear both of the styles you loved!
Exit:
It used to be tradition for the bride and groom to change into their traveling clothes for their wedding exit. The idea was that they were off to their honeymoon right away. Though most newlyweds don’t immediately hop on a plane, it is worth changing into something more comfortable for your exit…especially if you are attending an after-party or have a long drive to your wedding night hotel.
Second Dress Styles
Short
Sassy
Retro
Bright
Comfy
Tips for wearing Two Wedding Dresses
Photos
Before your wedding day, decide which photos you’d like in each dress. If it’s important to you that most of your wedding photos show you in the gown you got married in, make sure you plan your wardrobe change accordingly. Most brides wait to change until after all of the formal dances, toasts and cake cutting is over. Then, the only photos you’ll have in your second gown will be of you getting groovy on the dance floor and your exit.
How many of you will be wearing two dresses at your wedding?
Don’t Change Too Soon
Along those lines, make sure you don’t change too soon. One bride interviewed for the NYTimes article I mentioned talked about how much she regretted changing too soon. She didn’t want to worry about her bustle, so she changed into a non-bridal cocktail gown. If you do this, you’ll just look like one of the guests at your wedding.
