Post # 1
Member
70 posts
Worker bee
Hi Bees,
I couldn’t find an answer to this and my fiancé is worrying about it!
When we reach the top of the aisle, who does my fiancé greet first? We can understand the logic behind him shaking my Dad’s hand first, then kissing me: in a way asking my Dad to “give me away”. On the other hand, he says he’ll be so excited to see me and want to greet me that it feels weird to greet someone else first!
What are you doing or have you done?
Thanks!
Post # 3
Member
353 posts
Helper bee
@Hislittlebee: I’d have him greet your dad. It shows more respect with him handing you away
Post # 4
Hostess
12103 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
@Hislittlebee: I think he’s supposed to greet your dad first. The tradition is that your dad is giving you to him, he would have worked things out with your dad and now your dad is presenting you…hence ‘giving you away’
Post # 5
Member
9239 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
- Wedding: August 2013 - Rocky Mountains USA
Hmmm – would your fiance kiss you right when you get up there? I don’t think I’ve ever seen that… seems like you should save the kiss until the “I now pronounce you husband and wife” thing. I think we just grabbed hands and grinned a bunch.
Post # 6
Member
70 posts
Worker bee
@lolot: We never greet each other without a kiss, so I think it would be weird not to kiss him when I see him first!
Thanks for the replies, ladies, seems like the etiquette is pretty clear?
Post # 7
Member
7175 posts
Busy Beekeeper
@Hislittlebee: since your dad is giving you away, it would be proper for him to greet you. Also, usually a kiss on the lips is reserved for after you are pronouced man and wife. In all the weddings I’ve attended, I’ve never seen a couple kiss on the lips until the end of the ceremony (although, I understand how the default instinct would be to kiss when you see him!)
Post # 8
Member
7872 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
@Hislittlebee: I don’t think he did either! As I came down the aisle my father was on my left arm and my DH was on my right. So I was between the two and I think it would have been awkward for DH to reach across me and shake my father’s hand.
Anyway, ask your celebrant. It’s the sort of thing that can be sorted out during the rehearsal, no need to worry about it until then.
Post # 9
Member
10454 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
He shook my dad’s hand and then we went up to the front together.
Post # 10
Member
9239 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
- Wedding: August 2013 - Rocky Mountains USA
@Hislittlebee: I totally understand, we always do little pecks too and so we had to restrain ourselves! Anyway, just my 2 cents.
Post # 11
Member
1088 posts
Bumble bee
My sister and hubby moved in to kiss and the officiant cleared his throat and motioned not to!! It’s a tradition thing apparently!!
Post # 12
Member
570 posts
Busy bee
Yeah you’re not supposed to kiss until the proclamation. Maybe a kiss on the cheek or forehead, but not the lips. My FI is not going to greet my dad at all, when we reach the end of the aisle, the preacher will ask, “Who gives this woman to this man?” and my dad will answer, “Me and her mother do,” then my dad will lift my veil and kiss my cheek, then he will take my hand from his arm and place it in FI’s hand, effectively “giving me away” then take his seat as i take my place before the altar.
Post # 13
Member
1561 posts
Bumble bee
Order of operations as I understand it:
1. Dad lifts veil (if you have a blusher) hugs you and kisses you on the cheek
2. Dad and FH shake hands/greet
3. FH and you greet
4. On with the Show!
Post # 14
Member
7656 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
@Hislittlebee: We didn’t do the kissing part because that’s left for the proclamation, he *hugged* my dad first and then took my hand and walked me up the steps.
Post # 15
Member
1645 posts
Bumble bee
@Hislittlebee: your dad first then you
Post # 16
Member
70 posts
Worker bee
Thanks, ladies! Looks like we’ll have to restrain ourselves for the few minutes! 
Member
