Top 10 Best Wedding Reception Dresses for the Bride

Many brides opt to change their attire part way through their wedding reception for something a bit shorter, more casual, and easier to dance in. With wedding gowns weighing a considerate amount, they’re not that easy to dance in, making a little white dress a great option for the dance floor or an after party.

If you’re looking for a wedding reception dress, keep these few simple tips in mind.

1. Look for a dress that’s either short or that’s lightweight. These two factors will keep you moving and grooving on the dance floor with ease.

2. Look for a moderately priced dress. You’ve already splurged on a gorgeous wedding gown, so there’s no need to do it again for a reception dress. Most of the dresses on this list range from roughly $50 – $250.

3. Look for something with a bit of personality. You’re still the bride after all, and you’ll want to stand out, even with your outfit change. A fun and flirty silhouette, sparkly embellishments, or a unique texture are all ways to achieve this.

Shop our top 10 picks below or browse alternative options from top brands here.

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1. Greylin Women’s Villa Mar Dress

You’ve already likely spent quite a bit on your wedding dress, so spending another fortune on a dress for your reception isn’t ideal. This option is priced affordably, and has a sophisticated but fun vibe with clean geometric lines and an asymmetric hem. The back side of the dress features three small keyholes, showing some skin in a tasteful way. This item has free shipping and free returns so if you don’t love it, it’s easy to send back.

Price: $89.03 – $129 depending on size

Buy this wedding reception dress for the bride here.

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2. GUESS Women’s Sequin Burst Body Con Dress

With a simple cut and silhouette, this dress is a perfect little white dress to change into at the end of your wedding reception. The simple option is dressed up with a starburst sequin design on the bodice of the dress as well as the modest v-back of the dress. If you like the look of a bodycon dress, shop these alternative styles from top designers.

Price: $76.31 – $138 depending on size

Buy this wedding reception dress for the bride here.

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3. Parker Women’s Parker Black Marcie Dress

If you’re looking to save some serious cash on a designer dress, we’ve found the dress for you. This Parker dress, originally priced close to $500, is available in several sizes at a fraction of that cost. It has dense sequins and beads covering the entirety of the dress. The cold shoulder design and shorter hem make this mini dress the perfect option for any bride looking to sport a fun and festive option. Check out these alternative highly rated white sequin dress options.

Price: $149.40 (70 percent off MSRP)

Buy this wedding reception dress for the bride here.

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4. Vera Wang Women’s Strapless 3D Lace Cocktail Dress

Vera Wang has every part of the wedding day covered – from beautiful bridal gowns, to the best bridesmaid dresses, and toasting flutes for the bride and the groom. This beautiful reception dress for the bride is made with the same stellar craftsmanship and attention to detail as all Vera Wang designs and is available in sizes 4-14. The delicate lace design adds texture, elegance, and femininity to any wedding day look.

Price: $191.86 – $298

Buy this wedding reception dress for the bride here.

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5. Jill Stuart Women’s Lace Mid-Length Dress

Available in sizes 0-14, this unique design offers something a little bit different when it comes to a wedding reception dress for the bride. It features a sexy deep v-neck design, with a lace illusion hem at the skirt. The midi design peaks through to the mini skirt underneath – a look we love. The neckline showcases the edges of the lace design and is simply stunning. Jill Stuart has a ton of gorgeous contemporary white dresses. Shop them all here.

Price: $227.69

Buy this wedding reception dress for the bride here.

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6. Calvin Klein Women’s One Shoulder Lace Dress

Switch into something that still looks wedding appropriate, but that’s perfect for a party with this lace one-shoulder dress from Calvin Klein. The sheath design hugs close to the body, showcasing your curves but without being too tight. The delicate white lace is perfect for a bridal look and can easily be worn by women of all shapes and sizes. You’ll want to invest in a quality seamless strapless bra that’s comfortable and easy to move in.

Price: $127.49 – $238 depending on size

Buy this wedding reception dress for the bride here.

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7. Floral Lace Swing Dress

Many women aren’t a fan of the hip hugging design that’s prominent on many white cocktail dresses. This dress has an a-line design instead that cascades away from the body, for a truly figure flattering party dress. It’s made with soft, high quality lace fabric that has a bit of stretch to it and features a scalloped v-neckline. Not a fan of this style? Browse alternative a-line white dresses here.

Price: $27.99 – $29.99

Buy this wedding reception dress for the bride here.

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8. BCBGeneration Women’s Ruffle Front Dress

Looking for a no frills white cocktail dress for your reception? This affordable option from BCBGeneration is fairly simple, with the only embellishment being a subtle ruffle at the neckline. The cascading ruffles are at both the front and back of the dress, adding some texture, while the back of the dress is open with a self-tie closure. The material is high quality and it fits well. BGBGeneration has several gorgeous white cocktail dresses. You can check them all out here.

Price: $35.97 – $108 depending on size

Buy this wedding reception dress for the bride here.

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9. BCBGMax Azria Women’s Ivetta Long Lace Gown

This fashion forward lace gown is perfect for a trendy bride who doesn’t mind making a statement. The couture nature of the gown is reflected in the price, but it’s worth the splurge. While most reception dresses are short, this one maintains its length, for a dress that’s more casual than most wedding gowns, but still dressier than most cocktail dresses. The floor length gown is fitted through the hip, with fabric that doesn’t have much stretch, for a hip hugging silhouette that will wow. The dress fits true to size.

Price: $231.88 – $498

Buy this wedding reception dress for the bride here.

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10. PARIS SUNDAY Women’s Off Shoulder Fit & Flare Dress

While this dress is the least expensive option on the list, it’s one of our favorites. It’s a party dress is every sense, featuring a flirty off the shoulder design, a full and fun skirt, and the perfect bridal ivory hue. If you’re looking to cut down on wedding expenses and save with a dress that’s not too expensive this flared dress is a great option at under $40.

Price: $39.50

Buy this wedding reception dress for the bride here.

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