It’s a hot trend right now, changing from the customary white dress and subtle bridal jewellery for a portion of the wedding day. A bride’s dress change is not so much a new thing, the difference is that today’s trend is rooted in fashion and the focus is on personal style, rather than on custom.

By Stephanie Sturino

The biggest impact of this ‘changing’ trend is the introduction of the reception dress, it’s an outlet to show off your personality as a bride, and have some fun. A popular choice is known as the Little White Dress. Dress designers have been making shorter wedding dresses for years, but they are only now entering the mainstream — and in a big way. The Little White Dress can be anything from a sexy satin slip to a full-skirt lace dress, a super-sexy mini to vintage tea-length frock; it is whatever you want it to be.

For those who are a little more daring, colour is where it’s at! Whether you’re talking reception only or the entire wedding day, colour can make an enormous impact.  And your options are endless. Change into a short, bright dress or keep it long in a dramatic colour: Forget princess, who doesn’t want to look like a red-carpet goddess?

The key to a successful change? Make sure you’re meticulous about planning: Best advice – if you can, don’t change your undergarments, it makes it a lot quicker and less stressful (especially if you forget something). Also, schedule a change time, that way you’re not rushed. Planner Cynthia Martyn (Cynthia Martyn Events) suggests: “wait until after the first dance which normally occurs soon after dessert…  It is perfect timing as typically, you would want to free yourself of a heavy dress and cumbersome bustle and then dance in a slinky little white dress … until the wee hours!” If you have a wedding planner, ask them to assist you with timing and have the garments and accessories laid out for you.

Not only will a reception dress make you feel like the life of the party, it can indicate a chance in the atmosphere, and guests will know it’s time to celebrate. The most important thing to remember is to have fun with it!

Tomorrow — the going-away outfit … what goes around comes around, as they say: this ‘classic change’ has evolved to accommodate modern wedding celebrations. Stay tuned!

Picture Credits:

top right: via Style Me Pretty, top left: from the 2010 Marchesa Resort collection

middle right: Trish from Priscilla of Boston’s reception collection, middle left: via Frolic

bottom: Ouma’s “Blushing in Pink” dress by Galaxie Andrews