In my opinion, these important people *can* be treated
similarly to
parents --- but only if your parents really will not attend the wedding
ceremony and/or reception.
If your parents do attend, it would be most appropriate to give them the
front seating and the honorary "last entrance" to the ceremony-- just
out of general respect and graciousness on your part.
However, I would never advise a bride to have her father escort her into
the church if she is not close to him. So if he attends, you might
consider walking in alone in the processional, rather than with him
(which would likely feel uncomfortable) or with another man who is
closer to you (which might make a number of people uncomfortable.)
If your family do not attend -- and are not close to you, as you have
indicated-- then I believe it is quite appropriate to have whoever has
assumed that role in your life be near you and be honored on your
wedding day.
Certainly, any man who has been supportive and influential in your life
might be chosen to walk you down the aisle. It would be up to you if he
would say he was actually "giving you in marriage"--- that part of the
ceremony can usually be easily skipped altogether when it's more awkward to
include it.
Also, especially if the people you mentioned above are married to one
another, I think it would be appropriate to have them occupy the front
pew-- usually reserved for the bride's parents-- and to have the woman
escorted in last -- the normal time for the mother of the bride to enter
(the cue that the wedding processional is about to begin.)
If there are two couples you'd like to honor, perhaps they could both
share the front pew. And the ladies might even be escorted in together,
one on each arm of the usher, if appropriate and the aisle is wide
enough. (The man not escorting you would follow the ladies and usher as in
the case of other women guests.)
If you have additional specific questions about this situation, do feel
free to contact me or any of us at Foreverwed.com. I know it's an
awkward situation, and we're happy to help if we can.
Wishing you all the best-- a lovely wedding and lasting happiness in
your marriage---
Sara Ambarian --Staff expert-- Foreverwed.com
