Second Marriage Wedding Dress and Etiquette

Just as with your first marriage, your second marriage is a new beginning with your fiancé. So it makes sense that many of the traditional rituals and rules of etiquette apply. But which ones?

There is no reason why you should not register for gifts, have a shower, or wear a white, full-length gown at the altar. Whether or not you will choose any of these options is now considered strictly a matter of personal preference dictated by your style.

Charting a new course

When it comes to the ceremony, one of the questions that experienced brides-to-be frequently ask themselves is "Do I really want to do everything the same or do something completely different?" If you were married in a civil ceremony the first time, maybe it's time to consider a church ceremony, complete with flower girls, a ring bearer, and attendants.

Because you are certainly all-grown-up now, this is your chance to plan your wedding exactly the way you want it to be, without any unnecessary consideration for the wishes of parents. However, you will want to discuss your feeling and carry out the planning with the groom.

On the other hand, if the formality and style of your first wedding did suite your taste, you should feel free to repeat those elements. Nevertheless, since this is a time to look toward the future, rather than returning to the past, don't get bogged down with history. Using the same reception site or adding the same personal touches would be in poor taste, so should be avoided.

Large ceremony or small

The size of your wedding party, as well as the number of guests you will invite, is entirely up to you. With regard to the ceremony itself, the rules of etiquette would be the same as if you were marrying for the first time.

If you are planning to invite more than 50 guests, arrange to have attendants (groomsmen or ushers) on hand. If at all possible, you will want to have one attendant for every 50 guests.

And Jenny makes three

Children of the bride and/or groom are often a part of second marriages. If either of you has children, invite them to participate in the ceremony.

Teens make nice junior ushers and junior bridesmaids. Very young daughters can, of course, be flower girls, and little boys, ring bearers or pages. Conversely, if the ceremony is to be small or the ages of the children would make them unsuitable for these roles, you might simply ask them to accompany you down the isle, or meet you at the altar.

Children do not always welcome the opportunity to participate in wedding ceremonies. If you children seem unwilling to play a role in the ceremony, you should respect their feelings.Incidentally, if you share custody with your ex-husband, let him know about plans to include your children in the ceremony.

Inviting your ex-husband and former in-laws

If you and your former in-laws are still on good terms, you may want to invite them. However, you are under no obligation to do so. Consider this as nothing more than a formality since they would not be expected to accept.

Rarely would an ex-spouse be invited to the ceremony, even if the two of you have remained friends. Think about it. Inviting your ex-spouse to the ceremony leaves him with only two choices, neither of which would be welcomed: accepting and feeling bad or declining and looking bad.

A more sensible and considerate approach would be to invite him to a private dinner, perhaps at your home, after the ceremony and honeymoon.

About the Author

Jean Bachcroft is a former public relations director, the founder of Bachcroft and Aloha Labels, and the publisher and editor-in-chief of Town and Country Shopping Bargains Magazine. For designer wedding, holiday, and year-round mailing and return address labels, visit Bachcroft Mailing and Return Address Labels and Aloha Return Address Labels

For bargains and bargain shopping articles, visit Town and Country Shopping Bargains.

GROOM SERVICE: The hardest part of getting married London Free Press, Canada - Aug 27, 2008 By DAN BROWN, ONLINE EDITOR Things are fine, even though the two of us still have some details to finalize. I have to call to make sure the wedding bands ...

Church puts vows at heart of new marriage prep ChristianToday, UK - Aug 28, 2008 by Jenna Lyle The Church of England’s is undertaking a major overhaul of the marriage preparation it offers to engaged couples in a bid to better reflect ...

The Associated Press

Now on the Hallmark aisle: Gay marriage cards The Associated Press - Aug 21, 2008 PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Most states don't recognize gay marriage — but now Hallmark does. The nation's largest greeting card company is rolling out same-sex ...

You are invited to our Vegas wedding... Independent, UK - Aug 13, 2008 When Peaches Geldof decided to spring a surprise wedding on her family, there was only one place to go. So what are the odds on her marriage lasting? ...

Bgay.com

Hallmark Offers Gay Wedding Cards Bgay.com, FL - Aug 22, 2008 The wedding industry is big business in the United States and now greeting card giant Hallmark has begun creating and selling wedding cards for same-sex ...

What Happens In Vegas DVD Review NewsBlaze, CA - Aug 22, 2008 By Prairie Miller Romantic comedies are such a well worn endeavor that there's nothing much left to the imagination to explore, unless there's plenty of wit ...

2: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a ... Catholic News Agency, CO - Aug 20, 2008 3: and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the marriage feast; but they would not come. 4: Again he sent other servants, saying, ...

Lincoln and Corina Seattle Post Intelligencer - Jul 31, 2008 So I was asked to by Lincoln and Corina to reflect at their wedding about their love and find a literary passage that i felt spoke to it as well. ...

Telegraph.co.uk

Why does Bob look so miserable? Could he be mourning daughter ... This is London, UK - Aug 15, 2008 You wouldn't think his 19-year-old daughter had just got married from the glum look on Sir Bob Geldof's face. The Boomtown Rats frontman looked crestfallen ... Peaches Geldof’s ex-boyfriend confused by her sudden marriage Fametastic all 664 news articles

Jay-Z explains why he & BeyoncĂ© won't confirm their marriage Infos Jeunes France, France - Aug 8, 2008 Beyonce Knowles and Jay-Z went about their union in a pretty uncommon fashion, as far as celebrities go. While most do try to keep the affair a bit private ...