21 Reception Dresses Brides Changed Into for Their Parties

These second looks just might inspire your own.

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There's so much that goes into choosing a wedding dress. From selecting who you'll bring along on the search to the actual shopping process, you'll likely experience every possible emotion during the journey. One of them is bound to be relief—especially once the final choice has been made. But then the following thought might bubble up: What if one wedding dress just isn't enough? This might be something you have in the back of your mind from the very beginning (raise your hand if you're a bride that definitely wants two wedding dresses!) or something you determine later, once you consider what it will be like wearing your gown during the reception.

While your wedding dress might be the ultimate choice for your walk down the aisle, you may find it's not quite right for your first dance. It's often this conundrum that leads a bride to opt for an outfit change, either at the beginning of the party or mid-festivities. The moment you decide to change is entirely up to you, but it typically depends on a few factors. Some brides want to linger in their first dress and really show it off on the dance floor. Others feel restricted by their ceremony attire (especially those wearing tighter, more form-fitting silhouettes!) and want something easy and breezy to kick off the evening. Or maybe you're a fashion-lover who just wants to wear two looks on your big night. Regardless of the camp you find yourself in, you're likely in the market for reception wedding dress inspiration.

Luckily for you, we rounded up a few of our favorite second wedding dresses that brides wore to their own parties. These inspired looks—from sexy mini-dresses, to romantic reprisals of gown number one!—are sure to inform your own party change. Click through for the ultimate second wedding dress inspiration.

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Reception Jumpsuit

Lisa Ziesing for Abby Jiu Photography

How Real Brides Wore Short Wedding Dresses

This bride's Naeem Khan jumpsuit proves that there's nothing more celebratory than a voluminous overlay.

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High Neck

Elizabeth Austin Photography

Is there anything that says "Let's party!" like a shorter hemline? Not according to this beauty, who changed into a BHLDN mini dress before hitting the dance floor. A high neckline and long sleeves kept the look classic.

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Midi

Sarah Kate Photography

We're not sure what we love more about this mid-length number: the gauzy asymmetrical neckline or the skirt's metallic embroidery.

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Ruffled Metallic

Gayle Brooker

The Case for Wearing More than One Wedding Dress

Why not break free of the wedding white mold come your reception? Make like this bride, who swapped out her traditional cream bridal gown for a ruffled metallic Ulla Johnson dress. She polished off her edgy look with a pair of Tory Burch velvet bow pumps.

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Another Long Number

Lisa Ziesing for Abby Jiu Photography

If you fall in love with two different wedding dresses, know that there's nothing wrong with changing into something that's decidedly bridal, like this bride did. She walked down the aisle in a Monique Lhuillier trumpet and made her reception debut in a sleeker Pnina Tornai gown.

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All About That Lace

Rebecca Yale Photography

Looking for another fun factor? Pair a lacy knee-length number with a pair of heart-shaped sunglasses before getting down with your guests.

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Bow in the Back

Greg Finck

Consider a racer-back wedding dress (like this one, by Marchesa!) for the latter half of your big day—the sporty cut allows you to move without restraint.

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The New Pantsuit

Mandee Johnson Photography

Real Brides Who Nailed the Jumpsuit Look

If you're known for your fashion sense, one outfit change might not be enough. This bride, for example, donned three looks throughout her wedding. Her new-age pantsuit, which featured a peplum, off-the-shoulder top, and metallic wide-leg pants, was an appropriate way to close out the reception and enter after-party mode.

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Tassels

Sarah Kate Photography

We'd argue that there's no detail better suited for a night of dancing than tassels. This bride definitely got the memo.

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Dragonflies

Jenny McCann Photography

Another advantage of a reception wedding dress? It's your chance to get creative in the fashion department—and showcase a lighter part of your personality. This bride's strapless tea-length dress from Denise was adorned with a whimsical detail: dragonflies.

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Champagne

Polly Alexandre Photography

Wedding White, Decoded: The Difference Between Each Popular Dress Shade

Consider another shade of wedding white to differentiate your second look from your first. This bride transitioned out of her bright-white ceremony garment into a champagne-colored number by Monique Lhuillier for her party.

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First Dance Jumpsuit

Katie Stoops Photography

A choreographed first dance calls for a look that commands attention. A jumpsuit is different enough to make a statement—and allows you to hit all those moves uninhibited.

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Cultural Nod

M Harris Studios

Amazing Wedding Dresses from Around the World

If you're set on wearing a white wedding dress for your ceremony, consider switching into a second look that pays homage to your roots. This bride (and her groom!) stepped into traditional Nigerian attire for the latter half of their party.

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A New Look

Sylvie Gil Photography

Do You Really Need a Second Wedding Dress?

Now that the more serious part of the wedding is over, you're free to get a bit more adventurous with your fashion choices come the reception. Get inspired by this bride, who changed into a form-fitting Inbal Dror garment, complete with a hooded cape.

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Patterned Skirt

Mandee Johnson Photography

Really want to get experimental? Enter your party in couture—an unexpected silhouette (like this floral skirt and structure peplum top) is the ultimate way to make an entrance.

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Cohesive

Mustard Seed Photography

If you know that you want to change into a shorter number for the reception, but don't want to deviate from your first look entirely, consider choosing a second dress that references the first. Both of this bride's wedding dresses featured long sleeves (this one was by Jenny Kim Couture), which eased the transition from service to party.

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Long and Flowing

Greg Finck

A Guide to Every Wedding Dress Silhouette

This Prabal Gurung reception dress makes the case for long and flowing (you'll realize the power of that combination when the band starts up).

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Feathered Skirt

Alison Conklin

We love this bride's approach to reception style—she wore a BHLDN camisole with a feathered Carol Hannah skirt. Choosing separates meant she could more easily wear both pieces again.

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Dancing Mermaid

Jeffrey Lynn Media

Wearing a big, voluminous ball gown for the first half of your wedding? A slinky sheath (like this one from Oleg Cassini for David's Bridal) offers a welcome switch-up for the second.

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Glitzy Glamour

Max Wanger

See More of this Real Wedding in San Clemente, California

Add edge to your reception look by deviating from bridal white entirely. This bride slipped into a statement-making black Monique Lhuillier gown with plenty of shimmer before cutting the cake.

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21 Reception Dresses Brides Changed Into for Their Parties

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Reception Jumpsuit

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High Neck

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Midi

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Ruffled Metallic

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Another Long Number

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All About That Lace

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Bow in the Back

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The New Pantsuit

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Tassels

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Dragonflies

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Champagne

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First Dance Jumpsuit

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Cultural Nod

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A New Look

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Patterned Skirt

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Cohesive

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Long and Flowing

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Feathered Skirt

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Dancing Mermaid

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Glitzy Glamour

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