Visit Martha Stewart Weddings Weddings Dresses & Style Fashion Wedding Dresses 35 Reception Dresses Brides Changed Into for Their Parties By Sarah Schreiber Sarah Schreiber Sarah Schreiber has been writing, editing, and producing lifestyle and weddings content for over 7 years. In that time, she has interviewed and worked with hundreds of leading experts to become an authority on all things homekeeping, flower arranging, home design, and wedding planning. Editorial Guidelines Updated on October 6, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Rebecca Yale Photography There's so much that goes into choosing a wedding dress. From selecting whom 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. 01 of 34 Romantic Sleeves The de Jaureguis This bride opted for a jumpsuit with poufed sleeves and a delicately draped bodice. 02 of 34 Reception Jumpsuit Lisa Ziesing for Abby Jiu Photography This bride's Naeem Khan jumpsuit proves that there's nothing more celebratory than a voluminous overlay. 03 of 34 A New Look Sacia Matthews For her reception, this newlywed changed into a sequined jumpsuit from Retrofete. Its deep-V neckline and short sleeves created the perfect culmination of sexy and stylish. Ellie Goulding Just Revealed Her Second, Third, and Fourth Wedding Dresses 04 of 34 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. 05 of 34 Sparkly Sheath Margaux Cronje Need a look worth dancing in? This glowing bride changed into a slinky, sparkly sheath dress for her wedding reception. 06 of 34 A Nod to New Heritage Enuel Viera Photography "I chose to wear a dress with colorful vibrant African fabric during the party, to represent Tk's heritage and celebrate the culture I am joining," shares the bride, Victoria. Nigerian seamstress Glory Ojei of Bespoke By Glory designed the dress. 07 of 34 Beautiful Blues Janine Licare When it came time for her reception, this radiant bride slipped into a long-sleeve dress by Needle and Thread. 08 of 34 Beaded Hajley Photography Looking to add some glamour to your reception? Make like this bride and change into a fitted, beaded gown—hers was from New York's Faviana—before your first dance. 09 of 34 Bohemian Nods Vicki Grafton This Finland wedding was a daytime affair, but that didn't stop the bride from donning a gorgeous reception dress. The sleeve details and tiered skirt are just the thing for a garden soirée. 10 of 34 La Vie en Rose Greg Finck The bride traded in her wedding dress for a bespoke rose gold jumpsuit by Ella Pritsker Couture for the after-party. 11 of 34 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. 12 of 34 Short and Sweet Redfield Photography You don't have to wear a long gown all night. This bride changed into a light and airy sparkly mini dress for the wedding reception, chosen specifically because it matched the venue's disco balls. 13 of 34 Wide-Leg Jumpsuit Allen Tsai Nothing makes dancing easier on your wedding day than changing from a big ballgown into a jumpsuit with a fitted bodice and wide-leg trousers. 14 of 34 Two-Piece Bubblerock This bride's second look, which she actually debuted at her rehearsal dinner, could easily be worn as a wedding reception outfit. She changed into an Oscar de la Renta toile crop top and skirt with one-of-a-kind lapis earrings from Lizzie Fortunato 15 of 34 Captivating Cape Amanda Lane For the reception, this new bride changed into a chic, stretchy Alamour gown with a BHLDN cape. 16 of 34 Embellished Separates KT Merry For her rehearsal dinner, this bride wore a two-piece pantsuit-inspired look that would serve as a gorgeous wedding reception 'fit. Floral embellishment and cigarette-style pants make for stylish and easy fashion. 17 of 34 Little Black Dress The Edges Who says the bride has to wear white? The woman of the hour, pictured center, did a quick change into a black velvet Tom Ford halter mini dress for the rest of the evening. 18 of 34 Halter Top Corbin Gurkin This bride changed into a Mira Zwillinger sequined jumpsuit with a jewel neck and fitted bodice for her wedding reception. 19 of 34 Fully Floral Laura Gordon The bride pictured here changed into a pink-and-white floral Oscar de la Renta gown for the reception. Her groom also sported a second look in Burberry. 20 of 34 The New Pantsuit Mandee Johnson Photography 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. Real Brides Who Nailed the Bridal Jumpsuit Look 21 of 34 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. 22 of 34 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. 23 of 34 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. 24 of 34 Ruffled Metallic Gayle Brooker 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. Simone Biles Has Officially Said Yes to Not One, but Two Wedding Dresses 25 of 34 Champagne Polly Alexandre Photography 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. Wedding White, Decoded: The Difference Between Each Popular Dress Shade 26 of 34 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. 27 of 34 Cultural Nod M Harris Studios 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. Amazing Wedding Dresses from Around the World 28 of 34 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. 29 of 34 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. 30 of 34 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. 31 of 34 Long and Flowing Greg Finck 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). A Guide to Every Wedding Dress Silhouette 32 of 34 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. 33 of 34 Glitzy Glamour Max Wanger 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. 34 of 34 In the Details Meg Lucks, Abby Jiu Photography This bride changed into a beautifully embellished Bronx and Banco gown for her wedding reception. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit