Giving Away the Bride & Walking the Bride Down the Aisle

mdupon70997

Are these the same thing? Doesn't whoever walks the bride down the aisle usually give her away, also?

I've asked both my maternal grandpa and my dad to walk me down the aisle. Do they both give me away with my mom and my grandmother? Or do just my mom and dad give me away once we get to the altar?

I have a step-mom and a step-dad. Do they give me away along with my grandparents and/or my mom and dad?

Clear as mud?

Jen4948

No, they're not the same thing.

In some wedding traditions (mostly Protestant) the officiant would ask "Who gives this woman?" during the ceremony whereupon her father or parents would announce that they were "giving" her in marriage.  The idea was that the bride was not fully a "person" in her own right but the chattel, so to speak, of first the parents and then the groom.

After many years many people have dropped it as sexist and/or unnecessary.

But brides still often go for being walked down the aisle, which is being "escorted."

You do not have to be "given away" if you don't want to by anyone.  You can also choose who escorts you.

QueerFemme

My best friend, MOH walked me down the aisle.  I figured, I am a grown woman. No one has the right to "give me away".  I got married willingly, not because my parent gave me to someone.

mdupon70997

I like the whole "giving away the bride" thing. I just didn't know if since my dad and grandfather are both walking me down the aisle, if it was necessary for them both to give me away. Would it be strange if they both walk me down the aisle, but then just my mom and dad give me away?