Creating A Unique And Memorable Second Wedding

Planning a second wedding can be stressful, but it's also an opportunity to create a unique celebration that reflects your personality and tastes. There are no rules for how a second wedding should go, so you can make it as big or small, traditional or unconventional as you like. Whether you want to keep things intimate or go all out with a blow-out bash, there are plenty of ways to make your second wedding special. From choosing a meaningful location to incorporating your children into the ceremony, the options are endless for curating a memorable day that's true to you and your partner.

Choose a unique venue

Choosing a unique venue for your second wedding can make your special day all the more memorable. Here are some ideas to consider:

Adventure Wedding Locations

These include mountain tops, underneath waterfalls, or deep within canyons. Adventure destinations are perfect for thrill-seeking couples who love to trek and travel and want an exhilarating alternative to a traditional venue.

Breweries and Distilleries

Many breweries and distilleries have an industrial-chic vibe and offer a wide variety of craft beers and spirits on tap. A setting that's as interesting as it is intoxicating may be just what you're looking for.

Festival-style Sites

If you want an open-air festival feel for your wedding, consider a boho-chic location in the wilderness. Incorporate tents, teepees or yurts, lawn games, food trucks, fire pits, and music to achieve a "wedding-palooza" vibe.

Greenhouse and Glasshouse Venues

"Glasshouse" wedding venues provide a garden-filled outdoor feel without the worry of inclement weather. Couples can enjoy gorgeous garden views in a climate-controlled indoor space. Many of these venues are also nonprofits, so your rental fees will support them.

Historic Venues

Wedding venues with a history or an air of mystery offer a unique atmosphere and may even transport you to another place and time. From long-established landmarks to medieval castles, historic venues provide one-of-a-kind settings that capture the imagination.

Museums, Libraries, and Galleries

Known for dramatic architecture, incredible exhibits, and curated collections, museums, libraries, and galleries are works of art in themselves. They often provide a striking backdrop that requires little additional décor.

Nightclubs and Rooftops

If you want your wedding reception to have a cool nightclub vibe, consider hosting your event in an actual nightclub. Many nightclubs transform into contemporary event spaces, and because they typically don't have noise restrictions, your party can go way past the usual wedding venue curfew. Alternatively, a rooftop terrace can provide a million-dollar view and a unique setting for your ceremony or reception.

Sports Facilities

From bowling alleys and ice skating rinks to ski resorts and circus training facilities, sports facilities make many fitness-loving couples feel right at home. These venues are a great option if you're looking for a more wholesome, family-friendly celebration.

Stadiums and Theaters

Rent out your favourite team's stadium during the off-season and say "I do" on the field, or get married on the stage of a grand theatre with your name in lights on the marquee. These venues are a fantastic mix of unconventional and nostalgic.

Summer Camps and Retreats

If some of your fondest memories include roasting s'mores, swimming in lakes, and playing outdoor games, consider tying the knot at a summer camp. You can opt for a casual, rustic celebration or bring in fancy décor and have a glamping-inspired wedding!

Train Stations

Train stations evoke the grandeur of locomotive travel in a bygone era. Many include soaring vaulted ceilings, huge windows, marble floors, and outdoor event spaces. They marry vintage architecture with modern amenities, making them the perfect mix of industrial and elegant.

Treehouses

Want to unleash your inner child and embrace your love of nature? Get hitched in a treehouse! Treehouse venues have grown-up amenities such as beautiful balconies, suspension bridges, fireplaces, and Jacuzzis. Many treehouse venues also have multiple cabins where you and your guests can stay the night.

Warehouses and Factories

Industrial-chic weddings are a popular trend, so former factories, revamped warehouses, and converted lofts are in vogue. These spaces are blank slates with characteristics like exposed brick, peeling paint, visible pipes, and cement floors. Pair a raw framework with modern wedding décor, and you've got a striking event space that's both gritty and glamorous.

Boats and Yachts

Getting married on the water is a visual treat, thanks to picturesque harbour, coastal, and skyline views—not to mention the possibility of a glorious sunset. All-inclusive vessels can host an open-air top-deck ceremony, followed by cocktail hour on the second deck and a sit-down dinner in an elegant, enclosed dining room.

Zoos and Aquariums

Take a walk on the wild side and imagine saying your vows accompanied by elephants or giraffes, or dining next to a floor-to-ceiling glass tank full of sea life. At many zoos and aquariums, a percentage of the rental fee also supports ongoing conservation and wildlife protection efforts.

Wear what you want

When it comes to what to wear for your second wedding, the most important thing to remember is that there are no rules. You can wear whatever you want! It's your big day, so wear what makes you feel beautiful and special.

If you want to wear a classic white wedding dress, go for it! If you'd prefer to walk down the aisle in a colourful tuxedo, that's great too. Planning to change your attire every hour? Amazing! Want to wear a jumpsuit or a pantsuit? Go for it. The choice is entirely up to you and your soon-to-be spouse.

