Skip to main content

Post content has been hidden

To unblock this content, please click here

Kathleen
Savvy June 2019

Second marriage forums?

Kathleen, on January 17, 2019 at 4:10 PM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 20
Are there any forums dedicated to second marriages and etiquette? Or is it its do what makes you happy??

20 Comments

Latest activity by Karen, on November 3, 2020 at 9:46 AM
  • MrsV1027
    Master October 2018
    MrsV1027 ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    This was my 2nd marriage and I just did what made us happy. It felt more like the first time for both of us since we both regretted our first marriages though lol

    • Reply
  • Caytlyn
    Legend November 2019
    Caytlyn ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    I don't know that any etiquette really changes when it comes to a second marriage. Just plan like it's your first!

    • Reply
  • Kelly
    Champion October 2018
    Kelly ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    I’ve never heard of different etiquette for a second marriage.
    • Reply
  • earias
    Champion December 2017
    earias ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    I agree with what has already been said. This was a second marriage for both of us too. The etiquette is the same regardless what number this is. There are a lot of us 2nd timers (or more) on here and we're all different ages.

    • Reply
  • Rachel
    Super May 2019
    Rachel ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    This is my second marriage but his first, we're just doing what we want. It's our day and as far we're concerned, there are no rules. We get to decide what makes us happy. I know that I am personally doing a lot of things differently...actually, almost everything is a little different. I don't want anything to be compared to my first/awful/failed marriage. You deserve this wedding to be amazing even if it's not your first. I believe you definitely go into your second/third/whatever wedding with a clearer vision and a lot wiser.

    • Reply
  • HayMrsO
    Master October 2018
    HayMrsO ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    Congratulations on your engagement! Ours was a second marriage as well. We did what we wanted.

    There were things that we didn't do because we didn't feel it necessary. We didn't want pre-wedding celebrations (showers, bachelor parties, etc). I walked myself down the aisle. We did not do any bouquet or garter toss. We did not register for gifts. We really didn't do any of that because we just didn't want to. Although I have heard people say it wasn't proper etiquette to do some of that either. Who knows? We really didn't care and just did what worked for us.

    Best of luck in your planning! Hope we can help!


    • Reply
  • Sunshine
    Expert January 2019
    Sunshine ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    Definitely do what makes you happy!
    • Reply
  • Pirate & 60s Bride
    Legend March 2017
    Pirate & 60s Bride ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    My 1st & my hubby’s 2nd. He was ok skipping old school traditions he already did (church wedding, bouquet toss, dancing) that I didn’t want anyway. Because we’re both older we planned events that made US happy instead of everyone else. Loved it! Welcome here and plan the wedding you both want... traditional or not!
    • Reply
  • karen
    Master October 2017
    karen ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    1. More planning than etiquette, but tell your officiant up from first. LISTEN if they tell you there will be problems with them performing the ceremony. Consider alternatives.

    2. One piece of advice given to first time brides applies in spades -- No one will care about your wedding as much as you do.

    3. If either of you has children from a prior relationship, understand that they may have mixed feelings. They may want to see their parents get back together. Be fair about kids in the wedding party, but recognize custody rights of the ex.


    Good luck. Wear what you want, dance to what you want and be happy.

    • Reply
  • Kathleen
    Savvy June 2019
    Kathleen ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    Thank you Karen! We are having the ceremony at the reception venue. We are both legally divorced.

    His children are older all in their early 20s, we’ve been together for 10.5 years, so we’re all on same page.

    We decided not to have a bridal party just one witness, a mutual friend so not to choose any of the kids. Appreciate all the love & support!!
    • Reply
  • Devoted June 2020
    ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    I say do what makes you HAPPY. People don't follow old traditions that you shouldn't do certain things. I'm having a wedding that's special for us not what people think we shouldn't do.
    • Reply
  • Kathleen
    Savvy June 2019
    Kathleen ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment

    Thank you so much- I had no idea I would find so much support. I had this idea that this website was full of younger first time brides... I almost didn't set up a profile thinking I was too old. We really just want to celebrate with our friends and family and make it official. We have been together for 10.5 years and got engaged 12/24/17. We weren't originally waiting until his youngest graduated from college, but my FH had a health issue and we decided not to put things off. SO 157 days and we are tying the knot!

    • Reply
  • Devoted June 2020
    ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    Congratulations you rock....
    • Reply
  • A
    Beginner April 2019
    Amber ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    My second, his first. I've started referring to my first wedding as my "practice wedding" in that I know what I want to do differently, and what I find more important this time around. It helps when I bring up my practice wedding to explain why I want something a certain way because my FH doesn't feel like a "second wedding groom" and it shows that this wedding and marriage feels more special to me at this point in my life than my practice wedding does. It's not a do-over, it's a do-it-right.
    • Reply
  • Tina
    VIP March 2020
    Tina ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment

    This will be the second marriage for both of us, I'll be 47 and my FH 52 on the day. I'm having my sons walk me down the aisle, not having any bridal party, and skipping the traditional dances, garter toss, bouquet toss etc.

    Like you, I see it more as a celebration with those we love and enjoy having in our lives. It's a party on a grander scale!

    Oh and Im wearing a pure white satin dress too, so who cares what others think, do what makes you happy!

    • Reply
  • Native Dancer
    Dedicated July 2019
    Native Dancer ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    This will be my second and his first. It feels entirely new to me though because my first horrible marriage was 12 years ago, short lived, and there was no traditional type wedding or planning, or really anything, was just at the courthouse and an enormous mistake. I’m so glad that now I get to plan a wedding from the beginning and that everything I’m experiencing is all new and so exciting for me!! You do what you want to do and enjoy it!! There are no rules, it’s your day!
    • Reply
  • Kathleen
    Savvy June 2019
    Kathleen ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment
    Very similar I am 47 (48 in April) he is 56. He has 5 children (****). We are not having a bridal party either, not sure we are having the kids be any part of the ceremony. I am going dress shopping tomorrow!! Keeping an open mind with colors & styles- wish me luck!
    • Reply
  • Devoted August 2021
    ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment
    That’s great advise. This is my 2nd marriage, 1st one was a courthouse, nobody there to celebrate but two of his friends. This time around almost twenty years later I want to celebrate how amazing my FH is and our future together. I feel like if I don’t have a proper wedding I’ll regret it.
    • Reply
  • Jennifer
    Expert October 2019
    Jennifer ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    This is the second for both of us. There are a ton of advice columns out there on the subject, but ultimately, most of them end with, do what makes you happy, and works best for your family. It sounds like you're doing everything right! FWIW, we're skipping the bouquet and garter toss (though we might toss a stuffed cat to the whole audience, as a "the person who catches it will be the next to adopt a cat!" because we're cat people, and a friend of mine sent me the idea on Facebook), and my dad IS walking me down the aisle, because he didn't get to the first time, and it means a lot to him. And I am wearing a veil, because veils are GORGEOUS, but I'm not wearing a blusher. These decisions all depended a little bit on us having done this once before, but in the end, the second wedding aspect wasn't a determining factor for any of them.

    • Reply
  • Karen
    Beginner June 2022
    Karen ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    This is #2 for us both as well. I agree, just do what you want.

    We are opting for a very long cocktail hour party in place of the a traditional reception!

    • Reply

You voted for . Add a comment 👇

×

Related articles

WeddingWire celebrates love ...and so does everyone on our site! Learn more

Groups

WeddingWire article topics