
Planning a wedding can be stressful, especially when it comes to finding the perfect dress. Whether it's your first or second wedding, you deserve to look and feel your best. While some second-time brides may feel hesitant or unsure about how to choose their wedding dress, the most important thing to remember is that you don't have to follow tradition. You can opt for a simple, affordable, non-traditional dress or go bold with a statement-making gown. It's your day to shine, so choose a dress that reflects your unique style, personality, and fashion sense.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of guests | Few trusted individuals who know you well and understand your bridal vision |
| Consultations | One solo and one with your chosen group |
| Time | Order your dress 6 months to a year before the big day |
| Colour | White, blush pink, black, grey, pastel, champagne, ivory, cream, eggshell, alabaster |
| Style | Simple, bold, vintage, chic jumpsuit, ball gown, sheath silhouette, lace panels, cocktail-length dress, couture suit, long dress |
| Silhouette | Drop waist, A-line |
| Neckline | V-neckline, one-shoulder |
| Fabric | Tulle, satin, lace, sequins, embroidery, florals, cotton |
| Hemline | Tea-length, mini |
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What You'll Learn
- There are no rules – choose a dress that reflects you
- Consider the colour – white is still appropriate, but you can be adventurous
- Keep it casual – opt for a simple, affordable, non-traditional dress
- Choose the right time – order 6 months to a year in advance
- Make it a solo experience – avoid too many opinions

There are no rules – choose a dress that reflects you
There are no rules when it comes to choosing a wedding dress for your second wedding – it's all about choosing a dress that reflects you. This is your chance to prioritise what's important to you and wear something that's unique to your personality, lifestyle, and fashion sense. If you've always dreamed of walking down the aisle in a traditional wedding gown, go for it! Or, if you're not feeling too adventurous, opt for neutral, pastel shades to keep it simple and sweet.
You can also play around with the shades of your white dress to set it apart from your first wedding dress. Pick from soft ivories to stark, snow whites, or even a white dress with a twist like an all-over sequin number. If you didn't get to wear a white gown the first time around, this is your chance. But if you did wear white before, you can choose another gorgeous gown in a different shade, silhouette, neckline, or fabric to create a new experience.
You might want to spend less money, keep it casual, or choose alternative styles and colours for your second wedding. A simple, affordable, non-traditional wedding dress can keep costs and stress levels low. Picture a casual sundress, a simple-but-sophisticated satin dress, or a chic tea-length cocktail dress. You can also lean into the alternative wedding vibe with bold colours, embroidery, or florals. If you're not feeling a dress at all, choose a stylish jumpsuit in your favourite colour instead!
Your wedding dress should make you feel confident. If you took the princess-style route the first time, you might want to try something different. Encore brides can wear whatever they like, including dresses that show off every and any part of their body. If you're worried about your dress not being 'age-appropriate', don't be! Just try to select a dress that you feel comfortable and confident in.
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Consider the colour – white is still appropriate, but you can be adventurous
When it comes to choosing a wedding dress for a second wedding, there are no rules. You can wear any colour you feel comfortable in. While traditional etiquette dictates that a bride should wear white on her wedding day, a second wedding offers the opportunity to break away from tradition and choose a dress that reflects your personal style.
If you want to wear white, you absolutely can. White wedding dresses symbolise marriage, love, hope, and beauty, and you can play around with shades, from soft ivories to stark whites. You can also add a pop of colour to your white dress with a coloured belt, bow, or gems.
If you want to branch out from white, you could opt for neutral, pastel shades to keep it simple and sweet. Pale colours with fine embellishments can create an ethereal and romantic look. You could also go for a bolder colour, like gold or champagne, which exudes luxury, elegance, and glamour. A champagne gold dress is versatile and can be dressed up or down, while a metallic gold gown adds a touch of sparkle and glamour.
If you're feeling adventurous, you could try a bright ombre gown in silk or ruffled chiffon, or choose a colour that fills you with happiness, like orange, bright blue, or yellow. You could also wear black, which is a sophisticated and chic option that works for most venues and seasons (although it may not be the best choice for a summer beach wedding).
