Post # 1

Member
575 posts
Busy bee
- Wedding: October 2010 - Kindred Oaks, Georgetown
I’ve got an important question. My dad is going to be contributing most of our budget for the wedding. I’ve never been that close to him but I am very thankful that he is will to be so helpful. I’ve always imagined walking down the aisle by myself (or at least not with him.) Do you think that I have to let him give me away since he’s paying for the wedding (most of it anyways)? Is it just something I should do because it’s not really a big deal and will make him happy?
Post # 3

Member
2680 posts
Sugar bee
If you do not have a strong opinion about it and your dad really wants to, I would let him do it. That can be a very emotional thing for a father to do even if you werent that close. Or maybe you can walk half way with him and then walk the rest of the way by yourself.
Post # 4

Member
447 posts
Helper bee
I was in the same sort of situation. I always imagined walking myself as well, so I compromised by letting him walk me to the end of the aisle and my husband met us and walked me the rest of the way. See if you can find a compromise like that, or if you truly don’t care, let him walk you all the way down the aisle.
Post # 5

Member
98 posts
Worker bee
I think you should be given away by whoever you want and if that person is not your father then that’s ok. I don’t think his financial contribution entitles him to wall you down. Naangel55 has some great ideas and options on how you could walk the aisle. Personally, I have no real relationship to my father and doubt he will even attend. I’m going to walked down the aisle and given away by my grandfather who I consider to be my father. Like everything in your wedding, I think this is another piece that should reflect who you are and who you and your groom as a couple.
Post # 6

Member
883 posts
Busy bee
If you want to walk down the aisle by your self as a statement of your independence – go for it. If you think maybe later in life you will have wanted your dad to walk you – take his arm. Either way, you do need to talk to him about it. He may not know how to feel about this either and you asking him to walk you might be a touching moment he’ll cherish… or maybe he’s epxecting and wants to be more behind the scences since youve never been close. It needs to be a discussion between the two of you to avoid the potentially hurt feelings on a day that should be nothing but joyful.
Post # 7

Member
575 posts
Busy bee
- Wedding: October 2010 - Kindred Oaks, Georgetown
Thanks for all your suggestions and advice. It really helps!
Post # 8

Member
674 posts
Busy bee
Is this something he’s mentioned? Or asked about?
If not it may not bother him if you walk down the aisle alone.
Post # 9

Member
2271 posts
Buzzing bee
I wasn’t given away, I was escorted!
Post # 10

Member
369 posts
Helper bee
I think you need to sit down and talk to him about it. If you don’t have a strong opinion one way or another and he wants to then go for it. But if you have always seen yourself walking down the aisle by yourself then try to explain that to him. Hopefully he won’t be offended. And if you guys aren’t close, like you say, then he probably won’t take offense to it.
Post # 11

Member
1489 posts
Bumble bee
Could your father stand at the end of the aisle, waiting as you walk down by yourself, give you a kiss then present you to your Fiance at the altar?
Post # 12

Member
290 posts
Helper bee
I love @bluespurrs idea of being escorted instead of given away!!
Post # 13

Member
7 posts
Newbee
i agree with alot of these people. if you dont really care, then just let him walk you down the aisle. cuz he is your father, and you might be struggling with paying for the wedding without him. plus itll make him happy, and you want everyone to be in a good mood at your wedding. or, if you decide, you can always have him walk you halfway down. lots of people do that.
Post # 14

Member
606 posts
Busy bee
I think regardless of money, you should do what makes you happy. If you aren’t close or don’t want him to escort you, then just don’t ask him to. In this day and age, nothing is set in stone – do what makes you and your Fiance happy. 🙂 It’s your day!