Non-Traditional Ideas For Your Second Wedding

Planning your second wedding opens up a world of possibilities. Unlike the first time around, you have the wisdom of prior wedding planning experience, allowing you to more easily craft a unique celebration that reflects your journey as a couple. With subsequent weddings, many couples are redefining their dream celebrations by breaking free from tradition and incorporating creative ideas in their special day.

As with any prior wedding, you can celebrate however you wish. Whether it’s a grand affair or an intimate gathering, wearing white or opting for something dramatic and different, the beauty of a second wedding lies in its ability to be uniquely authentic to you. 

So, let’s get into some non-traditional second wedding ideas, with an emphasis on celebrating your love in a way that feels truly genuine.

Fun Second Wedding Ideas

Keep It Intimate by Eloping or Having a Micro Wedding

Planning a second wedding offers couples the chance to prioritize intimacy and focus on what truly matters to them. Having likely experienced the pressures and expenses of a larger wedding the first time around, many couples opt for a more intimate second celebration. 

Whether it’s an elopement or a microwedding, scaling down allows you to channel your resources into intentional details that reflect your relationship. This shift towards a smaller affair holds particular appeal for couples who understand the financial and stressful toll a big wedding can create. By choosing a more intimate setting, you can plan a day that feels deeply personal and revolves around meaningful connections and cherished moments.

Whether exchanging vows in a secluded mountain setting or in the comfort of your own backyard, eloping or having a microwedding enables you to shape your celebration in a way that feels authentic and comfortable. It’s about creating an intentional day that celebrates your love in its truest form.

Choose a Second Wedding Destination That Speaks to Your Heart

If you’re looking to make your second wedding truly exceptional, why not choose to say “I do” in a place that holds special meaning for both of you? There is no greater chance to embark on a memorable journey and exchange vows in a setting that resonates with your hearts. Whether it’s a destination you both hold near and dear, or a place you’ve always dreamed of visiting together, the possibilities are endless.

Perhaps you find solace in the rugged beauty of the mountains, or maybe you’re captivated by the otherworldliness of the red arches and desert landscapes of the West. Imagine the feeling of incorporating such a breathtaking backdrop into your special day. It’s an opportunity to create unforgettable memories and infuse your wedding with personal significance.

Choosing a meaningful destination also offers the perfect opportunity to combine your wedding with a honeymoon or turn it into a romantic road trip. If there are numerous activities you want to enjoy at your destination, you could even stretch out your micro wedding or elopement into an epic weekend-long celebration. Why limit yourselves to just one epic location when you can explore several and create a truly unforgettable experience?

Whether you’re exchanging vows against the backdrop of a majestic mountain range or beneath the starlit sky of a desert, selecting a wedding destination that speaks to your heart ensures that your celebration is as unique and remarkable as your love story.

Plan Your Second Wedding Ceremony at a Nontraditional Location

If your first wedding took place at a traditional venue or a church, you might be craving something entirely different for your second wedding. By embracing the unconventional, you can choose to host your micro wedding or elopement at a location that authentically reflects your unique style and personality.

An Airbnb is one great option for this. The homey and comfortable atmosphere of these vacation properties provides a cozy and intimate setting for your special day. With countless unique and beautiful options available, there’s an Airbnb out there to match every vision. If you are wondering what kind of Colorado Airbnbs you could choose for your micro wedding or elopement, check out my blog post featuring my favorite Colorado Airbnbs!.

For those seeking a more unique experience, imagine saying “I do” in a hot air balloon basket, surrounded by breathtaking views from above. Alternatively, picture a romantic ceremony in a picturesque park, botanical garden, or against the backdrop of a tranquil lake.

A library, historic building, museum, or courthouse also offers a distinctive setting for your special day. Imagine the elegance of exchanging vows against the timeless architecture of a historic building or the cultural significance of a museum setting.

These nontraditional locations allow you to create a wedding that truly reflects your personality and aesthetic. Be it a quirky Airbnb or a classic and chic courthouse like the Byron White Courthouse in Denver, the possibilities are endless, and the result is sure to be an unforgettable celebration.

Include Your Children in Your Micro Wedding or Elopement

If you have children and the thought of them being part of your special day fills your heart with joy, then let’s make it happen! However, if an intimate escape for just the two of you resonates more with your desires, know that the highly personal decision is always yours to make.

If you are contemplating the delightful possibility of including your kids in your second wedding, there are plenty of creative ideas to add that extra touch of magic and kid-friendly fun to your plans.

Consider starting with a family first look, capturing the sweet moment when you first see each other all dressed up for the occasion. It’s a heartwarming way to include your children in the excitement of the day, and the photos are always so precious.

Additionally, involving your kids in the planning process can be incredibly meaningful for both you and them. Letting them contribute ideas or delegating tasks to them for your second wedding can make them feel included and valued.

