by Holly Rogers

Created on: January 15, 2010

Long gone are the days when the bride can only be walked down the aisle of their wedding by their father. These days family units are not always the same traditional make up that may have been the norm in past generations. The divorce rate is higher and tragedy can strike any family, therefore for some brides it may not be possible to have their father walk them down the aisle. These days traditions are becoming a thing of the past and many brides are opting for someone else to accompany them on this final walk as a single woman.

If parents are divorced, it can often be a difficult choice in choosing who to walk the bride down the aisle. It may be that they have grown up with their step father as the primary father figure, in which case this would be a logical choice over the real father. This also paves the way for other family members to step up to the role. In a household where the father may have passed or is absent for any other reason, this role is often filled by the next male in line in the family, whether that be the brides brother or perhaps a close uncle or cousin.

However, these days there is nothing to say it even needs to be a father figure or family member to walk the bride down the aisle on their wedding day. Many brides are opting for even less traditional choices, such as a female friend or family member to take on this role. A natural choice that is common is the mother of the bride. Many brides are very close to their mother's therefore sharing such a moment is very meaningful for both the mother and the daughter on the wedding day. A bride may also choose a sister or best friend to escort them. In the end, the person who escorts the bride down the aisle should be someone who is very close to the bride and who they love dearly.

To avoid the dilemma of having someone walk you down the aisle, many brides these days are also opting for no one and choose to walk the aisle alone, with no one there to give them away. This can also be a sign of independence if the daughter is struggling to make a choice between family members.

Alternatively, a couple may choose to walk down the aisle together. If you wish to avoid the whole bridal walk entirely, perhaps arrange for the groom to meet you at the start of the aisle instead of at the alter and walk together, hand in hand, with the man you are about to marry. This is a very sentimental moment for a bride and groom and also works well if either has been married before and has already been given away by their parents.

In the end, the choice of who walks the bride down the aisle is completely up to the bride. It is your day, so it should be the way you want it to be.

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