Two Piece Wedding Dresses & Gowns | Bridal Separates (2024)

About the Brand

Australian wedding dress designer KAREN WILLIS HOLMES has been at the forefront of bridal fashion since being established in 2000, providing beautifully designed and handcrafted wedding gowns for the elegant, modern and timeless bride. Our team is based in Australia and every one of our staff is dedicated to our company’s mission and the brides we have the pleasure of working with. Our goal is to always create a one-of-a-kind, personal and genuine experience for brides when finding their perfect wedding dress.

Read more about KWH here.

How do I Try on a KWH Dress?

We have four boutiques across Australia in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. The details of each boutique are located below:

SydneyBOOK HERE
Sydney Flagship Emporium
9 Doody St Alexandria, NSW
Ph (02)8338 1078
sydney@karenwillisholmes.com
Hours:

Monday: Closed
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 10 am to 5:30 pm
Thursday: 10 am to 5:30 pm (with 7 pm late-night by appointment)
Saturday: 9 am to 5:30 pm
Sunday: Closed

MelbourneBOOK HERE
1010 High Street, Armadale, VIC
Ph (03) 9509 0454
melbourne@karenwillisholmes.com
Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 10 am to 5:30 pm
Thursday: 10 am to 5:30 pm (with 7 pm late-night by appointment)
Saturday: 9 am to 5:30 pm
Sunday: Closed

BrisbaneBOOK HERE
32 Latrobe Tce, Paddington, QLD
Ph (07) 3368 2216
brisbane@karenwillisholmes.com
Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 10 am to 5:30 pm
Thursday: 10 am to 5:30 pm (with 7 pm late-night by appointment)
Saturday: 9 am to 5:30 pm
Sunday: Closed

PerthBOOK HERE
309 Newcastle St, Northbridge, WA
Ph (08) 9381 5551
perth@karenwillisholmes.com
Hours:

Monday: Closed
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 10 am to 5 pm
Thursday: 10 am to 5 pm (with 7 pm late-night by appointment)
Saturday: 9 am to 5 pm
Sunday: Closed

We are also stocked across Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Europe, Hong Kong and Singapore. For a detailed list of stockists, visitStockist Locations.

What’s the Price Range?

The cost of a KAREN WILLIS HOLMES wedding dress ranges from AUD $2,190 to AUD $13,000. For the average cost of each collection, see below.

The ELOPE collection ranges in price from $590 to $5,290.

The LUXE collection ranges in price from $2,500 to $3,790.

The WILD HEARTS collection ranges in price from $2,190 to $2,990.

The BESPOKE collection ranges in price from $2,500 to $13,000.

What Size Samples do you Have & What is the Size Range of your Collections?

For the ELOPE collection the size range is AUS/ UK 4 – 20 | US 0 – 16 and we have size AUS/UK 10 | US 6 samples in store for you to try on.

For the LUXE collection the size range is AUS/ UK 4 – 16 | US 0 – 12 and these gowns are sold on a first come first serve basis.

For the WILD HEARTS collection the size range is AUS/ UK 4 – 20 | US 0 – 16 and we have size AUS/UK 10 | US 6 samples in store for you to try on.

For the BESPOKE collection the size range is AUS/ UK 4 – 20 | US 0 – 16 and we have size AUS/UK 10 | US 6 samples in store for you to try on.

I Don't Live Near a KWH Boutique or Stockist, How can I Purchase a KWH Gown or Obtain Expert Advice?

If you don’t live near a KWH boutique, contact our customer service team directly and we will have a solution for you to secure your dream gown. Our team can also offer you styling advice via phone or email. Feel free to contact them on +61 2 9519 3901 or info@karenwillisholmes.com.

What if I Have a Short Timeline?

We do carry stock of some gowns in-house, or we can sometimes make an ELOPE or BESPOKE gown in much shorter timeframes if we have all the fabric and time in our production calendar to fit your order in. As well, our LUXE line is a ready-to-wear line which means we can work with a shorter time frame as long as your desired gown is in stock. While we can work with shorter time frames, we always recommend a longer timeline, as having a shorter one will limit what is available to you.

If you have a short time frame, please contact us oninfo@karenwillisholmes.comor + 61 2 9519 3901 to discuss your options.

Will I Need Alterations?

Alterations are expected and essential for the finishing touches to any gown and will make the gown truly yours. When purchasing a gown, we take your body measurements to help determine the closest standard size to your body based on our size chart. However, alterations are needed to fine-tune for fit and to your personal preference. Whether that means taking in a gown to make it smaller for your hips, bust, or waist (or maybe everywhere), adding cups, shortening straps, hemming the length, and adding in the bustle for your train, alterations are a standard part of the whole process.

How do I Style a Separate/Two Piece Wedding Dress?

We adore how our separate styles look with our veils and trains. For an unexpected combination of modern and classic, adding a veil to your two-piece dress is a gorgeous combination. Adding a train can give you volume for your ceremony or amplify your look to feel even more truly bridal for part of your day.

What is a Separate/Two Piece Wedding Dress?

Each separate/two-piece bridal look has a distinctly modern and contemporary feel that gives brides the option to feel relaxed and completely themselves on their big day.

Where can I try on KWH Separate/Two Piece Dresses in Person?

Have you fallen in love with one of our handmade wedding dresses? We have boutiques across Australia in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth where you can work with our dedicated bridal stylists and try on your KWH favourites. You can also visit one of our many stockists across the globe if our boutiques are not in your area.

