Invited to an Engagement Party? Dresses, Heels and Earrings for the Guest
An engagement party guest outfit in colour: satin and velvet dresses from Alessandra Rich, Reiss, Galvan and Stella McCartney, with evening heels, a small bag and earrings.
Weddings & Occasions /
The Second Dress: Short Wedding Dresses for the Reception
The short dresses brides change into for the party, from Clio Peppiatt, Halfpenny London, Alex Perry, Carolina Herrera and Jenny Packham, from £285.
By Taiwo AdedayoEvery piece here has been chosen by our editors. We may earn a commission on some products.
More brides now change for the evening: out of the dress for the ceremony and into something short enough to dance in. These are the reception dresses we would choose, from the bridal collections of Clio Peppiatt, Halfpenny London, Alex Perry, Carolina Herrera and Jenny Packham, from £285 to £1,950, all in stock now.
Made to change 
Clio Peppiatt
Clio Peppiatt designs for exactly this moment. The Lille is ivory stretch-tulle, hand-embellished with glass beads, and its bow detaches as you go from ceremony to reception. £555.
The Daisy has detachable tulle sleeves, crystals along the square neckline and a subtly flared shape. £925.
The full skirt 
Alex Perry and Carolina Herrera
Alex Perry’s Elyse is luminous silk-faille with an inner corset, a strapless neckline with a wraparound cuff, and a full skirt to balance it. £558.
Carolina Herrera, whose bridalwear launched in 1987, makes a strapless mini in white moire-taffeta, tiered in two cascading layers of ruffles. £1,343.
For the dance floor 
16Arlington and Safiyaa
16Arlington’s Michelle is white crepe in a loose fit, with an exaggerated pointed collar, a keyhole neckline and feather-trimmed cuffs that move when you do. £318.
Safiyaa’s Janie sits off one shoulder: crepe with a tulle cape covered in tonal sequins, and a neat 2cm belt. £569.
The sparkle 
Jenny Packham and Emilia Wickstead
Jenny Packham’s Alexis is covered in ivory sequins and star motifs, with a fitted bodice and long sheer sleeves. £1,950.
Emilia Wickstead’s Judita, from the label’s bridal capsule, is ivory cloqué with pintucked seams that shape the figure. £285.
And the shoes to dance in
Swap the heels too. Jil Sander’s cream leather ballet flats have a crystal-embellished T-bar, made in Italy, £282: pretty enough for the photographs, flat enough for the last song.
Watch: the second look
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