You’ve found your gown, but what do you wear to all the other wedding festivities? Here’s how to nail your bridal style, from the engagement party to the reception change.
Engagement-Party Flair
Define your style with the help of a knockout engagement-party dress. This is one of the first wedding events, so show some personality. Choose something that hints at your wedding-day aesthetic but isn’t too dressy.
Free People
Wyeth “London”
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Mejuri
Marquise topaz
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Net-a-Porter
Costarellos “Brennie”
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Dolce Vita
“Marsha”
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Bridal-Shower Chic
Wedding showers typically are more intimate events where family, such as your mom, grandmother, future MIL, and more, attend. We love a feminine frock with lace—avoid anything that evokesan evening look.
BHLDN
Simply Nova textured-pearl headband
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Anthropologie
Pink Reef flower earrings
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Nordstrom
Likely “Hara”
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Dolce Vita
“Fort”
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Bachelorette Babe
You can lean into your fun and sexy side for bachelorette-party attire. Sequins, sets, and of course accessories (like a custom jacket, hat, or handbag) are ideal for a girls’ weekend. If you’re heading out of town, be sure to dress for the weather.
Nordstrom
BaubleBar drop earrings
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Net-a-Porter
Retrofête “Aubrielle” mini dress
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Show Me Your Mumu
“Dover” denim jacket
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Schutz Shoes
Crystal “Keefa”
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Rehearsal Fashion Refined
The party before the party. Your rehearsal-dinner look shouldn’t be too similar to your wedding gown—but it can be a showstopper. Pantsuits and cocktail gowns are great options for kick-starting the big weekend.
Tuckernuck
Pearl clusters
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Net-a-Porter
Safiyaa “Celestia”
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Cult Gaia
“Fana”
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Jimmy Choo
“Amara 85”
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Reception Take Two
Wow your guests with a killer outfit change during the reception. Here, you can swap your voluminous wedding gown or sultry fitted dress for something flirty and easy for dancing the night away. Think “party dress” and you’ll find exactly what works.
Saks Fifth Avenue
Crystal-embellished Loeffler Randall set
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BaubleBar
“Something Blue”
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Revolve
Katie May “Ellee”
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Nordstrom
Betsey Johnson “Sidny”
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This article appears in the January 2023 issue of Washinngtonian.
Jacqueline comes to Washingtonian with close to five years of digital content experience and SEO best practices. She previously was a senior editorial associate at WeddingWire, specializing in wedding fashion, and before that, an assistant at Vow Bride. Originally from Norfolk, Virginia, she now lives in Columbia Heights.
