Stepfamily Wedding Etiquette
When you are the child of divorced parents and one or both of them has remarried, you can face some complications on your wedding day. Couples should try to incorporate their step-parents into their wedding day. Besides being proper etiquette, it will make your celebration inclusive and heartwarming.
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Your Step-Parent's Role
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Dr. Jann Blackstone-Ford, a divorce and stepfamily mediator, cautions that unless your biological parent is out of the picture, your step-parent should take a backseat role in planning. You should turn to your biological parents first for wedding advice before asking a step-parent's opinion.
Invitations
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According to Wedding Basics, if both of the bride's parents are remarried, and they are both hosting the event, list the mother and stepfather first followed by the father and stepmother on the second line.
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Seating Arrangements
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Peggy Post states that you should seat your mother and stepfather in the first pew, next to your father and stepmother if they have a friendly relationship. Otherwise, seat your father and stepmother two rows behind your mother.
Walking Down the Aisle
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Post adds that sometimes the bride may feel closer to her stepfather and want him to walk her down the aisle. She suggests having both fathers walk the bride down the aisle, but if that is not an option, be honest with your biological father promptly.
Photos
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Blackstone-Ford states that step-parents should appear in all pictures with their spouses, unless it is just a father-daughter shot. Communicate your wishes to your photographer and your family.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Tim Parkinson
