Brides dumping dads at the aisle in the name of ‘feminism’

It is a wedding custom that has stood the test of time — but now fed up brides — even those on MAFS — are dropping this age-old tradition at the aisle.

Australian brides are breaking with wedding tradition in the name of feminism.

We’ve seen it already on reality TV on Married At First Sight, where intruder Susie decided to walk herself down the aisle to wed her partner Billy in the TV experiment.

“My father isn’t walking me down the aisle,” she said. “I’ll be walking myself down, because being a single mum means I am independent and I look after myself.”

Now wives-to-be are increasingly dumping their dads at the aisle because they say it’s sexist.

The custom of the father taking their daughter’s hand and placing the groom’s on the bride’s is symbolic of the “passing” of his property or duty. That concept does not sit well with everyone in the sisterhood.

Australian Federation of Civil Celebrants national president Anthony Burke said 80 per cent of couples are now looking to make changes to what most would call traditional ceremonies — including the giving away of the bride.

“It is not only brides, but the occasional groom too who is walking down the aisle alone or alternative they are walking down with both parents, their own children or even entering together,” Mr Burke said.

Kate Murton skipped the walk down the aisle altogether. Picture: Supplied

Mr Burke said the reasons given for leaving dads behind were “genuinely due to the confidence of the person or couple and wanting to intertwine their own personalities and relationships into the ceremony.”

“Every wedding is different and it’s amazing to see so many brides creating their own entry into one of the most important days of their lives,” he said.

RENDEZVIEW: Rejecting this wedding tradition is selfish. Not feminism

Brides are still going for the traditional “something old, something new and something borrowed”, but the real changes have been about involving the groom and their wishes, Mr Burke said.

It’s considered bad luck to see the bride before the wedding but that doesn’t seem to phase many couples today. Instead they are choosing to take a ‘first look’ to help shake off the pre-wedding jitters.

Kate and her fiance chose to mingle with guests before casually taking their places for the wedding ceremony. Picture: Supplied

Other lovebirds have given the traditional bridal party the boot instead opting for groom’s girls and bride’s boys and mismatched numbers and attire on each side. Some are simply going without a bridal party, reducing the stress of time and money.

And it’s not just the bridal party that is getting the chop with couples dreaming of a luxury wedding at an exclusive getaway or resort keeping guest numbers to a minimum.

For Adelaide bride Kate Murton staying true to her feminist values was important on her big day.

She says her father would have liked to have walked her down the aisle but she gave the custom the boot instead mingling with guests before casually taking her place at the ceremony.

“I don’t like the history behind the ‘giving away of the bride’ and didn’t see a reason why we should structure our special day around ideals that we disagree with,” Ms Murton said.

“The thought of everyone looking at me and only me also makes me feel very uncomfortable! Also, the bride never usually gets to hang out with guests before the ceremony and to me, that sucks!,”she added.

Kate says she’s “a feminist who challenges traditions”. Picture: Supplied

Ms Murton said while her parents didn’t dispute her choice, she admits her father would have been let down.

“They respect that I am a feminist who challenges traditions and are very proud,” she said.

“I’m sure my dad has been dreaming of walking me down the aisle, but I know he is very proud of our choices and he wouldn’t have it any other way.”

NSW couple Georgie and Angus, surnames withheld at their request, reversed tradition altogether.

On the day it was the groom who was escorted down the aisle arm in arm by his folks, while the bride followed with her mother and bridesmaids.

“Mum loved the idea pretty much straight away, dad didn’t put up too much of a fight!,” Angus said.

Here comes the groom … Angus accompanied by his parents. Picture: Supplied

“Both just wanted the day to be the celebration we wanted it to be, rather than the strict procession of traditions.”

Georgie said she’s estranged from her father so when her mum stepped in she was happy to take up the offer.

“I walked after Angus, his parents and the grooms troope because I didn’t like the idea of the build up to see the bride,” she said.

“And I liked the idea of both of us leading our friends and family to the ceremony, that we both made an active choice to bring our lives together.”

Georgie’s mum walked her down the aisle. Picture: Supplied.