Change your look with the perfect wedding dress accessories

Multiple wedding day outfits have been a trend for a while, inspired by royals such as Kate Middleton and Megan Markle who both changed into stunning second dresses, and celebrities like Jennifer Lopez who had a total of five different dresses for her recent wedding to Ben Affleck! However, you don’t need to buy a second dress to get the look. Simply try changing up your wedding dress accessories instead, with our top tips…

Shopping for the dress (twice!)

Five dresses, a’la Miss Lopez, might be a few too many for most brides. However, if you like the idea of a second dress, there are plenty of affordable options that won’t blow the budget. For example, a short mini dress or fun tea length are ideal for changing your look ready for twirling on the dance floor.

Real bride Bea bought two dresses from wed2b. “The first was a fitted mermaid,” she says. “I felt beyond beautiful in it. For my second dress, I only went in to look at some bridesmaids’ dresses and I came across a gorgeous slim A-line. It was head-to-toe tulle with the thinnest straps and was so floaty that I felt like a princess. I call the first dress my 'wow-factor dress' and the second dress my 'party dress', as I could dance, eat and really enjoy myself.” 

Two looks, one dress

However, if you don’t fancy a whole new outfit on the big day or your budget won’t stretch to it, there are lots of clever ways to get two looks with the same dress. Simply change up your wedding dress accessories to give your evening outfit that little extra sparkle!

Take one classic Mikado design…

We asked our instore experts to take one of our post popular classic styles and create a day and evening look, to show you how it’s done. So, they’ve picked an elegant strapless Mikado design that’s a dream for creating two looks in one.

For the day…

The easiest way to change the look of your dress is with a stunning lace jacket. It adds extra coverage and detailing that’s perfect for the ceremony. Pair this with a statement, full-length veil too, for the ultimate in daytime sophistication.

Real bride Samantha did just that to get her fabulous second look. “I tried on a strapless mermaid and fell in love. I wore it with a lace jacket, as I’d always wanted sleeves, and the jacket made me feel very elegant and classy. It was perfect for the ceremony and daytime reception but then I took it off for the evening. It felt like I had two dresses in one.”

For the evening…

Then in the evening, just like Samantha, remove your jacket to show off your slinky strapless dress with its on trend split skirt. Also, add a touch more glitz with a sparkly belt. Here we’ve ‘zhuzhed up’ this classic Mikado style with an eye-catching belt, that adds a Hollywood feel and draws attention your waistline. 

You can also add detachable straps for a fashionable off-the shoulder look or a faux fur jacket for instant glamour. We also have beautiful designs with detachable bows that can be added or taken away whenever you like!

Real bride Maria changed her boho look with a pretty overskirt. "I bought a beautiful Galia overskirt, which I combined with a more simple dress for the after party,” she says. Annie also changed her wedding dress accessories for the evening. “During the day I wore simple teardrop earrings, a long cathedral-length veil and a chic bangle,” she says. “Then I took the jacket off for the evening and added an elegant diamond choker to create two different wedding day outfits.” 

Style it up

Why not change your hairstyle as well? There’s actually a big trend for having a mid-wedding haircut to really shake up your look! If that seems a bit complicated and time consuming, simply ask your maids to help you take your hair down and add a few simple, messy waves for more of a party feel. Then finish by swapping your veil for a beautiful glittering clip instead.

And finally…

Don’t forget the shoes! A great way to change your look is to change your shoes. Leanne started her day in a classic style but had a second secret dress and fun red shoes for the party later. “I wanted an outfit change so I could dance the night away with ease,” she says. “So, I bought a second, shorter dress, from wed2b. It was a secret and my friends and family had already joked that they were surprised I didn’t have two dresses. On the day there were lots of laughs when everyone realised I had indeed bought a second dress!” Alternatively, pick a pair that are great for dancing. Nic did away with the high heels altogether and went for eye-catching sparkly trainers instead! 

Two for the price of one

So, if you like the idea of having a second dress or restyling your look for the evening, we can help. Chat to our friendly bridal experts (both online and instore) and they can find you the perfect second dress or a selection of gorgeous wedding dress accessories to help you go from day to night and stunning to showstopping in an instant!

Click here to check out all our wedding dress accessories, then try on your favourites at your nearest wed2b store. Here’s what to expect when you visit, too. Lastly, for more inspiration, check out our Instagram, Facebook or TikTok accounts.