It can also be a lovely moment between father and daughter and is a great way for him to show his support for this next stage in her life.

Father of the bride smiling with arms open wide seeing his daughter
Image: Fiona Jane Kerr

However, today it’s not just the father of the bride who does the honours. And there are lots of reasons why modern brides might choose someone else to walk them down the aisle. These days many brides ask their mother, a sibling, a close family friend, a step-parent or even their new father-in-law, like Meghan Markle. You can also do away with the idea altogether and simply escort yourself!

So, in honour of Father’s Day and also all the other special people in our lives, we’ve asked a few of our real brides to tell us how they got ready, who escorted them down the aisle and what made it so special…

A beautiful song

Father grinning walking down the aisle pointing at the bride
Akshara with her dad. Image: Raj Passy Photography

“My cousin, who is my best friend, sang a song as I walked down the aisle and it was a very special moment for me" says Akshara. "She is a beautiful singer and the song meant a lot to my husband and I." 

Daddy cool

Dad wearing sunglasses walking his daughter down the aisle
Jennifer with her Dad. Image: Jack Aldridge Photography

"My dad walked me down the aisle," says Jennifer. "Looking at the photos, everyone has said he looks like a father of the bride mafia boss with his shades on!"

Just perfect

Bride and father in wedding car on way to wedding
Rebecca with her dad. Image: Ruth Clements Photography

"I got ready with my maid of honour, my sister and my mother at my house, while my husband-to-be got ready with his best man at the best man’s house," says Rebecca.

"The weather was absolutely gorgeous sunshine. I walked down the aisle with my dad to a string version of 'Perfect' by Ed Sheeran."

Super gran

Bride walking down the aisle with nan
Jade with her nan. Image: Marcus Rice Photography

"Our wedding was a complete fusion," says Jade.

"We had traditional English attire, Indian food, a string quartet and Indian music in the day but then jazzed it up and changed into Indian outfits for the evening with fusion food and a wedding band. My nan walked me down the aisle, as she’s my only grandparent left, and we kept everything else fairly simple and let the venue speak for itself."

Arriving in retro style

Father of the bride smiling with arms open wide seeing his daughter
Victoria and her dad. Image: Fiona Jane Kerr

"We travelled to the venue in VW camper vans and my dad walked me down the aisle," says Victoria.

Classical music

Bride and dad in back of wedding car smiling on way to the wedding
Danielle with her dad. Image: The Kensington Photographer

"I started with hair and makeup at 6am, so it was a very busy day!" says Danielle.

"I got ready at my mum's house with my bridesmaids, maid of honour and flower girls. The weather was good that day, and we had a sunny morning whilst getting ready. Then my dad walked me down the aisle to the organist playing the ‘Bridal March’."

Mum's the word

Bride being walked down the aisle with her mum
Stacey with her mum. Image: Capture Every Moment

"My mum walked me down the aisle, as she has been my rock and done so much for us with the wedding planning," says Stacey.

Stand by me

Bride entering wedding venue with her nephew smiling
Rivka with her nephew. Image: Liriya Lee Photography

"My 15-year-old nephew/godson walked me down the aisle," says Rivka.

"He was so calm and he sorted out any pre-wedding nerves I felt. I walked down the aisle following my six beautiful bridesmaids and page boy to ‘Stand by Me’ by Ben.E King, which is a special song to Ali and I. Ali was waiting at the end of aisle with a big brilliant smile. I couldn't wait to reach him.The ceremony was simple but lovely. Everyone commented on how special it felt."

Click here to see more amazing real bride stories. Also, if you would like your big day to be one of our real weddings please click here to share your story and photos with us and we’ll be in touch. Plus, for more inspiration, check out our Instagram, Facebook or Twitter pages.