Dear Miss SOS:

I am planning to have my daughter walk me down the aisle. At the time of my wedding she will be eleven years old. When I tell people this they have a strange look. My father is still alive and very much in my life. This is my first wedding. I was planning on my father walking my mother down the aisle, my soon-to-be-father-in-law walking my soon-to-be-mother-in-law down the aisle, and my daughter walking with me. Does that seem OK or am I way off base?

The Bride may be escorted down the aisle by her father, her mother, both parents, stepparents, her brother, her sister, a favorite uncle or aunt or cousin, her godfather, her godmother, her daughter, her son, her future stepchildren, or if the Bride prefers, she may walk down the aisle solo without an escort. One of the loveliest ceremonies Miss SOS ever attended included the Bride’s grandmother and mother escorting her down the aisle, symbolizing the continuity of the women in the family.

By all means, have your daughter escort you down the aisle as you start your new life together. Rather than the wording “who gives this woman to this man?” (which would be awkward for a young lady to respond “I do”), Miss SOS suggests the phrasing “who supports the union of this woman and this man?” Your daughter would still be able to respond the same (“I do”) and adds a beautiful richness and meaning to the service.

In the order of the seating of the parents, the Groom’s mother and father walk down the aisle first. Your mother, escorted by your father, follows them. Please note that the Mother of the Bride is the last person to be escorted down the aisle before the processional starts. It is her honor and her distinction. No other person is to be escorted once she is seated. Late-arriving guests are to be quietly instructed by the Ushers to seat themselves in the rear so not to further disturb the proceedings.

Have a question? Write Miss SOS at Prescott Weddings.com