Two of a Kind // Choosing Two Wedding Dresses

A fantastic trend in bridal fashion is getting even more fashionable each year! So many brides today are choosing to wear two different wedding dresses on their wedding day. The first dress, which is often the traditional, more extravagant gown, is worn for the more formal parts of the day, such as the ceremony and professional photos. And the other wedding dress is reserved for the more festive part, the reception.  This second dress usually has fewer embellishments and often functions as more of a party dress.

The two-wedding gown trend has been gaining in popularity year after year, with some estimating that half of all brides in the US today are buying two dresses for the big day. The other half, of course, are still taking the traditional one-dress approach to their wedding attire, with budget usually being the main deciding factor. However, many brides still just want one special dress. And there are also logistical considerations with which to contend, too (read on!).

The best thing about buying two gowns is that you can wear the fairy tale ball gown that you’ve always dreamed about on your wedding day and still have a more comfortable dress later for dinner and dancing.  It definitely can get tiring trying to move around all day in a large or heavy gown, one overflowing with embellishments or with a very full skirt.  Big wedding dresses are gorgeous, but they just don’t always cooperate.  

Strapless gowns too, for example, can sometimes be difficult to keep in place all day. And some brides may also feel unnatural and uncomfortable wearing an eye-catching, ultra-formal gown all day long, attire that’s so outside their normal dress code.

The other benefit to wearing two gowns is that you don’t have to choose between your two favorite dresses. Just wear both!  If you’re like many brides shopping for a wedding gown, you'll find two completely different style wedding gowns with which you absolutely fall in love.  When saying ‘yes’ to your two favorites, you’ll never have the feeling of regret that you picked the wrong gown for one of the biggest days in your life. Plus, you can showcase even more of your personal style!

There are a few downsides to choosing two bridal gowns however. The main drawback is quite obvious: the cost factor.  Buying two gowns may not realistically be in your budget.  Also, you have to worry about possibly needing two sets of accessories to go with them, deducting even more money from your wedding finances.

Then, you’ll need to allot extra time and effort to change dresses in the middle of your day, making sure someone is in charge of bringing your second gown along to the reception as well.  Changing is often done during your cocktail hour so you’ll need to be sure all your formal photos have been taken first.  And in turn, you’ll miss out on mingling with your friends and family during that time.  (An alternative time to change is after the first dance or after the toasts have been given.)

Along with these two disadvantages, many feel that since it’s your one special wedding day, it’s good to stand out from your guests in that one, very special dress.  So allow yourself to feel extraordinary and wear it all day!

If you like the idea of having two different looks on your wedding day but don’t want to buy a second wedding dress, there are other options, too.  Consider wearing a dress topper, shawl or bolero for the first half of your day, then removing it for your reception for a fresh new look.  Also, look at wedding dresses with removable sleeves which offer a second style for for the reception.  

Or you could go completely traditional and choose a “Going Away” outfit.  This is historically the more informal, but still very stylish, dress/dress suit that a bride would change into at the end of the evening, just before the couple makes their grand exit.  Brides today are sometimes calling this the “Cake Cutting” dress as well and are changing just before the cake cutting ceremony.  The best thing about a Going Away/Cake Cutting dress is that it’s far less expensive than a second wedding gown and can certainly be worn again after the wedding day!

We have some awesome examples to share where the brides we've filmed have worn a second gown for their wedding event! We very recently filmed the wedding of Jenny and Brian at the amazing Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Center in New York.  For the first half of her day, Jenny wore a gorgeous princess-silhouetted gown from Netta BenShabu, with shimmering floral appliqués all throughout.  And later during the reception, she changed into a sleek, beaded Clio Peppiatt dress to dance the night away!

Kate changed into her second wedding gown at the start of her cocktail hour at her Liberty House wedding event. Her first dress, worn for the ceremony and formal photos, was a beautiful strapless ball gown. But for the party, she chose something a little sexier, a fabulous satiny gown with an amazing high slit!

Shannon also wore two amazing dresses on her wedding day. The Monique Lhuillier gown she wore for her ceremony as she married Drew at Bridgehampton Club had a ball gown silhouette and romantic lace embroidery all over. Then after the first dance, she changed into a gorgeous form-fitting, floor-length dress with an eye-catching cut out illusion bodice for the party!

Be sure to see the fabulous gown that Marianella changed into for the second half of her reception at the Ballroom at Ellis Preserve! It was a slim-fitting gown with intricate beading from top to bottom. Her first bridal gown was an amazing mermaid-silhouetted dress from Eve of Milady that also looked so, so beautiful on her.

And a few years ago now, Dana chose three looks on her wedding day (she changed into beautiful Hanbok ceremonial attire earlier in the day!).  For her Alpine Country Club wedding, she wore one gorgeous wedding gown and added a beautiful dress topper at her reception, completely changing the look of her outfit.  It wasn’t two wedding dresses, but you could have fooled us!

Cord 3 Films