While it might be the intention for every bride and groom to marry only once, the reality is that not all marriages will last a lifetime. Fortunately, the social stigma that was once attached to divorce, has somewhat dissipated, allowing couples who choose to remarry more freedom in planning their wedding celebration.
Despite the fact that divorce is more socially acceptable today than it has been in years past, there are still some people who feel uncertain when it comes to planning their second wedding. One such area for feeling uncomfortable is decided what the bride should wear.
One of the areas in which second-time brides struggle when planning their wedding is what to wear. It seems that everyone has an opinion about what is and what is not appropriate for a second-time bride to wear. At one time, it may have been taboo for a second-time bride to wear a fancy white dress, but that is no longer the case.
History of Brides Wearing White
While most brides wear white, or a version thereof, on their wedding day, wearing white has only been a wedding tradition for less than two hundred years. Until Queen Victoria wore a white wedding gown in 1840, brides wore the best dress they owned on their wedding day.
Sometime after Victoria and Albert's royal wedding, a bride wearing white on her wedding day symbolized her purity and virginity. It was only after this symbolism that a debate about wearing white for a second wedding began.
Ideas For What To Wear For A Second Wedding
Choosing what to wear for a wedding is exciting for any bride, first time or not. Second-time brides, however, are in a unique position. For example, if the bride wore a princess-style gown for her first wedding, she may opt for a look that reflects who she is now.
In addition to choosing a gown that represents the personal taste of the bride, it is important that the bridal attire matches the formality of the wedding. Many second weddings have a more casual tone in which a formal gown may look inappropriate.
Beyond traditional wedding gowns, some brides may also want to consider other bridal wear alternatives:
- A bridal suit that is perfectly tailored to suit the bride's figure
- A designer dress that would otherwise be impractical or too expensive
- A tea-length cocktail dress in ivory or white, with trendy accessories
Beyond a bridal gown, some second-time brides may opt for something less formal than a veil for their headpiece. While wearing a veil is still appropriate for second-time brides, incorporating flowers or a chic barrette in the wedding hairstyle can make a bride look less like a first-time bride.
Regardless of what a second-time bride decides to wear for her wedding, the most important factor is that she looks and feels like herself. Choosing a style of wedding dress that flatters her figure, is appropriate for the formality of the wedding, are far more important than the color composition of the dress.
Annalise Kaylor - Annalise Kaylor is a freelance writer, editor, and consultant specializing in search engine optimized content for the web. As a writer, ...
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