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Anybody ask somebody other than their dad to give them away on wedding day?

80 replies

Nicecupofcoco · 13/02/2020 17:16

Hi all, just as the title says really? My parents divorced when i was 6, and I've never been very close to my dad. We still keep in touch though and I see him 2/3 times a year, even though he only lives half an hour away! I feel he doesn't make much effort with his grand children either even though I've mentioned to him that I'd love to see him more and for him to spend more time with the kids. He is remarried, but always uses the excuse of being busy.
I get married later this year and would love my mum or perhaps one of my brothers to give me away, who I'm very close too! I just feel why should I ask my dad when he doesn't make much effort, and hasn't over the years, but I don't want to hurt his feelings either, would I be an awful daughter not to ask him? And ask my mum or one of my brothers instead? He will be at the wedding and don't want to hurt his feelings, but I think I'd feel much more comfortable with my mum by my side on the day.

OP posts:
Onesailwait · 14/02/2020 03:01

I had my mum walk with me. My parents divorced when I was 5 and although my dad was in my life it was my mum who bought us up, supported us and helped us to be successful adults. My dad was very hurt in the beginning but it all went smoothly on the day. My mum is my hero and I felt so proud to walk with her.

DeepestDarkestRiver · 14/02/2020 03:03

I had 4 weddings (to the same man) Grin
One was registry office, so no aisle; my DM walked with me at the wedding in my home country (I didn't want to be 'walked', but she was thrilled to be involved); and for the other two, in two different countries, I walked myself!

Do whatever suits you, OP.

BikeRunSki · 14/02/2020 03:16

My godfather , despite it being a civil wedding.
My dad died several years before we got married.

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BarbaraofSeville · 14/02/2020 04:47

I know someone who got married again in later life and was walked up the aisle by her young adult grandson, which I thought was nice and got over any upset that may have been caused by having to choose between which of her 4 DC could have done it.

bedtimeisthebesttime · 14/02/2020 05:07

I asked my twin. It meant to much to me! My dad was a dick and we were very estranged.

BadCatDirtyCat · 14/02/2020 07:00

I get on really well with my dad but if I ever get married her won't be giving me away, I just think it's a weird tradition. I guess I'll either walk into the venue by myself or with DP (it wouldn't be a traditional church wedding anyway).

Sorry if I've missed this but is your wedding going to be very traditional OP (church/white dress/loads of bridesmaids etc)?

Hovverry · 14/02/2020 07:03

My Dd was pressurised by the vicar into having her father do it, although she had barely seen him for several years. He came with new partner and child and drank without stopping for the whole reception. Embarrassing for us all.
Choose who you want to walk you up the aisle. My Dd2 chose her godfather.

SW16 · 14/02/2020 07:21

My brother and SIL walked in together. Arriving together to get married to each other. Her Mum was waiting at the alter with her ring to give to Dbro, our Dad to hold the ring for him to give SIL.

So both had a parent, one of each sex, involved.

You could do that, and have your Mum hold your ring.

katystar · 14/02/2020 07:27

My DS 5 (but only just) gave me away as I haven’t seen my dad in 18 years. DS had everyone in tears and was perfect for my nerves he’s 13 now and if I did it all again I’d still chose him.

Nicecupofcoco · 14/02/2020 07:50

Thank you so much everyone! Loads of different options mentioned here, but it sounds like you all had an amazing day, no matter if you walked alone or with somebody different. Smile

OP posts:
Grobagsforever · 14/02/2020 08:35

Who will be giving your fiancée away?

Nicecupofcoco · 14/02/2020 08:43

@Grobagsforever I'm a woman, marrying my fiance! Grin
Not wanting to be given away in the traditional sense, more just somebody to walk with me.

OP posts:
Stravapalava · 14/02/2020 09:26

I had my brother. My dad was there and he was aware why he wasn't asked. No problem and no one mentioned anything to me. Of course, I'm guessing it was probably gossiped about on his side of the family!

SW16 · 14/02/2020 09:34

I think if your Dad will be there, and you (completely understandably) don’t want him to walk with you, you might be best to re-invent the whole ritual so that it doesn’t look ‘personal’ to him.

