Wedding Customs & Traditions Forum

What have I got myself into???

Hello. I am getting married in 39 days and I am in a very awkward situation.  My parents divorced when I was 11.  They never really got along or tolerated each other untl about 6 years ago.  I am very close to both parents, and I have always envisioned walking down the aisle with the both of them.  A month or so ago, I asked my Mom if she would like to walk me down the aisle with my Dad.  She was very happy I asked and said she would be honored.  This is where it gets tough...I never even thought of mentioning this to my Dad, as I didn't see any issue with it.  A few days ago he and I were talking on the phone and he asked about the seating at the ceremony. I should add that he is now remarried and my Mom doesn't care for his wife.  I told him that I wanted both him and my Mom to walk me down the aisle.  He freaked out.  He said that that's the one thing he's able to do with me on my wedding day, and he's been looking forward to this and he feels like someone is always trying to put him on the back burner, etc.  I was in complete shock that he was reacting that way. I had no idea what to even say.  My parents divorce was very bitter and he has always said that he's felt he got the short end of the stick.  I told him that I never intended to make him feel this way, by my decision to have both of them walk me down the aisle, but it was because I love the both of them and they are both very important to me.  He then said he had never heard of this happening before.  I am so torn.  I do see where he is coming from and he has valid points.  On the other hand, I have already asked my Mom and telling her I've had a change of heart would break her heart, especially if she knows my Dad was upset about it.  Either way, I will end up hurting one of them and I do not want to do that.  I am losing sleep over this.  Thoughts and/or opinions would be really nice!  Thank you!

Re: What have I got myself into???

  • Thank you Laura!!!!
  • Correction: the one thing he can do on your wedding day is not put you in the freaking middle like you're 11 years old all over again.  They divorced, it's unfortunate but he has no right to make you feel badly for wanting both of your parents walk you down the aisle....it actually makes even more sense for them both to walk you because they split up.
    Remind dad that he still gets his father daughter spotlight dance (I assume) and that's a tad more special than the 30-45 second walk down the aisle.
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  • I totally sympathize, as I have a similar family situation. Here's the thing- it is YOUR wedding, and YOU have the right to have both parents walk you down the aisle, and it is THEIR job to be adults and suck up any rancour or personal hurt they may have about that and make you happy. Your father is being childish and hurtful to YOU. Tell him that it's your wedding day, that since you love both of your parents you wanted them both to walk you, and that he needs to be compassionate and not put you through emotional turmoil- that he needs to put his big-boy panties on and act like an adult.
    Best wishes. I know how incredibly painful it can be.
  • After reading all responses, I have to agree with the 99% that think I need to talk with my Dad.  I also feel much better knowing I am not being insensitive to his needs/wishes by wanting my Mom to walk down with us also.  It's amazing how much better I feel after reading all of your responses.  Thank you all so much!  I am planning on going to my Dad's house this weekend to talk to him.  I will report back...hopefully it will be a good report!  :)  Thanks again!

    Jen
  • Both my parents walked me down the isle when I got married 39 years ago!!!!  My husband also had his parents walk him down the isle too!!!!!  Though they hadn't seen it done before, they felt very special walk their son down the isle!!!
    My son is getting married in June and we're going to walk him down the isle.
    Your dad is being selfish.  Why should your mom be left out of the picture?  You were DEFINITELY right to ask both of them to walk you down the isle!  Tell him it would only take 3-4 minutes - and that you would appreciate it if he could do this for you .  It's YOUR special day!!!!!!
  • I agree with all the PP. This is your special day and if your dad cannot walk down the aisle with your mom for a whole 35-45 seconds; then maybe he shouldn't come. I understand that he is remarried; but that woman is not your mom and to control you- I wouldn't let it go. The focus will be on you...not either one of them anyways and you will be in between. Talk about immaturity! Let us know how it goes!
  • Apparently I'm in the minority here, but I sympathize with your dad.  It's very likely that at all of the wedding he's attended (like the vast majority of the weddings on TV) the dad walks his daughter down the aisle.  Like he said, this is something he has envisioned for your whole life.  Dad's are kind of marginalized in weddings a lot of the time.  I can see where he's coming from.  
    I say give it to him.  Your mom (if you two are really close) will probably be able to handle it and you could always have her walk down the aisle escorted by her dad or a brother or son or something??? 
  • I am a child of divorce as well as my FI.  My mom raised myself and my sister after her and my dad divorced when I was 8.  My dad was remarried first, and my step mom and I don't have the relationship that I have with my step dad.  I never considered having my mom and dad walking me down the aisle.  My dad and I have a special relationship and I want him to keep that as his thing, but I have asked him to share giving me away with my step dad as he has been a huge part of my life since my mom and him have been together.  

     

    I know you want to have your mom walk you down the aisle, but maybe she would still be okay with the fact that if she still "gives you away".  That way your dad can walk you down the aisle, then she can already be standing there and the two of them can "give you away".    This is my idea for my dad and step dad, having my dad walk me down with my step dad already there to give me away along with my dad. They are both a huge part of my life, and I want to show that, and I believe that this is the best way.  

     

    My FI's parents are also divorced, his dad is a complete jerk but yet is still paying for part of the wedding (his mom is very persuasive).  He is having her walk him down only.  Which I think is going to be very sweet and will make those who know their story cry!

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  • It's your day do it your way.
  • This is totally OT, but my wedding is also in 39 days. Congrats! Try to enjoy the time leading up to the big day!
  • My mother had both her father and step father walk her down the aisle.  Her step father had been a big part in her life growing up, but her father was obviously her father.  It was actually her father who suggested it, when she started crying about how she loved them both and couldn't hurt one by choosing the other. 

    I know it's manipulative, but after you give your Dad a bit to calm down (yeah, probably should have asked him sooner, but too late to cry over spilled milk) you might try crying when talking to him?  Telling him you love him, and want him to play this important role in your special day, but you also love your mother and she helped raise you, and you don't want to hurt her by telling her she can't be with you.  And you don't want it to be a man handing you to another man but rather your parents presenting you from the child they raised into the adult wife you will become... blah blah blah, pull on his heartstrings, and give him the power to say yes or no, even if you intend to make the decision yourself either way.  Sometimes all these dads want is to believe they still have control over their little girls.
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  • I think your dad should just suck it up and let you have your way.  My parents are also divorced.  Our solution is to have my dad walk me down the a aisle, then my mom will be standing at the end.  The the minister asks "who gives this women" they both will answer with "I do" or "we do".  Hope that helps!!
    Wedding Countdown Ticker ~ Aimey
  • Well, I am back to report that I did talk with my Dad.  Someone said to start crying...well, that wasn't hard at all.  I am SO emotional!!!  I told him this is what I've always wanted (for both parents to walk me down the aisle) and I am going to stick with it.  I told him I didn't want to look back on my special day and regret straying from what I've always wanted.  He was not happy at all, but did say it's my day and to do what I needed to do. I do feel bad for hurting his feelings, but I know that I need to be true to myself in this situation.  I feel so much better!  Thanks again for all your comments!!!!
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