Wedding Strategies

Who Should Walk The Bride Down The Isle?

Traditionally, the father of the bride should walk the bride down the isle. For many brides today, this is a fairy tale expectation because having a father in the picture is not always a realistic situation for a bride. Therefore, sometimes the bride must consider other options. Walking the bride down the isle is a grand privilege. This high honor should be given to someone you, as the bride, respect greatly and hold in high esteem. A bride should not feel at a loss thinking she will have to walk down the isle alone. Let’s consider some situations and the options. There are more people to choose from then you may realize.

Ideally, your father has been in your life since you can remember. He has supported and loved the family and is still your best male friend, until now. Although it may seem a picture perfect unfamiliar to some women, some brides still grow up with a caring father and these idealic conditions. A daughter and father have a precious relationship and usually continues until the daughter finds another precious man in her life who will now replace her father’s “main male postion” in her life. To show how much she honors her father, she will ask him to walk her down the isle at the ceremony. A father may find this difficult and very emotional since she will always be his little girl.

Realistically, this kind of story isn’t always the way things are in a family. There may be step-parents involved, divorced parents, biological or non biological parents and maybe no parents at all. Although this sounds heartbreaking, a bride may find herself facing the question, “Who will walk me down the isle on my wedding day?” If there are many who want that privilege, then she may ask, “Who do I want to ask to be at my side?”

For instance, do you have a mother that was the sole support of the family? Did your father leave when you were very little or did he pass away? Are you without a father completely? Do you have a step father that you are close to just like a real father would be? If your parents are divorced, will circumstances be uncomfortable and change your idea on the matter? Is there an older brother or family member that stepped in when your father left and took the position of family head?

The most comforting thought tp remember is it is your choice; you can have whoever you want to take this position. It’s your wedding. The person that means the most in your life, that you honor and respect, should be the one to walk you down the isle. If your parents are divorced and both still play a large role in your life, you can have them both accompany you on each arm. If you have both a biological dad and a step dad, you can choose to use both of them thus making each feel special. Again, if both are in your life, as long as they are comfortable with the idea, you can have both walk you down the isle. If you think one may feel hurt or left out, alleviate the whole problem and have your mother be the key person. Your mother may be your first choice because she supported you and your entire family in the case that your father died or left years ago. Nothing says you can’t have both parents walk you down the isle. They are two people who love you and raised you. What a kind gesture to ask both. In all cases, the one chosen shoould look at it as an honor.

Basically, you can have anyone you wish. A bride should walk down the isle with a person she highly respects and loves. This is the bride’s way of saying thank you. She wants to tell everyone, “Look! This is the person who raised me, loved me unconditionally and will always be there for me. I love this person and always will.”

Posted in: Family