You said “yes” to your main wedding gown, but sometimes one dress is simply not enough! A reception dress is a fun opportunity to slip into something sexier, shorter, flirtier, colorful, easier to dance in—you name it, brides have found a reason to have a second look on their wedding day. You decide: do you want your wedding reception dress to compliment your main gown or give you the freedom to go in a totally different and bold direction?
If you’re opting for an outfit change on your big day, here are 20 wedding reception dresses that brides are loving right now.
[Looking for a bridal gown shop? Start your search here!]
1. Fun With Feathers
Bride: Kayla
Venue: Indian Trail Club, Franklin Lakes
Why We Love It: Some pretty plumage feels just right on the bottom of this short second dress.
Check out Kayla’s Real Wedding here.
2. Satin Statement
Bride: Eve
Venue: The Conservatory at the Sussex County Fairgrounds, Augusta
Why We Love It: The embroidered flowers resemble those in this bride’s main wedding gown, except these are extra playful.
Check out Eve’s Real Wedding here.
3. Sparkles All Over
Bride: Alexis
Venue: The Park Savoy Estate, Florham Park
Why We Love It: Bold bling on a mini dress just hits different. And the fringe bottom makes us want to twirl all night on the dancefloor.
Check out Alexis’s Real Wedding here.
4. Show Some Skin
Bride: Andrea
Venue: The Ryland Inn, Whitehouse Station
Why We Love It: This bride rocked this two-piece set that offers so much personality between the feathery bottom and the studded top.
Check out Andrea’s Real Wedding here.
5. Short & Sweet
Bride: Ariel
Venue: Renault Winery, Egg Harbor City
Why We Love It: This bride had so much fun in this short satin dress with an embellished waist and a fringe shoulder—and it shows. Plus, she slipped on sheer gloves for an added personal touch.
Check out Ariel’s Real Wedding here.
6. Fun With Fringe
Bride: Zoe
Venue: Hudson House, Jersey City
Why We Love It: Fringe is your best friend on the dancefloor as it moves and sways to the beat with you!
Check out Zoe’s Real Wedding here.
7. Strapless & Chic
Bride: Taylor
Venue: Maritime Parc, Jersey City
Why We Love It: For this bride’s NYE wedding, this fun and flirty reception dress was the perfect way to end the night. Plus, this feathery number was such a nice departure from her super-sleek, no-frills main dress.
Check out Taylor’s Real Wedding here.
8. Edgy in Leather
Bride: Rebecca
Venue: Natirar, Peapack
Why We Love It: A leather jacket always adds a bad*** vibe to any outfit, but bringing out the biker look on your wedding day feels rebellious in the best way.
Check out Rebecca’s Real Wedding here.
9. Tied With a Bow
Bride: Lauren
Venue: Battello, Jersey City
Why We Love It: This classy look is just a flirtier version of the bride’s main gown, which also featured a bow on the back. And these heels with the bow details pull the whole look together.
Check out Lauren’s Real Wedding here.
10. Glitzy & Glamorous
Bride: Victoria
Venue: Park Chateau Estate & Gardens, East Brunswick
Why We Love It: Your second look doesn’t need to be a short dress! This option is still long but it’s flashier than what you might choose for your main gown. To accentuate the high-neck style even more, the bride swooshed her hair up into a ponytail, which feels just right for a night spent on the dancefloor.
11. Silver Accents
Bride: Jaclyn
Venue: ICONA Windrift, Avalon
Why We Love It: The bride’s ceremony gown was a lovely strapless, floral dress that was perfect for her beach wedding. This reception dress says “club” and is the perfect juxtaposition to her first look.
Check out Jaclyn’s Real Wedding here.
12. Go Gold
Bride: Amanda
Venue: Park Chateau Estate & Gardens, East Brunswick
Why We Love It: When she strutted out in this gold/champagne-colored gown, the bride was the star of the show.
Check out Amanda’s Real Wedding here.
13. Flower Power
Bride: Grace
Venue: The Madison Hotel, Morristown
Why We Love It: This is the definition of having fun with your wedding outfit change. Why not go all out and wear a lovely print? A nice idea for a spring wedding or a way to add some color to a big day in the colder months.
Check our Grace’s Real Wedding here.
14. Sporty Cute
Bride: Amanda
Venue: The Barn at Perona Farms, Andover
Why We Love It: Paired with white sneakers, this strapless mini says comfy yet still cute.
Check out Amanda’s Real Wedding here.
15. Sleek & Shimmery
Bride: Sarah
Venue: Clarks Landing Yacht Club, Point Pleasant
Why We Love It: A golden gown with a ton of shimmer was the perfect fit for her NYE’s wedding.
Check out Sarah’s Real Wedding here.
16. Refined & Elegant
Bride: Jenna
Venue: Shadowbrook at Shrewsbury
Why We Love It: This could have totally been her main or only wedding gown. Instead it’s a more refined option as opposed to her stunning floral-embroidered main wedding gown.
Check out Jenna’s Real Wedding here.
17. Bodycon with a Flowy Sleeve
Bride: Diana
Venue: Stone House, Warren
Why We Love It: The puffy sleeves add a touch of ethereal to this gothic-inspired reception.
Check out Diana’s Real Wedding here.
18. In the Middle
Bride: Joanna
Venue: Bear Brook Valley, Fredon
Why We Love It: This bride looks like she’s having the time of her life dancing in this flowy midi.
Check out Joanna’s Real Wedding here.
19. Flapper Vibes
Bride: Marissa
Venue: The Ashford Estate, Allentown
Why We Love It: This fringe dress is giving subtle flapper vibes without being over the top.
Check out Marissa’s Real Wedding here.
20. Floral Fantasy
Bride: Katie
Venue: Mill Lakeside Manor, Spring Lake
Why We Love It: Her main wedding dress was strapless and simple so, having a second look that has some floral embroidery feels like a natural progression to something delightful.
Check out Katie’s Real Wedding here.
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