… We said ALMOST, almost. We’re under no illusions, a bride can do whatever she wants on her wedding day – it’s her day to call the shots (call the shots, take the shots, either way 😉), hers and her partner’s, of course. And while we love the tradition of a bride stepping into a white gown and wearing it for the entire duration of the day – from ‘I Do’ to ‘I don’t want this day to end,’ we also live for the times our brides decide to switch up their looks and debut a second dress for their reception. It’s a living, breathing mic drop moment (seriously, check out that first feature photo, if you haven’t already 🔥).

Apart from just being an opportunity to show off another successful fashion win – and there are soooo many options out there for brides, we understand why choosing just one dress is impossible – it’s a choice that allows brides to fulfill all the wants/wishes they might otherwise have not been able to do with just one look.

Celebrities and blue-blooded bellwethers (or those who marry them!) from Mandy Moore to Gwyneth Paltrow, Kaley Cuoco to Meghan Markle, are still embracing the second look trend and we’re certainly here for it! We say ‘step into our world of opulence and luxury,’ ‘go big or go home,’ and we mean it! Quite literally – step into a change-out ensem and start feeling like the queen you truly are here at Leonard’s Palazzo.

We put together a few other reasons why a second look is a first priority, along with some suggestions on what that second style should be, so read on through, if you weren’t already convinced by ☝️.

• It’s a major way to celebrate your new Mrs.-hood. A bride’s first dress does this, too, of course, but in debuting a second look for the reception, it’s almost like you’ve said bye-bye to your singlehood and welcomed it with a whole new ‘Mrs.’ sort of sway.  

• It’s necessary if you had to make concessions with your ceremony look. Whether a bride decides to temper her aisle style out of respect for her parents, grandparents, etc. or even wear something heirloom that wouldn’t have been her first choice otherwise, she can feel good about a second look because it’ll be something SHE wanted.

• It’s a great way to turn up the wow factor on your photos. You know that look that bride squads have when they see the bride for the first time? Well, imagine that X2, because you’ll be shocking the entire room with your unveiling (not just the girls) and maybe even your new mister or missus! All those excited expressions, all that sparkle, all that surprise – looks GREAT on camera!

So, in taking a few cues from some of the abovementioned tastemakers who have recently tied the knot, we’re especially into these looks for a change-out scenario:

Romper/jumpsuit.
Gwyneth wore a classic and perfectly-tailored Stella McCartney romper for the “80s dance party” that unfolded at her wedding reception. Kaley Cuoco showed up to her reception in a lace Tadashi Shoji jumpsuit that was for sure party perfect! We love both of these takes, especially because they’re just super flexible and conducive to many hours tearing it up on the dance floor. They’re also really fun and playful and can even be worn into the after party – transition fashion FTW!

Change-out color swap.
Mandy Moore already broke tradition when she walked down the aisle in a dreamy pink Rodarte gown, but she kept it going with a second reception look that was black! We loveee her originality and think it’s great when brides can let go of tradition a little bit for something a bit more trendy. So, if you want to wear white at the altar and black to the party, then go for it! It doesn’t always have to be an iteration of white, either, and can even be better when it’s not (our bride’s gold metallic gown was such a knockout!).

Streamlined silhouette.
Meghan Markle’s Givenchy wedding gown was absolutely stunning, but so was her equally modern, sophisticated and simple Stella McCartney dress for her reception. Just a simple tweak of a silhouette – say for instance, from a fit and flare to a column sheath, can be transformative. Or, like Meghan, if you want to go sleeved for the vows and bare shoulders for the party – then definitely do it!

*Note, feature image courtesy of Leonard’s Palazzo bride @inchem – photo credit @lotusweddingphotography