I’m going to say what we are all thinking: sometimes one gown just isn’t enough! Whether you are having two ceremonies or are wanting to change your look from ceremony to reception, there are times when a bride decides that she needs more than one dress for her special day. If this happens to be you, I’m here to help you transition flawlessly from one gown to another and figure out how you can make the two gowns match well and work for you.
If you are going to go the two gown route, I would suggest making the looks mesh well together. By this I mean that there should be some similar elements within both gowns, like lace or crystal embellishments, that make the second dress seem like it is part of the same story as the first. Say that you are wanting to wear one gown for the ceremony and another for the reception. One idea is to get a gown with a detachable skirt. This is my cheat version of two gowns because it is basically two gowns in one! Wear the gown with the detachable skirt for the ceremony and then take off the detachable part for the reception. Voila! Two different looks that are cohesive because the top of the gown is still the same and the skirt is just a sleeker version of the one that you wore for the ceremony.
Another option is to get a longer, more demure gown for the ceremony and to wear something short and fun for the reception. If you are wearing a form-fitting sheath gown or perhaps a mermaid gown for the reception you might find it to be a bit too restrictive if you really plan on dancing the night away. A short and flirty mini-dress or a fabulous white jumpsuit would be the perfect solution for your wedding reception, allowing you the flexibility to dance. Not to mention it’s an added surprise for your guests!
Having two ceremonies would also be another great reason to wear two gowns. A change of venue and scenery could leave you feeling that maybe the gown you chose does not have the right vibe for both venues. In this case you could wear a ball gown or a formfitting silhouette for the ceremony that is a bit more fancy or extravagant. Then you could switch into a nice high-low gown or soft handkerchief ball gown that still feels very bridal but has more of a beachy or relaxed vibe for a more casual setting.
I’ve always loved movies that have a lot of glamorous outfit changes so why not feel like a movie star on your special day. The wedding aisle is your runway and the reception is your afterparty and I will make sure you are looking fabulous for both!
Stay fabulous my loves,
Pnina Tornai