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In some countries, a bride wears several dresses over the course of her wedding day. In India, for instance, the bride must change into a new dress for each celebration she attends. The festivities often last for several days. And in China, the bride may change outfits up to eight times. But when an American bride changes dresses, it is often a matter of practicality, rather than tradition.
Until only recently, brides in the West were expected to wear their wedding dresses for the entire celebration. But as bridal dresses became bigger, heavier, and more elaborate, this became impractical. Honestly, how can a bride be expected to enjoy her reception in a brocade wedding gown that weighs ten to fifteen pounds? If she is in extremely fit condition and she can stand the heat, she may be able to get through a dance or two before she needs a break.
Since most brides want to have a good time rather than a workout at their reception, they have embraced the popular new trend of taking off their wedding dresses after the ceremony and slipping into a reception gown. As a general rule, the bride will wear her wedding dress while she dances with her new husband and her father and then she can excuse herself to change into a more comfortable and appropriate party dress.
When the bride reappears, the festivities begin in earnest. This is when the band or the DJ starts playing the dance numbers. Free from the weight and heat of her wedding dress, the bride can boogie down, trip the light fantastic, and dance all night! The typical reception gown is lightweight, has a high hemline, and is made from breathable natural materials like cotton and silk.
Now, it is important to note that not every bride chooses to change into a reception gown. When a couple has scheduled an informal outdoor ceremony on the grass or in the sand, the wedding gown is typically quite comfortable with a high hemline and light fabrics. These dresses are well-suited for dancing, which is why informal brides rarely require a reception gown. But for brides who feel immured inside a hot, heavy, and uncomfortable dress, a reception gown is the perfect solution.
What to look for?
Because it is a relatively new trend, there are few rules when it comes to reception gowns. It’s strange, we know. Most everything about a wedding, even an informal one, follows a pattern that has been in place for many years. There are vows, toasts, dances, cakes, and then the happy couple drives off into the sunset. But the reception gown is a new tradition that is not governed by etiquette or decorum, but by simple preference. In short, the bride is free to choose whichever dress she likes. The one and only rule is that the dress should be white, like the wedding gown.
Perhaps to keep from shocking her guests with a sudden sartorial transformation, most brides choose reception gowns that are similar in style to their wedding dresses. So, if a bride wears a strapless dress to the ceremony, she will often choose a strapless number for the reception. The styles are seldom identical, but more often than not, they are quite similar.
Short Dresses
The short reception gown is a fun and informal number that brides at smaller, more intimate weddings often prefer. The dress is typically strapless with a hemline that hovers just below the knees. Taffeta and chiffon are the two most popular materials for these light and playful reception gowns. Because they use less material, short reception dresses are quite affordable at an average price of around $200.
Long-Sleeved Gowns
When a wedding is scheduled for the winter months, brides often choose a wedding dress with long sleeves, which often means that their reception gowns also have long sleeves. Though they are less formal than the actual wedding dress, reception gowns with long sleeves are almost always more formal than short dresses. Not only do they require more material, but most brides have these dresses adorned with beads or other embellishments. Most reception gowns with long sleeves have a tea-length hemline, which falls at the shins.
Long Gowns
It might seem a bit silly changing from one floor-length gown into another one. But that is exactly what many brides do at their receptions. As you might expect, the second gown is made of much lighter materials and it is much cooler and more comfortable for the bride. These dresses are popular with brides who don’t do much disco dancing. Perhaps they simply prefer to slow dance in a long and comfortable evening gown. The typical long gown is made of satin or chiffon. Strapless versions create a modern, romantic look. Brides are often said to resemble Sleeping Beauty when they wear these gowns. Whichever style you choose, it’s important to remember that the most essential element of your reception gown is comfort. Find the perfect dress now and get ready to party your whole wedding night long.
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Source by Leonard Duttecht
