Can I Wear My Wedding Dress Again?

The gauntlet has been thrown. Micki left a comment in response to Choose the Right Bridesmaid Dresses challenging me to find a wedding dress that can be worn again. Apparently she was able to…sort of. Finding a wedding dress you can wear again can be even more difficult than selecting a bridesmaids dress that will have a second life after the wedding. It all depends on your wedding style.

When I got married in 2005, I had two weddings. The first one was a small church ceremony that was attended only by my husband’s and my immediate family. I really wanted a cute casual white dress to wear to the ceremony, but, even though I scoured all the stores in my area, I couldn’t find one that worked. Mostly because there weren’t many to choose from. I wound up choosing a pretty tea-length light salmon-colored dress with a dropped waist.

But white is hot now…and not just for brides. These days there are white dresses everywhere you look…and you no longer have to wait until after Memorial Day to wear them. Celebrities are draped in white on the red carpet all the time. And with everyone from Target to H&M (okay, they only sold one style, but still) to J.Crew now selling wedding gowns, there are plenty of cute dresses that can be bought off the rack for pennies (well, relative to buying a designer wedding gown). The only thing is that these dresses tend to be for more casual weddings or have simple silhouettes. So if you’re getting married in a more casual or outdoor setting, then finding a dress you can wear again should be easy peasy.

Here are just a few of the off-the-rack dresses that could be worn again once your wedding is over. From left: BCBG Max Azria ($298), Suzi Chin ($168), J.Crew ($325), Aidan Mattox Niteline ($408)

Bridal gown designers have started making more casual dresses because more modern brides want them. Any of these could be worn again and, with the right accessories, they could even work for a formal wedding.

From left: Alix & Kelly, Stephanie James Couture, Reem Acra, Priscilla of Boston

Amsale launched a line of six dresses called Amsale Presents the Little White Dress. Any of these dresses would be as appropriate for a night on the town as walking down the aisle.

Now, trying to find a ball gown or more traditional dress with lots of detailed beadwork that can be worn again, well, that’s a different story. Even with a simple silhouette, some dresses just scream bridal.

You can throw your own white party a la P. Diddy (or is it just Diddy? That man needs to just pick a name and stick with it, but that’s a topic for a whole other blog) and you’ll be all set to wear whatever wedding dress you had…finding your husband a white outfit, well, that’s another story. Maybe a black and white ball like Oprah’s would be easier on you both.

But do you really need a fancy event? Just take a page from Britney Spears (but only this one) and wear your wedding dress wherever you’d like…even out shopping.

Who cares if people stare? At least you’re getting your money’s worth!

Happily Ever After,

{Britney Spears picture}

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