How to Pair Your Wedding Dress With a Reception Dress
May 3, 2023
Changing into a reception dress grows in popularity every year, and it’s a trend we love to stand by! It opens the possibilities for styling two looks on your wedding day, and reception dresses are also typically a bit more comfortable than wedding dresses, making the perfect ensemble to dance the night away.
Maybe you want to make bold statements on your big day. Or perhaps you struggle with deciding what ‘look’ to go for (indecisive kings & queens unite!). If either of these describes you, doing two looks may be a solution.
Our recent wedding inspiration for ceremony and reception dresses comes from the extremely talented Sarah Catalfo, owner & designer at By Catalfo. Her modern take on bridal wear is refreshing, stylish, and inspiring. Here are three great ways to pair your wedding dress with a reception dress.
1. Pair a Long, Elegant Ceremony Dress With a Short, Fun Reception Dress
Mixing the best of both worlds is what we love about pairing ceremony and reception dresses. If you love classic and elegant ceremonies but want to party the night away with your new spouse once the sun sets, we love the trend of taking a long, classic dress and mixing it up with something fun and new. Short, fun dresses can still be extremely elegant, just in a different way. Here is a great example:
The first look, called the Peyton, is the perfect example of timeless. It’s classic, sexy, and elegant—the ideal ceremonial bridal look for someone whose style never fades. The second dress, called the Celine, for the reception, is fun & flirty while still possessing classic and elegant qualities.
2. Pair A Sophisticated Ceremony Dress With A Long, Flowy Dress
If you want your ceremony and reception dresses to complement each other but not drastically change, we love the option of going from a sophisticated satin dress to a long, flowy reception dress. These are two completely separate looks, but they pair together for a seamless transition between the ceremony and reception. Here is a great example from the By Catalfo collection:
The first dress, called the Chloe, screams ceremony, while the Isla dress is still elegant enough for a ceremony dress but comfortable enough for a reception. Both designs are absolutely stunning from By Catalfo. Why choose one when you can choose both?
3. Pair a Simple, Stylish Wedding Dress With a Patterned Reception Dress
We love this look for a bride who wants a low-key ceremony tied together by thoughtful details and tiny touches. An easy way to add these little details is a dress swap between a classic wedding gown with a flirty and twirl-ready reception dress.
The first gown is the classy Isla dress, which is classic & sophisticated, ideal for a destination elopement or intimate ceremony. The second dress, called the Millie, is stylish & fun with its 3-D floral mesh overlay and tulle.
Changing from a ceremony to a reception dress is a wonderful touch to any wedding, from a small hillside elopement to a grand ballroom bash. As long you love your two bridal looks, that’s all that matters! Shop the entire By Catalfo wedding dress collection here.
