Wedding Reception Dresses

Recently, we’ve had so many brides ask about wedding reception dresses or a ‘second look’. Second looks are brilliant because you technically don’t have to choose just one wedding dress. Your wedding reception dress can be completely different from your ceremony gown or even be the same dress with a detachable element. At The Bridal Finery we’ve had brides completely change or just remove the sleeves or train from their original gown.

When shopping and deciding on a second look, it’s important to know your options - go big or go home, right? We have compiled a guide to wedding reception dresses to answer your questions and give you inspiration!

All of the dresses in this blog are available at The Bridal Finery, a bridal shop in Winter Park. To inquire please email tali@thebridalfinery.net. Book your bridal appointment, here.

What is a Second Look?

A second look is essentially a bridal outfit change. Or if you’re Paris Hilton, four outfit changes ;).  Second looks are a major trend for all upcoming weddings. Why have one wedding dress when you can have two? You get to have your dream fairytale wedding dress for your ceremony and then a fun party dress to celebrate in. Elevate your wedding reception look even more by changing your shoes, changing your accessories and maybe even changing your hairstyle! Long loose curls pulled into a party pony will let your guests know it's time for fun!

When Should I Change into my Reception Wedding Dress?

This is personal preference. If you don’t want to bustle your ceremony dress you can change into your reception dress right after your pictures are done, before you make your grand entrance! Personally, I think I will wait until after my first dance and speeches. I love the idea of being photographed in my wedding dress for my first dance!

What Should I Wear for my Wedding Reception Dress?

Honestly, up to you! When I think of a second look, I think about an outfit change that is the complete opposite of your ceremony dress. It’s even more fun if you don’t tell anyone you’re changing! Reception wedding dresses can be short or long, white or colorful, sexy or simple. The idea of a second dress for your reception is amazing. At The Bridal Finery we love when brides choose to express themselves even on their wedding day. The idea of the traditional bride has been completely revamped and your mindset about what you should wear needs to change to “What do I want to wear?”.

Below we have complied wedding reception dresses for brides that are available upon request at our Bridal Shop in Winter Park! We hope this helps!

Wedding Reception Mini Dresses

If you’re looking for more of a fun change, we recommend Zana by Ines Di Santo. Zana is a cute mini gown with a bow on the back. Super bridal and comfortable to dance and party in!

This is a part of Ines Di Santo Spring 2022 Collection and is available by request at our Orlando Bridal Shop.

Looking for a more dramatic second look? Meet Eva. Eva is an illusion one shoulder embroidered mini dress with exotic feather overskirt!

This is a part of Ines Di Santo Spring 2022 Collection and is available by request at our Orlando Bridal Shop.

Sexy Wedding Reception Dresses

Slip Dresses are sexy and so trendy. If your ceremony dress is a little more traditional, but you love the idea of slipping on something sexier for the reception - we’ve got the dresses for you! 

Kore by Ines Di Santo is a cowl neck wrap dress with crisscross straps, a low open back and a leg slit. This dress can be purchased in white or ask about the pastel option!

This is a part of Ines Di Santo Spring 2022 Collection and is available by request at our Orlando Bridal Shop.

All dresses pictured below are available by request at our Orlando Bridal Shop.

Custom Wedding Reception Dresses

An Ines Di Santo dream ceremony to reception look combination would have to be Quice into Margot. These are two of our favorite gowns by Ines Di Santo. Quice is a beautiful white ball gown and Margot is a sexy take on a strapless slip dress. Both are incredibly bridal. I would love to see a bride rock both!

Quice and Margot can also stand alone as both ceremony and reception dresses. If you make the crinoline in Quice detachable you can have a poofy train for the ceremony and more of an a line train for the reception. Margot has a matching detachable bow that can be worn for the ceremony and then removed for the reception!

Recently, on Ines Di Santo’s Instagram we saw a bride change from Brynn into Chiara. This is another iconic bridal switcharoo! Brynn’s big poofy train is sure to be a showstopper and Chiara’s gorgeous lace silhouette is perfect to party in!

Like Quice and Margot, Chiara is also interchangeable as a ceremony and reception dress. Chiara has matching sleeves available to purchase. The sleeves can be worn during the ceremony and taken off for the reception!

Wedding Reception Jumpsuit

Recently, brides have been rocking jumpsuits for bridal festivities. We especially love Bowie by Ines Di Santo. Bowie is a high neck halter jumpsuit. 

This is a part of Ines Di Santo Spring 2022 Collection and is available by request at our Orlando Bridal Shop.

An alternative to the bridal jumpsuit could be the bridal suit. Ines Di Santo released bridal suits in her Fall 2022 Collection!

More Ways to Create Two Wedding Looks

Overskirts

One of our favorite ways to create two looks is overskirts! The skirt is on for the ceremony and creates the illusion of a long train. When it comes time for the reception you take the overskirt off and reveal the bottom of the dress! A detachable skirt will be sold separately from the gown it matches.

One of our favorite dresses with an overskirt is Storm by Ines Di Santo!

This is a part of Ines Di Santo Spring 2022 Collection and is available by request at our Orlando Bridal Shop.

Elisabetta by Ines Di Santo is an embroidered sleeveless boat neck sheath with graceful illusion v-back and detachable overskirt. Another perfect example of how the addition of an overskirt can alter your wedding dress in the perfect way for a reception look!

This is a part of Ines Di Santo Fall 2022 Collection and is available by request at our Orlando Bridal Shop.

Talk about business in the front and party in the back!

Watch our reel on overskirts, here! 

You can also change elements of your original ceremony gown. Reception dresses can be brand new or a gown that you have altered with some element from the original gown. For example, you could use lace from your ceremony gown on your reception dress to create an entirely new look but pay tribute to the dress you got married in! At The Bridal Finery we’ve come up with ways to detach trains, custom make gloves and detachable sleeves.

Our beautiful bride, Sydney, wore two dresses to her wedding at The Breakers in Palm Beach, FL.

Styled by co-owner, Tali, she wore two Ines Di Santo gowns. Sydney wore a clean gown for her ceremony and wowed her guests in a beaded mermaid dress for her reception! These were two completely different looks. Sydney got the best of both worlds!

Sydney elevated her looks with Maria Elena Accessories! When changing into your second look it's great to remember you can change your shoes and earrings too. Maybe even add a crown ;). Check out Sydney’s wedding here!

Did this bridal fashion guide help you? Check out our others!

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All of the dresses in this blog are available at The Bridal Finery, a bridal shop in Winter Park. To inquire please email tali@thebridalfinery.net. Book your bridal appointment, here.

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