Choosing Your Reception Wedding Dress

Tips and TrendsWedding Inspo | October 7, 2022

Are you the absolutely fabulous kind of bride who just can’t imagine their wedding day without an outfit change between the ceremony and the reception? Well, we’re right there with you! Every bride deserves to make their wedding day as amazing as can be, and what better way to do that than by enjoying TWO dresses instead of one?

We’re jumping into the glorious world of choosing a reception wedding dress with our top picks, but before we begin, be sure to take our Style Quiz! This quick, fun quiz is designed to ask you some simple questions to discover your wedding aesthetic—it even provides a few gorgeous gowns to consider that may fit your fancy!

What is a Reception Wedding Dress?

To start, let’s define what a bridal reception dress truly is: a second on your wedding day! A reception wedding dress gives you the opportunity to put on something a little bit more fun and comfortable so you can dance the night away at your reception. It also gives you the chance to explore more styles! If your wedding dress is a more traditional look, you can enjoy a sexy dress for the reception! Or, if you decided on a beautiful lace style for the ceremony, your wedding reception dress could be something a little simpler and chicer!

Our Top Picks for a Reception Wedding Dress

From Shauna by Rebecca Ingram to Estella by Maggie Sottero

If you’re a bride who loves to look of lace, look no further than Shauna by Rebecca Ingram. This ethereal A-line gown is perfect for the boho bride who’s looking for soft motifs, delicate illusion, and an airy style for their wedding reception dress. To personalize this gown for your love story, add buttons down the back! With a similar lace pattern and sweet vibe, Estella by Maggie Sottero is a beautiful option for brides looking for a sexier bridal reception dress! With its gorgeous V-neck, plunging illusion V-back, and delicate tulle spaghetti straps, this dress is simply made for a reception!

From Selena by Maggie Sottero to Fernanda by Maggie Sottero

PC: Parografia

For a simple-yet-chic look, consider Selena by Maggie Sottero. This flattering satin ballgown features a scoop neckline, a square back neckline, gorgeous buttons trailing down to the hemline, and pockets—yes, pockets! Personalize this gown by opting for a strapless neckline! If fit-and-flare is more your style, Fernanda by Maggie Sottero might be your perfect bridal reception dress! This stunning dress is made with Talin stretch crepe and features a deep V-neckline, a V-back, and buttons down the train. If you love long sleeves or are getting married during the winter, opt for Fernanda with long, fitted sleeves.

PC: Lauren Anne Photography

Want to see more simple, elegant wedding dresses? Check out our blog post to channel your inner starlet! In the meantime, how gorgeous are these Real Brides in Selena and Fernanda?

From Italiana by Sottero and Midgley to Italiana Lane by Sottero and Midgley

Italiana by Sottero and Midgley is a stunning ballgown style made to wow on your wedding day, whether it’s your ceremony dress or your reception dress! This hera organza gown features sequin lace motifs over a felicity Mikado corset-style bodice. The squared strapless neckline is to die for, and so are the pick-ups in the skirt! We’re obsessed with this gown from our newest collection!

If you’re a bride who would love to wear the same wedding dress to your ceremony and reception but still want two looks, Italiana Lane by Sottero and Midgley is an incredible option when paired with its matching detachable train. This beautiful style and its matching detachable train gives the look of an A-line, and when it’s removed, the dress itself gives more of a fitted look, giving you the best of both worlds!

From Alera by Sottero and Midgley to Boston by Sottero and Midgley

If you’re looking for a vintage-inspired reception wedding dress, Alera by Sottero and Midgley is a gorgeous choice. This satin wedding gown comes in ivory or red colorways, giving you the option to really make a statement for your reception! Personalize Alera by extending, shortening, or removing the train, or add the matching detachable Elra Mikado bow.

Boston by Sottero and Midgley is another statement-making reception dress for brides. This beaded fit-and-flare bridal gown exudes the old-Hollywood vibes we know and love with its linear beading, V-neckline, deep V-back, and illusion tulle side insets. Personalize this gown for your perfect reception wedding dress vision by opting for a plunging illusion neckline.

From Mallory Dawn by Maggie Sottero to Aston by Sottero and Midgley

PC: Bianca Nevajar Photography | PC: Alyssa Cates

For our winter brides, look to Mallory Dawn by Maggie Sottero or Aston by Sottero and Midgley.

Mallory Dawn is the romantic, glamorous long sleeve ballgown of our dreams. This gown features lace motifs that adorn the nude bodice with an attached beaded belt, a plunging illusion V-neckline, an illusion V-back, and illusion lace long sleeves with keyhole details. Personalize this dress for your love story by changing the 2^nd tulle layer to sparkle tulle or opting for its sleeveless Sister Style Mallory by Maggie Sottero.

If the lace and fullness of Mallory Dawn is not exactly what you’re looking for, consider Aston by Sottero and Midgley. This chic, crepe fit-and-flare is simply stunning, with its elegant bateau neckline and statement back and long sleeves accented in beaded illusion embroidery featuring Swarovski crystals.

Want to see more long sleeve wedding dresses? Read our blog post for more long sleeve wedding dress inspo! These Real Brides look beautiful in Mallory Dawn and Aston!

From Zander by Sottero and Midgley to Zander Lane by Sottero and Midgley

For the edgy brides who want to keep a black theme for their bridal reception dress, Zander and Zander Lane by Sottero and Midgley are the perfect choices.

