So you have been married before and are a little unsure how to approach your second marriage ceremony. What to do?
Marriage at any time is a time for ceremony and celebration. It’s a time for those close to you to share in your joy, a time for them to give you their blessing, their ongoing love and support.
As you have been married before lets look at the second marriage ceremony options you could consider.
*A simple intimate gathering, just yourselves, two witnesses and the officiant or celebrant.
*A traditional ceremony may be exactly what you are seeking with both families and your community of friends and colleagues present to give you their blessing and support.
*You may have children who you wish to include in your ceremony. In fact you may both be bringing children from your previous marriage. Second marriage ceremonies can be very special when children are acknowledged and included.
*You may be leaning towards something a little spiritual, acknowledging deceased parent/s or siblings by lighting a candle in their memory.
Every element of the second marriage ceremony, including the music, can be personalized.
*The introduction can contain inclusion of snippets of your journey together, as well as your views on getting married again.
*Poetry or readings may reflect how fortunate you were to find one another, more on your thoughts and feelings on marriage or about one another. Readings can continue a particular theme for example, a journey, love or friendship. Music should reflect your tastes and feelings and any cultural connections.For example if the new bride is Spanish you might play flamenco music while you sign the register. Music can be recorded or live…..children or friends could play an instrument.
*Inclusion of family – particularly children or friends in the ceremony
*Each of your personal and or ring vows can contain statements and promises to one another. They can in part contain some promises a little on the flippant side, for example concerning attending shoe sales, football watching or walking the dog, in addition to your more serious promises reflecting your love, devotion and fidelity. All vows, whether personal or ring vows are emotionally and spiritually binding,
*The whole of the second marriage ceremony should be a reflection of your personal values and ideals, your beliefs, true feelings, your hopes and desires for each other for your future life together!
Marriage is an important event in your life and one to be celebrated, no matter that you have been married before. The celebratory event revolves around your ceremony, it can and should be personalized. Truly personalized ceremonies are inspirational but above all, they are unique and they are memorable. Long after other ceremonies have been forgotten, yours will be remembered.
About this author: Elizabeth Gray is an Australian celebrant who conducts ceremonies for all life’s occasions. Read more on how you can create your own truly personalized and inspirational second marriage ceremony in Elizabeth’s e-book at:
Other e-books you would find really helpful when composing your ceremony are: 101 vows, ring vows and also the spiritual ceremonies compilation.
Article navigation