white strapless feather midi dress
Shop the Look: Feather Late Than Never White Strapless Feather Midi Dress

Choosing just one look for your wedding can feel almost impossible, especially if you really like fashion. We say, go all out on your big day and change into a second look for your reception!

a woman in a cowl neck satin wedding dress on the beach for reception
Shop the Look: Aisle White Satin Cowl Neck Maxi Dress; Image via @monroesteele

Have fun choosing a look that compliments your formal wedding dress, or choose something completely different to switch up the vibe. Reception dresses can be elegant and classy, or a little more casual than your wedding dress so you can comfortably dance, eat, and socialize.

white sequin fringe mini dress
Shop the Look: Better Than Magic White Sequin Fringe Mini Dress

As a bride, you’re basically the star of the day, so if the ceremony is your Oscars, consider the reception your after-party! Slip into a festive, sparkly mini dress, a glam satin slip dress (super comfy for dancing!), a full, flouncy midi you can twirl in, or even a bridal jumpsuit.

white tie strap maxi dress
Shop the Look: Radiant Romance White Tie-Strap Maxi Dress

The choice is yours–and oh, how many choices there are. Here, we’re gathered some of our favorite wedding reception looks to help you get inspired for your second wedding look.

Short Wedding Reception Dresses

white lace short sleeve dress
Shop the Look: Pearson White Lace Short Sleeve Dress; Image via Kenya E.

Wearing a short dress for your wedding reception is a fun way to feel a little sexier once the real festivities start. You’ve made it through the ceremony and now it’s time to party, and a shorter dress will let you get down on the dance floor!

Wearing a mini dress to your wedding reception can also make the evening feel just a little less formal. You’re the bride, so if you’re not a formal person you don’t need to have a formal reception! With your mini dress on and a little leg showing, you’ll let your guests know they can let loose.

White Lace Tie-Strap Midi Dress

white lace tie strap midi dress
Shop the Look: Just My Love White Lace Tie Strap Midi Dress

Ivory Off-The-Shoulder Mini Dress

ivory satin off the shoulder mini dress
Shop the Look: Always Celebrating Ivory Satin Off-the-Shoulder Mini Dress

White One-Shoulder Ruffled Tulip Midi Dress

white one shoulder ruffled midi dress
Shop the Look: Love You Best White One-Shoulder Ruffled Tulip Midi Dress

White One-Shoulder Dress

white one shoulder dress
Shop the Look: Dinah White One-Shoulder Dress

White Swiss Dot Tiered Ruffled Midi Dress

swiss dot tiered ruffle dress
Shop the Look: Dear To My Heart White Swiss Dot Tiered Ruffled Midi Dress

White Lace Midi Skater Dress

white lace midi skater dress
Shop the Look: Love Swept White Lace Midi Skater Dress

Ivory One-Shoulder Midi Dress

ivory one shoulder midi dress
Shop the Look: Hold Your Attention Ivory One-Shoulder Sleeveless Midi Dress

Long Wedding Reception Dresses

white lace trumpet maxi dress
Shop the Look: Luxe To Be Loved White Embroidered Lace Trumpet Maxi Dress; Image via Zulema G.

If you still want to embody the princess fantasy of a long dress but don’t want to eat or dance in your formal wedding dress, change into a maxi dress for your reception! Your second look doesn’t need to be drastically different from your first look, so you can even choose a slightly more casual version of your ceremony dress.

White Lace Backless Maxi Dress

white lace backless maxi dress
Shop the Look: Love of Details White Lace Backless Maxi Dress

White Puff Sleeve Maxi Dress

white puff sleeve maxi dress
Shop the Look: No Greater Love White Puff Sleeve Maxi Dress

Champagne Satin Maxi Dress

champagne satin maxi dress
Shop the Look: Love All of Me Champagne Satin Maxi Dress

White Maxi Dress

white sleeveless maxi dress
Shop the Look: Heavenly Hues White Maxi Dress

White Satin Flutter Sleeve Maxi Dress

white satin ruffled flutter sleeve maxi dress
Shop the Look: Eternal Bond White Satin Ruffled Flutter Sleeve Maxi Dress

