Second dress for reception?

akkaer · January 2013

We are having an elegant, black tie wedding and my dress is a ball gown so I was thinking after the first dance I would change into a second dress to make it easier for dancing.

My question is would you recommend it? Or is it too stressful/not "tradtional" enough to change?

Thank you!

Avion22 · January 2013

It's a little AWish to me. I've never been to a wedding where the bride had two dresses though. I'm with Liatris though, I loved my dress and didn't want to take it off,and I wouldn't have wanted to change into another one.

[Deleted User] · January 2013

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_second-dress-for-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:776a8c5b-3e27-47db-ba58-158796a78c53Post:8b66d2b4-0509-4e61-ad50-66502eea0af3">Second dress for reception?</a>:
[QUOTE]We are having an elegant, black tie wedding and my dress is a ball gown so I was thinking after the first dance I would change into a second dress to make it easier for dancing. My question is would you recommend it? Or is it too stressful/not "tradtional" enough to change? Thank you!
Posted by akkaer[/QUOTE]

Weren't ballgowns made to be worn at balls where there is dancing?

Maggie0829 · January 2013

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_second-dress-for-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:776a8c5b-3e27-47db-ba58-158796a78c53Post:9a406abd-45cc-49a4-adfb-22909a366170">Re: Second dress for reception?</a>:
[QUOTE]I really loved my wedding dress and I wanted to wear it as long as possible. I just bustled it after the ceremony, and it was fine. There is nothing wrong with a second dress if it is in the budget, but I think it is an unnecessary expense.
Posted by Liatris2010[/QUOTE]

This 100%. I loved, loved, loved my dress and if I could still fit into it I would probably be putting it on every now and then to enjoy it some more. I never could have switched dresses, ever.

But like Liatris said, there are no rules and there is nothing wrong with a second dress if you can afford it, but it is definitely an unnecessary expense.

AddieCake · January 2013

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_second-dress-for-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:776a8c5b-3e27-47db-ba58-158796a78c53Post:9a406abd-45cc-49a4-adfb-22909a366170">Re: Second dress for reception?</a>:
[QUOTE]I really loved my wedding dress and I wanted to wear it as long as possible.
Posted by Liatris2010[/QUOTE]

<div>This. I picked my dress b/c I love, love, love it, and I would not want to wear a second dress for half of my wedding day. I guess if you really want to change, it's no big deal, but I always do a little eye roll when I see that on TV (I've never seen it in real life). </div>

HobokensFury · January 2013

Ditto PP. I couldn't imagine spending all of that money on a dress and changing out of it.

melb2013 · January 2013

It's so much money for one dress for one day as it is- to wear it for only an hour seems like a crime to me!

s-aries8990 · January 2013

Can you have some of the "pouf" from underneath come out?

MyNameIsNot · January 2013

I agree that I would have been sad to only get to wear my dress for a short period. You spend all that money on a dress that you only get to wear one day. Why deliberately shorten the time you get to wear it?

The black tie thing throws me too. If your wedding is black tie, all the other women will be wearing long gowns. It would be weird for you to change into a short dress at the reception while all the rest of the ladies are still wearing long.

melb2013 · January 2013

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_second-dress-for-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:776a8c5b-3e27-47db-ba58-158796a78c53Post:79c3bbe0-9341-4f4f-a069-a98f6bdd9b9d">Re: Second dress for reception?</a>:
[QUOTE]I agree that I would have been sad to only get to wear my dress for a short period. You spend all that money on a dress that you only get to wear one day. Why deliberately shorten the time you get to wear it? The black tie thing throws me too. If your wedding is black tie, all the other women will be wearing long gowns. <strong>It would be weird for you to change into a short dress at the reception while all the rest of the ladies are still wearing long. </strong>
Posted by MyNameIsNot[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>OP may be changing into another gown. I've seen brides on wedding shows change from ball gowns into lighter weight gowns.

</div>

jessicabessica · January 2013

I've seen brides change dresses twice. Once was into a shorter dress (from the Anthropologie wedding dress line, it was festive and lovely) - the reception in that case was not super-formal, and I think the bride just wore a pouffy, long dress to make her mom happy and/or go with tradition for the ceremony. In the other case, the bride and groom are big salsa dancers, so the bride had a big dress for the ceremony, and then changed into a slimmer fit long dress with no train after the first dance. They were both fun, well-hosted weddings; if that's what they were comfortable wearing, I really did not care.

You would need to consider when you would want to change. Do you want your first dance and father/daughter dance (if you're doing them) to be in the ceremony dress or the reception dress? Cake cutting photos? I think it would feel much more rushed to have to change during the reception rather than during cocktail hour.

I agree with PPs that your reception dress would still need to match the formality of the event. I would expect you to be in a long gown, although I could understand wanting to change into something more sleek if your dress is huge.

alithebride · January 2013

i would first ask the bridal salon i fthere is any way to remove the filling from underneath the gown and to bustle it.

