Decide honestly whether you want a second dress

From brides who have no regret

Advice from brides who would buy the same dress again. The figure after a line is what she paid, where she said.

• Wear the dress. You cannot be overdressed at your own wedding, and a casual second dress covers the part of the night the gown does not suit.
• The gown that suits you can be the exact opposite of your vision; a second reception dress can cover the look you did not get.
• Picking the cheaper of two gowns you like at the same shop is not a downgrade if the appointment itself is low pressure ($2,000)
• Do not judge the dress until hair, makeup and flowers are done; a second dress splits the wear you paid for
• Wear the reception dress for the engagement shoot; a second outing makes the second gown easier to justify. ($3,500)
• If you want to keep trying dresses on, look for a second reception dress rather than replacing the first.
• Two dresses can still be cheap: white for the ceremony and photos, a colour you suit for the reception. ($440)
• When two dresses are both stunning, go with the one that took first place, not the one that costs less. (£1,800)
• If a second look is about a must rather than comfort or photos, spend the money and energy elsewhere.
• Splurge on the second dress if you want it; the only thing you will regret is how fast the day goes.
• For a reception running to 1am, do a late-night costume change after hours in the first dress.
• Contrast the two looks: classic pearls for the ceremony, sparkle and crystals for the dancing.
• When two gowns are near-identical, take the cheaper one; the remorse passes once it arrives. ($279)
• A reception change of outfit is an easier way to get a second look than replacing the gown
• A detachable overskirt gives two looks and the flower girls can carry it down the aisle.
• Do what brings you joy; in plenty of cultures several outfits are simply expected.
• Get a second dress because you want one, not because it feels compulsory.
• A budget site reception dress can hold its own next to the main gown
• Once you buy the second dress, stop looking entirely.

From brides who regret something

The same subject from the other side. These are brides describing regret or mixed feelings about their own dress, which usually makes the advice more specific about what went wrong.

• If months pass and the regret will not shake, a second dress with a separate job for it beats forcing yourself into the first one.
• Keep the dream dress for the ceremony and buy a cheap short white dress to change into for the rest of the night.
• Buy a simple off-the-rack white dress for the party portion; two looks beats being uncomfortable all night.
• The what-if feeling between two dresses is normal; trust that you picked yours for a reason beyond price.
• Treat it as a personality question rather than a trend; she considered a reception dress 15 years ago.
• Wear the expensive gown for the ceremony and photos, then change into something cheap and comfortable. ($2,000)
• If you settle on the ceremony gown, put the love into a second dress you actually choose for yourself. ($650)
• Buy the style you originally pictured as a second look for engagement photos or the rehearsal dinner.
• If you buy a second dress, wear one for the ceremony and one for the reception so neither is wasted.
• Buy a separate reception dress so the pressure is spread over two looks instead of one gown.
• If you cannot afford a second gown, get the layers you hate removed and keep the dress.
• Consider a fun second dress later in the reception instead of second-guessing the gown.
• Solve style doubt with a second look rather than replacing the gown you already bought.
• A light second dress buys you the dancing photos the heavy gown will not. ($150)
• If you buy a backup, change into it earlier than you think.
• Buy the one you love; you will not regret the second dress

Where this fits

Advice is only as good as the situation it came from, so the prices are attached where brides gave them. If a line matters to you, the page for that price range shows what else brides bought at the same level, and the regret page shows what the brides who regret something actually regret.

Sources

Price reports on this page come from 18 public discussions where brides answered in their own words. Each comment that stated an amount became one row; notes are paraphrased, never quoted.