The Tradition of “Giving Away the Bride”: Then and Now

(Updated March, 2026)

 

Giving the bride away is a wedding tradition that has evolved significantly over time. For many couples, it remains a meaningful moment in the ceremony—but its meaning today is often very different from its origins.

One father I know carried a small photo of his daughter in his pocket as he walked her down the aisle. When he showed it to her, a picture of her as a little girl with pigtails, her eyes filled with tears. The wedding march played, and together they walked forward, connected by a lifetime of memories. At that moment, tradition wasn’t about formality, it became something deeply personal, shaped by love, history, and shared experience.

Sometimes, even within long-standing customs, we create something new.

The Origins of Giving Away the Bride

Historically, the tradition dates back to times when arranged marriages were common. In many cultures:

• Daughters were often viewed as part of their father’s household or “under his authority”
• Fathers had the role of formally “giving” their daughter to a groom
• Marriages sometimes involved a bride price or dowry
• A father’s permission was required for marriage

While these practices reflect historical social structures, they are very different from how most weddings are understood today.

 

How the Tradition Is Interpreted Today

In modern ceremonies, “giving away the bride” is generally symbolic. Rather than implying ownership, it is often viewed as:

• A gesture of blessing from a parent or family member
• A symbolic transition from one family unit to another
• A shared moment acknowledging love, support, and continuity

It’s also common for the wording in ceremonies to reflect this shift, focusing on support and blessing rather than transfer of authority.

A Tradition That Has Expanded

Today, this moment is no longer limited to fathers alone. Many brides choose different variations, including:

• Walking with both parents
• Being escorted by a mother instead of a father
• Walking with a sibling, child, or close friend
• Walking alone as an intentional statement of independence
• Having both families walk in together

Each version reflects what feels meaningful to the couple rather than a fixed expectation.

 

Not a Requirement—A Choice

While the tradition still holds emotional value for many families, it is not something every bride needs to include.

For some, it may feel outdated or not reflective of their family dynamic. For others, the moment may be deeply meaningful, even if adapted in a modern way.

And for those whose parents are absent or deceased, the tradition can still be honored in a way that feels personal—by inviting another loved one to take part in the walk down the aisle or by reimagining the moment entirely.

A Tradition That Keeps Evolving

Like many wedding customs, “giving away the bride” continues to evolve. What once reflected legal and social structures has become, for many, a moment of connection, memory, and meaning.

At its best, it is no longer about transfer—it is about presence. About honoring relationships, history, and the people who have shaped the journey to that day.

And sometimes, as in the story of the father with the photograph, it becomes something even more personal than tradition ever intended.

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Handfasting tradition represents love and fidelity

Have you ever wondered about the origins of the phrase "to tie the knot" when talking about getting married? It turns out this saying comes from an ancient custom known as handfasting. The same is true for the phrase, "bonds of matrimony." This tying together of the bride and groom's hands (wrists) was how couples in Great Britain pledged their betrothal in front of witnesses in ages past. Today it is a popular addition to traditional weddings for couples looking to add a strong cultural or historical element to incorporate in their ceremony.

Handfasting goes back to Greece and Rome

The practice of handfasting was originally practiced by the Greeks and Romans. In the Roman celebration, a garland was fashioned from magnolias, elder and roses which they used to wrap around the couple's wrists. This practice was thought to represent love and fidelity.

Handfasting common tradition in Ireland and Scotland

The handfasting ceremony became especially common in Ireland and Scotland and turned out to be the way couples were "officially" married in the times before the church became involved in performing weddings and makes a popular choice for couples who choose a medieval theme or fantasy theme for their wedding.

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Handfasting today

Today, many people consider handfasting a strictly pagan custom often used in non-traditional marriages, but really it is a wedding ritual that can easily be incorporated into a traditional wedding while exchanging vows. In fact, it's a meaningful ritual that makes a perfect choice for couples looking to incorporate a visual that symbolizes their love, and for those of Scottish or Irish decent it is an opportunity to add a nice historical tie to their roots.

Traditionally silk cords are used in handfasting, but today some people use something that adds a personal touch meaningful to them. This might include cloth strips or one large piece of cloth made from something that holds special significance, like a piece of a mother or grandmother's wedding dress. Others choose several ribbons or a number of different colors with each color representing a different meaning.

Whatever you choose to use to tie the knot, this timeless tradition symbolizes the union of two people and their willingness to spend the rest of their lives together. And while the practice itself is an ancient tradition, today couples can find many different versions to choose from whether it is for a wedding or a renewal of vows.

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Photo credits: Lord and Lady Glendale, wikimedia, wikimedia,

Meaning behind the Claddagh ring and how to wear It

The Claddagh ring (pronounced “klahda”) enjoys a distinctive Irish design that's rich in symbolism. It features two hands (representing friendship) holding a heart (symbolizing love) and usually topped by a crown (loyalty) and can be worn as an engagement ring or wedding band. While the meaning is clear, the history of the Claddagh ring is clouded by a number of legends as to its origins.

Claddagh ring legends

One legend surrounds a woman by the name of Margareth Joyce (from the Joyce clan). She is said to have married a Spanish merchant by the name of Domingo de Rona. She left her homeland and went with her husband to Spain, but he died and left her a large amount of money. The legend says she returned to Ireland and, in 1596, married the mayor of Galway (town where the ring originated), Oliver Ogffrench, and used the money she had inherited to build bridges in Connacht. As a reward for her charity, one day an eagle dropped the Claddagh ring in her lap.

A second story is about a prince who fell in love with a commoner. In his effort to convince the girl's father that he truly loved the girl, and had no intentions of "using" her, he designed the Claddagh ring with the symbols representing love, friendship, and loyalty. He proposed with the ring, and when the father heard the explanation he gave the couple his blessing.

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A third legend that also links the Joyce clan and the Claddagh ring centers around a man by the name of Richard Joyce, a native of Galway. He left home to go work in the West Indies, and planned to marry the girl he loved when he returned to Ireland. However, his ship was seized, and he was sold as a slave to a Moorish goldsmith. As a slave, he learned his master's craft, and then when William III became king, he ordered all British prisoners released. His master held Joyce in high esteem and offered his daughter and half his wealth to the man if he stayed. However, Joyce rejected the offer and returned home to marry the girl he loved. Luckily, she had waited for him, and to her surprise he presented her with a Claddagh ring which he made while a slave.

How to wear the Claddagh ring

How you wear the Claddagh ring changes what it means. Traditionally, the Claddagh ring is worn on the right hand with the heart facing outward away from the body. This symbolizes that the person wearing the ring isn't in a serious relationship, and may even be looking for a relationship – that "their heart is open." When worn on the right hand with the heart facing the body, it indicates "someone has captured their heart" and that they aren't available.

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In the Irish tradition, when the Claddagh ring is worn as an engagement ring or wedding ring, it is worn on the left hand ring finger. If the heart faces outward, it generally means the person is engaged. If the heart faces inward, toward the body, it means the person wearing the ring is married.

The Claddagh ring is traditionally handed down from mother to daughter, a custom that represents our ties with past generations.

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Photo credits: wikimedia