Wardrobe changes have become a common theme among weddings, with many brides opting to change into a second look between the wedding ceremony and reception. It’s the perfect opportunity for brides to wear a traditional wedding gown for the formal portion of the day, while also showing off their personalities with a more modern dress later in the evening. Full-length gowns lend themselves to black-tie affairs, but today’s designers are also releasing more “little white dresses” that are ultra-chic and on trend without sacrificing the bridal element. Based on the latest collections for the upcoming 2023 wedding season, here are our top ten short dresses for your reception.
A flirty and feminine dress by Syrian-born designer, Rami Al Ali, features an off-shoulder cut with prominent bow details and a voluminous skirt – very “prima ballerina.” We also love Rami’s little white dress with a simple bodice, paired with a ruffled skirt (pictured below).
Viktor&Rolf excels at designing short wedding dresses for receptions and afterparties, and we had the pleasure of spotting these three gems live on the runway at Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week. We love how they strike a fantastic balance between vintage and contemporary; they would look as apropos for a Las Vegas chapel elopement as they would for a wedding reception on the French Riviera.
There’s something quite powerful about the 2023 “SHE” collection by Yolancris, which includes three showstopping short wedding dresses that play with texture, retro silhouettes, and ultra-short hemlines. These looks were crafted for a confident and fashion-forward bride.
The Vera Wang aesthetic has come to embrace a bolder side of bridal fashion with a rock-and-roll edge. This long-sleeved, embellished number would look especially dazzling on the dance floor of a wedding reception or afterparty.
Short wedding dresses can be as elegant and refined as their longer counterparts, as demonstrated by this bridal look by Lihi Hod. Versatility is a must in modern fashion, and we love the removable, floor-length bridal cape.