The Rise of the Second Wedding Dress: 30 Styles Guaranteed to Wow

Weddings are back and bigger than ever post-pandemic, and the demand for bridal gowns has never been greater. But these days, it’s not just a case of finding "the one.” In fact, with many couples opting for weekend celebrations and multi-event weddings, brides are increasingly searching for dress number two and even three. (Chloë Sevigny, we're looking at you.) They're after something Insta-worthy they can wear for a dramatic mid-party reentrance at the reception and, of course, to let loose on the dance floor. Most options tend to lean toward sparklier, shorter, or sexier—just take a look at the sheer, lacy number influencer Camille Charriere chose for her evening party look.
If you’re a bride-to-be and looking for a second dress to truly wow, take a look at some of our favorite frocks below that are nothing short of spectacular and guaranteed to make a social media splash.
Our editors are obsessed with Bernadette dresses.
Up next, I'm Going to 3 Weddings This Year—I Tried On 20 Dresses and Loved These 13

Judith Jones is the associate shopping director at Who What Wear and has worked in fashion for over a decade. She specializes in shopping content and trend stories with high-affiliate impact. She shares the coolest, most desirable fashion market finds and brands for every budget. Previous to working in fashion, Judith worked as a TV host on the PBS travel show Globe Trekker (airing on Netflix and Amazon Prime) sharing her passion for travel and culture.
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