Transitioning your Look from Ceremony to Reception
You found your wedding dress, but completing your wedding day look is far from over. In fact, it’s only half the work! You’ve probably imagined yourself walking down the aisle in that dress, but have you thought about what you’ll wear to your reception? While you don’t have to buy an entirely new dress, there are a few tweaks you can make to transition your look from ceremony to reception.
Veil
Artistic Photography by Glenda
The veil is a statement bridal accessory. If you love a wedding dress but aren’t ready to say yes, just add a veil and the tears will flow. It truly transforms a white dress into a wedding dress! You don’t have to drape it over your face, but a veil is a must when you’re walking down the aisle. That being said, most brides ditch the veil for the reception. It can easily dip into your pasta sauce, catch on a chair and tear, or if it’s a cathedral length veil, trip you on the dance floor. We recommend wearing your veil for the photo op between the ceremony and reception, then taking it off halfway through. That way you have pictures of both looks! If you want, you can make your grand entrance with your veil, and then take it off during the toasts.
Bustle
A bustle is a way of trying or pinning up the train of your dress so that you don’t have to worry about it dragging around, getting dirty, tripping you or your guests, or getting torn. There are a variety of types of bustles, like the French, American, or Ballroom. They each require different techniques using pins, bows, clasps, or buttons. Your seamstress will know the best way to flatter your dress and your figure.
Bustling your dress takes place before your grand entrance to the reception. It does take a bit of time and can get complex depending on how intricate it is. Be sure to take a member of your wedding party with you to your final fitting so they can learn how to and practice working your bustle. It may be best to retreat to your bridal suite so your bridesmaids have plenty of room to work and to give you privacy.
SHOES
Rising Star Photography
You don’t want to stop dancing early because your feet are aching. And trust us when we say you will not want to dance barefoot on your dance floor. While those heels may be stunning, they’re not practical for your reception. But that doesn’t mean you have to ditch them altogether. Have your photographer snap photos as you put them on, wear them down the aisle, and pop your foot when your spouse kisses you so your guests will get a good view. Then, when it comes time to dance, switch to a pair of flats. Ask your wedding planner, venue coordinator, or bridesmaid to put them near the head table, or tuck a pair into your clutch.
Dress
On your wedding day, you’ll start getting ready around 8 or 9 am, and will probably leave the reception between 11 pm and midnight. That’s a long time to wear one dress! If you want to surprise your guests and really make sure your entrance is memorable, consider changing your dress for the reception! You could get a convertible gown which layers a long skirt over a short one. That way, it will be a quick transition from one dress to the other, as you’re simply taking off one skirt! Or, buy a completely different gown. It could be more form-fitting or shorter to allow you to dance easily.
Hair
Botias Hair and Makeup
When you enter your wedding reception, it’s time to let your hair down – figuratively and literally! If you had your hair in an updo to support your veil, let those strands loose! You’ll definitely want to practice this transition at your hair trial to make sure your hair actually looks good when it’s taken down. Sometimes hair spray and tight curls can crimp your hair in unnatural ways. You’ll also want to limit the amount of bobby pins used.
Contrarily, if your hair was down in loose curls for the ceremony, you may want to tie it up on the dance floor so it doesn’t get in your face. This is also helpful on hot days if your reception is outside. A sleek ponytail, chic top knot, or messy bun are all casual yet beautiful.
Implement one or more of these minor tweaks to transform your look from ceremony to reception and surprise your guests.
