Walking Myself Down the Aisle

I'll be walking down the aisle solo too. My parents are helping pay for anything either. My down declined to walk me down the aisle or attend my wedding due to the fact that he is 4 hours away from Atlanta and don't want to travel. My mom feels like I should let her walk me down just because she's my mom.

I'm not sure how else your dad could be included in the wedding. I know the exact feeling, I don't want my dad walking me down the aisle at all. I don't hate him, I do love him dearly but he hasn't always been the best dad growing up, and it's so strange for him to "give me away" when he's never always been there for me. I'd rather walk alone and I guess I'll probably speak to the officiant about this, so that she knows what my wishes are, and will work around it so there aren't any expectations. Maybe your dad can give a speech, or does he have any talents? Perhaps do a reading or something very low-key to make him feel involved. Other than that, you shouldn't really worry too much. I'm in a similar situation. I don't want my dad partaking in any other those events with me. Dad/daughter dance. Hell no. I can't even imagine dancing with my dad at all.. that is so awkward for me. Perhaps talk with your officiant and let your dad know you aren't doing anything really traditional. If you are closer with your mom, maybe make her do something else than walking you down the aisle just in case your dad feels offended or slighted by this. All the best, Sarah!!

He can probably still walk you down the aisle just make it clear to your farther and officiant that you want the part of "who gives this bride" part out of your ceremony.

I don’t think you’ll look awkward walking yourself down the aisle at all. It might feel awakened but it won’t look it. It helps that we have bouquets to hold so we don’t have to worry about what to do with our hands lol.

My dad isn’t walking me either. I asked him around thanks giving and he said you aren’t getting married and laughed. Maybe because I was engaged before and dodged that bullet lol. But my FW and I are meeting at the beginning of the aisle, essentially having our first look in front of every one, then walking down together. I am really excited about it! And I’m also not doing a daddy daughter dance. There are a lot of wedding traditions we just aren’t doing and I’m really excited to do it our own way!

Square your shoulders, smile, and proudly walk down the aisle! If you are an independent adult in all other ways, and this is what you want, why not? 😊

View Quoted Comment I agree with this. He can walk you down the aisle, kiss your cheek (or whatever) then you can walk the final few steps to your FH. This way he's just escorting you and not giving you away.

I walked by myself and it was 100% the right decision (even though other people were mad about it). Are you wanting to include him in the ceremony or just in general? You can always still do the father/daughter dance at the reception. Or you could have your dad/parents do a reading or blessing during the ceremony.

I walked solo and it wasn’t awkward at all, why would it be? If you mean you might me nervous, I didn’t even notice all the people looking at me, I just looked straight ahead at my H. He was the only other one in that room as far as I was concerned. I have a good but not super close relationship with my dad. To keep him included he walked down the aisle with my brother and mother at the beginning of the procession and we still did a father daughter dance which was very special to him (and me).

I walked alone down the aisle and would have it no other way. I saw it as a symbolic gesture of walking down the aisle as an independent woman confident in my choice of partner. Plus, with no one beside you blocking guests' views, they'll be able to see you in all your bridal beauty.

p.s. most ceremonies no longer include the part about "giving you away" - instead the bride is simply escorted down the aisle by a favorite person - can even be a mom, child, sister, brother, etc.

My H has walked 2 of our daughters down the aisle and will do the same for our youngest, but in the Catholic Church a bride is never “given away”. In fact it’s a newer tradition for the bride to be escorted by someone other than her groom. Ancient church tradition was for the bride and groom to process together as a sign of their mutual willingness to enter marriage. In any regards, just because a woman is escorted down the aisle doesn’t mean she is given away. My H simply kissed them on the cheek and sat down. There was no, who presents, or who gives or who anything when they got to the altar.

Can he escort your mom down the aisle to their seats? Is that enough?

Walking solo down the aisle isn't any more awkward than walking down with someone on your arm. I've been to weddings where the bride walked alone and it was still beautiful.

If you still want to include your father you can still do a father daughter dance.

Thanks for all of the moral support & advice everyone—it’s good to know I’m not the only one.

There is always the father daughter dance. Or if you have thought about like a first look. You could do a first look picture session with your dad. I like the idea of him being an escort for your mom. Is it important to him for him to walk you down the isle?

View Quoted Comment Tbh I’m not really sure yet. Engaged 3 weeks ago and my family has not met my fiancé yet as they made me move out after we got together 4 years ago and we’ve sort of just been avoiding the subject until now. After they meet and my family decides how involved they want to be I can make more plans.

There was nothing awkward about the walk. Hold your head high, look at the people around you, and the person you're marrying and enjoy the moment.

Maybe stop and give your dad a hug before you step into place at the altar?

I'd say go with your choice of who you want to walk you down the aisle. My choice is my Uncle in place of my deceased Father. My Mom and my Brother tried to influence my decision for another person, but I stood firm in my decision. You can reserve a toast speech for him.

View Quoted Comment Oh well then yeah it is a little to early to tell where exactly anyone's place is. Walking down the isle by yourself is a statement. You come in and as an independent woman walk yourself to a new chapter in your life. I have also seen some weddings where the bride makes the first half of the walk by herself and meets her groom in the middle and they take the other half the walk down the isle hand in hand to the alter. I found that beautiful and very symbolic as well.

I don't have much family. No father. My children will probably be walking me down the aisle.

Do what you feel is best for you.