- Blog
- Bios
- Boards
- Classifieds
- DIY
- Gallery
- Vendor Reviews
- Shop Weddingbee
Weddingbee Blog
“When I count my blessings, I count you twice.” - Irish Proverb
(by Max Wanger)
“Who’s giving you away on your wedding day?”
This question comes up from time to time, since my dad won’t be physically able to (but he’ll be watching, I know that for sure 
).
(Me & Papa Ostrich. check out my snazzy hot pink ensemble…and those white tights!!)
So what was I thinking?
At first glance, I was dead set on walking down the aisle…to my hubby-to-be…on my own. Flying solo. I’ve been fiercely independent almost my entire life and was kind of weirded out by the whole “giving away” idea. It felt like such an ancient tradition. I mean, what am I, a goat? 
So it was decided. And I felt really really good about it. And very modern-day woman.
And then, on a very ordinary Sunday at my parents’ house, I looked around the breakfast table while my mom was telling a funny story and everyone was laughing…and my perception changed.
I get it now. It wasn’t about “giving away.” It was about the celebration of one family and the beginning of another.
(Ahhhh, the ’80s. me, Mama ostrich and Brother Ostrich @ Pismo Beach)
They’ve held me up, cheered me on and loved me unquestionably for 31 years. And when we didn’t know which way was up, we were each other’s light in that darkest hour that day when the man in our lives passed away…and they’ve kept my life full of light ever since.
(the Ostrich Trio, sweating and swatting mosquitos, in the Philippines, 2005)
So, in a little over a month (Yipes!) my family will be holding my (trembling with excitement) hands and walking by my side towards the new man in my life. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Now it’s your time to share. Will you have someone walk you down the aisle on your special day? Or will you be flying solo?
I have thought about the same thing for a bit and I think I would like both of my parents to walk me down. I dunno why it’s only a father’s duty to do so because my mom is equally as important. My dad walked my cousin down the aisle when she got married because her father passed away some time before.
I’m a momma’s girl, so she will be beside me going down the aisle. It only seems right 
I think it’s so sweet that your mom and brother are going to walk you down! My dad will be doing the honors and I think he’s been dreaming about that moment longer than I have.
My mom is on her forth marriage and I have no link with my bio-father. My step-dad has been married to my mom for nearly 15 years now and I love him a lot. (I’m not sure I’ve ever told him but I plan to the next time I go home in a few weeks. Eep!) I want him to be involved in the aisle-walk but he’s blind and I feel like it’ll be me bringing him down the aisle instead of him leading me. He’s also a beautiful, world-toured and trained musician.
I think what would be best in my case is to have him write a piece of music that I’ll walk down the aisle to. It makes me happy to think about what he’ll create for me and I know it will be beautiful.
I may ask my mom to walk me down, but it’s hard since we had a rough relationship that has only recently been mending and she isn’t in good health.
Odds are, I’ll be walking down the aisle alone with my dad’s music playing and pushing me forward. I’m almost settled on it.
My dad walked my sister down the aisle 3 years ago, and he will walk me down.
Of course, back then my twin sister and I were both still living with our parents. I have been out of their house and living alone over 2 years now. I think it was here on WB that I heard the idea of having your dad walk you like 2/3 of the way, then going the rest by yourself. As a full-fleged adult, I think it would be really cool to say “With my parents permission, I give myself.”
But I couldn’t deny my dad the opportunity to walk and give me, as I’m his last child.
What a sweet idea. I’ll be surprised if there is a dry eye in the place when you walk down the aisle. I love the way you describe “giving away.” Can’t wait to see the pics of that moment.
Both my parents are walking down the isle. Mum as my Matron of Honour and Dad’s walking me down.
I love that your mother and brother are walking you down the isle!!
I felt exactly the same way, and I was honored to have my Mom and little brother walk me down the aisle.
Initially, I decided to walk alone. I had many reasons: The idea of being “given away” didn’t sit well with me - I’m very independent, plus I married at the ripe age of 47. Also, my dad passed away when I was 16. And my mom (who is the only other person I might have considered) had knee surgery just a few weeks before th wedding so walking was difficult for her that day.
But I was kind of worried that I would be nervous and might need some support, at least physically. LOL So I thought it would be cute (and appropriately symbolic) if my groom met me halfway and we walked together the rest of the way.
It turned out better than I envisioned, because he decided to JOG toward me, as if he simply couldn’t wait! It appeared completely spontaneous and it was a sweet surprise for me. The guests loved it, too! And the photographer even got pictures, which I’ve posted on some of the threads.
