Two Wedding Dress Trend: How Many Does a Bride Need?
Honestly, a bride needs as many wedding dresses as she wants to wear on her big day! Whether she wants to keep it traditional and wear one gorgeous bridal gown for the day or she wants a second dress for her wedding reception, it’s all up to her style and budget! Some brides even go beyond the two wedding dress trend and plan for multiple wardrobe changes throughout her event for the maximum dramatic effect. Before we get into all of the styling possibilities, let’s start with the latest bridal trend regarding a second reception wedding dress.
What is the Two Wedding Dress Trend?
Stepping beyond the tradition revolving around one special, elaborate gown for a very special day, the two wedding dress trend gives brides an opportunity to choose a second dress for their wedding receptions. For some brides, this might mean wearing a classic bridal style for the ceremony and switching to a bold, fashion-forward design for the reception. The change might also be for comfort or for creating a statement-making reception entrance. That said, let’s dive a little deeper into these reasons and others for why brides choose to wear two wedding dresses.
Why Do People Wear Two Wedding Dresses?
Brides choose to wear two wedding dresses for many reasons. Here are a few of the most common:
- Two wedding dresses give you the best of two worlds. There’s no need to compromise between classy, conservative styles for ceremony and sexy, fun styles for the reception. Having the option of a second dress for the wedding reception makes it much easier to walk that fine line between family tradition and personal preference. You could wear the traditional or hand-me-down style for the ceremony, then change into a reception wedding dress of your choosing.
- A wardrobe change can bring comfort. Maybe you absolutely adore the poofy ball gown wedding dresses or the princess-inspired cathedral trains, but you also have zero desire to carry all that fabric weight for a whole day. Having two wedding dresses means you can have your quintessential bridal look for part of the day, then change into a more comfortable reception wedding dress for the last part of your big day.
- A dramatic entrance is guaranteed. Your guests already ooh-ed and ahh-ed over your gorgeous gown as you walked down the aisle. Now imagine how they’ll react when you step out at your reception in a second dress! It’s an eye-catching surprise for your guests, and you can really build up the experience even more by working with your wedding planner or MC on making the most of the big reveal of the new Mrs. in her reception wedding dress.
- No need to stress over weather woes. Will you be having an outdoor ceremony but indoor reception (or vice versa)? Instead of worrying over how to make one wedding dress more comfortable in each setting, the two wedding dress trend allows you to choose one dress for each location. One gown can have sleeves or warm fabric layers for the cooler setting while the gown for the warmer location can have lighter fabric, a shorter skirt, no sleeves, etc.
- The wedding budget has the wiggle room. Maybe you got a great deal on one dress and decided to splurge on the other, or your budget simply has the allowance for two gorgeous gowns. Whatever the reason, if you have the funds and wish to experience the two wedding dress trend, then why not go for it?
Feeling like you’re ready to join in on the two wedding dress trend? Then you’ll want to check out Avery Austin’s reception wedding dresses! These styles are perfect for mingling with guests and dancing the night away in comfort and chic style. Of course, it’s also possible to wear even more than two wedding dresses if you wish! Read on for more details…
How Many Wedding Dresses Can I Have?
So you know there’s a two wedding dress trend, which means you can have at least one or two bridal gowns for your big day…but is there a limit? Yes, there is a limit, but the number of wedding dresses you can have is entirely personal. Each bride has her own budget, style, and wedding day plans to adhere to, and those things will ultimately help you determine just how many wedding dresses you can have (or want to have). While a dozen glamorous wardrobe changes is way overkill for most brides, planning a traditional gown for your ceremony, a second dress for your wedding reception, and maybe even a fun third dress for an after party is something that feels much more manageable. Before you start shopping for two or more wedding dresses, be sure to check out the tips in the next section so you are well prepared for the whole experience.
Tips for Wearing Multiple Wedding Dresses
If you are planning to wear two (or more) wedding dresses on your big day, choosing the perfect dresses is only the first step! Here are a few things to keep in mind as you plan for wardrobe changes on your big day:
- Consider the undergarments, accessories, and shoes you’ll need for each dress. What if your first gown has sleeves but your second dress for the wedding reception is strapless? If the bra you’re wearing under the first gown isn’t strapless, then you’ll need to plan for another bra for your strapless reception wedding dress. You may also need to switch up your accessories and shoes to suit your next dress. For example, you might go all out with a dramatic cathedral veil, elaborate jewelry, and high heels for the ceremony but opt for a simple hair accessory, lightweight jewelry, and comfortable dressy flats for the reception to make it easy to dance or to maneuver around tables to greet guests.
- Plan for any hair and makeup changes. Changing into a second dress for your wedding reception will likely affect your hair and makeup style as well. You might need a whole new hair and makeup look to suit the new dress, but you may be able to simply focus on a little refresh or touch-up of problem areas that arise. Plan to have bridesmaids assist you or, if it’s in the budget, arrange for a professional to be on hand during the wardrobe change to assist you.
- Schedule plenty of time for changing. In between the ceremony and the reception (or the reception and the after party), you need to make sure you have lots of time and support for your wardrobe change after you’ve gotten all of the pictures you want in the previous bridal gown. Remember that your change is probably not going to be as simple as stepping out of one gown and into a second wedding dress. You’ll need time to change your undergarments, accessories, and shoes, and you’ll also probably need assistance with anything that’s laced up and with styling your hair and makeup. Err on the side of caution by scheduling more time than you think you’ll need so that you don’t feel rushed to make it to your reception in time
- Keep comfort in mind at all times. Afterall, it’s your party you’re changing for, so make sure you can happily enjoy it to the fullest in each style you choose to wear! Think about what you’ll be doing and where you’ll be for each phase of your wedding day. Out on the beach? Choose a wedding dress and shoes that are easy to wear in the sand. Driving a lot between venues? Go for a gown and accessories that travel well with minimal wrinkles and give yourself plenty of time to make the journey and change. Choose your comfort and happiness every step of the way!
Whether you want to wear two wedding dresses or more or less, the final decision is entirely up to you! Consider your budget and what you want most out of your special day. If you really want to hop on the two wedding dress trend but you’re concerned about the cost, we’ve got great news for you! It’s possible to find more than one gorgeous gown at a price that’s right for you. Check out Avery Austin’s tips and tricks to finding affordable wedding dresses without compromising on quality.