What to do for a wedding where the bride has a birth dad and a step dad?

Steve R.: What to do for a wedding where the bride has a birth dad and a step dad?
I’m getting married in about 11 months and my bride and I are wondering how best to handle the traditions without excluding anyone. Her natural dad and her step dad are both very much a part of her life. We’re wondering if anyone has had a similar issue with their wedding and has a good solution to potentially awkward situations like the traditional father daughter dance during the reception, and walking down the aisle. We appreciate the insight. Thanks!

Answers and Views:

Answer by slim
It’s seems the walling down the isle is fairly simple, just have both of them walk her down. But I have no idea for the dance.

Answer by ♠ Merlin ♠
the only wedding i went to, that had this
both of them walked her down the aisle, the bride in the middle

the dance, they had one of them “cut in”
it was the only way

i didn’t like the dance thing
it spanked of “she is MY daughter”

but the church was lovely with both of them walking her

Answer by MissClover
My step-sister had a very similar situation. She lived with her mom (and my dad) for all of her teenage years, but her own dad was still very much a part of her life. She decided to compromise by having her dad walk her down the aisle, then when the line came “Who gives this bride away?” my father stood up and both him and her own dad said “I do” together. For the father/daughter dance, she just danced with her real father for most the song, then when the time came for all the other fathers and daughters to join in, she danced with my dad.

It was a little hard to work it out in the beginning without hurting anyone’s feelings, but when it comes down to it, she felt it was important to make sure to stay true to her own dad, because he’s the one who raised her from the beginning. But my dad definitely felt included! She made sure to talk to both of them so they both understood what was happening, and it turned out to be a perfect day! 🙂

Answer by Sweetart
Your fiancee could have both fathers walk her down the aisle, or have one start her down, and the other finish and hand her off. In the matter of the father-daughter dance, I don’t think people would be shocked if she danced with both. It’s better to have grown up with two loving fathers, than none.

Answer by [email protected]
When my youngest daughter got marriend she was close with both her Father and Step Father, so she asked them both to walk her down the aisle with her in the middle. It turned out to be beautiful. As for the father daughter dance she should dance with her birth father first then her step father either to seperate songs or dance half of one song with each. Good Luck!

Answer by planner
this is handled in several ways by other people.

either she can have both men walk her down the aisle signifying that both men have been part of her life, or she can have her natural father walk her part way and then the step father take over for the rest of the way…signifying that her natural father started her on the path to life and her step father brought her the rest of the way up till then.

for the father/daugther dance it can either be done by beginning with her natural father and then having her dance off into the arms of her step-father who would be waiting for her. (don’t have the step father “cut in” because it seems like he interrupted or cut into her life and seems disruptive)

or you can have her dance a father/daughter dance and then dance with her step father to a totally different song. there a plenty of choices of songs with the message of “you have been like a father to me” or about the importance of that step father figure. check here to find something appropriate https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-songs under “father/daughter” dance songs.

Answer by Halo Mom
Have two father daughter dances

Ask your birth dad, and see if he is okay with both dad’s walking you down the isle
If not have your birth day

Then have two Dad’s dance
Father/daughter
Mother/son
Father/daughter

Answer by Katie
i’m not sure about the dance thing, but i got a similar situation, only its my mother, ex step dad, and my uncle( who is like a father to me). my uncle is walking me down the isle, and all 3 are going to give me away( they are all ok with that compromise).

They can both walk her down and they can both give her away, and she can have 2 father-daughter dances

Answer by Doom
I’ve noticed that some people have said to have them both walk her down, and some people have said let each of them do half way. But why not split the difference?
I’ve seen ceremonies in which a bride is walked by her father, then halfway down the isle the two are joined by her stepfather. Like someone else said, this symbolizes that they are a team in raising her and loving her, even though one of them came into her life a little later.
And I thank that two father/daughter dances is a good idea. She could pick two different songs that way, that have different sentiments based on her relationships with them.

Answer by Perse
A woman can walk herself down the aisle and family dances aren’t so common anymore. There is no need for any awkwardness.

Answer by Because I Said So
they should both walk her down the aisle. when the officiant asks who gives this woman to be married, they can answer, we all do. meaning both of them and her mom.