Second Marriage Wedding Ceremony Dress & Ideas
Second weddings often bring considerations that aren't part of first weddings. While first-time brides often plan a fairy tale wedding -- complete with large church ceremony, princess dress and grand reception -- second-time brides and grooms tend to simplify the event. Along with a down-sized invitation list and less starry-eyed glitz, second-timers often have children from previous marriages to consider in planning their special day.
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Dress
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Second-time brides often feel relieved of the burden of wearing a virginal all-white gown. The doors of variety open to the second-time bride, who often chooses a dress in the color of her choice and skips the tradition of a veil. Brides marrying for the second time also tend to pay more attention to a flattering fit and allowing the vibe of their ceremony to guide their choice of dress. Weddings at the beach might call for an easy shift in a flowing, seaside pastel color. A cocktail hour wedding and reception might call for a flirty gown that hits just below the knee, maybe a vintage inspired fifties-style dress with a wide, crinoline supported skirt.
Children
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When deciding who (besides the bride and groom) should participate in the ceremony, second-timers should always consider any children from their former marriages. Ask your children if they would like to participate and consider a variety of roles they could play. A younger child might like to walk down the aisle as a flower girl or ring bearer, while an older child could read a meaningful piece of text or sing a song as part of the ceremony. Serving as maid of honor or best man might also suit one of the couple's children. Allowing children to have a say in how they participate will offer them a chance to feel at ease with the process.
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Invitations
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Traditional wedding invitations indicate that the mother and father of the bride are the hosts of the wedding, stating that they "request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of" their daughter and her groom. Second-timers tend to host their own wedding events. In these cases, the invitation should read that the bride and groom -- in that order -- "request the pleasure of" the guests' company. However, the same rules apply when addressing the envelopes. Emily Post suggests including the name of every guest invited rather than adding "and guest" to your invitations.
Vows
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Brides and grooms entering a second marriage often feel that they have learned many valuable lessons about what a good marriage entails, and, as a result, often decide to write their own wedding vows. If you choose to do so, make sure that both the bride and groom feel comfortable writing. Online resources such as I Do! Take Two (idotaketwo.com) offer sample vows to help get your creative juices flowing. You can also simply pick and choose from the vow samples offered. Vow ideas for a second marriage include: "I marry you with my eyes wide open. You have helped me let go of the past, and I embrace the future."
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References
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