Thursday, February 22, 2007

Second Weddings: Sensational or Subdued?

Thu Feb 22 09:18:54 EST 2007
A friend of mine recently announced her engagement; it'll be her
second wedding and her fiance's first. She wondered what type of
affair to have (she's been divorced for three years) and whether to
have another big wedding (is that tacky?) or a smaller, simpler
affair. What dress to choose? Whom to invite? Low-key or big bash?
Any ideas? She's very concerned about the dress. She's 35 and not into
wearing some white girly frock. I found this great article from
IDoTakeTwo.com. Thoughts?


Consider the following when shopping for your wedding dress for your
second wedding:

Before Queen Victoria set the trend with a white wedding gown in 1840,
most brides wore their best dress--in any color--on their wedding day.
In the years following Victoria 's and Albert's royal wedding, white
came to symbolize purity--a tradition that prompted heated debate over
whether encore brides could wear white.

In today's fashion world, the answer is a resounding "yes"! Regarded
as a symbol of joy instead of virginity; white is a perfect color for
dresses for a second wedding. Pastels and ivory are also popular color
choices for your second wedding dress.

Second wedding dress selection guidelines apply to all brides: Your
gown's formality should match the tone of your wedding celebration.
With so many available design and fabric options, you should have no
difficulty in finding a gown that matches your personal style and taste.

Your second wedding dress should reflect your personality, lifestyle
and fashion sense. Consider selecting a cocktail-length dress or
beautiful couture suit that you can wear again. Again, take your cue
from the size, time and day, and formality of your wedding ceremony
and reception.

It helps to know what flatters your figure when you're shopping for
the perfect second wedding attire. Whether you're pear-shaped or
petite, top-heavy or tall, choose the right cut for your body type to
highlight your best features and downplay those that concern you.
Bring along a friend, your mom or your teenage daughter to get a
second opinion, and be sure to wear the appropriate undergarments so
you'll know exactly how your second wedding dress will look.

Second-time brides should forgo a blusher veil that covers the face--a
traditional style reserved for first-time brides and one of the few
real fashion "don'ts." (Note: Etiquette expert Peggy Post says it's
acceptable for encore brides to wear a veil that cascades down the
back if it matches the formality of the wedding.) Try substituting a
hat, hair ornament or fresh flowers. Splurge and have a professional
stylist come to your home to create a glamorous updo! Be sure to
schedule this appointment several months before the big day so you can
try out different styles and hair ornaments. You don't want any last-
minute surprises, and you may decide to cut or even grow your hair.

Trains are fine, but keep it simple, again matching the formality and
style of the wedding.

With so many available choices in headpieces and veiling for second
wedding attire, search the Internet for beautiful designs, and print
out photos of the ones you like. Buy a few bridal magazines, and cut
out some of your top choices. Then visit local bridal shops, and ask
experienced consultants for expert guidance.

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