"Ask April" Author of the best selling, "Date Out Of Your League" AskApril.com
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Q:
Dear April,
I’m getting married – again! I feel so lucky and happy, but I don’t
know what the proper etiquette is for second weddings. Can you help
me out? Signed, Second Time Around
A:
Dear Second Time:
Congratulations – and I’m so glad you wrote in. I get lots of
questions from second time brides about how to do it right this time
around – starting with the wedding.
Weddings are a booming tradition, and despite the rising divorce
rate, love is here to stay and second, third and fourth weddings are
happening with renewed panache -- and that means new trends in
wedding dresses!
What to Wear?
White weddings are no longer just for first weddings -- anything
goes, and many brides choose white for their second weddings, too.
But the real determining factors in wedding gowns are:
Is it a first, second or third wedding?
Many brides who have been married before opt for something funky or
festive in dress and decor for a second wedding. Choices include
colors and lengths that run the gamut. Ethnic choices are also fun
-- like Indian saris or Japanese kimonos. Bridal salons are still
tried and true retail outlets, but for this kind of wedding, so, too
are couture departments of department stores where evening gowns are
sold.
Age Specific Dressing
Young brides can often get away with slinky slip dresses -- whether
they're long or short -- and therefore, have more options than more
mature brides who may feel more comfortable in something like a
cocktail dress, or a dress with a matching coat, like the one
Camilla Parker Bowles wore this year. On the other hand, older
brides don't usually feel that they are bound by tradition the way
newer brides may, and will feel comfortable in a broad floral print
dress that younger brides would only wear to a wedding shower.
Color Code Your Gown To Your Life
The gown does not have to be white, in fact, throw caution to the
wind and for a second or third wedding, pick a color you love that
looks great on you! The white picket fence, fairy tale marriage is
not part of your journey. Yours is a more colorful one. Show it in
your choice of gown.
What kind of wedding should I have?
Second, third and fourth marriages are usually lower key affairs in
terms of receptions, so they don't get the attention that first
marriages do, but open your ears. Wedding bells are ringing at all
different pitches. Which one is yours?
If the marriage is a second marriage for both the bride and the
groom, the affair is usually a lower key wedding with offbeat themes
and destination weddings popular choices. However, if the wedding is
the first for the bride, and the second wedding for the groom, the
bride (or her parents) is expected to throw a white first wedding
with all the bells and whistles. The rule of thumb is that the
wedding is the bride’s day. If it’s the bride’s first wedding, then
go all out. If it’s the bride’s second wedding (even if it’s the
groom’s first), the tenor of the day is lower key.
If You Have Children Or Step-Children
When children from prior marriages are involved in the new marriage
you will want to give all the kids a part in the wedding. Allowing
the children to be bridesmaids, best men, groomsmen, ring bearers
(they can be older as well as young children), flower girls (and
boys), etc. If the wedding is a Jewish wedding, you may want to
allow the children to hold the “chupa” during the ceremony.
Some couples choose to honor their children in the second wedding,
as it’s not just a blending of two people, but of two families. If
you want to do this, then choose to make one part of the service for
both of you to honor your children. You can give them a blessing as
a new couple or you can give them a token like a piece of jewelry or
some other item, during the ceremony, that honors the kids in a new
way.
Depending on how you get along with the kids’ biological parents, it
is a nice touch to speak a few words to honor their other parents,
without who’s journey, would not make this chapter possible, and
although they are not here today, they are important because they
are the parents of these children, who are now yours, too.
Who NOT to Invite
Ex spouses are not appropriate guests. Ex-spouses parents are not
appropriate guests. Any of your ex’s friends that you didn’t keep in
touch with, but wished you had – are not appropriate guests. This is
not the time to catch up.
Invitations
While cream or white Crane stationery with raised black lettering is
traditional for weddings, when it comes to second or third weddings,
use your imagination and choose what you love. If you want an orange
invitation with chartreuse lettering, go for it. If you want a photo
on the wedding invitation, knock yourself out. The important thing
to remember is to honor the ceremony that will bind you and your new
spouse together, so while you can be creative with the colors,
fonts, prints, and pictures, choose your words carefully and
respectfully.
Who Pays?
First weddings are traditionally paid for by the bride’s family,
although it is common for the groom’s family to offer to pay for
liquor and flowers if they feel they want to. Second weddings are
not the parents’ responsibility. Who pays for the second wedding
DOES matter because it sets the tone for the rest of the marriage.
If the bride makes a lot of money, she may want to contribute, but
how she contributes is important.
If the bride pays for the whole wedding, she will be setting the
tone for paying for most of the expenses in the marriage. If the
bride does not pay for any of the wedding, she will be setting the
tone for a more traditional marriage. If the bride pays for exactly
half of the wedding, she will be setting the tone for the marriage
of financial equality. If she pays for some of the wedding she will
be setting the tone for the marriage of chipping in what she can.
None of these are right or wrong situations – but they can be for
you. Make sure you really think about what kind of marriage you
want, and how your wedding is the catalyst – or the jump off point –
for the love of your life, and the life of love you want.
And if you get stuck in a rut, remember, The Next 50 Dates, my book
for anyone who’s in a committed relationship, married or otherwise,
will give you loads of ideas to keep the romance – and the sex –
going strong.
Ready for even more
bold, brutally honest, and always helpful dating advice? Visit my Web
site, www.Ask
April.com There, you'll find informative articles, expert
columnists, interactive quizzes, and free giveaways! And don't forget
to also check out my workshops, designed to help you find you real
"soul mate"!
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