The second “Yes”: Planning a Wedding when it’s not your first.
- Hizkia Larranaga
- Sep 10, 2025
- 3 min read
A second wedding carries its own kind of beauty. The joy is real, but so is the shift in perspective. There’s love, hope, and excitement, but also a quiet awareness that life doesn’t always unfold the way we once imagined.
I often hear people say, “this is your re-do.” But I don’t believe that’s what a second wedding is. Your first wedding still holds enormous meaning, it was a reflection of who you were at that time in your life. Honoring and acknowledging that chapter allows you to step into this new celebration with authenticity, gratitude, and presence.
If this is you, know this: your feelings are valid. It’s okay if the emotions are layered.
Unexpected emotions.
A second “yes” often carries more than joy—it carries history. You might feel grief for what didn’t last, nervousness about stepping into marriage again, or deep gratitude for a second chance at love. Those emotions can exist together. They don’t cancel each other out; they deepen the meaning of the day.
Priorities and practical shifts.
When it’s not your first walk down the aisle, both your heart and your plans often look different. The heart of the day becomes less about scale and more about the experience shared with the people you love. Presence replaces perfection. Relationships take center stage.
And with that shift in perspective comes practical changes too. Guest lists may be smaller, family dynamics may require new conversations, and children, if they’re part of your life, deserve to be honored in meaningful ways. These choices aren’t about comparison; they’re about creating a wedding that feels true to this chapter of your story.
A pause before the day.
Before the whirlwind begins, give yourself the gift of stillness. Take a moment just for you, to honor your feelings, your journey, and the love that led you here.
A morning ritual just for you.
Before the pace of the day sweeps you away, carve out a quiet ritual to ground yourself.
Prepare your favorite drink. Coffee, tea, or even a glass of lemon water, something that feels like comfort.
Create a space. A chair by the window, a cozy corner, anywhere you can breathe.
Light a candle. Let it mark the start of a sacred pause.
Press play. Music that settles your heart. Ludovico Einaudi is my favorite for mornings like this.
Open a journal. Begin with fresh pages you’ll carry beyond today, filled with gratitude, hope, and words you need to hear.
Gentle Affirmations.
Whisper them to yourself, slow and steady:
Today I choose presence over perfection.
I am open to joy, gratitude, and peace in this moment.
This chapter is mine to write with intention and love.
I honor where I’ve been, and I celebrate where I am now.
Love has led me here, and I trust it to carry me forward.
Journal prompts to begin with.
What am I most grateful for today? How does that gratitude shape how I want to show up?
What lesson from my past do I want to carry into this marriage?
How do I want to feel as I walk down the aisle, and what can I release to make space for that feeling?
What small details today will remind me to be present in the moment?
What is one promise I want to make to myself as I begin this new chapter?
A second wedding is not a redo. It’s a redefinition. It’s a chance to honor the journey that brought you here, including your first “yes”, while creating a day that reflects who you are now.
Your past matters. It shaped you. And your future deserves to be celebrated with presence, love, and clarity.
You don’t have to hold it all together alone. As a bridal concierge, I step in as the calm presence, the emotional anchor, and the one who reminds you that this time, it’s about more than planning a wedding.
If you’re planning a second wedding and want the support to focus on meaning over management, let’s talk about how I can be by your side.