What is the Lead Time for a Separate/Two Piece Dress?

Gowns from the ELOPE & BESPOKE collections are made in Australia and are made to order to a standard size- whatever size you measure closest to at the time of your appointment. We recommend a booking lead time of 4 – 6 months, however, because we make these gowns in our own workroom we can sometimes work with shorter time frames.

Gowns from the LUXE collection are sold from stock or available for pre-order. Due to the nature of this collection the gowns are sold on a first come first serve basis.

Gowns from the WILD HEARTS collection are made in Australia and our recommended lead time is 4 months from your wedding date, plus time for alterations.

What do I Wear Under a Separate/Two Piece Dress?

On the hunt for the perfect shape wear for your bridal look? Have a look at our stylist’s expert advice here.

Two Piece Wedding Dresses & Gowns | Bridal Separates (2024)

FAQs

Is it normal for a bride to have two dresses? ›

While some brides prefer to maintain tradition with a single gown, others embrace the opportunity to showcase multiple styles that cater to different aspects of their big day. One of the main reasons brides opt for two dresses is to have one for the ceremony and another for the reception.

What to do when you can t decide between two wedding dresses? ›

Reach Out To a Professional

There is a reason why stylists and designers are needed from time to time. Not just to create the perfect dress for the perfect look but to also give advice. Bridal designers and consultants have the in-depth expert knowledge to analyze both choices and help you choose the best one.

Should I have a separate reception dress? ›

Having a reception dress allows you to change into something a little more comfortable and easy to move in, so you can truly let loose and enjoy the celebration without any restrictions. A reception dress can be shorter, lighter, or even a two-piece ensemble that lets you dance the night away effortlessly.

What happens at second wedding dress fitting? ›

Second Fitting

Your dress will have been basted (lightly sewn) according to the first fitting. What to Expect: This appointment is one hour and you'll start to see the fit of your wedding dress.

Why does the husband go under the bride's dress? ›

Often the wedding dresses are full and billowy, so it's a lot of material to lift up. Also, the groom is making sure he doesn't show more of the bride's body than is appropriate.

How many dresses do most brides try on? ›

On average, brides try on about 4–7 dresses, but we recommend no more than 10. The more wedding gowns you try on, the more confusing things may get. When the bridal gown selection is too big, brides tend to get overwhelmed and struggle to remember what the first gown they tried on looked like.

Is it normal to feel like you picked the wrong wedding dress? ›

It's easy to have dress regret if you never stop your pursuit for the perfect gown, even after you've already found it,” says Pitter. Kruszka agrees. “Sometimes brides also second-guess themselves because they don't stop shopping. You do not have to try hundreds of dresses!

Can you wear separates to a formal wedding? ›

Men don't need to worry about a tuxedo; a tailored suit (with or without a tie) is perfect. Women can wear a short dress or elegant separates—as long as they're still dressy. This is an ideal occasion to break out a little black dress.

Can I wear my first wedding dress in my second marriage? ›

For your second wedding, wear whatever you want. This is still your wedding day, and you should wear whatever makes you feel beautiful.

Why do brides change dresses for reception? ›

Your wedding day is about you and your spouse. Wearing a formal dress all night can feel overwhelming, so having a separate reception dress allows you to feel confident and relaxed. It lets you express your unique personality on and off the dance floor.

What do brides wear when leaving the wedding? ›

Usually, an exit look gown is not white. A beautiful champagne or off-white shade will do the trick because the main focus was your first gown and you don't want to take the attention away from it. The length is up to the bride, however, the traditional length of an exit dress is about the same as a co*cktail dress.

Can a size 12 wedding dress be altered to a size 8? ›

Taking a gown one to two sizes down is pretty common, and should still keep the integrity of the original design fairly easily. Of course, the closer to your actual size the better; you'll save money in alterations, and the gown will look best when it is closest to how it was designed.

What do I need to bring to a second wedding dress fitting? ›

Your Second Fitting

About a month before your wedding, you should have a second fitting. Again, bring along your undergarments, shoes, jewelry and any accessories you plan to wear for your wedding. If you're deciding between a few different accessories, bring them along to try on with your dress.

Do I have to wear a bra to a wedding dress fitting? ›

1. UNDERGARMENTS. You will most likely have bra cups sewn into your wedding dress by your seamstress, but for your appointment if you're more comfortable wearing a strapless bra while trying on gowns, we recommend a nude/skin tone bra the same size that you regularly wear. The best underwear are nude and seamless.

Should I have a second dress for wedding reception? ›

Your wedding day is about you and your spouse. Wearing a formal dress all night can feel overwhelming, so having a separate reception dress allows you to feel confident and relaxed. It lets you express your unique personality on and off the dance floor.

Do I need a second dress for wedding reception? ›

It is completely up to the bride. You can choose whether you remain in your dream dress for the entire celebration or change into a different gown for the reception. The most important thing is that the dress reflects the bride's personal style and allows her to have fun and enjoy her special day.

Is it common to have uneven bridal party? ›

Your wedding party should include the most important people in your lives-but what if you have an uneven number of bridesmaids and groomsmen? With proper planning, having a mismatched wedding party isn't a big deal at all. In fact, it's actually pretty common.

Should the bridesmaids have same style dress as bride? ›

Different Dress Styles and Colors

For a really stunning look incorporate both different designs and colors into your bridal party ensemble. You can stick within the same family and play with different tones and hues or use the palette of your wedding inspiration while shopping and selecting.

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