Planning a Wedding with Divorced Parents
Growing up with divorced parents comes with its challenges. Splitting time between parents can be difficult, and if the parents get re-married, it's a whole different situation. New challenges arise when you are grown and are planning your wedding. Today's blog from Bridal Couture of the Palm Beaches offers some advice for those frustrated brides dealing with their divorced parents.
In a perfect world, everyone who loves you would come together to make your wedding day perfect. Unfortunately, that's not always the case. The most important thing to remember is that it's YOUR day. If you tend to be a people-pleaser, then you may have to learn how to put your foot down.
On formal wedding invitations, the bride and groom's parents' names are listed. If the parents are helping to fund the event, you'll want to be sure to include their names. You should list your mother (and stepfather if applicable) first and then your father. However, if you're funding your own wedding, you don't need to feel obligated to go with the traditional wording.
Traditionally, the bride's father would walk her down the aisle. With divorced parents, especially ones that have re-married, that might not be the case. If you have a good relationship with both your father and step-father, it can be nearly impossible to choose who will walk you down the aisle. One solution would be to have them both walk you down the aisle. If your parents didn't re-marry and you don't have a good relationship with you father, you can also choose to have your mother walk you down the aisle or even a brother or uncle. It's your day, so be sure to do what you want and not what other people try to guilt you into thinking is the right way to go about it.
If your divorced parents do not get along at all, you'll want to plan out the seating arrangements carefully. There will be enough things to worry about on your special day, you don't want your parents bickering to be one of them. You'll want to think about seating for both the ceremony and the reception.
Ceremony - During the ceremony, we suggest that you seat the parent that raised you (along with his or her new spouse if applicable) in the first row. Grandparents and siblings occupy the second row, so you can seat the other parent (with his or her new spouse/family) in the third row.
Reception - During the reception, you'll want to have two separate tables, equal distance from the head table, to seat each family at. Their own relatives or close family friends can be seated with them to fill up the table. When you do the toasts, be sure to acknowledge both families equally.
One common tradition at wedding receptions is the father/daughter dance and mother/son dance. You'll want to make sure to plan these out ahead of time and let the DJ know how you want this part of the night to play out. You could choose to dance with both your father and stepfather, having two father/daughter dances. If you don't have a good relationship with your father, you could choose to dance with your mother instead. You can even skip the dances altogether if you'd like. Again, it's your day.
Make sure you advise your photographer on the situation as well. You want to be sensitive when photographs are concerned. Let your photographer know which group photos you would like to have taken. You might want photos with both your parents, and their new spouses. You might want to have separate photos with each. Another important thing to remember is that even if you don't get along with a step-parent, you should include them in some photos. However, they don't have to be in all the family photos. You also are not obligated to include any casual boyfriends/girlfriends in photos, but it might be nice to take a separate photo with them if you choose.
One decision you can make without having to worry about your divorced parents is the dress you will wear for your special day! At Bridal Couture of the Palm Beaches, we bring an exceptional choice of wedding gowns and bridal accessories at very attractive prices to the Palm Beaches and surrounding areas. Our promise is to offer brides a truly enjoyable experience with our expertise and the full resources of our South Florida bridal salon during their scheduled appointment time. Schedule your appointment today by calling 561-793-4633.
In a perfect world, everyone who loves you would come together to make your wedding day perfect. Unfortunately, that's not always the case. The most important thing to remember is that it's YOUR day. If you tend to be a people-pleaser, then you may have to learn how to put your foot down.
Invitations
On formal wedding invitations, the bride and groom's parents' names are listed. If the parents are helping to fund the event, you'll want to be sure to include their names. You should list your mother (and stepfather if applicable) first and then your father. However, if you're funding your own wedding, you don't need to feel obligated to go with the traditional wording.
Giving the Bride Away
Traditionally, the bride's father would walk her down the aisle. With divorced parents, especially ones that have re-married, that might not be the case. If you have a good relationship with both your father and step-father, it can be nearly impossible to choose who will walk you down the aisle. One solution would be to have them both walk you down the aisle. If your parents didn't re-marry and you don't have a good relationship with you father, you can also choose to have your mother walk you down the aisle or even a brother or uncle. It's your day, so be sure to do what you want and not what other people try to guilt you into thinking is the right way to go about it.
Seating Arrangements
If your divorced parents do not get along at all, you'll want to plan out the seating arrangements carefully. There will be enough things to worry about on your special day, you don't want your parents bickering to be one of them. You'll want to think about seating for both the ceremony and the reception.
Ceremony - During the ceremony, we suggest that you seat the parent that raised you (along with his or her new spouse if applicable) in the first row. Grandparents and siblings occupy the second row, so you can seat the other parent (with his or her new spouse/family) in the third row.
Reception - During the reception, you'll want to have two separate tables, equal distance from the head table, to seat each family at. Their own relatives or close family friends can be seated with them to fill up the table. When you do the toasts, be sure to acknowledge both families equally.
Bridal Dances
One common tradition at wedding receptions is the father/daughter dance and mother/son dance. You'll want to make sure to plan these out ahead of time and let the DJ know how you want this part of the night to play out. You could choose to dance with both your father and stepfather, having two father/daughter dances. If you don't have a good relationship with your father, you could choose to dance with your mother instead. You can even skip the dances altogether if you'd like. Again, it's your day.
Photography
Make sure you advise your photographer on the situation as well. You want to be sensitive when photographs are concerned. Let your photographer know which group photos you would like to have taken. You might want photos with both your parents, and their new spouses. You might want to have separate photos with each. Another important thing to remember is that even if you don't get along with a step-parent, you should include them in some photos. However, they don't have to be in all the family photos. You also are not obligated to include any casual boyfriends/girlfriends in photos, but it might be nice to take a separate photo with them if you choose.
One decision you can make without having to worry about your divorced parents is the dress you will wear for your special day! At Bridal Couture of the Palm Beaches, we bring an exceptional choice of wedding gowns and bridal accessories at very attractive prices to the Palm Beaches and surrounding areas. Our promise is to offer brides a truly enjoyable experience with our expertise and the full resources of our South Florida bridal salon during their scheduled appointment time. Schedule your appointment today by calling 561-793-4633.
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10233 Okeechobee Blvd - Suite B4
561-793-4633
Visit our website at www.BridalCouturePalmBeach.com
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