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J
VIP June 2013

Divorced Parents...?

Jenn, on February 13, 2013 at 3:55 PM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 17

Hi everyone!

My fiance's parents are divorced, they have been for about 10 years. I think they will be fine for the wedding, they don't talk now but I know they won't have a problem with each other for that weekend. His dad has had a girlfriend for the past 3 years. How does that work for the reception?

Does the girlfriend get announced with the bridal party along with his dad or does his mom and dad walk in together? Is her name on the program (if I decide to do them)? Will she get a corsage along with our real moms?

I don't want her to feel left out but she isn't his step mom or anything. (My fiance doesn't get along with his mom but she has been nothing but nice and helpful to me so I want her included)

Help!! Smiley smile

17 Comments

Latest activity by Jenn, on February 13, 2013 at 7:15 PM
  • MJ
    Master June 2013
    MJ ·
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    I would get her a corsage. Are they paying for anything? If your just putting the parents names on the program I would not put hers on there. She yes could walk in with him if you have the parents announced.

    If they get married then yes you would put her on the program.

    Skip the program and save some headaches and money.

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  • J
    VIP June 2013
    Jenn ·
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    Yeah, that's what I've heard. I was only going to make enough for about half of the guests and I was going to do fans... it gets mighty humid in central PA!

    His dad isn't paying for anything, his mom is making our favors. That's about it!

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  • Marlina A.
    Master September 2013
    Marlina A. ·
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    I dont know about them walking in together because then would his mom walk in alone? It seems kind of off to me but I agree with the corsage

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  • HisMrs
    Master September 2012
    HisMrs ·
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    I would probably give her a coursage at least. The rest you'll probably have to get opinions from the Dad and Mom.

    At my friends wedding, the Mother of the bride walked in with her ex on one arm and her current on the other arm Smiley smile (They weren't married either at the time) It was really cute.

    It all depends on how amicable everyone is.

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  • D
    Master May 2014
    D ·
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    I think if he was married to her I would include her. but you say she is a GF. hmmmmm.... I wouldn't do much for her.

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  • Lizz M.
    Master March 2013
    Lizz M. ·
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    FH's parents are also divorced, and only his dad is re-married. It's different because it is his Stepmom, but here is what we are doing:

    FH's mom is walking up the aisle escorted by her other son, the BM

    FH's Dad and Stepmom are walking up the aisle together

    Stepmom will have a corsage

    Mom will be intro'd alone into the wedding

    Dad & Stepmom intro'd together

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  • Michelle
    Master April 2013
    Michelle ·
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    Nothing for a girlfriend unless they've been together a while but she should be seated like a regular guest and mom and dad walk together.

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  • Married
    Super June 2013
    Married ·
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    My parents are divorced (for about 10 years so I can kind of relate, I'm dealing with similiar issues). I think I would for sure give her a corsage, but I would omit her name from the program since they are not married. I would simply treat her like she is your Dads date or part of your family, and let her walk in and be introduced with your Dad. I doubt your FH mom and dad would want to walk in together if they dont talk, that may be uncomfortable for them. But it totally depends on the situation and their relationship now. So maybe just ask them how they feel about it.

    My Dad is remarried, so he will be walking in with my Step-Mom, and my Mom is fine walking in by herself, or who knows maybe she will have a date! Smiley smile I hope so!

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  • KrystalH
    VIP September 2012
    KrystalH ·
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    Ask his parents if they are ok with walking in together, I know my parents would do it if it was my request but they wouldn't like it, You could have your FH husband walk his mom down the aisle or even the best man and just let FOG and gf walk down together?

    I also have a step mother (for 27 years) but she didn't get a corsage, all she did was walk back down the aisle with my dad and into the reception with my dad, but I don't like her

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  • KM
    VIP November 2012
    KM ·
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    Have your FH figure it out. DH wanted both of his parents to walk him down the isle even through they are divorced...they obliged. DH didn't want me giving his dad's wife a corsage/bouquet because he didn't want to disrespect his mom. His dad's new wife and his mom's bf of 15 years were not mentioned in the program but were in some of the family photos.

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  • krisalicious
    Master April 2012
    krisalicious ·
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    I agree, have your FH figure it out. I don't think there's a blanket right/wrong answer, it really depends on the situation. Particularly b/c they're not married.

    How are your invitations worded? Are the parents mentioned by name or did you say "Together with their parents/families" or just skip it altogether?

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  • J
    VIP June 2013
    Jenn ·
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    Because his parents aren't contributing financially and my parents are I have my parents listed as "hosting" the wedding on the invitation. His aren't mentioned at all. (other than his mom his parents/dads gf haven't asked to be involved). I think they just want to show up the day of and enjoy like a regular guest but I obviously don't want to leave them out of pictures/bridal party enterance.

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  • WWLeeor
    VIP June 2020
    WWLeeor ·
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    Hmm this one's a toughie

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  • Private User
    Dedicated December 2013
    Private User ·
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    I am so glad you asked this! FH's parents are divorced as well... His mom is dating a really nice man and his dad is re-married. I really like @lizzm idea!

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  • Melissa
    Dedicated February 2013
    Melissa ·
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    My FH's parents are divorced. FMIL has been engaged to her FH for a long time (5 years I think). They started dating after my FH was already grown up so we're not including him as a "parent" on the programs and didn't include him on the invitations, we only included FH's biological parents. However, we are seating FMIL, her FH, and FFIL with my parents and grandparents at one table, including him in the "Reserved" family area at the ceremony and got him a boutinier. The Mom's are both going to be escored by groomsmen (my brother and FH's brother) and future step-dad will be already sitting.

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  • HRH Mags
    Master March 2014
    HRH Mags ·
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    I would get her a corsage. She sounds like a steady GF so she should be included as family IMO. I would have her walk in with FH dad. I would not make his mom and dad who are no longer talking or married walk in together. That would be inconsiderate to all involved IMO.

    Have his mom escorted by a groomsmen,grandparents, friend, whatever she feels comfortable with.

    Sit them far apart at reception. Smiley smile

    We had this situation times 2 so we...decided to have a very small private ceremony haha. Hope they all will be civil for you because our families sure couldnt be!

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  • J
    VIP June 2013
    Jenn ·
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    Thanks for all the good advice Smiley smile

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