There’s something very special about planning a second marriage, and we help many couples who have decided to take the leap for the second time. For some couples though, this can be an anxious process who for some reason or another, feel like they shouldn’t be celebrating it in the same manner as they did for their first marriage. The most memorable events that we’ve had the pleasure of working on, all something in common firstly that the couple are very much in love and secondly – guests present who love and support them.
Your wedding day is a chance to start afresh, a new journey – and it’s these successes that your guests will celebrate with you, in isolation of any past experiences. Invite guests who you know you will want to take along with you in your new life. And remember the beauty is that you have the hindsight and experience from your previous marriages about the moments you loved, and the traditions that you’d rather leave behind. It’s completely a personal choice and there are no hard and fast rules –be guided by what you and your fiancée really want. But if you really want to know what the trends are for couples who are remarrying then these may inspire you.
Restaurant Receptions.
A popular alternative to a more traditional function centre experience or one of the more popular wedding venues. Couples desire more of an emphasis to be placed on food and wine to match the ambiance and outlook. Typically the guest sizes for a second wedding are smaller, making the higher calibre restaurant an ideal spot.
The wedding ceremony is all set up at Jonahs in Palm Beach. Image courtesy Photography by Nadean.
A greater emphasis on family.
A greater emphasis on family especially the bringing together of children from past relationships is a lovely gesture. Ceremonies often involve children, and usually have a gift giving component where the couple presents the children with a token to bind them as a family. One of the more memorable ceremonies we were involved in was wishing ribbons which were passed around the entire guests formed in a circle. And as each guest held the ribbon, they announced a wish for the couple. The celebrant used the ribbon to wrap their wrists together as she announced them husband and wife.
You don’t need a celebrant.
You don’t need a celebrant to get married. You just need to legalise it! Some of our couples are by-passing the celebrant or religious route and making it a truly personal affair by selecting a close family friend or relative to celebrate the relationship for them in front of their guests, and making it legal either before or after at Births Deaths and Marriages. It’s important to note here that the person celebrating the relationship is not making the misrepresentation of performing the official marriage itself.
Our Jonah’s bride in a very non traditional Oscar de la Renta gown with a tulip bouquet. Image courtesy of Photography by Nadean.
Price just isn’t the most important thing.
One trend we have noticed is that even though there is still a very final budget in place for the wedding itself, couples are able to make decisions much faster than the first time couple and spend less time looking at multiple options. What does this mean? Less stress and anxiety of course! One of the very best state of minds to be on your wedding day.
The ceremony to reception transition is usually quite easy.
The ceremony will often happen on the same grounds as the reception, and the couple either host a champagne service afterwards, or move straight into the reception and are willing to forgo a long (more typical) photoshoot with the Bridal Party.
Our ceremony flowers at this event were easily moved across to our reception space as the entire event was hosted at Jonah’s in Palm Beach. Image courtesy Photography by Nadean.
First look photoshoots are very popular.
First look photoshoots meaning that the couple have their professional photos taken prior to the ceremony. And because the trend for couples is to get married either at the reception venue or very close by this means that they can get straight into celebrating with their guests.
Whatever you decide, make sure it’s a true reflection about you as a couple, and if you feel like you just want it done all for you (and not have to both at all with the planning) get in touch with us. It’s truly amazing how dramatically the spirit of the wedding can change when the guests share in your enthusiasm and feed off your happiness. It is after all the start of a new beginning, why not celebrate it.
