Understated is not a word normally linked to the wedding dress institution, but it is a trend currently overtaking aisles. Brides are trading showy, dramatic gowns in support of comfort and private style, and couples are opting for over-the-top receptions, rather than going for nature-inspired, casually elegant fêtes, customized to reflect who they are. And the pared-down approach appears to be imported from—where else?—France. Nobody does effortless chic such as the French, and also the ...

Whether you've got a big ball gown wedding dress that might be hard to dance in or else you just like the concept of having another bridal ensemble, changing right into a second search for the wedding reception or after-party has turned into a common trait for many brides. There are those brides who go full-scale and change right into a second wedding gown for the reception, but a more sophisticated cocktail dress is just about the new second-look staple. Rock and fun and flirty prom dresses or ...