Spice things up with these steamy flicks.
Updated Oct 14, 2024The Best Second Wedding Dresses to Shop Now
Newsflash: you can wear white.
Photo: LOGAN COLE Photography
I don't know a single bride who hasn't looked back on their wedding day and contemplated certain elements, whether fashion or food, that they would now do differently. Getting remarried? Lucky you, you've got the opportunity to right any past sartorial wrongs with a second wedding dress. Older and wiser, you presumably know what you want, and that extends to fashion. Fortunately, when it comes to outfits for second weddings, the "rulebook" can be thrown out. We've rounded up 14 frocks we love plus nearly as many of our favorite merchants to help you in your search. Happy hunting!
- Second Wedding Dresses to Shop Now
- Where to Find Second Wedding Dresses
- Tips to Find the Perfect Second Wedding Dress
Second Wedding Dresses to Shop Now
Feeling traditional and wanting to wear white or ivory? Go for it. Looking to swap the gown for a tuxedo? More power to you. Peruse our picks—we promise there's something for everyone.
Saloni Rachel Long Dress in Silver
Photo: Saloni
The spring 2025 Bridal Fashion Week runways were teeming with metallics. What better way to kick off the start of your new life than with celebratory silver?
Size range: 0 - 12
Staud Cadence Pearl-Embellished Satin Maxi Slip Dress
Photo: Moda Operandi
Staud offers a 2-for-1 deal by adding pearl-strung straps, eliminating the search for the perfect necklace. You'll want to sport an updo with this one for maximum impact.
FEATURED VIDEO FROM THE KNOT
Size range: 00 - 12
Reiss Keira Atelier Cape Maxi Dress
Photo: Reiss
It's hard to resist the influence of celebrity weddings. Embrace the minimalism of Meghan Markle's second (second) wedding look with this doppelganger of a dress.
Size range: 2 - 10
LK Bennett Colette Cream Silk Chevron Stripe Long Wedding Dress
Photo: LK Bennett
This London-based brand is a longtime favorite of Kate Middleton and for good reason. Tonal chevron stripes and strategic ruching create a flattering silhouette while just the faintest hint of a train offers a nod to tradition.
Size range: 1 - 16
The Vampire's Wife The Earl Tiered Lace Maxi Dress
Photo: Moda Operandi
It's been a few seasons since black wedding dresses entered the chat. This drop-wast, tiered number featuring peaked shoulders is about as chic as they come.
Size range: 2 - 10
The Vampire's Wife The Earl Tiered Lace Maxi Dress
Photo: Moda Operandi
A dress so fabulous, we had to list it twice (there's a reason so many celebrities love this brand). Also available in white. Can't decide? Buy them both.
Size range: 2 - 10
Bridal by Eloquii Mixed Tulle Gown
Photo: Eloquii
A blush-hued dress for the blushing bride. The softness and universally flattering shade of this tiered gown makes it a no-brainer for to-be-weds in search of a colorful look.
Size range: 14 - 28
Saloni Michelle Dress in Glacier Blue
Photo: Saloni
An icy hue for your "something blue" in flattering, bias-cut satin. A scarlet velvet ribbon tie—the color of love—warms things up and creates a hint of drama.
Size range: 0 - 12
Sachin & Babi Elise Dress in Glacial Blue
Photo: Sachin & Babi
The perfect shade of bridal blue in a supportive, structured mikado fabric. We're obsessed with the bejeweled straps which make this find feel extra special for the intended occasion.
Size range: 0 - 14
Hutch Strapless Crystal Bow-Tie Midi Dress
Photo: Anthropologie
A ruffled hem and a celebratory bow add a festive flair to this failsafe frock. In case we failed to mention, tea-length dresses are one of this season's biggest bridal trends.
Size range: 00 - 16
Show Me Your Mumu Martina Wrap Jumpsuit
Photo: Show Me Your Mumu
Comfortably stretchy, sparkly, available in white or black, and under $300. What's not to love?
Size range: XXS - XXL
Alejandra Alonso Rojas Fitted Silk Slip Dress With Pearls
Photo: Alejandra Alonso Rojas
Thanks to Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, the slip dress remains an icon of bridal fashion. In her debut bridal collection, designer Alejandra Alonso Rojas updates the classic with real pearl embellishments.
Size range: 0 - 12
V. Chapman Cynthia Ruffle Midi Dress
Photo: Anthropologie
Planning a ceremony during the warm weather months? Surely you've heard, Sophia Loren Summer (as TikTokers have dubbed it) is just around the corner and we think the actress herself would approve of this dress with its vintage glamour.
Size range: 0 - 18
Sachin & Babi Valentina Gown in Silver
Photo: Sachin & Babi
It's your time to shine and it doesn't get any easier than with this caftan-style silhouette. Perfect for outdoor settings with its floral embellishments.
Size range: XS-XL
Where to Find Second Wedding Dresses
Searching for a second wedding dress needn't be nearly as daunting as the first time around. That is, as long as you know where to look. Love the ease of online shopping? You've come to the right place and we've rounded up several of our favorite sources below. Prefer to try it on in person? The Knot Vendor Marketplace is an indispensable resource for finding a bridal salon near you.
