If you’re currently in the midst of wedding-dress mania, trying to whittle down the plentiful options, it may be worth considering a second dress to change into at your reception. While this might sound guaranteed to worsen decision paralysis, splitting your looks for the ceremony and the evening can actually simplify the shopping process, allowing you the chance to have both a chic and classic ceremony look and something sparkling and more comfortable for after hours.
In recent years, slipping into a wedding reception dress before you make your re-entry has become commonplace, with many brides opting for a whole suite of looks as they celebrate their big day (or indeed, big weekend).
If you’ve gone traditional for your actual wedding dress, you might be after something more trend-led for the evening look. Perhaps you want a party-ready mini that allows for maximum movement on the dancefloor, or maybe you want to showcase your personal style a little more once the speeches and the formal photos are through.
Daisy Murray, fashion editor at Elle UK, changed into a wedding-reception dress following her ceremony. “Despite having a relatively casual wedding dress (an off-the-rack Simone Rocha mini dress) it still felt a bit too formal for throwing shapes in thanks to its fitted bust and voluminous skirt. That’s why I opted for a satin Ghost slip dress (which I had shortened), a homemade corsage necklace and some real Bloch ballet flats for my second look. The bias-cut dress offered a slinky sexy feel and, since it’s machine washable, I knew I could go as wild as I wanted on the spill-heavy dance floor.”
When selecting your perfect reception dress, try to think long-term. This is an outfit you can certainly get more wear out of after the celebrations have finished as it typically isn’t so 'wedding-y' as the main dress.
Take time to think about the reception itself too: is it a city wedding with a smart dinner, where something modern and minimalist would look best? Or are you having an all-out party where sequins and embellishments are a necessity?
I held a more casual reception following my small destination wedding and, switching a tropical beach for a London pub, wanted a dress that better suited the setting. Hoping to have more fun with statement accessories (a pair of The Attico shoulder-skimming earrings and a vintage bag passed down from my mother), I opted for a vintage-style slip dress (also from The Attico) that didn’t drown my 5ft 2 frame or feel restrictive as the evening went on. Like Daisy, I appreciated the lack of restrictive shapewear, and how fluid my skirt was, once 9pm arrived.
So whether you’re after a dramatic runway piece or something made for dancing in, now’s the time to indulge your fashion fantasies. From structured minis to crystal-adorned designs and silky slips, there is no shortage of dazzling reception dresses in-store this year.
Below I’ve edited down what I believe to be the best of the season, so all that’s left to do is pick those finishing touches, from your bridal shoes to your bag, hair accessories and earrings.
The best wedding reception dresses of 2024
Maximum drama
For true fashion followers, the wedding evening is the perfect opportunity to wear a runway treasure: after all, where else can you indulge in something as show-stopping as Chloé's weightless bohemian ruffles or The Attico's flirtatious feathers?
Short and sweet
Once the toasts have been made and the dancefloor awaits, why not slip into something shorter? Floor-sweeping gowns can really get in the way of a good party, and a thigh-grazing hemline not only guarantees freer movement, but will ensure you can show off your shoes, too. (in fact, now is the perfect time to slip into a flat bridal shoe too: a pointed pump works perfectly with a shorter hemline.)
Sequins and sparkle
For something that's sure to steal the spotlight, it has to be sequins. Now is the time to go all out, whether in elegant floor-length sparkles or something shorter and more playful. Keep your bag on the table to let your trophy dress do all the talking, and complete the look with a bold red lipstick.
Fluid satin
For those who value comfort as much as they do style, a liquid-satin slip is the best choice for dancefloor-centric nights, allowing you to move freely while still looking entirely chic. Reformation makes a brilliant long-sleeved option with a thigh-grazing hem, while Ghost is always a go-to for brides who want something simple but precisely cut. With pieces this minimalist, you can afford to really have fun with your accessories: consider a dazzling bridal bag, or go for a statement shoe in blue satin or molten metallics.
