Second Marriages

So you're defying the gloomy statistics and pledging your troth a second time? Good on you! But don't just go for a reprise of your look first time around. For one thing, you were younger then, and for another, the days of the huge frothy meringue gown and flowing train are numbered, assuming you went for the fairytale full monte. You're not a romantic maiden now (were you then?), but a more mature, more discerning human being with ideas of your own on what suits you.

Second time brides don't need a veil and a tiara. Nor do they even need a dress. Why not go for a really chic white trouser suit, a la Bianca Jagger when she married Mick? She went without a shirt, as rock chicks do, but you could pop a silk camisole or a white waistcoat underneath your suit and look effortlessly elegant.

Or, if you prefer a dress, avoid frills and furbelows and stick to a great cut and fantastic fabric. Doesn't have to be white or ivory (did you know it wasn't till Queen Victoria wore white at her wedding that it was widely adopted as the bridal colour of choice?) Choose your favourite colour - ruby red, sapphire blue, lime green - and find a fabulously simple dress.

Now that the veil option's gone, you can still go for gorgeous headgear. Buy a really interesting hat (Philip Treacy or Stephen Jones, or, if you're on a budget, Monsoon), or choose a delicate hair fascinator to enhance your beautifully coiffed hair. Alternatively, splurge on a wonderful haircut and colour and go bareheaded.

And what a heaven-sent opportunity to buy new wedding shoes and wedding handbags! You can have a Sarah Jessica Parker moment and rush down to LK Bennett, Emma Hope or your nearest Debenhams, Fenwicks or John Lewis. Or why not just log on to Henry Kaye.co.uk! You can call the shots - because as the song says, love is lovelier the second time around!

To view Henry Kaye's full collection of simply stylish wedding shoes, beautiful bridesmaid dresses and stunning wedding accessories, click here.

And for more useful wedding information that will make your day that bit more extra special second time around, click here.