If you're looking for some inspiration, here are a few ideas to consider:

• Gold or champagne wedding dress: This colour exudes luxury, elegance, and glamour. Gold gowns can add a touch of sparkle and glamour to your overall look, and they work for a variety of seasons and venues.
• Ivory wedding dress: Ivory is a beautiful, classic colour choice that gives off an understated, romantic vibe. It's also incredibly versatile and can be styled to suit any season, venue, or style.
• Pale colour wedding dress: Shades like blush pink, lilac, light blue, or mint green create a subtle and delicate look, perfect for outdoor, rustic, or garden weddings.
• Coloured lace overlay on a nude slip: This is a sexy, yet refined look.
• White dress with coloured embellishments or appliques: You can add a pop of colour with a bold bouquet or statement earrings.
• Bold-coloured dress: Go for a gold slip dress or a green column gown to make a statement.
• Short wedding dress: These dresses are versatile and stylish, and can be matched to nearly any theme of celebration.
• Wedding jumpsuit: Simple, elegant, and comfortable, a bridal jumpsuit is a great option if you want to move easily and feel relaxed throughout the event.

Remember, the most important thing is to choose an outfit that makes you feel comfortable and happy. It's your day to celebrate love and your new life together, so wear whatever feels right for you!

Include your children

There are many ways to include children in a second wedding. Here are some ideas to make the day special for them and create lasting memories:

Involve Them in the Planning

• Include them in DIY crafts and wedding projects, such as hand-writing place cards, putting together welcome baskets, or stamping envelopes.
• Bring them to the cake tasting and let them help pick the flavour.
• Let them help with choosing decorations that they love, such as fun table names or a novelty cake topper.
• Have them help make a card for you that you can cherish forever.

Give Them a Role in the Ceremony

• Ask them to be your honour attendant, junior bridesmaids or groomsmen, flower girls or boys, or ring bearers.
• Have them walk you down the aisle or stand beside you during your vows.
• Include them in a unity ceremony, such as a sand or salt-pouring ritual, or a hand-fasting ritual where they tie the ribbon.
• Have them do a reading or prayer during the ceremony, or perform if they play an instrument or enjoy singing.
• Ask older children to give a speech or a toast.

Include Them in the Festivities

• Create a signature drink for them, such as Shirley Temples, milkshakes, or non-alcoholic piña coladas.
• Share a first look moment with them before the ceremony.
• Include them in a special dance, or have them join you at the end of your first dance.
• Let them cut the cake and even lick some of the icing!
• Involve them in the entrance, perhaps choosing a fun song to walk in to.
• Display family photos around the venue, including some adorable snaps of the kids.
• Give them a special role within the bridal party and invite them to pre-wedding events like an afternoon tea.
• Make them feel part of a team by handing out family badges or pins.
• Give them a thoughtful gift on the morning of the wedding.
• Include their names on the invites, such as "X & X (your children's names) invite you to celebrate the marriage of their parents, X and X (your names)".

Invite your ex?

Whether or not to invite an ex to your wedding is a tricky question and one that only you can answer. Wedding planner Amy Nichols advises:

> “Generally my advice would be no unless situations are such that you are still very friendly and close with your former spouse and/or his or her family members."

Nichols also notes that if your previous spouse has passed away, inviting their family is "a very nice gesture". However, she points out that it might be difficult for them and they may choose not to attend.

If you're still unsure, it's worth considering your reasons for wanting your ex to be there. If you're hoping to make them jealous, wedding experts agree that this is not a good enough reason to invite them. Your wedding is about you and your partner, not about making your ex feel a certain way.

On the other hand, if you're now friends with your ex and catch up regularly, it's perfectly acceptable to invite them to your wedding. They were once a huge part of your life and it can be a wonderful thing to share your day with them, especially if you're on good enough terms that they're still friends with your wider social circle.

If you're worried about any potential drama, one way to sidestep the issue is to have a surprise wedding. Invite your guests to a different type of celebration and surprise them with a wedding! This way, you can be sure that only those who support your marriage will be there.

Create a registry

Creating a registry for your second wedding is a great way to guide your guests towards gifts that you and your partner truly want and need. While it is not proper etiquette to ask for gifts, it is helpful to provide a guide for those guests who want to buy you something to mark the occasion.

If this is your second wedding, you may already have a lot of the items that first-timers would typically register for, such as glassware and bed linens. In that case, you could register for cash, gift cards, experiences, charitable donations, or items that reflect your favourite hobbies instead.

If you're looking for cash gifts, you could use a site like The Knot Cash Funds to create a fund for a honeymoon or a nest egg. You can also register for gift cards at stores like Airbnb, Delta Air Lines, REI, Lowe's, HomeGoods, Disney, Fanatics, The Container Store, and Shutterfly.

If you're interested in registering for experiences, The Knot Registry Store offers over 1,500 unique experiences, including romantic dinners, adventurous activities, and relaxing dates.

You could also use your registry as an opportunity to give back by creating a fund for a charity of your choice.

Remember, it's still considered a faux pas to mention gifts or a registry on your wedding invitation or any other wedding correspondence. However, sharing your registry information on your wedding website is now acceptable.

Frequently asked questions