Planning a second wedding is not so different than planning a first wedding in many ways.
After all, you still need an officiant, food, flowers, music, and so on.
However, there are many aspects of a wedding which are treated differently when it is not the bride's first time down the aisle.
These are some of the special concerns for second time brides, along with the solutions to common dilemmas.
Finding the right wedding gown is important to every bride, whether it is her first wedding or not.
For second time brides, there are additional considerations beyond style, however.
The hard and fast rule that only a young bride should wear pure white has softened somewhat, but in general, most second time brides opt for ivory, champagne, or a pastel color.
It is more elegant, and in most cases, the softer hues are more flattering.
The shape of the bridal gown matters too.
Leave the huge princess gowns to the ingenues; a sophisticated sheath or graceful A-line gown is much more chic for a second time bride.
Classic accessories like pearl bridal jewelry look great, but a long veil is too much.
Stick to a stylish accent like a pearl jeweled headband to coordinate with your bridal jewelry or a fresh flower for a destination wedding.
Many women take the name of their first husband and continue to use it even after the marriage has dissolved.
This is very common, either because there are children from the marriage and their mom wants to share their last name, or when the woman has established herself professionally under her married name.
While this practical solution is fine for everyday purposes, there is something icky about listing your ex-husband's last name on your wedding invitation to another man.
Yet, if most of your guests only know you by that name, practically dictates using it.
The best solution is often for the bride at a second wedding to list her name as: First Maiden Married.
Yes, your ex's name will still be there, but having your maiden name printed as well will take some of the focus off of it.
The appropriate scale of a second wedding is another common concern.
Back in the days when divorce was a major social scandal, second weddings were kept very low key.
A few guests in the bride's living room followed by a small cake and punch was about the size of a second wedding in the 1950s.
Times have definitely changed, however, and many brides want their second weddings to be just as fabulous as a first wedding, especially if the groom has never been married before.
This is fine, as long as it is done in good taste.
Invite only those who really mean something to you; your father's golf partner will probably be delighted to be left off the guest list.
Remember also that most people feel obligated to give a gift when they are invited to a wedding, and only closest family and friends should be put in that position for multiple weddings with the same bride.
Ask any second time bride what the best part is about her wedding, and she will likely tell you it is the freedom that comes with maturity.
For many women, their first wedding reflects their mother's taste as much as their own, but the second time around, most women have the confidence to put together a wedding which feels like them (and their groom, of course).
Whether the end result is a chic cocktail party, a rustic barn wedding, or a tropical destination wedding, a second wedding can be every bit as special as a first one.