Love and Lobster Coastal New England Weddings

Kate Middleton, Mena Suvari, Lily Allen, Miranda Lambert, Chelsea Clinton — the list of celebs opting for a wedding-day wardrobe change is longer than Kim Kardashian’s aisle runner.

Changing into a second (or in Kim’s case, third) dress for the reception has emerged as a trend for a number of reasons. For many, a lighter, shorter dress allows greater ease and comfort when it’s time to hit the dance floor. Yards of tulle just won’t do when Rihanna’s “Only Girl in the World” starts pumping out of the speakers. Plus, two dresses mean twice the style options. If you’ve chosen a classic gown for your ceremony, but fell in love with a vintage frock or flirty number while you were shopping, you don’t have to choose.

For some brides-to-be, wearing more than one dress makes about as much sense as marrying more than one groom. After investing all that time and money into a once-in-a-lifetime gown, why not enjoy it until the last possible moment? To each her own.

If you fall somewhere in the middle, consider donning a reception dress just for your exit. Traditionally, brides and grooms changed into travel wear after the reception as they headed off for their honeymoon. Even if you’re not jetting off to Fiji on your wedding night, you’ll welcome a more comfortable dress for an after party or a long drive to your accommodations for the night.

Other brides make the sartorial switch after dinner winds down, while some change into a second gown during the band-to-DJ transition. Just decide which dress you’d like to be wearing for the majority of your photos. A cocktail dress can make a great choice, but remember that you’ll blend in with your guests more. For a more bridal option, try ordering a bridesmaid’s dress in white.

Changing into a second dress doesn’t have to blow your budget, either. At H&M, we found this knee-length number for $80 and a playful tulle dress for a mere $25.