"While it could be comfortable for a set of divorced parents to walk down the aisle together, we often see siblings, grandparents, or other family members used to escort any divorced parents that aren't walking you down the aisle," says Child.
"Modern couples have both parents walk each the bride and the groom down the aisle. If you've got step-parents, consider having them walk together down the aisle while your divorced parents walk you down the aisle. Or, you can be super-modern and walk yourself down the aisle."
Commonly, the order for the receiving line is: bride's mother, bride's father, newlyweds, groom's mother, groom's father. If parents are divorced, they should not stand next to each other and your maid of honour or best man can be placed in between, both as a buffer and to show the couple are no longer together.
A simple rule that wedding planners recommend as a way to avoid unnecessary drama on the wedding day is to have the divorced parents sit far away from each other. “Picture the typical church having two sides (with the aisle down the middle)—put mom on one side and dad on the other,” Jimmy suggests.
Seating divorced parents
In the lucky event that all the parties get along, there's no reason why the divorced parents cannot share the front row. But when there is strain or outright bitterness, it's necessary to use a careful, well-thought-out alternative plan that keeps the parties separated.
A Groomsman
This is the traditional choice and gives the guy another few moments in the spotlight. If the bride has a stepmother, she would be escorted to her seat by a groomsman before the mother of the bride; the bride's mom should be the last person to be escorted down the aisle, just before the bridal party.
Traditionally speaking, your mother will be on the front as mentioned above (with her significant other if in attendance), and her immediate family will be directly behind her in the next row back. This generally would place your stepmother on the third row back in the second seat from the aisle.
Traditionally, he walks down the aisle solo but some grooms prefer walking down the aisle escorted by both parents. Other grooms prefer a more subtle approach by entering the ceremony from the side of the venue (following the officiant and followed by the groomsmen) to take his place at the altar.
The groom might opt to escort his mother down the aisle and to her seat in the front row, followed closely behind by the groom's father. This gives the groom an opportunity to give his parents a hug before taking his place at the altar.
Again, the couple's parents may or may not walk down the aisle (they can also just take their seats as the procession begins). Traditionally, the groom's parents will go first, followed by the mother of the bride, but the couple may choose to be escorted down the aisle by one or both of their parents.
With divorced parents and in-laws, this task can get a little bit tricky. Whether your parents remain on distant terms or not, etiquette dictates that you should seat your mother in the first row and your father in the second row. Then, fill each of the rows with their own immediate family members.
That is completely up to you, who you want with you when you get ready. Most brides have their bridesmaids and mum. Some also have friends, or grandma, and mother of the groom too.
“Ideally, the parents are able to communicate on wedding finance between themselves and work out a mutually acceptable arrangement,” says Foss. “But if that isn't possible, then you should speak with the parents in question to find out what they can or are willing to contribute toward the cost of the wedding.
Walk Down the Aisle
Chief among father of the groom duties is walking the groom's mother down the aisle. If the groom's parents are divorced and the father is remarried, they should, instead, escort their new spouse down the aisle and to their seat.
In many traditional weddings, the father still gives away the bride. In modern weddings, however, it can be anybody. The most important consideration is that the person is someone with whom the couple trusts and feels comfortable. “I think couples should ultimately do what works for them and their family,” said Mahler.
The groom's parents precede the bride's mother during the processional. Here's a rundown: After the ushers have seated all of the guests, the grandparents start up the aisle, followed by the groom's parents. Then the bride's mother takes her turn. She is the last to be seated before the bridal party procession begins.
On your actual wedding day, one of the major responsibilities the mother of the groom can take on is making sure that the people at the wedding they know (family and friends) are taking their seats at the ceremony on time, are all set with transportation to and from the venue, and don't get lost—especially if you're ...
From walking down the aisle first to last, the traditional order is: Mother of Bride, Mother of Groom, Grandparents of Bride, Grandparents of Groom, Groom, Officiant, the Wedding Party, Maid of Honor and Best Man, Ring Bearer, Flower Girl and lastly the Bride and her Father.
Parents' First Looks don't have to be limited to just the Bride. They can be done with the Groom and his parents as well. I'm sure Mom and Dad would love to see their son before he walks down the aisle, it may also be a good time for Mom to pin the boutonnière on her son as well.
A Table with Close Friends. Sometimes parents of the couple simply want to sit with their friends. "We will often find that the parents are flanking the bride and groom's tables with the parents of the bride on her side and the parents of the groom on his side," says Laura Maddox, Partner at Magnolia Celebrates.
Aside from a grand newlywed entrance, a lot of the time couples will include the wedding party, and sometimes even parents, as part of the introductions so your guests know who they are.
The bride will most certainly want her biological parents to sit in the first row followed by her stepmother. According to wedding etiquettes, biological parents always sit in the first row whereas the stepparents will sit two to three rows behind.
There are various ways of acknowledging a stepparent at your nuptials. A stepfather could walk a bride down the aisle with her dad if they all felt comfortable, like what ended up happening with Peck, or stepparents could be part of the processional.
Father/Daughter & Mother/Son dances - This really comes down to the dynamics in your family and what you want. Generally, Mom & Dad get the dance, but sometimes an extra song is added for the Stepparent because they have been so influential in their lives. If you question whether they would be open to it, just ask!
If yours is the first scenario, the answer is emphatically yes! If your birth mother is not alive (or not around), your stepmother is your real family and she should be included as you would with your birth mother.