The rehearsal dinner is the kickoff to the wedding festivities. It’s the first time you’ll see wedding guests, including friends and families that have traveled from near and far. There’s an overwhelming excitement in the air and while you’re saving the most important outfit choice of all for the wedding day, you’ll want to put some consideration and thought into the rehearsal dinner dress too, ensuring that you look and feel your best.
Many brides choose to wear white to their rehearsal dinner, opting for something that’s a little more casual than a cocktail dress or gown. This certainly isn’t a prerequisite though – floral and vibrant colors are also great options. In recent trends, we’ve seen some fashion forward brides don jumpsuits or separate pieces to the rehearsal dinner for a unique spin on the traditional dress.
Shop 10 of our favorite rehearsal dinner dresses below. If you’re putting the finishing touches on your wedding (or wedding outfits) don’t miss this shopping section dedicated to brides-to-be.
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1. T Tahari Women’s Antoinette Dress
(T Tahari)
Available in sizes 2-14, this stunning dress features so many special details. If you’re looking for something that will get you feeling like a bride immediately, this dress will do the trick. The base of the dress is ivory, with subtle gold threading throughout. The scalloped hem on both the sleeves and dress is a special and noticeable touch, as is the sheer neckline at the top of the dress. Pair the dress with simple gold sandals to accentuate the metallic undertones.
Price: $168
Buy this rehearsal dinner dress here.
2. Lark & Ro Short-Sleeve Eyelet Shift Dress
(Lark&Ro)
A shift dress is a great casual style that can easily be dressed up. The straight lines and clean silhouette should hang away from the body and is best suited for women with smaller hips. Made of 100 percent cotton, the dress is extremely comfortable and wearable. It features mixed-lace and a variety of eyelet designs throughout the dress. The short sleeves and knee length hem provides a decent amount of coverage while still maintaining a sleek fit. Shop here for alternative white eyelet dresses from top brands.
Price: $44.57 – $74.50 depending on size
Buy this rehearsal dinner dress here.
3. Adrianna Papell Cap Sleeve Crop Top & Flare Skirt
(Adrianna Papell)
We’re noticing a few trends when it comes to rehearsal dinner and bridal shower dresses. The first is white dressy jumpsuits like this design from Jill Stuart. The second is separate pieces in lieu of a single dress like the Adrianna Papell set pictured above. The space between the high-waisted skirt and the top is minimal, so most people will barely notice that the pieces are separate. The cap sleeves on the top are loose enough that they won’t cut into the top of your arms, and the long length of the skirt is a perfect contrast to the more revealing top. If the separate pieces aren’t quite your style, check out a slew of white dresses from Adrianna Papell, any of which would work for a rehearsal dinner.
Price: $249
Buy this rehearsal dinner dress here.
4. Vera Wang Double Scallop Lace Dress
(Vera Wang)
Both the cream version (pictured above) and the blush version of this dress would make an outstanding choice for a rehearsal dinner. While Vera Wang is more notably recognized for her wedding gown designs, it’s no surprise that her entire formalwear collection is stunning. This dress is certainly on the dressier side, great for a bride who’s looking to stand out at her rehearsal dinner. The delicate lace, scalloped edges, and v-neckline all add to the beauty of the dress. Simple nude heels would be the best choice for this dress.
Price: $173.60 – $288 depending on size
Buy this rehearsal dinner dress here.
5. Ellen Tracy Gold Belted Jacquard Dress
(Ellen Tracy)
This dress is one that will bring out confidence in any bride and is the perfect outfit to kick of the wedding festivities with. The metallic threads, woven throughout the ivory dress, sparkle and shine as they reflect light so you’ll literally illuminate the room. The gold belt draws attention to the waist and the wider skirt hides the hips, for a slimming effect. Sparkly stud earrings, like these from Kate Spade, are a great accessory choice.
Price: $168
Buy this rehearsal dinner dress here.
6. Rachel Zoe Women’s Sasha Lace Dress
(Rachel Zoe)
Some of the sizes of this particular dress are available for 30 percent off, so take advantage of purchasing it here if you fall in love with the design. There’s really nothing not to like about this dress, featuring a delicate lace hem on both the dress and the sleeves, and 3/4 sleeves that offer a beautiful silhouette and a bit more coverage. The dress is made from silk and polyester, for a high-end look that allows a bit of stretch in the fit. Check out some of these alternative rehearsal dinner appropriate dresses from Rachel Zoe.
Price: $367.50 – $525 depending on size
Buy this rehearsal dinner dress here.
7. Erin Fetherston Floral Somerset Dress
(Erin Fetherston)
It’s taking a lot of willpower not to hit “order” on this dress, but we recommend any bride looking for a special rehearsal dinner dress to do just that. Erin Fetherston hits the nail on the head with this floral frock. Available in size 0-8, the sleeveless dress features an allover textured floral pattern with a flared skirt. The box pleats and pockets on the skirt keep the look young and fun, making it a sophisticated party dress. If you’re a fan of this floral design, don’t miss some of Erin Fetherston’s alternative floral dress designs.
Price: $219.96 – $325 depending on size
Buy this rehearsal dinner dress here.
8. Betsey Johnson Women’s Floral-Jacquard Dress
(Betsey Johnson)
There’s no rule that says you have to wait until the wedding day to wear your “something blue”. Kick off the wedding weekend with this fun and flirty dress, with the perfect amount of color. The dress fits true to size with a flattering fit and flare cut and convenient side pockets. Buy a pair of navy heels to wear with this dress and again as your “something blue” on the wedding day.
Price: $103 – $268 depending on size
Buy this rehearsal dinner dress here.
9. My Michelle Floral Printed Strapless High/Low Dress
(My Michelle)
This highly rated floral dress makes quite the statement and is a unique rehearsal dinner option that is sure to wow. The bold floral design is bright, cheerful, and fun and can be dressed up or made more casual depending on the rehearsal dinner venue. Use the sizing chart against your measurements for accurate sizing. In terms of accessories, choose to go nude for a simpler look or pull out one of the fun colors from the print and wear some bright shoes and jewelry.
Price: $89
Buy this rehearsal dinner dress here.
10. Julian Taylor Women’s Lace Sheath Dress
(Julian Taylor)
This simple and sleek white dress is as bridal as they come with clean lines and a tailored silhouette. It’s one of the most affordable dresses on the list, so if you’re trying to keep costs down, this is a great option. The fabric mix is 38 percent cotton, 33 percent nylon, and 29 percent rayon, for a comfortable and breathable fit that will move with you.
Price: $33.17 – $58.80 depending on size
Buy this rehearsal dinner dress here.
