Deborah Chan
Changing up your wedding look from the ceremony to the reception is a fun way to surprise your guests and partner, and it's becoming more and more popular. Brides often opt for a traditional, formal gown for the ceremony, but a second, more comfortable or trendy dress for the reception. Grooms can also switch to a less formal look, like a stylish blazer, waistcoat and trousers, or a casual shirt. However, changing your wedding look doesn't have to involve a whole new outfit. Brides can simply remove their veil and replace it with a fun hair accessory, swap their heels for comfortable shoes, or change their jewellery or hairstyle. Grooms can also change up their accessories, or swap their suit jacket for a different style.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wedding dress | Two-piece outfits, detachable trains, overskirts, or sleeves |
| Accessories | Veil, tiara, flower crown, jeweled clip, statement shoes, bold eyeglass frames |
| Makeup | Bold lip color, smoky eyeshadow |
| Hairstyle | Hair up, hair down, butterfly hair clip |
| Jacket | Lace, denim, faux fur, waistcoat |
| Grooms | Stylish blazer, waistcoat, trousers, casual shirt, different accessories |
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What You'll Learn
Wear a two-piece outfit or removable train/overskirt to switch up your silhouette
Changing up your wedding look from the ceremony to the reception is becoming increasingly popular. One way to do this is by wearing a two-piece outfit or a removable train/overskirt to switch up your silhouette.
A two-piece bridal outfit allows you to change your entire silhouette from day to night. For example, you could wear a full ball gown for the ceremony and then switch to a short party dress for the reception. This option gives you the best of both worlds and is faster than changing into an entirely different dress.
Another option is to wear a removable train or overskirt. These accessories can be easily taken off to reveal a completely different look for your reception. They are also less expensive than buying a second dress and can be paired with a body-hugging silhouette, like a mermaid, trumpet, column, or A-line dress. Overskirts can be dramatic or subtle, depending on your preference, and can be purchased separately or together with your wedding dress.
If you're looking for a way to change up your wedding look without committing to a second dress, a two-piece outfit or a removable train/overskirt is a great option. This way, you can have the best of both worlds and showcase different silhouettes throughout your special day.
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Change your hairstyle
Changing your hairstyle is a great way to switch up your look from the ceremony to the reception. It's also a good idea if you're planning on removing your veil, as you might want your hairstylist to be on hand to make sure your hair still looks perfect.
If you wear your hair up for the ceremony, consider taking it down for the reception. This can be a great way to let loose, both literally and figuratively, and will give you a whole new look for photos. If you're worried about your hair looking messy after a lot of dancing, consider an updo for the reception instead. You could even add flowers or a pretty headband to your reception hairstyle for something a little different.
If you're wearing your hair down for the ceremony, a simple updo for the reception is a great option. A sleek and elegant bun will keep your hair in check, or you could try a braided updo or a low bun with a mini bouffant. If you're wearing a veil, you could also add a tiara to hold it in place.
If you're planning on changing your hairstyle, it's a good idea to have a hair trial beforehand to make sure you like the style and that it works with your face shape and dress. You might also want to consider having your hairstylist on hand for the whole day, so they can be there to change your hairstyle when you need them to.
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Add bold makeup
Adding bold makeup is a great way to change up your wedding look for the reception. You can experiment with different styles and colours to create a look that's unique to you.
For the wedding ceremony, brides often opt for a more natural and subtle makeup look, especially if the ceremony is during the day. Strong daylight can make heavier makeup more noticeable. However, as the reception is usually in the evening, bolder makeup can be a great choice. The lighting is softer, so a pop of colour or a smoky eye can ensure your features stand out.
You could try a bold lip colour, such as a classic red, or a shade of maroon or nude pink. A bold lip can add a touch of glamour and is a great way to make a statement. If you prefer a more understated lip, you can still add some bold colours to your eyeshadow palette. Try a smoky eye with glitter or shimmer, or go for a subtle hint of colour like a soft brown or rose gold. You could even add a pop of colour with green under-eyeliner or a peachy eyeshadow with a pinch of glitter.
If you want to keep your makeup more natural, you can still add some depth and dimension with a swipe of eyeliner or some strategic eyeshadow application. A soft shadow wing or a subtle touch of eyeshadow to the lash line can create a stunning effect.
Whatever you choose, make sure you practice the look ahead of time so you know it will work.
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Swap your veil for a tiara or fun hair accessory
Veils are a romantic and dramatic way to style your hair during the wedding ceremony. However, a long veil can quickly become a hindrance during the reception, especially during dinner and dancing. Therefore, many brides choose to swap their veils for tiaras or other fun hair accessories, such as decorative combs, barrettes, or headbands, or flower crowns. This can be a great option if you want to keep your hair mostly the same but still want to switch up your look.
If you're wearing a long veil, consider removing the long tier for the reception to give yourself more freedom of movement. You can also opt for a detachable veil, which can be easily removed and substituted with another hairpiece. This way, you can plan for both a veil and a tiara without having to worry about the hassle of a long veil during the reception.
For brides who want to add a unique and personal touch to their bridal look, custom-designed hair accessories are also an option. For example, one bride who was a bird lover and volunteer at a bird rescue chose a cruelty-free feather hair accessory made from naturally molted parrot feathers.
In addition to hair accessories, grooms can also switch up their wedding day appearance by changing their accessories or opting for a less formal look during the reception. This can include changing into a stylish blazer, waistcoat, and trousers or a more casual shirt, providing comfort and adding variety to the wedding photos.
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Change into a second dress
Changing into a second dress for the reception is a great way to switch up your wedding look. It can be rooted in cultural traditions and modern practicality. For instance, brides from Chinese heritage may opt for a Chinese Qi Pao as their second dress to blend cultural significance with the day's celebration.
A second dress allows you to wear something more practical and comfortable for the reception, especially if you want to dance the night away. You can go for a short wedding dress, a fun and modern party dress, or a simple, chic, and sleek gown. It is also an opportunity to wear two outfits if you struggled to decide between two styles.
If you're planning a wedding around the colder months, you can pair your second dress with a lovely denim jacket with a personalized message, a faux fur jacket, or a waistcoat. You can also change into different shoes, jewellery, and hairstyles to create a completely different look.
There are a few opportunities throughout the reception timeline when you can change into your second dress. You can change right before your grand entrance into the reception or after the first dance. Changing before the reception ensures you won't miss a moment of the action, while changing after the first dance allows you to showcase your first dance in your wedding dress.
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Frequently asked questions
Brides can opt for a lace topper or jacket for the ceremony and remove it for the reception. You can also add small buttons to the back of your dress to hold up the train for the reception.
You can change right after pictures, before your grand entrance, or after the first dance and speeches. You could also change immediately after the ceremony to be comfortable for photos, especially if the reception space is less formal.
Brides with long hair often wear it in an updo for the ceremony, then let it down for the reception. You can also add a flower crown, jeweled clip, or butterfly hair clip to change up your hairstyle.
You can swap out your shoes, jewellery, and glasses for the reception. For example, you could wear heels for the ceremony and change into comfortable, stylish sneakers for the reception.
Grooms can switch to a less formal look for the reception by changing their suit jackets, accessories, or the entire outfit. They can also inject personality by adding funky accessories that match the wedding's theme.
