Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway will answer your questions and help relieve wedding stress. Please e-mail your questions and wedding challenges to The Wedding Goddess.

How Can I Include My Mom in the Ceremony?

Dear Wedding Goddess:

My father is not comfortable "giving me away" with my mother. They are divorced. Rather than have her escort me down the aisle, how can I honor my mother in a special way?

-- Disappointed

Dear Disappointed:

There is a non-denominational tradition of offering flowers to the moms, or to significant family members that might be fitting. It is called "Family Unity Rose Ceremony."

Usually, the bride and groom give a red and white rose – colors that represent unity -- each to their moms. It is particularly nice if the bride and groom each give one flower to each mom, followed with a hug. This would also be a good time to publicly acknowledge your moms and thank them.

Here is an example of one cermony I officiated:

"As this bride and groom come before us to be married, they wish to acknowledge and thank their families for their love and support. As a gesture of unity between the families that are united on this day … and as an acknowledgement of the special people who have loved and nurtured this bride and groom … they will present a very special gift of flowers to their mothers."

Then the couple present roses to their mom's.

"With these flowers, they welcome one another's families into the new family that is created by their marriage today. These flowers symbolize the love this bride and groom feel for each other extended to their loved ones ... and they are also symbolic of the merging of two families in love and unity."

You can also think of having your mom take part in a unity candle ceremony, a sand ceremony, or even asking her to do a reading or a blessing.

Many blessings,
Rev. Laurie Sue