Question from Patricia:
I’m marrying for the first time, to a widower. We both have large families – he has three children from his first marriage – we both have several siblings. We would love a large wedding, with all the bells and whistles, but what is appropriate? Can I have several attendants (sisters/nieces/friends)? How do we, (or should we) honour the memory of his first wife at the ceremony?
All the wedding blogs on the net seem to be young brides. Help!
Answer from Bridal Expert Angela:
Hi Patricia, and congratulations on your upcoming wedding. Yes. Have all the bells and whistles you want! Why not!? Yes, it is appropriate. Yes, you can have several attendants. It is not appropriate for you or your husband to "include" his first wife in the wedding. This is a new life you are starting, and it is inappropriate to have an old wife at your wedding—even though she won’t really be there. But it is inappropriate.
As for all the brides being young, that is just marketing. Statistics show that the AVERAGE marrying age is 28 years old. As a minister, I can tell you that I marry almost as many "mature" couples as I do "young" couples. So don’t let it worry you. Enjoy yourself and create some great memories for yourself.
Feel free to email again if you have any questions.
Angela Fiebelkorn, Ask The Expert
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