Well! You are back here again, not sure what went wrong the first time but let’s ignore that and rejoice in the fact that you do have the opportunity to live, love and laugh with someone new “and improved” shall we say.

For your second time around, what we really want to do is let you know what a second time bride should expect or look for when planning this event.

First, decide if you are going for the gusto or looking for a more sedate wedding celebration. Are you thinking, “I want everything I did not get in my first wedding” or are you thinking, “Been there done that” not reliving the drama in planning the first but celebrating the union of the second with just the two and a few.

Once you have made this decision, you are back to the basics, where and when.

For those wanting the quiet union of hearts, a destination wedding is a great option for you. Whether you select a vineyard, a beach destination, a cabin in the snow, or the court house followed by a private dinner for two, make this event worth remembering.

The majority of second time weddings prefer a quiet moment to capture the memory. No fuss, no fever! US statistics state that 20% of divorced couples remarry within 2 years of their divorce and 65% remarry after 10 years of their divorce. This being the case you will find that second time marriages are most likely persons in their 40’s and older.

For some this is the most nerve racking part of planning  a wedding. However, It can be the most romantic moment in the entire wedding when recited clearly with sincerity.  Wedding rituals are ingrained in tradition with only the general and mandatory information being read or recited. Over the past 15 years, wedding trends have experience a change in that brides (more often then not) look forward to the written words of love from this new lifetime partner.  Religious and Civil Services now allow brides and grooms to pre-select and interject in the ceremony the couples preferred reading, songs, poems, and even personalise their vows.

The words spoken may only be but a brief moment but the vows and promises made are what keep a marriage pure, true and lasting. When writing your vows, one should sit in an area of complete silence, whether under a tree, in a library, where you first met, or on a beach. Spending time alone to put together your thoughts  into words of endearment is precious and should not be taken lightly.  Rushed vows are just that and when recited will sound, rushed unfavourable and may not express your true feeling for your spouse.

Your best man or maid / matron of honour can help with this task. When selecting the person who will be considered by your attendees as the closest person to you other than your soon-to-be spouse. As personal as your vows may be, your best man, matron or maid will give you an honest opinion before allowing you to say this in front of many. Reciting a favorite poem may have worked in the past, but trends nowadays have brides desiring more than just the typical words of love. After all this is a confession, a promise, in front your invited guests and family of your true feelings for this particular person.

If you decide to research the internet for words to say, please refrain from plagiarism. Copying another persons words of love is not a true expression of yours. Taking 30 minutes to write your feelings should not be such an audious task to undertake, considering you are marrying this person for LIFE!

Your story starts with your wedding invitation. The design of the wedding invitation is the basis for your entire wedding theme. Be it formal or casual, your invitation speaks for you.

Once a friend receives your invitation and moves past the “are they serious” or “finally” stage they immediately move onto the look of the invitation. Why not be original and let your invitation be the talk of the town.

In the early days, it was the town crier that walked the cobblestoned streets announcing the news of the day along with any weddings announcements.  This was because,there was a very high level of illiteracy in the Middle Ages. If a written invitation was sent, the invitee would take this document to the monks to read as clergy men were one of the few that could read and write during those times.

Of course many things quickly changed with the invention of the printing press in 1447. The production of paper quickly grew allowing the noble or upper class to send out written invitations. It became popular with this change to have invitations delivered by horse and carriage to the individual homes of the invited.  

In recent times, the cost of the wedding has become the number one factor in determining who is invited to your wedding celebration. Inviting the entire village to a wedding quickly changed when a wedding became a bill for the parents or bride and groom rather than a celebration with every item donated by family and friends.

Oh, they are so adorable when dressed up, little girls in flowery dresses, while little lads wear the well fitted suit with bow tie and colourful vest. However, brides often face the dilemma of what to do with the wee ones on their wedding day.  Many times brides overlook this aspect of wedding planning only to have a situation that makes her guests uncomfortable with a large number of children running havoc at the wedding reception.

Your first decision is whether or not you want any children at your wedding. If the answer is no, then make sure you include this information on your invitation. State  “Adults Only” on your wedding invitation, this will give your guests ample notice to plan a play date for their children while they attend your wedding.

Occasionally, there are those friends and family members who have a naughty habit of thinking that the bride meant everyone else but them, and so they bring their children with them to the wedding, ignoring the notation on the invitation.  In this instance you, the bride, should take a proactive measure by giving these few persons a phone call.

You are not being rude, simply ask if they have received the invitation and just speak about your wedding plans and how everything is coming along. In this conversation mention that you are only having adults-only and why. This should alleviate the embarrassing situation on your wedding day, with having to request an additional plate for a child. It should also ease the stress of having to deal with children at your wedding.

For those brides that have children or welcome children at their wedding receptions, there are a slew of ideas to keep the wee ones busy during the ceremony and reception.