The Second Time Bride

by Chamein Canton for Elegant Plus Magazine

A wedding is a celebration of love and the promise of a bright future together. This is especially true for second time brides (and grooms for that matter), as a reaffirmation that both love and hope springs eternal.

 There was a time when second marriages were expected to be civil affairs without much pomp or circumstance. The bride and groom would head down to the courthouse; chapel (viva Las Vegas) or perhaps the couple would wed in the clergy/officiant’s office and that was that.

 Thankfully times have changed and now second time around couples are choosing to have celebrations with as much or as little fanfare as they desire. However while there are many things to consider when planning a second wedding the one thing that gets the most attention is what to wear?  What kinds of fashion options do full-figured second time around brides have? Can you go with a traditional gown or jazz things up a bit with a sleek and sexy number? Is white strictly off limits? Are you relegated to the world of beige, antique white and cream?

And the survey says: It’s a matter of personal taste. For a number of women their first wedding dress was more about someone else’s choice than her own, perhaps money or your mother was a deciding factor in the type of dress you wore. On the other hand one of the big plusses in being a second time bride is you know what you like and it’s truly your party. So to answer the color question wearing white is up to you. Remember almost no one looks good in stark white. In fact most bridal gowns are varying degrees and shades of white. Therefore instead of concentrating on the color, focus your attention on what looks best on you and base your decision on that.

 Then there is the matter of what style options are available. I am happy to say the same options apply for brides across the board (first or second time):

1. Traditional Gowns: Depending upon how formal or informal your wedding is this is still the most popular option for brides.
2. Bridal Suits or Two Piece Gowns: A tailored suit is wonderful for a daytime or early afternoon (semi-formal) ceremonies, while a two-piece gown is elegant for an evening (formal) affair.
3. Bridal Pant Suits: If you are more comfortable in pants then this is more than a viable choice for you. If you aren’t able to find one off the rack, look into having one specially made for the occasion.
4. Casually Elegant Dresses: Think Cindy Crawford’s wedding on the beach. Choose a dress that’s simple, elegant and above all comfortable.

 Although much is made of the fashion aspect, the most important thing is what the wedding represents, making a commitment. Nevertheless while I do love a first time bride, I hold a special place in my heart for brides who take that leap of faith and entrust her heart to love again. It does my heart good!

 Congratulations!

More Resources

• Plus-Size Bridal Listings

• Plus-Size Formalwear

• Plus-Size Special Occasion Dresses

• Evening Suits

Chamein Canton is the author of the full-figured bridal guide, You Go Down That Aisle in Style!

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