Rejecting this wedding tradition is selfish. Not feminism

To the politically correct ‘feminists’ shunning the ‘sexist’ tradition of fathers walking them down the aisle, I say get stuffed, writes Maria Bervanakis. Why would you deny them that moment?

There are some wedding traditions that should not be broken. Having your father walk you down the aisle is one.

It’s no fun showing up to a party alone, so why would you do it on your big day?

Even in the absence of her father, Meghan Markle was escorted by her almost new father-in-law, Prince Charles, as she made her way to Prince Harry at St George’s Chapel.

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The gesture went on to become one of the most unforgettable moments of the day.

Now rewind and imagine if she had taken those steps solo with the world watching. It would go on to become the event’s saddest moment.

Not alone. Meghan Markle accompanied by Prince Charles at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. Picture: AFP

In a politically correct world where “feminists” are lauding the tradition as “sexist”, I say get stuffed.

Take, for example, Susie from Nine’s Married At First Sight. With her father present at the wedding, she opted to walk herself down the aisle to wed 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.”

Married At First Sight’s Susie snubbed her dad and walked herself down the aisle. Picture: Nine

Life really is short, so let’s make some beautiful memories.

The memory of my dad “giving me away” to my husband on one fine November day will be cherished forever.

It didn’t go smoothly — he stepped on my gown along the way — but it was an important moment in the ceremony.

Too often dads are excluded from the planning of big occasions so it was important to include him in the running of the day.

Look at that smile. Now how could I deny my dad this moment? Picture: Supplied

If your dad is alive and well and you get along then why wouldn't you include him?

Just ask those whose loved ones couldn’t be with them to share the important occasion.

“The saddest thing I’ve ever seen,” is how one wedding reception manager described the sight of a new bride taking her first dance following the death of her father.

He was terminally ill and his dying wish was for the wedding to go ahead.

It did, without him, and it broke many hearts that day.

If we want to strip down wedding traditions how about we start with what happens at the party afterwards.

That’s a long walk to take alone… Picture: AFP

We can start by dropping the cringe-worthy garter toss. Who really wants to see a groom get down on his knees and shove his head under the bridal dress like a dog chasing a bone?

Let’s follow it up with the throwing of the bouquet. Talk about humiliating all the single ladies. How about just handing the bouquet to your bestie or grandmother, out of respect?

Keep it classy, people.

Say no to this instead. I mean, what does it even mean?

Weddings are truly personal occasions. You should do what makes you happy, not others. But please, do not give me the “it’s sexist” excuse. That’s just extreme.

If a bride chooses to be given away by her father, it does not make her less a woman or less feminist than you.

It does not literally mean she is the property of a man and needs his permission to be given away.

It’s simply a gesture that embraces the qualities of love, appreciation and respect.

@bervanews

Originally published as Rejecting this wedding tradition is selfish. Not feminism