White Lace Ruffled Tiered Sleeveless Maxi Dress

white lace tiered ruffled maxi dress
Shop the Look: Molinetto White Lace Ruffled Tiered Sleeveless Maxi Dress

White Satin Sleeveless Mermaid Maxi Dress

white satin sleeveless mermaid maxi dress
Shop the Look: Forever Type of Love White Satin Sleeveless Mermaid Maxi Dress

Sparkly Wedding Reception Dresses

white sequin trumpet hemp maxi dress
Shop the Look: Splendorous Love White and Beige Sequin Trumpet Hem Maxi Dress; Image via Katherine H.

Make a major impact at your reception in a sparkly dress! Don sequins, glitter, and embellished fabrics to set the tone for a glamorous evening of celebration. A sparkly reception dress is perfect for almost any wedding vibe, but we especially love them for a winter wedding or an outdoor wedding under the stars.

White Backless Sequin Mini Dress

white backless sequin mini dress
Shop the Look: Force of Fashion White Backless Sequin Mini Dress

Rose Gold Sequin Lace-Up Maxi Dress

rose gold sequin fringe maxi dress
Shop the Look: Endless Festivities Rose Gold Sequin Fringe Lace-Up Maxi Dress

Cream Iridescent Sequin Long Sleeve Midi Dress

cream iridescent sequin long sleeve midi dress
Shop the Look: Stay Radiant Cream Iridescent Sequin Long-Sleeve Midi Dress

White Sequin Mermaid Maxi Dress

white sequin mermaid maxi dress
Shop the Look: Endless Enchantment White Sequin Mermaid Maxi Dress

White Sequin Embroidered Bodycon Dress

white sequin embroidered bodycon dress
Shop the Look: Spread Your Shine White Sequin Embroidered Bodycon Dress

Blush Sequin Asymmetrical Maxi Dress

pink sequin one sleeve maxi dress
Shop the Look: Gleaming and Gorgeous Blush Sequin Asymmetrical Maxi Dress

Silver Sequin Fringe Long Sleeve Wrap Dress

silver sequin fringe long sleeve wrap dress
Shop the Look: Puttin’ on the Glitz Silver Sequin Fringe Long Sleeve Wrap Dress

Wedding Reception Jumpsuits & Rompers

white lace jumpsuit
Shop the Look: Enamored With You White Lace Wide-Leg Jumpsuit; Image via Elisa L.

We love the impact of changing from a traditional wedding dress into a gorgeous bridal jumpsuit for your reception. Undeniably comfortable and so, so chic, you’ll be able to celebrate your marriage to the fullest in one of these gorgeous wedding jumpsuits. If you feel most comfortable in pants, a jumpsuit can also be an easy way to create a sleek wedding look without wearing a wedding dress.

Ivory Lace Long-Sleeve Two-Piece Jumpsuit

ivory lace long sleeve two piece jumpsuit
Shop the Look: Level of Love Ivory Lace Long-Sleeve Two-Piece Jumpsuit

White Strapless Wide Leg Jumpsuit

white strapless jumpsuit
Shop the Look: Won a Heart White Strapless Wide-Leg Jumpsuit

Champagne Satin Cowl Neck Culotte Jumpsuit

champagne satin cowl neck culotte jumpsuit
Shop the Look: Perfect Night Champagne Satin Cowl Neck Culotte Jumpsuit

White and Beige Sequin Romper

white and beige sequin romper
Shop the Look: Catch a Spark White and Beige Sequin Romper

White Strapless Jumpsuit

white strapless bridal jumpsuit
Shop the Look: Total Confidence White Strapless Jumpsuit

White Sequin Long Sleeve Wide-Leg Jumpsuit

white sequin long sleeve jumpsuit
Shop the Look: Magical Muse White Sequin Long Sleeve Wide-Leg Jumpsuit

Are you planning on a second look? Show us your wedding reception dresses on Instagram or TikTok @lulus using #lovelulus–-and hit our Bridal Shop to outfit yourself from head to toe!

This post was published in February 2021 and has been updated with new content.