Giving the Bride Away 

After the bride and her father have walked down the aisle and met the minister and groom at the altar (and the accompanist has masterfully ended the music for the Wedding March) the minister asks the guests to please be seated.

It is traditional for the Father of the Bride to “give” the bride away to the groom. Nowadays it is simply a symbolic gesture, allowing the father to give his consent to the marriage as well as to symbolically tell the groom that it is now the groom’s responsibility to protect and provide for the bride, taking those responsibilities from the father.

However, in many contemporary weddings, both parents, a close friend, godparents, or another person who holds a special place in the bride’s heart will give the bride away.

Giving of the Bride #1:
Who gives this woman to be married to this man?

Giving of the Bride #2:
Who presents this woman and this man to be married to each other?

Giving of the Bride #3:
Doubly blessed is the couple which comes to the marriage altar with the approval and blessings of their families and friends. Who has the honor of presenting this woman to be married to this man?