PC: Hailey Williams Photographer

Zander by Sottero and Midgley is our classic black ballgown wedding dress. It’s a breathtaking choice as a reception dress for brides. With contrasting layers of tulle, lace motifs, and Chantilly lace, a plunging V-neckline, and illusion long sleeves, this gown is destined for the edgy bride’s wedding reception. Personalize Zander by changing the Chantilly lace to texture tulle, opting for the illusion lace tank straps, or accessorizing with a tulle veil accented with lace.

If you’re looking for a fit-and-flare style instead of a ballgown for your reception wedding dress, look to Zander Lane by Sottero and Midgley! This style is just as beautiful as Zander but offers more of a sexy vibe. There are many ways to personalize Zander Lane! Start by changing the Chantilly lace to texture tulle, shortening or removing the train. Additionally you can add buttons down the back, or accessorizing for a tulle, accented lace veil.

For more black wedding dresses, read our blog post!

Doesn’t this Real Bride look breathtaking in Zander?

From Clover by Rebecca Ingram with a Jacket to Clover by Rebecca Ingram without a Jacket

Another option for brides looking to achieve a two-in-one look with their ceremony gown is Clover by Rebecca Ingram! This gorgeous satin sheath gown features an asymmetrical ruched bodice and strapless sweetheart neckline, perfect for the simple-yet-elegant bride. To achieve the two-in-one look you desire, pair Clover with its matching detachable jacket! This soft tulle jacket is adorned with beaded 3D flowers and features illusion bishop sleeves, finishing with covered buttons at the wrist. We’re obsessed with this new addition to our Rebecca Ingram repertoire! Personalize Clover for your love story by choosing between a zip-up closure and a lace-up closure.

From Vivien by Rebecca Ingram to Alberta by Maggie Sottero

Are you looking for a modern square neckline? Vivien by Rebecca Ingram and Alberta by Maggie Sottero are both lovely options to achieve this look.

If you’re loving the soft look, Vivien by Rebecca Ingram is the wedding reception dress for you! This gown features nouvelle stretch satin over sparkle tulle, a ruched nouvelle stretch satin bodice, a soft scoop neckline, V-back, and stretch satin spaghetti straps. It’s the perfect minimalist A-line wedding dress for dancing all night long at your wedding reception.

Alberta by Maggie Sottero is the perfect reception dress for brides who are dreaming of a sexy vibe. Constructed with Tripoli crepe satin, this dress features a ruched bodice, a cowl scoop neckline, a deep scoop back, beaded spaghetti straps, and buttons that cascade down the train. Personalize this gown for your love story by adding the Tripoli crepe satin off-the-shoulder draped sleeves.

We adore the traditional wedding look, which is why we’re sharing Norvinia Lynette by Sottero and Midgley. This long sleeve regal ballgown features beautiful, sparkly lace that will shine under the lights at your reception. There are many aspects to this gorgeous gown! First off, it features an illusion bateau neckline, and a plunging illusion back. It also sports sequin lace motifs over sparkle tulle, and illusion lace fitted long sleeves. This gown is destined for the brides who desire a traditional look for their reception wedding dress.

On the other hand, for brides who want a less traditional look for their reception wedding dress, consider Gibson by Sottero and Midgley. This modern crepe wedding jumpsuit paired with a tulle overskirt. Thus, it gives you a two-in-one look, with its soft scoop neckline and lindo crepe spaghetti straps! Personalize this style for your love story by choosing between a detachable sparkle tulle ballgown overskirt and a detachable tulle ballgown overskirt.

From Finley Dawn by Sottero and Midgley to Burke by Maggie Sottero

PC: Taylor Tolbert | Haley McElroy Photography

If you’re a boho bride, we’ve got some great options for your reception wedding dress! First, Finley Dawn by Sottero and Midgley. This gown is the vintage A-line bridal gown that provides effortless romance and sophistication while also allowing you to easily get down on the dance floor. Finley Dawn features allover lace, a sheer lace bodice and a plunging illusion V-neckline! This gown also has a V-back, and illusion lace tank straps. Personalize this gown by adding buttons down the back or opting for its Sister Style Finley by Sottero and Midgley, which features gorgeous bishop sleeves.  

If sexy boho is more your style, Burke by Maggie Sottero is the one for you! This lace wedding dress features bold allover floral lace, an illusion lace bodice. It also has a deep illusion V-neckline, a V-back, illusion lace tank straps, and an extended scalloped lace train! Personalize this gown by adding buttons down the back or removing the train for a more casual look through special request—perfect for your wedding reception!

For more V-neck wedding dresses—because we know how much brides LOVE V-neck wedding dresses—check out our blog post! These Real Brides look so amazing in Finley Dawn and Burke, right?

That’s all for now on reception wedding dresses! Don’t forget to follow us on Tiktok below! We’re giving away some incredible prizes to brides to celebrate the launch of our newest collections AND our 25^th anniversary.

We can’t wait to see which reception dress you fall in love with! In the meantime, check out more of our blog posts:

10 Wedding Dress Trends In Maggie Sottero’s Spring 23 Collection

Harry Potter Wedding Dresses For Your Hogwarts House

15 Floral Wedding Dresses And Accessories For Your Garden-Inspired Wedding