With Father’s Day approaching, we reflect on the role of a father in a wedding ceremony. In most traditional wedding ceremonies a bride is given away by her father, though there are certain occasions where a nontraditional escort in addition to or in place of the bride’s father is well-suited for the processional. Let’s look at four occasions when someone other than the father of the bride or in addition to him would take part in the wedding processional.
- If the bride’s father has passed away – A stepfather, brother or mother could be an appropriate escort for the bride in the wedding processional if the father has passed away. A moving and sweet gesture is including a photograph of the bride’s father in a prominent place at the wedding ceremony to honor his loving memory.
Kristin Walshock Cox included a prominent photo of her belated father Kit Walshock, at her wedding ceremony. (Vickie Ross Photography)
Kristin was escorted down the aisle at her wedding by her stepfather, David Grantham. (Vickie Ross Photography)
- If the bride’s stepdad played a significant role in her life – A stepfather might have also played a significant, loving role in the life of the bride as he helped raise her along with the bride’s mother. The bride may consider wanting both her father and stepfather to walk her down the aisle.
Photo by: Love Is A Big Deal
- If the bride is getting remarried – A bride may choose to have her father walk her down the aisle for her second marriage or may prefer to walk herself down the aisle. Many brides who get remarried have children from a first marriage and choose to walk hand-in-hand with their children down the aisle.
- If the bride and her father do not have a close relationship – Sadly to say, there are fathers who choose to not have a relationship or loving relationship at that, with their children. If the bride and her father do not have a healthy relationship, a bride always has the option to choose someone else, another relative or close family friend, to walk her down the aisle in place of her father.
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