Fathers and Mothers
Did you remember Father’s Day last week? That started me thinking about the role of parents in a wedding. In olden days, when daughters and wives were viewed as property, the bride’s father gave away his daughter to seal a merger between two families. Nowaday, brides choose their father’s arm as support as they move into a new phase of their lives, which can be a source of tremendous pride for many fahters. Mothers, historically almost sidelined in a daughter’s wedding, now play a more prominent role in the organisation. When I married my husband, my mother managed most of the arrangements on site, as I was in London and she was on the spot. Of course, the fact that she’s a florist was also useful! Why not acknowledge both parents role in your life by having them both walk you down the aisle? Check with your celebrant first, of course.
Can’t decide whether your biological father or your stepfather should walk you down the aisle? Why not have one have that honour, and give the other the father-daughter dance? And on that note (no pun intended), check out the advice page for some (hopefully not too cheesy) suggestions for tunes..
And what happens when your parents are divorced and won’t speak to one another, or have partners who don’t mix? Plume’s Etiquette queen Lara can advise on the wording of invitations etc. Rather than have one feuding top table, seat yourself and your attendants at one table, and have each set of parents host their own table.
Have you created new traditions that reflect your parent’s importance to you?