Two dresses?

cmclaire · April 2013

Hello lovely Knotties,

I'm at the very start of my wedding planning journey (my goodness, such fun! And so many sums!) and I have a question about wearing two different dresses for different portions of the day. At the moment our plan is to have a ceremony at a rather grand church in central London - huge aisle, organ, historic building and our reception in some fields that belong to my school - marquee, country-style, fun and dancing. These two aspects really reflect us well as a couple and cover the solemnity we want as part of our wedding and the fun we love to have with friends.

However, these two different aspects to me seem like two differnt occasions, dress wise. So I'm thinking of doing two dresses (a la Kate Middleton!) - a big ballgown style dress for the wedding itself, the receiving line, the speeches etc; then a lighter, simpler dress for dancing, drinks and fun. Add in the fact that we are getting married in a London August and I think a cooler dress might be nice for our outdoor-ish receptiuon.

What are your thoughts? Thank you in advance for your input - I'll be quizzing all ,my bridesmaids too but some objective viewpoints would be lovely!

Ella and Pedro · April 2013

I think you should definitely do two dresses, based on your description. Be comfortable and feel that at each component you look as you dream/want/should. Many women will say they did not want to take off their wedding gown, and that they could not imagine switching into a different dress. This might be "right" for them. Two dresses sounds "right" for you. If I may, why not consider the second dress to not be ivory or white, but rather a dress in your wedding color/s or with florals on white, florals in your wedding flower/s or color/s?

I'm doing the same thing you are for almost the same reasons. I'm planning my dancing dress to be the same dress as the one I wear to the rehearsal, basically because I don't have unlimited $$$. I'm changing into it after dinner and cake/the cake cutting, which preceeds our dancing. I think wearing a huge ballgown dress with a 7-hoop (yes, crazy!) petticoat from 3:30-10:00 PM is plent-ty.

I would suggest you buy two garment bags, so that at the venue or whenever you change, your wedding dress is very safe. Those bags do sometimes rip. Sounds like you will have an amazing wedding! Congratulations!

artbyallie · April 2013

I'm sorry; I just can't get behind spending money on a ballgown to only wear for a few hours. There are a few convertible dresses out there where you can remove the skirt and have a short dress underneath. Maybe you might consider one of them?

itzMS · April 2013

I would suggest a simpler gown, but add an elaborate cathedral veil for your church ceremony.

I removed the veil for our more casual reception.

It worked out great.

aRachel21 · April 2013

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_two-dresses-3?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:15Discussion:815bac2d-839c-475a-8a89-f4281ff9070ePost:f6fe5066-a35b-434c-9d84-a8b66df88ae1">Re: Two dresses?</a>:
[QUOTE]I'm sorry; I just can't get behind spending money on a ballgown to only wear for a few hours. There are a few convertible dresses out there where you can remove the skirt and have a short dress underneath. Maybe you might consider one of them?
Posted by artbyallie[/QUOTE]

<div>I agree with this. Have you looked at convertible dress options? You can remove the skirt and your veil and you're ready to party!</div>

Maggie0829 · April 2013

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_two-dresses-3?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:15Discussion:815bac2d-839c-475a-8a89-f4281ff9070ePost:38f65e41-c155-4e9d-bb12-f81f9790dad0">Re: Two dresses?</a>:
[QUOTE]I would suggest a simpler gown, but add an elaborate cathedral veil for your church ceremony. I removed the veil for our more casual reception. It worked out great.
Posted by itzMS[/QUOTE]

I really like this idea.

OP, you don't have to have a ballgown. There are many dresses out there that would be appropriate for your ceremony reception. And adding an elaborate cathedral length veil will always make a grand statement.

cmclaire · April 2013

Thank you for all the suggestions so far - I think one of the two suggestions (either big dress with a chic and cheaper sundress option for later in the day - probably a pale blue one to fit with our colour theme) or a simpler gown overall will probably be the way ahead

I know I'll probably be having a chapel length veil - a nod to all our grandmothers who (brilliantly, having virtually nothing else in common) all had chapel length veils.

Of course, I still have to canvas opinion from the bridesmaids and my mum! Fiancé is happy with either - the particular ballgown style I like is not horrifically expensive (£360 pre-alterations, so pricey rather than a month's salary. My cousin's was £2500! Gorgeous, but not in our budget), so it's an option to do two if that would work best. Of course, I'm very near the start of our preparations so I'll no doubt change my mind plenty of times before I spend the cash on a dress.

Thank heavens for secret pinterest boards to pin all these things on! And thank you again, ladies, for your take on this.

Daizy106 · April 2013

hey, if its within your budget to have two dresses go for it.
i feel that it is a waste of money to be spending so much money on a dress you will only wear once, unless you have plans to convert into something else after (that seems like a popular thing to do).

A previous person said to look into a convertible dress-that is a very good idea.
Or you can look for one dress that satisfies both the ceremony and reception.

winelover123 · April 2013

II'm not a big fan of when brides change dresses, but it is your choice. I'd try and find either a convertible dress or a dress that will work with both. You can also do a little lace jacket if you want to add some bling and detail if you go with a simple gown and take off the jacket for the reception.

erinlin25 · April 2013

There are plenty of dresses out there can than be both grand yet simple. I love my dress and couldn't imagine changing into something else after. If its in your budget, it your choice, but that is a lot of money to spend for something you will wear for 2 hours. IMO

toothpastechica · April 2013

I had 2 dressed, but only ended up wearing one (but I have worn the other on the honeymoon and to a Christmas event since!).

I had a more formal one, and then had a short party dress that was similar style and color to my "big dress". I wouldn't spend a great deal of money getting a second dress, but if there's a dress you love that fits into your wedding (and budget allows) and has potential to wear it again, DO IT! I loved that I had the option to change if it got too hot or if my big dress got too heavy.

This was my wedding dress: http://algenina.blogspot.ca/2012/06/hitched-few-more-wedding-pictures.html

The second dress was my reception dress that I didn't end up wearing, but still wore at other events: http://algenina.blogspot.ca/2012/03/girls-in-white-dresses.html

Two dresses?

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