Why brides are choosing wedding gowns that offer two looks in one

From dream-worthy gowns to two-for-one options that allow the bride to switch looks from ceremony to reception, wedding dress collections flow with variety that guarantees every bride will find “the one”, whatever her taste or budget.

Brides-to-be are leading one of the biggest trends in bridal wear, with many reconsidering their wedding dress budget in order to spend more on other parts of their big day. As a result, wedding dress designers are finding new ways to give brides more value for their money.

“Many designers are coming with a second label, which are equally competitive in terms of design and quality but offered at a lower price point than their couture lines,” says Carolyn Chow, co-founder at bridal boutique Central Weddings.

Second labels at the boutique include Monique Lhuillier’s Bliss collection, and the newly arrived Notte collection by Marchesa with a starting price of HK$22,000. “There is lots of detail and delicate workmanship on these gowns and the designs are just as glamorous as the couture ones,” Chow says.

According to Chow, this more budget-savvy approach to wedding dresses is also seeing brides search for gowns with add-on or detachable elements that allow them to create different looks with one dress.

“Designers are now offering options for creating a second look on their gowns,” Chow says. “Monique Lhuillier has added a dreamy tulle overskirt to her signature embroidered sheath gown so the bride can walk down the aisle with a dramatic train, which she can easily remove so that she can complete her first dance in an equally elegant but more mobile sheath gown.” Israel-born, Britain-based Persy Bridal Couture is also a new addition at Central Weddings offering a two-for-one solution, with the current collection including a lace gown with long sleeves that can be removed once the formalities of the ceremony
are over.

A similar theme is being played out at Hitched! Bridal, where separate bodices and skirts by designers such as David Fielden allow brides to create more than one look without buying multiple dresses.

“Brides love it because of its versatility,” says Hitched! Bridal founder Dana Trang. “They can mix a bustier top with an A-line tulle skirt with a long train for the ceremony and a bias-cut skirt for the reception. There is a bohemian trend going on where brides like to match a loose lace top with a more relaxed skirt.”

According to Trang, semi-sheer gowns with layers of lace, tulle and appliqué over a blush lining are replacing the “naked” sheer effect that many brides found too revealing, instead giving brides more modesty that is, “Romantic and ethereal because it is soft, and yet still appropriately sexy,” Trang says.