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Just Said Yes November 2022

Father As Groomsman?

Christopher, on May 31, 2022 at 12:05 PM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 6
My fiancé and I are at odds on who should be included as groomsmen. The issue is that my father (I’m the groom) has caused issues in the past and threatened to not come to the wedding and not welcome my fiancé at his house. Since then my parents and I have discussed the issue and talked about why they shouldn’t shut her out and so forth. My parents have agreed to come and support the wedding rehearsal dinner financially.


However, I also told them that my groomsmen would be my oldest brother as best man, my younger brother, and my fiancés brother. My mother pulled me aside after telling them that and asked why my dad would not be up there as a groomsman. I have forgiven my parents for their crazy behavior but my fiancé has not. Rightfully so in my opinion. My fiancé doesn’t care if her brother is up there or someone else but she doesn’t care to have my father up there after what he has said in regard to her not being welcome and so forth.
My question is how do I tell my dad that he isn’t going to be a groomsman? I believe that given his vocal disapproval my fiancé has a right to veto him being up there. But I’m unsure how to tell him and my mother. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

6 Comments

Latest activity by Willow, on May 31, 2022 at 11:16 PM
  • H
    Master July 2019
    Hannah ·
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    Personally, I have never seen parents as groomsmen/bridesmaids. Father of the groom is already a role in and of itself in the bridal party, and groomsmen are usually siblings/friends--people within the same age range/generation as the couple.
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  • Paige
    VIP October 2022
    Paige ·
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    There's no expectation that a parent should be a groomsman/ bridesmaid. They can be, but it's not something traditionally done where your parents should have expected your dad would be a groomsman or you'd have to break that news to them. If you want to let him have a role at the wedding, he could escort your mom down the aisle, but I'd talk with your fiancée about that before extending the invitation. It's not a huge task or anything, but I can't blame her for being hurt by your father's actions and not wanting him to be in the spotlight

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  • Jasmine S.
    VIP May 2022
    Jasmine S. ·
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    I've heard of the bride's mother being matron of honor, but never the father of the groom having any role besides... well, father of the groom. At weddings where the relationship is good, the FOG may give a speech. But it sounds like your relationship with your father isn't the best and I would consider not inviting him at all.
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  • T
    Expert May 2010
    Theresa ·
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    As the others have said, that's not a typical role for the father of the Groom. I would just say that you feel they deserve to be honored as the parents of the Groom at both the Ceremony and Reception.

    And let me just say it's nice to see you being supportive of your fiancee through this. I can understand her feelings from what you described, and it's awesome that you have her back! Congrats and good luck to you both. Smiley smile

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  • L
    Devoted April 2023
    Lucy ·
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    If being a groomsman is something he and your mom expect, I'm afraid there's no way to break the news without hurting their feelings. I would just be honest: the vocal disapproval and the threats to skip the wedding are more than enough and he can even be grateful for being invited at all, many couples wouldn't even do so.
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  • W
    VIP September 2020
    Willow ·
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    Parents are usually not wedding attendants. I am surprised your mother even asked this. The father of the groom usually escorts the mother of the groom up the aisle, assuming they are together
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