Lyds85 · January 2013

It's your day so do what makes you happy! That being said, I think its a waste of money, I think its a little tacky/gawdy no offense, and most of the time the second dress doesn't even compare to the first and everyone's thinking though they probably won't say you should have stuck with the first.

loca4pook · January 2013

I personally don't like the idea of a second dress. I find it a waste of money and think will be wanting to take pics of you in the "real" dress all night long

loca4pook · January 2013

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_second-dress-for-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:776a8c5b-3e27-47db-ba58-158796a78c53Post:ffe71b7d-453c-447a-8033-090e3438eb11">Re: Second dress for reception?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Second dress for reception? : This. I adored my dress and there is no way I would have been okay with wearing it for 30 minutes then changing. I bustled it after the ceremony and wore that dang dress all day and all night. I wore it at the reception, I wore it to the hotel to check in and put our luggage away, I wore it to dinner at the restaurant that night and later out barhopping. I never had any trouble with the skirt once it was bustled. <strong>Also, if your purpose in buying a ballgown is to match the formality of your black tie wedding, won't it completely defeat the purpose if you change out of it for the better part of the reception, since THAT is the part of the wedding that really makes it "black tie"?
</strong>Posted by StageManager14[/QUOTE]

I was thinking this exact thing..You are going to make guests where stuffy fancy clothes all night and then change into something comfy yourself?! LOL

loca4pook · January 2013

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_second-dress-for-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:776a8c5b-3e27-47db-ba58-158796a78c53Post:ffe71b7d-453c-447a-8033-090e3438eb11">Re: Second dress for reception?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Second dress for reception? : This. I adored my dress and there is no way I would have been okay with wearing it for 30 minutes then changing. I bustled it after the ceremony and wore that dang dress all day and all night. I wore it at the reception, I wore it to the hotel to check in and put our luggage away, I wore it to dinner at the restaurant that night and later out barhopping. I never had any trouble with the skirt once it was bustled. <strong>Also, if your purpose in buying a ballgown is to match the formality of your black tie wedding, won't it completely defeat the purpose if you change out of it for the better part of the reception, since THAT is the part of the wedding that really makes it "black tie"?
</strong>Posted by StageManager14[/QUOTE]

I was thinking this EXACT thing. The expectation is for everyone ELSE to wear stuffy clothes all night and you get to wear comfy clothes??!?

LatashaO · January 2013

Im considering wearing two dresses.....I want to have a ball gown then change into a mermaid for the reception. If you want it and can afford it go for it!!!

mtwomey1990 · January 2013

Why not? Do what makes you happy if its in the budget. I just went to my friends wedding on New Years Eve and her dress was stunning but as midnight grew closer she changed into a really cute comfy tracksuit that said bride on it. Mind you this was a 7 1/2 hour reception because it was also New Years Eve, so I'm sure after awhile she was dying to get out of it. Good Luck!

MissMeghan80 · January 2013

I'm also thinking of changing into a 2nd dress. We want a laid back reception (summer wedding, my bridesmaids are wearing sun dresses) after the ceremony so I might wear my dress for ceremony/cockatail hour/dinner and then change into something more comfortable when the dancing starts!! I haven't decided yet, but it's whatever makes you happy

Coghoot12 · January 2013

I bought a second, shorter dress to wear after the reception. Our
after-party was planned at a pizza place/bar down the street from the hotel
where everyone was staying. I knew I wanted the 2nd dress to change into
because I didn't want to wear my gown there.

Unfortunately, H
stepped on bustle as we were being introduced and it broke. I held the
train fora few hours but it was tough to dance with it like that so I
changed earlier.

I wish I had worn my dress for the whole reception
(which was my plan!) but I was glad I had the 2nd dress.

So do what you
wish. And remember bustles can break!

tlc35 · January 2013

I am torn on this. I have a 2nd short dress and I may not wear it. It was only 10 bucks so expense is not an issue. I plan on bringing it and if I start to feel like I can't move in my big dress I will change. If I am comfortable than I may change just for going away or not at all.

Lechillura · January 2013

I am having a small beach wedding and was talke into a much more dressier gown that my intention was walking into the bridal salon. With that said, I feel beautiful in it but its much bigger than I wanted. A little dress regret, I won't lie.

So I am contemplating this as well.

I want to wear it for the wedding, photos, dinner, first dance, cake, etc...

We are having a 7 hour event so I am thinking maybe 5 hours in, I may change into a pretty yet still bridal shorter and more casual dress. This will be for dancing, etc.

Also there is an amazing beach bar two doors down and I have a feeling we may after party it down the beach. I refuse to wear my beautiful BIG gown there thru the sand and on a beach bar floor with a bunch of spilled drinks, etc.

So I am trying to find one.

Shardy10 · March 2013

i say its YOUR DAY, do whatever makes you happy regardless of what others have to say. two dresses are GREAT if its within your means

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