my father died when i was little and i have no other family and i am getting married next year but it will be at a regestry office so what i am asking is...do i have to be given away and any advice as to whom,,,like can i have a female mate to do this or does it have to be a male...
2007-07-23 02:08:05 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
No you do not have to be given away.
2007-07-26 23:35:51 · answer #1 · answered by JAYNE C 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You do not have to be "given away" by anyone, in any wedding setting or ceremony, unless you want to.
The bride being "given away" is a tradition based on the old times when women were property of first their father, and then their husband. The bride's father literally gave her away, to be ruled over by another man.
I chose to not be given by anyone but myself, and did not have a male relative "give me away" at my wedding, because I hold the value that a woman is no man's property.
Most of the modern wedding customs that we practice are based on old-time customs and traditions. In fact, the modern wedding that most people emulate, is just a middle class version of a royal wedding that happened over 100 years ago. When Queen Victoria's son married, his bride wore a large white gown, with a long train and veil. They played a pompus musical piece when the bride came down the aisle.... that musical piece was used for other purposes as well, like funerals. This is now known as the "Wedding March". Every aspect of that royal wedding has been used in commoners' weddings ever since that one royal wedding, many generations ago.
You can make your wedding exactly as you wish, and you do not have to adhere to any over-wrought customs, just because other people do it.
Have a great day!
2007-07-23 14:28:23 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
For a registry office wedding you only require two witnesses. These can be either male or female in any combination. When we got married last year both our witnesses were female. I did have my Dad "give me away" However, he really only accompanied me walking down the aisle, again as far as I know anyone can do this or you can go by yourself. Bit of advice though, it was lovely to have the reassurance of someone with me. We then had a church blessing afterwards and both my Mum and Dad walked down the aisle with me. Good luck
2007-07-23 09:26:12 · answer #3 · answered by littlebear 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From memory, you have 3 options:
1) the traditional, bride being given away. My father died when I was young, so my mum gave me away (to The Proclaimers, Lets get Married!)
2) you can arrive with your groom, and welcome your guests as they arrive.
3) you and your groom can arrive together, after the guests, and walk down the aisle together
I think all 3 have their plus points, I like the idea of the bride and groom welcoming their guests. It is 2007 after all, and there is no reason for the groom not to see the bride the night before the wedding any more, they are probably living together anyway!!
I'm sure it will be beautiful whatever you decide.
2007-07-25 06:47:24 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You do not need to be "given away" however some people find it comforting to walk to their future arm in arm with their past - it can be whom ever you choose (childhood friend / male / female) - or no-one at all. You could even hold something symbolic or that belonged to your father (perhaps included in a bouquet if you have one) that way although your father is not actually walking you down the aisle you will be walking down with him in your heart and thoughts.
The advantage of a civil wedding is that you determine your wedding with the exception of 2/3 legal requirements.
Best of luck!
2007-07-23 10:05:55 · answer #5 · answered by Missmack 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you are not given away at a registry office wedding.
You will need a witness to the ceremony who will sign the wedding certificate and I sugest that your female mate would be a good candidate for this honour.
2007-07-23 09:12:13 · answer #6 · answered by Billybean 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it is not necessary to be given away at a courthouse wedding. You don't really "walk down the aisle." It is ok to have an attendant or witness standing beside you, this can be whoever you want for support. Best wishes!
2007-07-23 14:16:35 · answer #7 · answered by LoveWithNoBoundaries 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am going to a wedding in a couple of weeks and the bride is from a one parent family. She is being walked down the aisle by her mother. But anyone can walk you down the aisle or walk down the aisle on your own, your wedding your choice. By the way good luck on your special day.
2007-07-23 09:13:59 · answer #8 · answered by john m 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't have to be given away, but if you choose to then it can be by anyone you like. There are no hard and fast rules and the registry office will do their best to accommodate whatever it is you want to do.
2007-07-23 09:12:01 · answer #9 · answered by sunshine 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
here in iowa I had a justice of the peace do mine(I think it is the same thing) and we just met in the local park, we needed two witnesses but that was it, my parents were not people I wanted there(my father is in jail(again how does he do it) and so well not many other options) and that worked well and the pics were great and it cost 100 dollars, no park fee
2007-07-23 09:13:36 · answer #10 · answered by mommy to be of 3 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Fortunately the giving away tradition is simply that tradition and is not a necessity for getting married.
However if it means something to you then you could always have your mother do it.
2007-07-23 09:12:00 · answer #11 · answered by lovely 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