Reformation: If you're all about sustainability, check out Reformation's eco-conscious collection. The California-based label is beloved for its slightly sexier riffs on classic styles.
Anthropologie: Anthropologie's awesome bridal shop has lots of great brands in stock, including the ever-popular Jenny Yoo. Expect to find everything from little white dresses to suiting.
Moda Operandi: Luxury e-commerce site adored by those in the know, with a wide variety of wedding-worthy options, designer exclusive, and contemporary labels such as Staud. Pro tip: they have great sales.
Sachin & Babi: In their virtual wedding shop, you'll find sections for all different wedding-related events, colors, and themes, making it easy to sort through options. We love that Sachin & Babi carries options for every age range, and they're a great place to find modest looks that don't sacrifice style.
Watters: Peep the ready-to-ship section of the brand's site for shippable styles under $1,500. A selection of Watters dresses (and some exclusive styles) can also be found at Anthropologie.
ELOQUII: You may know ELOQUII for their abundant plus-size options for everyday wear, but did you know that they now offer bridal looks as well? Bridal by ELOQUII is one of the best places to shop trendy and affordable wedding gowns in sizes 14 through 28.
LK Bennett: If the name rings a bell, it might be because this well-priced, high-quality UK-based brand has long been a go-to of Kate Middleton's. Perhaps best known for its shoes and accessories, the brand also turns out beautiful clothing and has a dedicated bridal capsule.
Saloni: Designer Saloni Lodha credits her Rajasthani family roots with her love of color and pattern. The London-based designer is the perfect choice if you're looking to venture beyond white and ivory and make a bold choice.
Tips to Find the Perfect Second Wedding Dress
We'll always be big fans of bridal salons at The Knot but when it comes to weddings 2.0, you are by no means limited to looks specifically labeled as "wedding dresses." Department stores and e-commerce sites sell tons of gowns (and more!) that would work well as second-marriage attire. At the end of the day, it all comes down to your personal preference—and perhaps the dress code you're looking to set.
Second-marriage wedding dresses can be white.
Forget what anyone told you about "purity" and "innocence." If you associate white with weddings and that's the color that'll make you feel the most special and festive on your big day, then that's the color you should wear. Besides, just because it's not your first wedding, doesn't mean it's not your partner's. If they'd love you in white (and you would too) go right ahead.
Even if you chose something super classic and "bridal" for your first wedding, that doesn't mean you have to forgo white this time around. Nowadays, white wedding dresses come in all shapes and styles, so you can find something as formal or low-key as you'd like. There are also different shades of white, so if bright white isn't your thing, consider ivory or off-white.
You're free to wear a second marriage wedding dress in any color.
While white certainly isn't off-limits, more and more brides (including lots of first-timers) are wearing alternative colors instead. Now's the perfect chance to try something different, especially if you felt pressured to wear something more "conventional" for your first wedding.
Not sure what the best second wedding dress colors are? There really aren't any "bests!" The possibilities are practically endless, so focus on what you feel good about. Popular picks include light pinks, soft blues, and champagne or other neutrals and metallics. That's not to say you can't wear something deep or dark—even black is on the table. We've also seen multicolor patterns and floral prints take the stage, which we love. Again, these options aren't reserved just for second marriages either. People of all ages and stages are rocking these options at their events.
Casual second marriage wedding dresses are totally acceptable, but not mandatory.
Casual wedding dresses for second marriages are pretty common, and that's for a number of reasons. Maybe you're over the princess look and want something sleeker. Maybe your budget is smaller or the outfit you're wearing just isn't that important to you. Or maybe you just love a daytime celebration. These are all perfectly acceptable scenarios.
If you're looking for a casual wedding dress for your second marriage, try a shorter hemline or something asymmetrical—high-low and midi styles are trending. In addition, many lighter fabrics, non-white colors, and relaxed silhouettes lend themselves to informal events, as do toned-down embellishments or minimalist designs. And don't forget that you don't have to go the dress route at all. Jumpsuits, rompers, and separates are all fair game.
At the end of the day, you'll want to match your outfit's level of formality to the rest of the wedding. Planning a ballroom wedding? You have full permission to wear a big skirt and lots of sparkle.
When it comes to second-marriage wedding dresses for older brides, there aren't any special rules.
We all know that age is just a number, which means second wedding dresses for those in their 20s and 30s don't have to be different from dresses for an older set. Whether you're in your 40s or over 50, the sky's the limit.
Of course, if your second marriage comes later in life, you might not want all the pomp and circumstance of a first wedding. After all, long gowns and allover beading can be uncomfortable. That's why many older brides (and grooms, for that matter) tone things down the second time around. We've seen a lot of simple tea-length dresses paired with matching jackets, not to mention elegant pantsuits. On the flip side, a flowy frock with spaghetti straps might suit you perfectly.
Emily Platt also contributed to the reporting of this article.