Has your Mum got a new partner? If not, just be honest with your Dad and say rather than have your Mum sit alone you would like her to walk with you as she has been with you every step, every day of your life, and you are sure he will understand....

Tell him this as far in advance as possible.

ItWillBeBetterinAugust · 14/02/2020 09:39

DH and I walked in and down the aisle together - we'd attended several weddings in the year prior to ours and both absolutely detested the crappy, cringy bit where the groom stands alone at the front and some "comedian" (in one case the vicar) feels compelled to loudly make jokes about the bride having changed her mind. Wtf is that a thing? I also absolutely hated the whole concept of being "given away" like an outgrown coat or an unwanted pet, and the cliché of everyone looking at the bride and making set piece comments about how she looks (no matter what she looks like).

DH and I had lived together, hundreds of miles from either of our families, for three years before we got married and owned a house together, it seemed absolutely fake and theatrical and wrong, to us, to do anything except walk in together.

I understand pretty much nobody agrees though - people like tradition Grin

We gave my dad another conspicuous hosting role and he was very much involved - we have a good relationship, which of course is why I was able to explain to him that I didn't want to be "given away" but wanted him to do something more important to us on the day.

I wouldn't choose one brother over the other in your position unless you are much closer to one, or one is older or the same age as you and the other much younger. Asking your mum is obviously completely fine as she brought you up!

You mention having children of your own with your husband to be though - perhaps both you and your husband could be given away, by one of your children each (or two each, or other distribution of roles to ensure fairness!)

Being given away when you already have children together is slightly shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted anyway GrinWink

ItWillBeBetterinAugust · 14/02/2020 09:41

Nicecupofcoco I think Grobags was making the point that you are in no more nor less need of being given away than your male spouse! Which is obviously true! Unless you live with your mum and he lives independently, which clearly isn't the case.

Pavlova31 · 14/02/2020 12:14

My Dad walked me down the aisle.
I however was not "given away".
I am not a possession.

AudTheDeepMinded · 14/02/2020 12:42

I'm estranged form my Father. My brother walked with me to the registrar's ceremony and then a very good male friend walked me up the aisle at a church blessing. It was great to have them part of the day in that way. Good luck with what you decide, remember it's you and your husbands day, it's not about pleasing/appeasing anyone else!

Tearsofthemushroom · 14/02/2020 12:47

My sister in law and her husband chose to walk down the aisle together as her father decided that he couldn't be bothered to travel to her wedding. I thought that it was very touching.

SW16 · 15/02/2020 08:14

I am not sure why so many people look for an alternative male relative or friend over a mother, to accompany them.

Purplewithred · 15/02/2020 08:20

DH and I walked down the aisle together. quite a late second marriage though, the whole giving-away/waiting-at-the-alter just seemed a bit inappropriate at our age.

YesIDoLoveCrisps · 15/02/2020 08:23

My dad did because he’s such a lovely man and good dad. If he was useless or not around then I don’t think he would deserve to be a part of our special day. If your dad hasn’t been great don’t ask him. And don’t feel bad about your decision, it’s YOUR wedding day.
I hope it goes well Smile

BiBiBirdie · 15/02/2020 08:27

I've not spoken to my dad in over 20 years so he won't be at my wedding in the summer.
I've asked my friend instead. He's always said being gay means no children and no daughter to give away. He's also been tremendously unwell. Was a very easy choice for me.

LittleCandle · 15/02/2020 08:28

DD2 is NC with her father. She gets married in 2 years and has asked me and her aunt to walk down the aisle with her. We are not 'giving her away' because she is an independent woman, but we are supporting her in moving into this next phase of her life, as we have supported her through other new phases. I was touched to be asked and I know her aunt is touched to be asked to do the 'father of the bride' speech. I couldn't do it, as I would cry...

Mehmehmeh19 · 15/02/2020 08:37

My dad was too poorly to come to my wedding.

Our wedding was only really small I was going to walk alone however DD. Said I'll walk with you.

I'm really glad she did we had to wait in another room for ages (so much so much so that DH thought I'd done a runner)

If she hadn't have been there I'd have been an anxious mess.

Seeing my lovely husbands face when he saw us both will stay with me forever