Young Woman Asks If It Would Be Wrong To Walk Down The Aisle Alone Since She Has A Bad Relationship With Dad

"He and my mother are still together so I also don't want to cause issues for her either."

Damjan

• Published in Interesting
• August 10, 2023

Weddings are considered by many to be one of the most pivotal moments in a person's life, and as such, come with their fair share of traditions. One such tradition, deeply ingrained in many cultures, is the ceremonial act of a father walking his daughter down the aisle.

But what happens when personal history and deep-rooted traditions clash? That's the question that OP, a 28-year-old bride-to-be, is grappling with. OP's wedding preparations came to a halt when she faced a daunting decision.

Should she walk down the wedding aisle alone, or should she be accompanied by her father, with whom she's had a strained relationship for most of her life? As she prepares for the big day, this decision hangs over her like a dark cloud, bringing with it a whirlwind of emotions and the weight of years of complicated history.

Although their relationship has recently improved to a level of civility, the scars from the past remain. OP's original plan was to walk herself down the aisle, a decision that she felt was in line with her personal journey and the challenges she had faced in her relationship with her father.

However, before she had the opportunity to discuss her decision with him personally, he found out through a third party. Understandably, he was upset. Despite their tumultuous past, OP admits that she's still driven by a desire to keep her father happy, revealing the deep complexities and emotional ties that often exist between parents and their children.

While her family has expressed support for whatever choice she makes, OP is left in a quandary, wrestling with guilt, societal expectations, and the pursuit of personal happiness.

OP asks:

Should she walk down the wedding aisle alone, or should she be accompanied by her father, with whom she's had a strained relationship for most of her life?

OP has offered the following explanation for why they think they might be the a-hole:

OP is not obligated to pretend she has a relationship with her dad

They talk to each other instead avoiding each other

The customs differ form one country to another:

OP responded:

Come to think of it, this does make sense:

He must accept the decision if he wants to keep the relationship

OP can call it a "Victory Walk"

The bottom line is:

Deciding to go against usual wedding customs is a tough choice. While many hold onto these traditions tightly, others believe they can change them to fit their own life stories.

OP's situation shows how complicated family ties can be and the hard choices one might face to ensure their own happiness. While how someone walks down the wedding aisle might seem like a minor detail, for OP, it's a significant decision.

It reflects her past, her challenges, and her hopes for what lies ahead. Whether she decides to walk down that aisle by herself or with company, it's evident that she's focused on understanding herself better, overcoming past hurts, and looking forward to a brighter future.

Damjan