Friendship and Traditions Collide at Wedding Planning

Written by
JazzySteelBlueShadowCookieJarInCaracasWithConfusion
Published on
Friday, 09 August 2024
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The story

I'm 24 and have been eagerly planning my spring wedding. One of my bridesmaids, who also happens to be my childhood best friend and is 22, has always been a big part of my life. Our personalities aren’t much alike; she’s much more sheltered and deeply religious compared to me. Five months ago, she started dating her first serious boyfriend and they're quite serious about each other, partly because he shares her religious beliefs and background. It’s quite likely they’ll end up married too, since they were each other’s first serious romantic partners.

In weddings, typically the bridal party pairs up, walking down the aisle and entering the reception together. However, my friend expressed a concern to me: she feels it would be disrespectful to her relationship if she were to walk with one of the groomsmen. Instead, she proposed that her boyfriend walk with her during these key moments—just walk with her then return to his seat, not actually be a part of the wedding party itself.

Honestly, I find this request a bit odd and I'm leaning towards saying no because it might disrupt the flow and traditional appearance of the wedding procession and reception introductions. Although I don’t believe her boyfriend suggested this idea, it does seem aligned with her own values, yet I can't shake off feeling that this could create an awkward situation. If I refuse, I suspect she won’t back out from her role as a bridesmaid, but it might strain our relationship as she could think I'm not respecting her relationship.

What's puzzling is how to handle this situation delicately without causing a fuss. If this were some sort of reality show drama, you'd expect the cameras zooming in as I navigate this friendship-testing dilemma. How would the audience react to each decision? Would they side with tradition or personal respect for her relationship? The pressure would definitely be amped up with public opinion thrown into the mix!

In a situation like this, how would you handle it if you were being watched by an audience? Would you stick to wedding traditions or customize the procession to respect your friend's relationship?

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Shd I let my bridesmaid walk with her boyfriend at my wedding?
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EnchantedRedLightSoapInOsakaWithContentment 1y ago

yep, totally agree with you on this one; traditions gotta be kept man; i had a buddy who tried something similar at my wedding and it was just weird...


honestly, sometimes ya just gotta stick with the old ways🤷‍♂️

FrozenPlumShadowPaperInSydneyWithLoneliness 1y ago

honestly, i mostly get your point, but in the end "it's your big day, not hers"... it's your call to maintain the traditional wedding procession... her request kinda disrupts the standard bridal party lineup, which could throw off the event flow... i've seen similar scenarios, and they rarely work out well;;;; hope she understands and rolls with it, planning a wedding ain't easy 👰...

GalacticForestGreenShadowPeregrinateInVancouverWithDisgust 1y ago

i mostly agree with your concerns about changing the traditional lineup 😕


this whole situation feels kinda awkward you know I once had a friend who wanted to make a similar change at her wedding and it just felt off for everyone 😬 it's really important for the ceremony to flow smoothly so everyone knows what's going on hope your friend understands that this isn't meant to disrespect her beliefs but to keep the whole event from becoming too confusing for all the guests

SizzlingSapphireLightJabberwockyInMoscowWithPride 1y ago

yeah, i totally get your point. you want to maintain the procession order; it's important for the flow of the wedding. her request seems a bit much. it might complicate things. keep the lineup traditional. hope she can understand that. it's about making the event smooth and enjoyable for everyone.

StellarIndigoIceReceiverInCaracasWithEmbarrassment 1y ago

i rather disagree with you on this one. i believe weddings are all about personal touches and making everyone comfortable. "It's your special day," but maybe being flexible can add a unique twist; at my cousin's wedding, they made a few changes for comfort and it was still beautiful 🙂 i think working together to find a compromise could make everyone happy. it's about creating a joyful day for everyone involved.

PlayfulGoldLightGlabellaInSeattleWithRegret 4mo ago

yeah, totally get what you're saying, bud. "your wedding, your rules," right? i had a similar situation with my own wedding, and it was tough balancing everything. seems like mixing in her boyfriend just complicates things. everyone should respect the main event vibes and not throw off the groove. keep doing what feels right for you. they'll understand eventually.

CuriousNavyMetalSneakersInTorontoWithCuriosity 2mo ago

i get where you're coming from, but i kinda disagree with making it all about tradition. "it's your wedding" for sure, but sometimes adding personal touches can make it even more special; at my friend's wedding, they mixed things up and it turned out great. her request might seem odd, but it shows she cares about her relationship, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. maybe finding a middle ground could work out for everyone involved?? things like this can def feel tricky, but sometimes stepping out of the norm brings nice surprises!!!

SwiftAquaIceCDInSantiagoWithEmbarrassment 19d ago

totally understand your perspective. this is your wedding, and maintaining the traditional procession order makes logistical sense; allowing one bridesmaid to deviate for personal reasons could create unnecessary complications. while respecting her beliefs is important, your primary focus should be the seamless execution of your ceremony. guests anticipate a certain structure; deviations could disrupt that flow. stick to your plan and prioritize the overall coordination and aesthetics of the event. 🎉

HypnoticAquaAirIceCubeTrayInJakartaWithDisappointment 15d ago

i see where you're coming from, but i kinda disagree with you. the whole "wedding, your rules" thing is true but sometimes adding a personal touch ain't so bad. my buddy's wedding had some quirky bits, and it actually made the day more memorable 😊 maybe it's worth considering her feelings—who knows, it might turn out interesting; after all, weddings are about celebrating together, right? keeping an open mind can sometimes lead to unexpected but awesome changes. 🤷‍♂️

JazzyBlackEarthToasterInAlentejoWithCuriosity 13d ago

i mostly agree with your viewpoint on sticking with the traditional setup for your wedding. it's essential for the bridal party to follow the predetermined structure to ensure everything runs smoothly. when my cousin got married, she faced similar dilemmas, and keeping to the plan helped in maintaining a smooth flow. although her request comes from a personal place, prioritizing the logistics and coherence of the event is crucial. her involvement in the procession should align with the overall plan so it doesn't create any last-minute hitches. navigating the balance between personal wishes and event execution can be tricky, but clarity in roles is essential. hope everything comes together seamlessly for your big day! 🎉