22 Modern Reception Dresses for Your Second Bridal Look (2024)

FAQs

What should a bride wear for a second wedding? ›

For your second wedding, wear whatever you want. This is still your wedding day, and you should wear whatever makes you feel beautiful. You may choose to stick with traditional white, or switch it up for an ivory or blush color – or something even brighter! Whatever you pick, make sure it makes you happy.

A second look is an outfit change to reveal at another point in the day. This second look, or reception dress, can be more fun, stylish, romantic, comfortable, and ready for dancing. Brides typically make the costume change at a specific shift in the event. – Right after the ceremony. – After the co*cktail hour.

Reception wedding dresses can be short or long, white or colorful, sexy or simple. The idea of a second dress for your reception is amazing. At The Bridal Finery we love when brides choose to express themselves even on their wedding day.

Who should escort the bride down the aisle? A second-time bride whose father or mother are still alive may be escorted down the aisle their parent(s). A second-time groom may opt to have his parents walk him down the aisle too.

Should a Second Time Bride Wear a Veil? Absolutely, if that's what you want! There really is no etiquette that says you shouldn't. All you need to consider is whether a wedding veil will suit your personal style, be comfortable to wear and go well with your outfit and hairstyle.

Typically, there's a shift in tone from the ceremony to the reception, so many brides choose to switch up their looks between those two events. Hurwitz states that the specific time to change will really come down to the timeline of your celebration.

Absolutely! Whatever dress someone chooses to wear on their wedding day will be their wedding dress. It doesn't need to be any particular style or color.

Older brides can and do wear white on their wedding day if they choose to. White is a classic and timeless choice for wedding attire that symbolises purity, new beginnings and the celebration of love.

If your gown is restricting movement or if you want to protect it from being damaged, it's a good idea to change your wedding dress for the reception, allowing you to sit and dance comfortably.

Do you buy a wedding gift for a second wedding? ›

You are never obligated to give a wedding gift, although it is certainly the norm for a first wedding. As to a second or third wedding, it is entirely up to you.

The groom's family may offer to share in the cost of the reception and the bride's family may accept in order to accommodate a larger wedding. New Wedding Etiquette Rules: Both families may divide the expenses as their budget allows. Or, each family can contribute a set amount to the total expenses.

The short answer, experts say, is, “No.” “It's actually considered a bit rude to bring a gift to the wedding these days as it just adds a burden onto the couple to be responsible to manage it's journey back to their home,” says Annie Lee, wedding planner and founder of Plannie.com.

An already married reception is an event hosted after the couple has already said their “I do's.” This type of reception is often hosted by couples who've eloped, had a destination wedding, or hosted a small, private ceremony — such as a micro wedding.

It's okay to have a shower for an encore wedding, as long as you are careful with the guest list. People who were invited to your previous showers should not be invited again, with the exception of your mom, of course, and very close relatives and friends who you know would want to be there.

Don't expect your parents to pay

Parents do not always pay for first weddings. So do not expect them to cough up the cost of a second one. It is more acceptable for all parties to chip in. Discuss your budget, how many guests this caters for and if anyone offers to help out financially that is a bonus.

Who's Paying? Gone are the days when the bride's family pays for the wedding, even if it's the first one. The bride and groom usually split the cost of the second wedding. If your parents offer to contribute, graciously say yes, but don't expect them to foot the entire bill.