wedding attire

Wedding Attire for Second Marriages

Many people have strong ideas about what their wedding day will look like. Details such as the venue, members of the wedding party, and the cake are critical and require early coordination and decision-making. This is also true for your attire. This is one of the most important events in a person’s life, and most Canadians want to recall the day fondly.

People marrying for a second (or third) time often have a different perspective on their nuptials this time around. Because you’ve walked down the aisle before, your thoughts on certain details may have changed between now and then. What might’ve been important the first time around may not matter as much. Still, it’s important that you’re able to look back on your second wedding day positively. Here are some thoughts about how you can show up for your next nuptials.

White Is All Right

In many cultures, white is a color that tends to be associated with weddings, especially as a bridal gown and sometimes as a groom’s tuxedo. In many societies, white is associated with concepts of purity and innocence, but that doesn’t mean you can’t wear it again. Your second nuptials should be everything you and your partner dream about. If that includes wearing white, wear your white and wear it well! White is a great color when it comes to comfort, practicality, and versatility. It works with almost any color or theme, and it never goes out of style.

Do You, Your Hue

Of course, if you want to ditch the white, that’s fine too. Some people associate it with doing something for the very first time. If you want to go a different way, now’s the time. Do you have a favorite color or a shade that works well with your skin? It’s your wedding and you can “throw a different shade.” Are you looking for inspiration? Think about when you’ll be tying the knot. The seasons or time of year are often good starting points for wedding apparel themes. Outdoor or daytime events lend themselves to off-white or pastel colors, but darker colors, jewel tones, and metallic shades will also work.

The Casual Approach To Attire

Whereas many weddings involve formal gowns and tuxedos, a second ceremony is a great opportunity to go casual. Prioritizing comfort over fashion is never the wrong move. Some reasons to ditch formal or semiformal wear include the following:

  • Smaller budget
  • Changes in body shape
  • More low-key or less formal ceremony
  • Outdoor event, particularly during the warmer months
  • Comfort as priority

Your commitment to marriage isn’t dictated by what you wear, so feel free to abandon formalness. 

The Attire Switch-Up

You may have found a bridal gown or tuxedo to be restricting the first time around. Even if you don’t go 100% casual, a second marriage ceremony is an ideal opportunity to turn traditional attire on its head. Instead of a white formal gown, you may consider a cocktail dress or pantsuit. You can also play with shape, opting for something asymmetrical or incorporating prints and patterns into your look. 

Similarly, a few accessory substitutions can also put a nice spin on the look of a suit. Consider ditching neckwear and substituting casual or fashion sneakers for patent-leather soft shoes. Instead of wearing three-piece suits, abandon the coat and just go with a vest and dress shirt on top. There are so many substitutions that work for first and second ceremonies alike.  

If love leads you down the aisle a second time, there’s no limit when it comes to your wedding outfit. Wear the colors, styles, and patterns that reflect who you are at this stage in life. Dress it up, dress it down. The only thing that matters is that this new ceremony is everything you and your spouse-to-be hoped for.

Smart Tips for Your Wedding-Day Suit

If you plan to wear the always fashionable suit at your wedding, read on to learn more about the various options to gain a better understanding.

If you plan to wear the always fashionable suit at your wedding, read on to learn more about the various options to gain a better understanding.

Suits are a classic wedding attire choice. With the right cut and tailoring, they can be expertly fashioned to flatter a wide range of body types. If you plan to get married in a suit but aren’t familiar with their design details, take heart. Understanding the anatomy of this timeless ensemble can assist you in making the best apparel choice for your big day.

Suiting 101: A Basic Breakdown

Esquire writer Hans Aschim diagrams a suit’s components in a May 2018 piece. As a key detail, jacket lapels define the suit’s overall look. Most fall into one of three categories:

  • Notch, the classic tightly angled lapel
  • Peak, cut out and point up to the shoulders
  • Shawl, a smooth lapel with no notches

Vents are constructed in the back of a jacket and permit the wearer freedom of movement. A single vent in the center is the most common. Meanwhile, double-vent styles place one on each side seam and can be more comfortable for some individuals.

A suit’s drop refers to the difference between the jacket’s chest measurement and the trousers’ waist size. The average drop is usually 6 inches, but that number can be higher for folks with wider shoulders and narrower waists. Conversely, it can be lower in portly individuals with larger waistlines.

Finally, the “break” refers to the amount of trouser fabric hem gathering at the shoe. He Spoke Style describes the various trouser breaks typically available and the looks they create. No break or a slight break style are modern and fashion-forward, while medium and full breaks tend to be more conservative.

Looking Great Begins With Correct Suit Fit

Tailors can expertly alter a garment to your dimensions, but there are key areas in which proper fit is essential in the first place. As Art of Manliness points out, jacket shoulders are notoriously difficult to alter. It’s also hard to modify a trouser seat that’s too loose, fix sleeves attached at an incorrect angle, or make extreme adjustments to a jacket’s closure or bottom hem.

GQ’s editors discuss an ideal fit in an October 2015 article. Many wearers overestimate their jacket sizes, so you should select yours as true to your body size as possible. Your jacket’s shoulder seams should end right at your shoulder blades. Make sure that the jacket’s lapels lie flat on your chest when it’s buttoned. Ideally, the jacket should also fit snuggly around your torso. Your trousers must sit at your natural waist, with legs that aren’t baggy or excessively wide and hems ending around the tops of your shoes.

Pay Attention to Vital Details

Structure and fit are important when you’re shopping for suits. To guide you in fine-tuning your look, Martha Stewart Weddings provides some useful tips. First, you should choose items that align with your typical style. Super-trendy selections aren’t usually a good idea unless they’re already part of your everyday fashion. Next, keep in mind that neutral shades such as gray, tan, navy, or black easily complement or match other colors. Choose your fabrics according to the season, saving wool and cashmere for cooler weather and lighter options such as linen and seersucker for summer. If you find the world of alterations a little confusing, the editors recommend carrying a “cheat sheet” to help you communicate with your tailor. Jackets should nip at the waist but avoid pulling on its buttons. Ask for shirt sleeve hems that extend ¼ inch below your jacket sleeve when your arms are at your sides. Ideally, trouser hems should graze your shoelaces.

Suits are a perennial sartorial staple, with a wide range of customization options for nearly any wearer. With carefully chosen details such as cut, fit, fabric, and color, this expertly tailored garment is an important foundation of your wedding-day look.