Congratulations on finding love and happiness with a new partner! Whether you experienced a divorce or were widowed, this is a time to celebrate new beginnings and the chance to start a new chapter of your life.
Although you already know the ins and outs of wedding planning, having done it once before, your perspective on what you would like for your next wedding could be very different.
You are now a little wiser and although the logistics of planning a wedding are the same, you might want to place more focus on certain elements of the day.
Here are some tips to help you plan your second wedding.
Talk it over
First things first, talk to your fiance about what your expectations are. This may be your partners first wedding, and even if it’s your second wedding, it’s good to be on the same page.
Either way, you will need to discuss what they think the day will look like and plan together whether you want a big white wedding, something small and intimate, or to elope and enjoy each other’s company instead.
Size does matter
Even if you have already had a huge wedding with all the bells and whistles, you don’t have to feel like you should downsize just because this is your second wedding!
Go with whatever you and your fiance want, this is your celebration as a couple and not about pleasing anyone else. Your second wedding (and marriage) is a very important step and should be celebrated however you would like to.
Leave the past in the past
Don’t be tempted to compare the wedding you are planning now to your previous one.
Of course there are lessons you would have learned, and by all means, try to avoid recreating some mistakes.
Instead, move forward with your wedding plans as if you are doing it for the first time. It will, after all, be with a new partner and a new combination of families and possibly even a whole host of new friends., so dwelling on the past will not help anybody.
Bachelorette party
Once upon a time, baby showers for anything other than your first child was frowned upon, but times change!
Mums can enjoy baby showers for their fourth and fifth children if they want to, and people welcome the chance to celebrate. After all, who doesn’t enjoy a good party?
The same applies to bachelorette parties! There is every reason to celebrate this new love and you shouldn’t deprive yourself the opportunity to enjoy this moment with the gals.
Invitations
This is not a sequel to your first wedding, this is a whole new event with new lead characters, so your wedding invitation wording should be the same as any other!
Vows
If you went traditional the first time around, how about spicing it up a bit and writing your own vows?
Not only will you have a greater understanding of what marriage means to you, chances are you also have a greater appreciation of the characteristics your partner has that encouraged you to give love a second chance.
These vows will write themselves!
Gifts
Unless you specifically don’t want to receive gifts, don’t feel obliged to take this stance simply because this is wedding number two.
Guests are your nearest and dearest and will still want to bestow gifts upon the newlyweds so your best options are to either register for gifts that are a bit more fun, have a wishing well to contribute towards something large for your home or the honeymoon, or ask guests to donate to your favourite charity instead.
The dress
You can wear white, ivory or cream again – It’s your wedding, and your wedding dress!
White as a sign of purity went out the door decades ago, so why bother thinking about the restrictions of tradition? You can even have a garment designed especially for you.
Strut in the chapel train, adorn your head with a gorgeous white headpiece, flower crown or tiara if you desire. You can wear whatever you want.
Children
If you or your partner have children, it is important to make them an integral part of your wedding ceremony – even if they are fully grown adults.
If you have young children, you can give them roles as flower girls or junior bridesmaids, ring bearers or a younger groomsman.
If they don’t want the spotlight on them, you can ask them to take on a responsibility like greeting guests or joining you at the altar for family-themed vows.
There are so many examples of couples giving dedicated vows to younger children and it is simply gorgeous!
Remember, the most important thing about your big day is the opportunity to share your love with family and friends.
Let the bygones be bygones and look forward to a future full of love with your fiance.