If your parents are divorced, there are probably several different decisions you must make to accommodate, as smoothly as possible, several potentially explosive situations.
Photo: Chalet Studio Photography, Windsor, Ontario, will travel
Here are the following suggestions as alternatives to established tradition.
Your Invitations: It would be proper for the parent with whom you have been living the longest to issue the invitation, if applicable. The other parent is not mentioned. However, if both parents agree, the invitations may be issued in both names.
Introducing the Future In-laws to Each Other: Protocol would dictate the first introduction should be to the parent with whom you have been living, followed a week or so later by a visit with your other parent.
Giving the Bride Away: Unless you are personally estranged from your father, it is he who walks you down the aisle and gives your away.
Seating at The Ceremony: The bride’s mother and her immediate family (parents, husband and children) are seated in the front row. The second row is left empty. The bride’s father, after walking the bride down the aisle, sits with his present wife and parents in the third row.
The Reception Line: Traditionally, the bride’s mother stands in the receiving line and her father mingles with the guests. (no problem here) However, if the brides wants both her parents in the line, be sure to separate your divorced parents with the stepparents or grandparents to eliminate confusion among your guests. If you are serving a sit-down dinner, be sure to assign separate tables for your parents and their spouses.
One would hope that on this, your most memorable day, your divorced parents would set aside personal feelings and consciously avoid creating any tensions.
