How to Find a Wedding Dress for Your Second Trip Down the Aisle (2024)

Life can take us on some unexpected twists and turns, leading some brides to embark on a second chapter of their love story. Whether it's a postponed wedding finally coming to fruition, another chance at everlasting love, or an intimate vow renewal ceremony on a significant anniversary, planning a second trip down the aisle is often more difficult than the first, particularly when it comes to finding a wedding dress.

That's because second-chance brides are typically more sure of themselves and their place in the world, which is usually translated through a newfound sense of fashion. But even with the kind of self-assuredness that only comes with age and experience, finding a gown for your second wedding can still prove to be tricky. After all, no matter if you're getting married for the first or third time, wedding dress shopping is an experience that can often lead to a little bit of stress.

To help you navigate this journey, we spoke with a wedding dress designer to gather the most important information, practical advice, and realistic insight to make shopping for your second wedding dress a breeze.Read on to learn more.

What to Know Before Wedding Dress Shopping Again

Shopping for a wedding dress conjures up a lot of feelings, especially if it’s your second trip down the aisle. Some brides may experience feelings of doubt, while others may have a sense of excitement as they embark on this well-awaited new life chapter. Whatever your particular circ*mstances might be, wedding dress shopping (again) requires the closing of one chapter in order to embrace a new journey.

“It’s normal to feel pressure or even a bit of anxiety—you want everything to be perfect,” says wedding dress designer Andrea Osei. But regardless of how much time has passed, your first wedding (and dress) will be different from the second because you are different. So step into this new chapter with an open heart and mind. “Remember, the dress and wedding are only one part of the journey,” adds Osei. “No two journeys are the same, the second time can and should be a new and different experience.”

Tips for Finding a Wedding Dress for the Second Time

Even though you may be sorting through a slew of emotions, shopping for a wedding dress should be fun and memorable. The choices are boundless, from lace gowns to chic jumpsuits and everything in between, which makes for an exciting experience if you're looking to bring a bit of personality to this new celebration. However, before you step into a bridal salon and begin shopping, it's important to keep a few tips in mind, as highlighted below.

Don't compare your second look to your first dress.

Release yourself from comparison and find joy in the now, as it doesn’t do you any favors to look back on the past. Instead, focus on the present and how you look and feel in every dress you try on. “It is very unlikely that you are the same exact person, with the same exact desires and thoughts as the first time you went through the process,” says Osei. “This is a new and different experience; enjoy it.”

Try on something new.

You hear this advice often for first-time brides, but it applies to second-time brides as well. Though you may think you know exactly what you want, you might be surprised by how you feel about something that’s not your typical style.

“I tell my brides, ‘This is your rom-com’,” says Osei. “Try on dresses that help you discover what’s flattering and reaffirm what you don’t like. Give yourself the opportunity to say yes to something that you couldn’t have pictured.” And even if you end up going with the dress you initially envisioned, getting out of your comfort zone and trying new styles is still a valuable experience.

Go for something you absolutely love.

According to Osei, when a bride finds “the one,” there’s a noticeable energy shift in the room. Therefore, pay attention to how you feel in every dress, and don’t allow yourself to be intimidated or influenced by the opinion of others. This is your decision, and you should be head over heels in love with whatever look you choose.

Don’t delay the process.

If it’s been a long time since your first wedding, or since you've purchased a gown for your postponed nuptials, you may have forgotten just how long it takes to receive a wedding dress once it's been ordered from the bridal salon. “Bridal gowns tend to have long lead times, and not acting sooner than later can limit the styles and designers you have to consider for your big day,” says Osei. Thus, order your dress six months to a year before the big day to ensure it arrives on time, and to allow for any alterations that might be necessary.

Who to Bring Wedding Dress Shopping

Wedding dress shopping is typically enjoyable and stress-free when it’s limited to a small and intimate experience. If you invite too many people, you run the risk of trying to cater to competing tastes and filtering through differing opinions instead of listening to yourself. That's why it's best to invite a few trusted individuals who know you well and understand your bridal vision.

An alternative option would be to have two consultations: one solo and one with your chosen group. “In one-on-one sessions, the bride's voice and expectations can be heard by an industry expert,” says Osei. “Once gowns have been narrowed down, the bride can have a showing of her hand-picked selections and top contenders. This way the audience she selects knows that all the dresses they are about to see on her are ones she loves.”

How to Make Your Shopping Experience Special

Whether you’re on your second marriage or you’re renewing your vows with your true love, shopping for a wedding dress is, by far, one of the best parts of planning a wedding. So go ahead and make it a day to remember by documenting the experience with tons of photos and videos. “Document your day with photographs and a note to your future self,” suggests Osei. “I’ve seen some brides go the distance with pre and post-itineraries—mini spa day, a special meal afterwards, [or] a night out.”

At the end of the day, it’s the memories that you make during your wedding that will last a lifetime. A dress can certainly help bring out your best self and boost your confidence, but that bridal glow always comes from within. “Keep an open mind and give yourself grace,” adds Osei. “No matter how beautiful a dress is, you bring the dress to life, not the other way around.”