Everything You Need to Know About Planning a Second Wedding, According to Experts

View More

Chances are that you went more traditional for the first wedding with a white gown (or tux), so you might be tempted to switch things up this wedding. While you certainly can do the same for this wedding (there is nothing wrong with wearing white for a second marriage), Chang explains that your second wedding presents a new opportunity to choose something different—be it 

Spend Time Selecting the Right Attire

READ More     

a different style gown or maybe a pants suit instead. "The most important thing to remember is to choose something that you feel comfortable in and that makes you feel good and beautiful," she adds.

Spend Time Selecting the Right Attire

READ More     

Often with second weddings, brides are not "given away" by their families, as they traditionally are in a first wedding, explains Kate Reavey, owner of Chicago Vintage Weddings. "Ceremony processionals tend to be more understated," she says. "What I find is that couples prefer to carve out a fresh direction for their second 

Create Your Own Ceremony

READ More     

wedding ceremony so it feels entirely different from the type of ceremony and wording they used the first time around."

Create Your Own Ceremony

READ More     

With your first wedding, you may have opted out of writing your own vows, but you may feel differently this time. Maybe it's because your current soon-to-be spouse and your connection to this person just means so much more to you—or because you wished you had written your vows the first time. Similarly to first weddings, Chang recommends that the words you choose

Consider Writing Your Own Vows

READ More     

for the wedding itself, your vows and even your pronouncement reflect your relationship and values. "With second marriages, in particular, it's good to acknowledge what's so special about this person and this relationship," she says. "This is when personal vows or a story told by the officiant can really help to share that love."

Consider Writing Your Own Vows

READ More     

One of the more sensitive pieces about planning a second wedding, according to Chang, are the invitations. "As you are typically older when getting married for the second time (or third, fourth, etc...), you want to make sure your invites reflect the wedding you're having," she says. "That means not including your parents on the invitation as typically they won't be

Be Choosy With Your Invitations

READ More     

paying for the wedding." She recommends that you choose invitations that are truly coming from you and your partner and give guests the 411 they need to know about what kind of an event it will be (black tie, casual, etc.).

Be Choosy With Your Invitations

READ More     

Gift etiquette can be a more sensitive area of planning a second wedding. "As you've been married before and had a wedding, you also likely got gifts once already," says Chang. "At least a portion of the guests will be similar to your first wedding, so asking for gifts for a second marriage can be a little tricky."

Decide Whether or Not You're Accepting Gifts

READ More     

If you prefer to leave it up to your guests, you don't have to make a mention of gifts on the invitation—simply let your guests give whatever they feel is right. But if you do want to tell guests "no gifts" or opt for a charity donation, be sure to include it on your invitation

Decide Whether or Not You're Accepting Gifts

READ More     

"Blending families can be tricky, so it's important to make your kids feel as if they are being treated respectfully and given choices," says Reavey. "Age-appropriate roles should be assigned—such as junior bridesmaid or maid of honor (with limited responsibility), for example—for older children." Whatever you do, be sure to ask your children which roles and responsibilities they feel 

Incorporate Children If Either of You Are Parents

READ More     

most comfortable with. "Some may wish to stand with you or to give a reading, while others are shy and prefer to stay behind the scenes a little more," adds Reavey.

Incorporate Children If Either of You Are Parents

READ More     

Learn more about how to organize a dream wedding and not go crazy

wedding.amerikanki.com