Another memorable idea is to have your children create drawings or write letters for you to open at just the right moment on your wedding day. These personal touches add a heartfelt element to the celebration and create lasting memories for everyone involved.

By planning a family-friendly celebration, your wedding day becomes not just about your love as a couple but also about the beautiful bond you share with your children, making it a special experience for the whole new blended family.

For more tips and ideas on how to incorporate your children into your micro wedding or elopement, head over to my other guide.

Choose a Loved One to Officiate Your Ceremony or Forego an Officiant and Self-Solemnize

You could add a fun twist to your second wedding by having a loved one officiate your ceremony. Having someone officiate who knows you and your partner well and who has been a part of your journey together can create unforgettable moments for both you and your officiating loved one.

Alternatively, you can opt to forego an officiant altogether! In locations like Colorado and Washington D.C., self-solemnization is an option, meaning you don’t need an officiant to legally solemnize your marriage. This typically simplifies the planning process and coordination, allowing you to focus more on other aspects of your celebration.

Whether you choose to involve a loved one or embrace the simplicity of self-solemnization, the decision is entirely yours. Both options offer opportunities to personalize your ceremony and make your second wedding a truly unforgettable experience.

Break with Tradition by Planning Heartfelt Moments for Your Wedding Day

For your second wedding, consider being extra intentional with your wedding day timeline by incorporating heartfelt moments. These moments can include watching the sunrise together, cooking breakfast with one another, writing love letters, penning your vows on the morning of your micro wedding or elopement, and more. By mindfully carving out time for these meaningful moments, you can create opportunities to slow down, cherish the company of your partner, and fully embrace the reality of the day.

Wedding days often pass by in a blur, but by incorporating mindful moments, you can create core memories to cherish for a lifetime. Taking the time to savor these special moments adds depth and meaning to your celebration, ensuring that your second wedding is truly filled with raw emotions.

To help couples plan their celebrations intentionally, I provide all of my couples with a questionnaire full of ideas and moments like these to include in their wedding day plans. Once we find what speaks to you, I then lay out a timeline that includes all of your chosen activities and traditions into a cohesive flow for your wedding or elopement day.

Celebrate Adventurously with Exciting Activities

In addition to carving out mindful moments on your wedding day, consider incorporating thrilling activities into your second celebration. Think about activities that you’ve always dreamed of doing and that would make your wedding day even more epic.

Perhaps you’d love to go on a hike through the mountains or go horseback riding across sandy dunes. Alternatively, consider an exciting helicopter tour to view your favorite landscapes from a completely different perspective. Another option could be renting an Airbnb or VRBO with a hot tub, providing the perfect opportunity for a relaxing soak, or consider hiring a private chef for a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience at your rented digs. For a truly magical time, venture to a Dark Sky Location and take breathtaking portraits while stargazing under the night sky.

These adventurous activities not only add an exciting element to your second wedding but also create incredible memories that you and your partner will cherish for a lifetime.

What is Proper Etiquette for Your Second Marriage?

Lucky for you, there is no etiquette, rules, or wedding day do’s and don’ts when it comes to planning your second wedding. While all people deserve to be treated with compassion and respect, etiquette rules that extend beyond such basic human decency should have no bearing on your wedding day. After all, this day is about celebrating your union, not conforming to others’ desires.

When considering what to leave behind for your second wedding, it’s a deeply personal decision. However, you have the advantage of hindsight, allowing you to reflect on aspects of your first wedding that didn’t resonate with you. The beauty of your second wedding is the freedom to make it entirely your own, with the knowledge of where to focus.

Consider discarding anything from your first wedding that you wouldn’t want to repeat. Whether it’s a large guest list, traditions that felt out of place or uncomfortable (I’m looking at you, garter toss), or anything else that didn’t align with your vision.

With your second wedding, you might find it liberating to let go of the notion of planning for others’ enjoyment. This time around, prioritize what truly matters to you and your partner, ensuring that your celebration authentically reflects your vision and desires.

Ready To Plan An Epic Second Wedding?

Your second wedding is a celebration of love and commitment, entirely yours to shape as you see fit. Whether you choose to follow tradition, forge your own path, or strike a balance between the two, the most important thing is that it reflects your unique journey and vision as a couple.

Remember, this day is about you and your partner. It’s an opportunity to create cherished memories that will last a lifetime. So, regardless of the choice you make—whether it’s a grand affair or an intimate gathering—prioritize authenticity, stress-free planning, and moments that resonate with you both.

As you embark on this new chapter together, embrace the freedom to design a wedding day that truly feels like yours, without outside pressure. After all, in the end, it’s the love and connection between you and your partner that make the day unforgettable.

Ready to start planning your dream second wedding? Get in touch and we can start crafting a day that celebrates your love story in the most memorable way possible.