Who Gives this Woman?

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Marrying for love is a relatively new concept. Historically, marriages were arranged for legal, financial, and social reasons. Two families who were of similar social standings would enter into a marriage contract, betrothing their children in a contractual relationship for the good of both families. If a family was more liberated and allowed their daughter to choose her suitor, there were still pre-marital provisions that would-be grooms needed to meet. Often, the groom (or his family) was required to pay a price for the bride’s dowry (i.e. possessions and money that she took with her into the marriage).

On the day of the wedding, the father of the bride would present his daughter to the groom. This act of “giving away” acknowledged that all contracts had been fulfilled and she was no longer the responsibility of the family. Today, when a father gives his daughter away, it is a symbolic gesture that she enters into the union with his blessing.

Since many couples live together before getting married and actually pay for their own wedding, more brides are opting to walk down the aisle alone. Personally, I think it’s a nice gesture to have your father give you away, but, for a more contemporary approach to the “wedding march,” why not have the bride and groom walk down the aisle together?

A couple of weeks ago, I posted about the trend of brides and grooms seeing each other before the ceremony. If a couple decides to take a few stolen moments together before the ceremony, I think walking down the aisle together would be a wonderful way for them to show their unity and solidarity as a couple.

Share your thoughts on this idea – I’d love to hear what you think!