@NotYourTypicalBride: Cute idea! I’ll be thinking about that one.
@MissLam: go fot it! it’s gonna be awesome - please share your pics with us…i’d love to see them.
@livhefnerphoto: you and your mom will look beautiful together - i’m so excited for you!
@SeattleMolly: the idea of having your dad compose your music is so magical. and if your FI met you halfway, like @NotYourTypicalBride: = AMAZING. i’ll be looking forward to hearing what you decide.
@NotYourTypicalBride: just, awesome. if i was still flying solo, i would recycle your brilliant idea. thanks for sharing, friend!
I had wanted both my Mom and Dad to walk me down the aisle, but surprisingly my Mom insisted that only my Dad do it. Glad you’ll have loved ones on each arm!
Great idea! I think your mom and brother will be very honored to “give you away”
I plan to have my father walk me down the aisle. He has cancer and I know part of the reason he has been so strong through all his years with this terrible disease is to walk me down the aisle and for the father / daughter dance. If his health takes a turn for the worse we are prepared to move our wedding to an earlier date so that he can at least be in the best health possible for the ceremony and to “give me away”.
Oh, Miss O… this made me tear up. I too lost my Dad, and I’ve been planning on going alone down the aisle. Lately though, I’ve been feeling like you. Maybe I want someone there with me?
I think it’s so beautiful that you will have your “trio” together on your big day. Can’t wait for the pictures
This was a struggle for me too, since my dad is not part of my life. My mom didn’t want to walk me down for some reason. She thinks it HAS to be a guy for some reason so she wanted my little brother to do it. Granted, he’s a grown man, but that just didn’t sit right with me. I for sure didn’t want to walk by myself (I knew I would need help staying upright in that situation). The Catholic church actually advocates for your hubby-to-be to walk with you. I love the statement that we are on the same footing and entering into this together, so that’s what we’re doing. My aunts might faint.
What a wonderful idea!! My son is wlaking me down the aisle. It was the most appropriate choice for us.
I almost walked solo myself.
Thinking about the three of you walking down the aisle together seriously is so sweet it’s making me tear up.
I understand where you’re coming from. My dad and my grandfather both passed away about 8 years ago. For a while I was just going to walk by myself. But as it became more of a reality I realized that it was not a feat I could accomplish, and also really wanted my mom to be part of that moment with me. So now my mom will be walking me down in just under 4 months!
My dad was also watching our wedding from above, and there was no way I was asking my mother’s good-for-nothing third husband to do it. I was struggling with the decision- I could have my mom do it, or ask my favorite uncle, but I’m a person who very much struggles with not hurting feelings and avoiding conflict, so I had no clue what to do. Honestly, I probably would have struggled if my dad had been alive since we were never close.
Luckily, the church decided for me! We got married in a Catholic Church and they were very adamant that the day was about the couple, not just the bride, which we really liked. Their preference was for the couple to walk down the aisle together, and as soon as I heard it I thought it was perfect. Nobody was “giving” me to anyone- I was 34 years old and had been out on my own since 23!
It made sense to take the steps together towards the altar since it was our decision to marry, especially since we like to refer to ourselves as a team. It also eliminated the stress of who to choose, and no one gave me any grief to my face about it once I explained about the chuch thing.
What a heartfelt, wonderful post! Your family will be so honored to walk you down the aisle. I had both my parents walk me down, because I couldn’t imagine it without my mom. It was one of the best parts of my wedding, for sure.
| Visit our sister sites | eHarmony Online Dating |
eHarmony Advice Dating Advice |
Project Wedding Wedding Songs |
JustMommies Pregnancy Calendar |
Mrs. Ostrich, San Francisco/Hawaii Age and Occupation: 30, Fashion Buyer Fiance's Age and Occupation: 38, Copywriter Engagement Date: October 4, 2009 Wedding Date: April 2011 Venue: Sweet ceremony by the sea and sunset celebration on the North Shore of Hawaii About Me: Born in the city of angels and residing in the city by the bay, I’m a fearless fashion buyer by day, a passionate blog author by night and a dreamy bride-to-be in between. I thank my lucky stars to live in such a stunning city that gives me gifts like organic honey lavender ice cream, movie nights in the park, tucked away beaches, legendary record stores, '80s dance parties, awesome sports teams, stellar flea markets, and vintage bookshops. Oh, and I love to dance! We always find every excuse to escape to the beach, and decided a little seaside wedding in Hawaii is our idea of bliss. Full of our favorite people, music, food and sparkly lights, this is one sunset celebration we will always remember.
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | 30 | 31 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 |
Latest Gallery Pics