As I have posted in a couple of other threads, my step daughter is getting married this Sunday. This will be my first time walking someone down the path of matrimony and have a couple of questions.
At other weddings I have attended, the FOTB after walking the bride down the aisle, returns to sits down next to the MOTB. My wife is part of the wedding party and she says I should remain standing with the rest of them. I disagree, I think I will return to a front row seat to watch.
When a cousin of mine was married, my uncle upon delivering the bride to the groom, handed him the bills for her student loans and told him “These bills belong to you now”. As one of those that can think of the perfect comeback line about 3 minutes too late, I am open to any suggestions for a comment to break the tension of the moment. Or would something like that even be appropriate?
I have no idea how this works. I think you go sit down with the MOTB, but then I’ve never seen a MOTB as part of the wedding party. Sorry!
When in doubt, do NOT use humor. At least not in this situation. If you feel you need to say something, try for something paternal and/or romantic - I dunno, maybe even a simple “Welcome to the family.”
The student loan thing would be a good line to use at the reception, though.
don’t worry about where you go because there is usually a rehersal to go through that. Just ask whoever is doing the directing and then you will know.
LifeonWry is right about the humor.
Have a seat. I IMHO it may look awkward for you to be standing there. Have them reserve a seat in the front row for you so you have the best seat in the house and enjoy the show.
As for saying something… hmmm when my FIL handed off Mrs. Scriblerus to me he simply shook my hand and offered his congratulations & a welcome to the family. It was a nice quiet moment that I will always remember. Lay off the humour until the reception… ESPECIALLY if you are having a church wedding. There is a time and place for everything ,not that God doesn’t enjoy a good laugh every now and again. Save it for the reception BUT do try and stay away from the ‘in’ jokes. I am sure they are hilarious but only to the people who are in the know.
That being said. I hope you and your family have a fantastic day filled with love and memories that will last a life time.
Racer: I think your step-daughter will tell you what she wants and symplicity has it right when (s)he said you will walk thru this at the practice session.
My father is deceased so my boss and older brother walked me down the aisle. Both are about six foot eight. They (thankfully) only did this at the rehearsal but they “passed me off to hubby” and then high fived each other above a foot or so above my head.
The photo of this is great, as I look like a deer in headlights, and hubby is doubled over laughing.
As a step father who went through this last year, just do what you are told (even when you are paying for EVERYTHING). When the kids announced their engagement and knowing my wife’s proclivities, I offered a large bribe to them to elope. After the brats ratted me out, I was allowed to re-attach my head. Mrs. Cards turned the whole wedding into a three day marathon.
As we have a blended family, there was a LOT of discussion about proper etiquette (sp), timing, who sits where, etc. By staying out of it and letting the women hash out the details, I was far from the struggles and was able to enjoy too many scotches at the reception.
Bottom line: someone will tell you what to do and when; do it.
In all two of the weddings I’ve been in, the front row was reserved for the wedding party, and the immediate family did have a row reserved (either the second row, or the third row with the second row empty) where the ushers were told not to seat other guests. So you probably won’t need to worry about having to ask someone to save you a seat.
Anyway, what everyone else said … they’ll cover all that at the rehearsal. If for some reason it gets glossed over, it’s a perfectly reasonable question for you to ask when you get done rehearsing or even during the rehearsal.
Ask the bride (your stepdaughter) what she prefers that you do. Then do it.
No jokes. Period. What tension, anyway? If you’re the type that thinks of the “perfect” comment too late, then delivery might not exactly be your specialty. Why risk tainting such an important day? Using a toast during the reception to joke will be much better.
