The surprise wedding tradition couples tying the knot for a second time are ditching

Couples tying the knot for a second time are ditching three major wedding traditions.

These brides and grooms are forgoing the bouquet and garter tosses, and are giving the father-daughter dance a miss.

It makes sense for couples exchanging vows for a second time who are older, often each with children. Many have lost parents and are more focused on group traditions and quality receptions.

Instead of a father-daughter dance, these couples, who tend to have older children, are choosing to have a family dance to show "some kind of inclusion of family from both sides as opposed to just one", Darcy Allen, General Manager of Easy Weddings tells nine.com.au.

"We are seeing a lot of second weddings with a smaller group of guests around 40 to 50 of their nearest and dearest, typically at a high-end restaurant or hotel where they can treat their guests to a fantastic meal and experience, as opposed to a larger wedding with all the bells and whistles.

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"Often we are seeing a court house/registry office wedding followed by a formal dinner."

The average budget for second weddings is also significantly less than first-timers who pay, on average, $35,515.

"As we are seeing a lot of second weddings at a smaller guest size, average spend at a guestimate would be around the $15,000 to $20,000 mark."

Second weddings are smaller in size, with efforts made to include any children couples each have.

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"Couples choose to include their children in the ceremony, this includes as a bridesmaid and groomsmen or flower girl and ring bearer depending on age.

"We are also seeing couples have their older children as the witnesses to the marriage, however overall older children are certainly very involved in the formalities of the day."

She said another key difference she sees when older couples marry, is the format of the day.

These weddings are focused around "food and beverage experience and quality".

The traditions couples are still observing include the bridal party entrance, first dance, wedding cake and formal farewell, which Allen says are "here to stay".

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