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Keep it casual – opt for a simple, affordable, non-traditional dress
If you're looking for a simple, affordable, and non-traditional dress for your second wedding, there are plenty of options to choose from. Here are some tips to help you find the perfect dress:
Keep an open mind and don't feel limited to traditional wedding dresses. You can find many non-traditional options by searching for white or white floral dresses, or even bridesmaid dresses, which often come in cream and other neutral shades. You can also try looking for unique wedding gowns or non-traditional styles from popular wedding dress designers.
Consider the venue and season of your wedding. If you're having a summer beach wedding, black might not be the best choice, but it can be a sophisticated and chic option for most other venues. If you're hesitant to wear white again, you can opt for neutral, pastel shades, or even blush pink for a glamorous and effortless look. You can also play with different shades of white, from soft ivory to stark snow white.
Think about your personal style and what makes you feel confident. If you love your little black dress and want your unique personality to shine through, go for it! You can also add a pop of colour with a floral embroidered dress, or a colourful floral cape over a classic white gown. If you're feeling bold, you can even opt for an all-black wedding dress or a gold material with a dramatic shoulder bow.
Don't forget to enjoy the process! Wedding dress shopping should be a fun and stress-free experience. Invite a few trusted individuals who know you well and understand your vision to help you choose the perfect dress. Remember, the most important thing is to pick a dress that reflects your style and makes you feel happy and confident on your special day.
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Choose the right time – order 6 months to a year in advance
Choosing the right time to order your wedding dress is crucial to ensuring that it arrives on time and that you have the opportunity to make any necessary alterations. While the timeline for ordering a wedding dress may vary depending on factors such as the complexity of the design and the availability of the designer, it is generally recommended that you order your dress six months to a year before the wedding.
This timeframe allows for a stress-free experience, giving you ample time to shop around, compare different styles, and make an informed decision without feeling rushed. It also ensures that you can avoid paying additional rush fees, which may apply if you order your dress with less than eight months to go until the wedding.
During this period, you can also finalise the other aspects of your bridal look, such as your veil, shoes, jewellery, and other accessories. It is advisable to bring these items to your dress fittings so that you can visualise your complete wedding-day look and make any necessary adjustments.
Ordering your dress in advance also accounts for the lead time needed by the designer or boutique to create your gown, which can vary depending on their policies and the customisations required. This advance planning ensures that you can confidently walk down the aisle, knowing that your dress is absolutely perfect for you.
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Make it a solo experience – avoid too many opinions
Wedding dress shopping can be stressful, especially if it's your second time around. It's important to make the experience as enjoyable and stress-free as possible. One way to do this is to limit the number of people you bring along. While it can be fun to share the experience with friends and family, inviting too many people can result in competing tastes and differing opinions, which can make it difficult to make a decision.
Instead, consider making it a solo experience. This way, you can focus on your own tastes and preferences without feeling pressured to please others. You can take your time to browse and try on dresses without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. If you still want the input of others, you can always invite a few trusted individuals who know you well and understand your bridal vision.
Alternatively, you can have two consultations: one solo and one with your chosen group. This way, you can first narrow down the selection to dresses that you love, and then get the opinions of your chosen companions. This approach ensures that you are happy with the options presented to your companions, and it can make the experience more efficient and enjoyable for everyone involved.
Ultimately, the decision is yours, and it's important to choose a dress that you love and feel confident in. Pay attention to how you feel in each dress, and don't be influenced by the opinions of others. Remember, it's your big day, and you deserve to feel like the best version of yourself.
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Frequently asked questions
You don't have to follow tradition for your second wedding. You can wear white, or opt for a different colour. It's up to you! If you want to wear white, you can play around with shades, from soft ivories to snow whites. If you don't want to wear white, you could choose a bold colour like red, or a pastel shade like blush pink.
Your wedding dress should reflect your personality, lifestyle and fashion sense. If you want to go for a traditional wedding dress, that's fine. But if you didn't want to wear a princess-style gown the first time around, now might be your chance. You could choose a simple, affordable, non-traditional dress, or even a jumpsuit.
Wedding dress shopping can be stressful, but it's important to listen to yourself and not be influenced by others' opinions. Invite a few trusted individuals who know you well and understand your bridal vision. You could also have two consultations: one solo, and one with your chosen group. Make sure you order your dress early to ensure it arrives on time.











































