My parents divorced when I was 5 and my dad was a big part of my life for a few years afterwards. He then moved away and I would only hear from him once every three months or so. As I got older, the calls were few and far between, but I grew to understand that was just the way my dad was...and I think he actually thinks he has been involved in his own way. Needless to say, he is a bit oblivious to the way the rest of the world works outside of his life.
My mom remarried when I was 8 and I had a rocky relationship with my step-dad until I graduated high school. Something changed when I moved away and now we have been so incredibly close for the past 10 years. I even starting calling him dad, which I swore would never happen when I was younger.
Now that I am getting married, I am facing the dilemma of who to walk me down the aisle. My mom told me that my step-dad would be heartbroken if it wasn't him, since he is the one who raised, supported and provided for me since I was young (my bio-dad rarely even paid child support). However, I am my bio-dad's only child (my step-dad has a daughter and son) and I am worried that even though he has been absent, he won't understand me wanting to walk with my step-dad.
To make matters worse, my dad and step-dad HATE each other so I'm not sure a friendly handshake/hand-off will be an option.
Advice on how to include both in the walk/giving away and how to approach the situation? I'm trying to be traditional, but looking for some unconventional ideas for the ceremony.
I really appreciate the help! Especially since everyone involved in the wedding planning is on team step-dad so I haven't had any unbiased opinions.