Best Wedding Reception Dresses & Outfit Changes

Where’s the party at? Wherever it is, it certainly doesn’t start until you walk in draped in glitter, shimmer, sequins, feathers, and all the rest. It’s popular for many of our brides to don a second dress when the reception starts. As lovely as wearing your wedding dress all day is, they might be long, tight fitting, and fairly formal. So, naturally, when Dancing Queen by ABBA comes on (or whatever your get down and dance song is), you want to feel like you’re ready to let loose and feel comfortable doing it. Today, we’re sharing some of our fave wedding reception dresses and looks from our real brides.

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The best wedding reception dresses and after-party outfit changes from real weddings!

The Best Wedding Reception Dresses 2024

We've put together some of our favourite bridal reception looks from our 2024 real weddings! These brides look ready to party in shorter dresses bedazzled in sequins, paired with personalised sunglasses and party shoes to match! Alexa, play Bejewelled by Taylor Swift!

Oxnead Hall Wedding With Lace Bridal Gown

Harriet & Rory's winter wedding was all about romance and tradition. Harriet wore an incredible lace strapless Martina Liana wedding dress paired with an embroidered edge fingertip veil. She's a vision! Harriet also chose a faux fur shawl cover-up for elegance (and warmth) whenever she was outside in the evening. But when the reception came, Harriet entered in a Nadine Merabi short tasselled reception dress, which was the perfect choice for keeping up the glamour of the whole day!

Hackney Studios Wedding with Lace Bridal Separates

Alex & Randolph had an industrial-style wedding with an abundance of stunning florals. But nothing stood out more than Alex's lace bridal separates by Grace Loves Lace. The boho two-piece is the perfect contrast to the edgy blank canvas wedding venue. In the evening, as the couple walked around London and partied into the night, Alex changed into a short reception dress with feathers and platform flats so she could move those dancing feet with ease. Short wedding reception dresses are definitely the more popular choice.

Romantic Elmore Court Wedding With Two Brides

Vimbai & Lea's wedding just oozes romance. Vimbai wore a square neck Essence of Australia wedding dress and Lea wore a lace short sleeve Ana Kara gown that she paired with a faux fur shawl. The textures are everything! For their traditional sparkler send-off and the dancing, the couple changed into their colourful and patterned evening looks. Vimbai was in a stunning pink satin number and Lea wore a short puff-sleeve floral dress. The two brides absolutely shone throughout the entire day.

Vintage Wedding Dress and Crown for a Stylish Wedding at Walcot Hall

Francesca & Chris certainly know how to make a statement. The whole day is a showstopper. The couple wanted their whole day to feel authentically them and made all their decisions according to that. So, Francesca wore a vintage wedding dress with gold detailing along with a star tiara. Francesca changed into this head-turning long sleeve short and shimmery red Rixo dress. We need to take a moment, please. The fashion choices from this wedding are truly next-level.

Handmade Wedding Dress with Floral Bridesmaids at French Chateau

Bethany & Eddie's wedding is a complete boho dream. Bethany wore a handmade wedding dress she created herself! After searching high and low for her dream dress, Bethany struggled to hunt down 'The One' for her day. Having been a fashion designer for 10 years previous, she decided to take things into her own hands and we're so glad she did. This lace and fringed wedding dress complement the French rustic venue perfectly. Bethany changed things up in the evening with a long silver metallic reception dress. Simply divine! Wedding reception dresses don't get much better than this!

Feather Jumpsuit & Satin Bridesmaid Dresses At Old Kent Barn

Rhiannon & Dominic's rustic barn wedding was traditional and had a black tie dress code. During the day, Rhiannon wore an Atelier Pronovias wedding dress with a train that really makes a statement. Whilst still keeping the bridal look, Rhiannon changed into a white Nadine Merabi feather jumpsuit! She paired the jumpsuit with elegant stilettos with glittering bow detail. Perfection.

Lion Dance For Multicultural Christmas Wedding at The Amadeus London

Lara & Gus had a Christmas wedding with lots of nods to Lara's Malaysian/Chinese heritage. One tradition includes the incredible Lion Dance! But Lara has possibly given us the most incredible day to evening transformation. In the day, Lara was a regal princess in a long sleeve lace wedding dress with a pearl and crystal crown. The faux fur shawl is the perfect finishing touch. In the evening, Lara decided on a low-back crop top with dark green sequin trousers with green block heels to match! As you can see, Lara is a true dancing queen, so trousers were the most appropriate choice. Wedding reception dresses and outfits allow you to play with colour and show off your personality.

Oleg Cassini Wedding Dress and DIY Bouquets

Rochelle & Nathan had a classic and traditional luxe wedding. Rochelle wore an embellished strapless Oleg Cassini wedding dress with a princess skirt, which looks so dreamy. The bride's favourite moment was walking down the aisle, and in this dress, how could we blame her?! Then, Rochelle turned into a sexy sleek goddess with a white fitted reception dress with side cut-out details. Those subtle cutouts on the side give Rochelle that sexy and fun evening look everyone wants to have.

Priston Mill Wedding With Pink Flowers

Alisa & Yusuf had something less traditional in terms of decor. The couple chose bright colours for their flowers and decor with a modern glam feel overall. Alisa reflected this in her bridal looks, too! For the day, she wore an off-the-shoulder lace wedding dress with an iconic leg split and long train. It's extravagant but understated at the same time. For the evening, the couple both changed up their looks (we're SO here for groom reception outfits too). Alisa walked out in a short black and white bow reception dress with a cathedral-length veil.

Lace Rixo Dress For Trinity Buoy Wharf Wedding

Catherine & Niall's city wedding was all about having a good time. Catherine wore a lace Rixo wedding dress with shoulder pads, long sleeves, and a front slit that she paired with a pearl headband for a pretty and contemporary look. In the evening, Catherine switched it up with a white shimmery long puff sleeve short wedding reception dress, which looked amazing glistening in the romantic fairy light.

Go from traditional bride to dancing queen with these wedding reception dresses!

We hope you've loved all these wedding reception dresses and it's given you plenty of inspiration. But if you're still looking for your wedding dress, then take a look at our wedding dress guide to help you figure out what style you'd like to go for. Or if you have your dress/es, then go onto the finer details. Our bridal accessories article is waiting just for you.