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Kayla
Beginner May 2021

Dad not walking me down the aisle

Kayla, on August 29, 2020 at 10:37 AM Posted in Family and Relationships 0 6
Hi, I would like some advice. So my father has had many second chances in my life, numerous heart surgeries and surviving a cardiac arrest. When I was 16 he even told my sisters and I he wasnt planning on meeting any of our children, meaning he would be gone before that day came. Him being at my wedding 7 years later is slightly suprising. However, he never seemed to learn from these experiences. He is an alcoholic and continues to get worse each day. He e is very skinny as he drinks his calories instead of eating. I told him that if he didnt get help he would not be allowed to walk me down the aisle or do the father daughter dance. He isnt violent when he is drunk just doesnt know what he is doing, loses his memory, becomes highly emotional, and super mean to my mom.


I know many people have an issue about dry weddings but my fiance and i want one. His dad is a heavy drinker but not as bad as mine. I told my dad it was going to be dry so if he showed up that day drunk he would be kicked out. I am asking if anyone else has had the experience of having an addict family member and how you handle it? Also am I being to harsh on him?

6 Comments

Latest activity by Janette, on August 29, 2020 at 4:36 PM
  • Kristen
    Master November 2020
    Kristen ·
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    I do not have the experience but I do not feel you are being unreasonable. I know alcoholism is a disease but he does not seem to want to be helped. It would be good if he could keep it together for one day so if he cannot for your important day then I feel him not being there is fine. Also, your decision on the dry wedding is not bad. People can go an evening without drinking.

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  • Michelle
    Expert May 2021
    Michelle ·
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    I do not have an experience similar, however I have known and dealt with a lot of people with addiction. I don’t think it is unreasonable for you to have a dry wedding and reception. Everyone should respect those wishes, alcohol can make people behave poorly. I am concerned about how bad his need is. Sometimes, especially with alcohol it can be more detrimental to their physical and mental health to not get the alcohol. It could be more irritating and upsetting to him, causing different bad behaviour. I know how hard the decision is, but it may be better for you and everyone to not have him there, unless he voluntarily wants to stay sober. I’m so sorry you are dealing with this difficult situation.

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  • J
    Master October 2022
    Jana ·
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    I attended a wedding when I was younger that was very similar. The bride was my cousin and she had a dry wedding. Both her parents and her brother were alcoholics, with mom and brother both violent, dad wasn't. Her dad attended, behaved, walked her down the aisle. Mom and brother were banned from the wedding for everyone's safety, and guests understood because they were well aware of their general behavior. The wedding went off without a hitch and no one was offended or phased in the least by no alcohol. Add to that, the majority didn't drink in the first place.


    If someone gets upset by your choice considering the factors involved, which do not have to be shared with anyone, that's on them.
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  • Roane
    Dedicated December 2021
    Roane ·
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    You're not being too harsh and a dry wedding is fine.
    My fiance is a recovering addict. Not an alcoholic, but obviously has an addictive personality. He's very careful about drinking. When we were in college, he didn't do it at all. And if our glorified frat house could still have a good party (he would leave on weekends most of the time, but we had his birthdays and if he made a gamewinner he had to at least show his face) without drinking, you can totally do a wedding.
    But I do want to ask - do you even want him to walk you? Maybe I'm reading your time wrong, but you sound pretty over it. What kind of sentiment does the tradition hold to you, personally? And does he meet that sentiment? It's not something you must do if it doesn't fit you.
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  • Kayla
    Beginner May 2021
    Kayla ·
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    My dad and I were very close when i was growing up. He was a stay at home dad. But his health got worse these past 6 years and his drinking became way worse. Which has ruined our relationship. But I still want him to do it and I always dreamed of it. But now seeing him not so much
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  • Janette
    Savvy August 2020
    Janette ·
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    My dad is an alcoholic and it was something I struggled about since I wasn’t having a dry wedding. I ended up not inviting him to my wedding. I did not want the risk of him getting violent or saying something that wasn’t appropriate. I had my mom walk me down the aisle and had my dance with her. In the end I felt better about my decision because unfortunately he won’t stop drinking and doesn’t make an effort.


    Good luck with your decision ❤️
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