You've found 'the one', but what about the night before the wedding outfit? You might think it's a celebrity flex to strategise not one, not two but at least three outfits for the blessed event but - newsflash! - everyone is doing it. This is because, especially with the rise of abroad weddings because who really wants to risk the weather in the UK, you might have your festivities spread over a few days. You know, the welcome dinner the evening before, the ceremony itself and then the barbecue/pool party/pub lunch/boat trip the day after. That means, even without an outfit change on the big day, you still need a designated night before dress.
Almost every contemporary occasionwear label will have dresses or separates that would make brilliant night before the wedding outfits. Self-Portrait has a very popular bridal line, but its ready-to-wear collection has plenty of dresses that would make more than appropriate day before dresses. Ciao Lucia has some beautiful tops, skirts and dresses that would make lovely outfits for arrival drinks if you're looking for something a little more relaxed, especially if you're, say, on a sun-drenched vineyard somewhere in France. St Agni, a resort wear label that's a repeat hit with Meghan Markle, also has some elevated takes on the simple white dress that will still turn heads.
The day before dress could be white, although it definitely doesn't have to be, and is probably bridal-adjacent without looking too much like what you're wearing to walk down the aisle. Like a tea-length wedding dress or a simple silk slip dress, something classic without drawing too much of a fuss would be the perfect choice.
Keep scrolling to shop our favourite night before the wedding dresses. From off-the-shoulder wedding dresses to less traditional dress options, you're sure to find your second true love here.
Shop: The Best Night Before The Wedding Dresses
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The Night Before The Wedding Outfit FAQs
How to choose the best day before the wedding dress?
The best way to choose your day before the wedding dress is to go to a department store and try on as many options as possible, from minidresses to separates to jumpsuits, even if you think they'd never suit you in a million years (you might be surprised). Once you've got an idea of what's definitely a 'no', you can start honing in on what's a 'maybe'. You'll obviously need to factor in what you might be doing on the night before your wedding - is it pool party in June, a pizza night in October, or a pub crawl in December? - because that will affect your final decision. Apart from that, however, the most important factor is something comfortable that's perhaps slightly more affordable than what you're wearing on your big day.
Should a day before the wedding dress match my wedding gown?
There are no hard and fast rules about matching your day before dress to your wedding gown. It ultimately depends on your personal style and the overall aesthetic you want to achieve. Some brides prefer to wear a dress that complements or coordinates with their wedding gown, while others opt for a completely different style to create a distinct look. Just remember to choose a dress that makes you feel comfortable and aligns with your vision for the pre-wedding celebrations.
What do you wear to a pre-wedding dinner?
That depends on how formal you want your pre-wedding dinner to be. Have you planned a relaxed pub session in the local village or champagne-and-oysters cocktail hour? (Bear in mind that if you're planning something particularly smart, you might want to let your guests know there's a dress code.) Anyway, whatever the occasion, the bride can go as maximal or as minimal as they want so, above all, you do you.
Natalie Hammond is senior fashion news editor at Grazia. She loves winter, hates summer and can often be found writing about the weather (and what on earth to wear).