2nd Marriage

sherrytorres

I have big question. I'm planning our 2nd marriage and found a gorgeous designer dress Maggie Sottero for 75 percent off that I couldn't pass up! It is an oyster color and very elegant. My question is this....since my dress is formal does my ceremony and reception need to be formal as well? Of course I will have wedding party with proper attire but I'm worried that a second marriage is supposed to be less extravagant and more subtle. We will be married in a Catholic Church and want a small reception. Is the dress too much and should it be less formal....help please :

saacjw

How formal is the dress really? I'd need a picture to make the call really. I can say that my mom's second wedding was pretty formal- my stepdad and brothers wore tuxes, my sister and I wore prom style dresses (we were in middle school and my mom let us pick out what we wanted...) and my mom's dress was very elegant and gold and formal. You can have second marriage weddings at any level of formality you want pretty much, I think the only thing that you're supposed to stay away from is veils.

NOLAbridealmost

Your wedding can be as extravagant as you want.  It's about celebrating your new relationship and that doesn't diminish just because you've had a prior marriage. There's absolutely no etiquette rule that says a second wedding has to be understated.  

LuckyGirl1713

go for it!!!

mcskatcat

I think of most Catholic weddings as formal, so I'd say go for it. 

ootmother2

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_customs-traditions_2nd-marriage?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:36Discussion:4d9cd985-bfa5-4291-bd4c-50178fb34db4Post:2a591eee-4e47-4daf-a268-eef21232a7bb">2nd Marriage</a>:
[QUOTE]I have big question. I'm planning our 2nd marriage and found a gorgeous designer dress Maggie Sottero for 75 percent off that I couldn't pass up! It is an oyster color and very elegant. My question is this....since my dress is formal does my ceremony and reception need to be formal as well? Of course I will have wedding party with proper attire but I'm worried that a second marriage is supposed to be less extravagant and more subtle. We will be married in a Catholic Church and want a small reception. Is the dress too much and should it be less formal....help please :
Posted by sherrytorres[/QUOTE]

There's no rule in the Catholic Church or anywhere else that a second wedding must be less extravagant than the first.  

Lisa50

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_customs-traditions_2nd-marriage?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:36Discussion:4d9cd985-bfa5-4291-bd4c-50178fb34db4Post:2a591eee-4e47-4daf-a268-eef21232a7bb">2nd Marriage</a>:
[QUOTE]I have big question. I'm planning our 2nd marriage and found a gorgeous designer dress Maggie Sottero for 75 percent off that I couldn't pass up! It is an oyster color and very elegant. My question is this....since my dress is formal does my ceremony and reception need to be formal as well? Of course I will have wedding party with proper attire but <strong><font color="#800080">I'm worried that a second marriage is supposed to be less extravagant and more subtle. </font></strong>We will be married in a Catholic Church and want a small reception. Is the dress too much and should it be less formal....help please :
Posted by sherrytorres[/QUOTE]

"Second wedding" does not equal "informal."  Weddings in Catholic Churches run the gamut from informal to white tie ... time of day, more than anything else, dictate the level of formality.  And honestly, brides and grooms very often dress formally no matter the time of day.  Also, the size of the reception does not dictate the level of formality.

You need to determine the level of formality you want for your wedding and reception, then allow attire, decor, etc. to flow from that decision. 

sherrytorres

Thank you : that is exactly now I feel! Is your dress a "Nola" design by Maggie Sottero? I was wondering from your user name. The "Nola" dress is what I found and I absolutely love it!!!

sherrytorres

Thank you to all that replied. I have very good ideas and feel much better from all of your thoughts and ideas :. Our wedding will be at 5:30 mass on a Saturday therefore our wedding guests and

sherrytorres

usual Saturday mass attendants will be there. I feel as though our wedding should be somewhat formal. I now have a guideline to think about. Thank you again :

NOLAbridealmost

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_customs-traditions_2nd-marriage?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:36Discussion:4d9cd985-bfa5-4291-bd4c-50178fb34db4Post:94583f3a-fb2a-4ba4-a64d-cede0d49d378">Re:2nd Marriage</a>:
[QUOTE]Thank you : that is exactly now I feel! Is your dress a "Nola" design by Maggie Sottero? I was wondering from your user name. The "Nola" dress is what I found and I absolutely love it!!!
Posted by sherrytorres[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>I think you might be talking to me!  I am actually in New Orleans LA (which we locals lovingly call NOLA). My dress is not designer. I just hired a seamstress to make a design that I wanted.  </div><div>Have an amazing wedding!!

</div>

meganb1977

You can wear whatever you want and your dress can but doesn't necessarily have to set the tone for the formality level of your wedding.

mrsrigsby60

My wedding wil be second and my FH's first. My first husband was an alcoholic and abusive, we didn't have any children, thank God. I am wearing an ivory dress, tiara, and a veil. We are doing what we want.... why because it's what we want. I ok'd the ceremony with my Priest and it's all set. My advice, do what you want and don't worry about what others think. If they question you, then they shouldn't be invited.