33 Pretty and Unexpected Wedding Reception Outfits

Party time.

Choosing a wedding dress can be one of the most fun parts of planning a wedding — but choosing just one look for what is likely the most photographed day of your life? Talk about a challenge. More and more people are opting to do outfit changes over the course of a wedding, changing from one ceremony look to a second (or even third) for the reception.

Celebrity brides from Sofia Richie to Meghan Markle have famously debuted a second dress after their wedding ceremony, and the trend is not just for the Hollywood set. Plenty of folks prefer to ditch their more formal, often restricting gowns for something lighter, more comfortable, and easier to dance in. Perhaps a bride wants to wear her mother’s dress for a sentimental ceremony, but find something a bit more “her” for the reception. Whatever the reason, wedding reception outfits are a fresh new way to show off your style on a big day.

Related: What to Wear for Your City Hall Wedding

Anything goes for a second wedding look. Of course, you can always wear what you want for the ceremony, but a reception dress is really the moment to break convention. While bridal designers are making dresses with these second looks in mind, you definitely don’t have to stick to a traditional “wedding dress” — or even a dress at all! — when it comes to what you wear to your reception. Often, the second wedding outfit is a shorter white dress, with some sparkle or other detail that makes it feel slightly more casual, sexy, and fun for the party portion of the evening. But there are so many ways to mix it up and come up with a second wedding look that will truly make you stand out.

For inspiration to slip into something a little more comfortable, nontraditional, and dance-floor-ready, we’ve rounded up 33 of the best ideas for your wedding reception outfit from different looks we’ve seen from celebs and street style stars.

Short and Simple

If you’re wearing an intricate, heavy gown for your ceremony, imagine the freedom of changing into a short, swingy dress to dance the night away at your reception.

Slinky and Sparkly

The reception is a great time to go a little sexier, and Zoë Kravitz’s shiny red carpet look is the perfect inspiration. A straight column gown like one this would also feel refreshing if your ceremony look was a traditional ball gown or otherwise voluminous dress.

With a Black Belt

A classic slip dress feels like a completely fresh ensemble when you add a black belt around the waist.

Off the Shoulder

Alix Earle’s off-the-shoulder dress and barely-there nude sandals could easily be the perfect wedding reception ensemble.

With a Sheer Skirt

The right reception dress can be the key to nailing those first dance photos. How pretty would this skirt look swinging around the dance floor?

A Blazer Dress

Blazer dresses are trending, and this sequined version would be just right for a New Year’s Eve reception.

A Timeless Silhouette

If you want wedding photos that won’t look dated, go for a silhouette that can stand the test of time. A sheath or a simple halter dress will never be out of style.

Ribbed

For a low-key wedding, we love the idea of a ribbed dress. It has such an understated vibe for a cool city bride.

A Jumpsuit

Of course, you don’t have to wear a dress just because it’s a wedding. A white jumpsuit is a perfect reception outfit if a dress just doesn’t feel like your style.

Short and Fringed

Ready to shake things up on the dance floor? A little fringed dress will make you the bridal disco queen you deserve to be.

A Pantsuit

Jumpsuits aren’t the only option if you’re not feeling a dress. A polished pantsuit in a relaxed cut is comfortable, elegant, and unexpected.

A Slip Dress

A slip dress would feel so light and airy at a summer reception, particularly if you’d worn a more ornate gown earlier in the day.

Bejeweled

A sparkly little shift would be fun and festive for dancing — just swap out the black shoes and shoes here for some metallic sandals.

Flapper-Inspired

If you’re a theme wedding girlie, a 1920s flapper dress might be right for your reception.

Topped with a Black Jacket

Your second wedding look could be all in the styling — try topping a dress with a crisp black jacket for a whole different vibe.

Long-Sleeved Mini

This long-sleeved, silky number is so chic, and adding a black hair ribbon is a great addition.

Ruched

The ruched detailing on this mini has a bit of a boudoir feel without being over-the-top. And why not pair it with a boot, for something different?

Silky and Flowy

It’s giving goddess: A graceful, free-flowing silk wrap dress is both effortless and graceful, with the added bonus of being comfortable.

All About Lace

For the bride who just wants to look hot as hell at her reception, try a lacy look like Quannah Chasinghorse’s mini here.

With Red Shoes

A styling idea to steal from Hailey Bieber and apply to your wedding reception look: Pair a short white dress with bright red heels.

Sequined Pants

If you want to incorporate pants into your wedding day, this is hands-down the most fun way to do it: silver sequins with a white floral top.

Gold Dress

If you’re ready to ditch the traditional white, a gold dress is perfect to change into for the reception. Silver, copper, or any metallic option would also work for the same shimmery effect.

Pink Dress

Or perhaps you want to go even bolder? Indya Moore’s full-skirted, hot pink number would be guaranteed to turn heads when you walk into the reception.

Lacy and Flowy

If romantic boho is your vision for a reception, an off-the-shoulder lace dress with vintage vibes might be for you.

Sheer Pants

For a beachy wedding reception, sheer pants could be the perfect breezy look. Keep the blazer on top if you want to look dapper, or swap for a silk camisole if you want a softer appearance.

A Silver Suit

We could just see a downtown bride switching into this plunging, silver pantsuit to hit the dance floor.

A Lace Pantsuit

Another reception-perfect pantsuit, this time featuring (what else?) white lace.

Pajama Inspired

If your reception is going into the wee hours of the night, consider an outfit straight out of a pajama party — with a bridal influence, naturally.

Sheer and Beaded

Hello, bombshell bride. A shimmering, sheer dress has all the romance you want for the wedding, with the sultry factor you saved for the reception.

Backless

If you want drama and sex appeal, a backless dress shows off major skin in an unexpectedly sultry fashion.

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