Kid’s Wedding Clothes: Dressing Your Little Ones for a Wedding
Planning A Modern Wedding That Keeps Everyone Happy
As cultural norms change, weddings today look different to how they did in the past. For example, 50% of U.S. adults now think the tradition of the bride promising to obey her husband is outdated, whereas 43% think the bride’s parents should no longer have to pay for the wedding. It’s therefore not surprising that traditional parents sometimes clash with their children on etiquette-related issues. If you want a more modern wedding, stay firm on your preferences (it’s your day, after all), but respectfully explain your reasons to your parents, so they understand and support your decisions.
Aisle walks can be inclusive
The tradition of the father walking his daughter down the aisle to “give her away” stems from the time when unmarried women were considered their father’s property — so it’s understandable if this doesn’t sit right with you. Fortunately, aisle walks can be inclusive.
Think about how you want to start off married life, and what aisle walk best reflects that. For example, walk down the aisle with the groom, with both your parents or with the groom and both sets of parents. The latter options keep your father included, which is great if you think he’ll be disappointed if you don’t go the traditional route.
Walking down the isle. Photo by Kawê Rodrigues on Pexels.com
Our Experience: As a wedding blogger, I’ve interviewed countless brides who’ve redefined this tradition in beautiful and creative ways. One bride shared how she walked halfway down the aisle with her mother, then met her father at the midpoint to walk the rest of the way together — a touching nod to both parents’ roles in her life. Another bride invited her stepfather and father to accompany her together, blending modern inclusivity with family unity. These heartfelt approaches made a strong statement about what truly matters: love and connection.
If you’re looking for a special walking down the isle idea, watch this video:
MOB dress etiquette
Tradition would have it that the bride’s mother selects her dress before the groom’s mother. Your mother would technically therefore get first dibs on dress colour and the groom’s mother, as tradition goes, should choose something different. However, this isn’t necessarily fair and kind of redundant since same-colour dresses look great in photos. So, if you don’t feel this rule serves you, encourage your mother to give the groom’s mother a dress-related courtesy call.
The two can discuss colours and styles they’re interested in, so they can match if wanted and avoid unsightly clashes. In terms of style, a classic silhouette is always an elegant choice for mother-of-the-bride dresses. For example, a trumpet gown with a beautiful sweep train looks glamorous and suits all body shapes. However, ultimately, it’s most important that your mother chooses a dress she loves and feels comfortable in.
Our Experience: Over the years, brides I’ve interviewed often mentioned how dress coordination became a surprising bonding moment for both families. One bride recalled how her mother and mother-in-law spent an entire afternoon trying on dresses together, which broke the ice and strengthened their relationship. Another bride told me her mother and groom’s mother ended up in matching lavender gowns, laughing over how they’d unknowingly gravitated to the same colour. Moments like these underscore that the wedding isn’t just about the couple — it’s about bringing families together.
For some MOB dress ideas – watch this video:
Stick to your preferred guest count (but placate your parents)
Traditional parents prefer large weddings packed with extended family, potentially even relatives you’ve never met. In fact, Asian and African weddings can have up to 1,000 guests. However, in contrast, contemporary weddings can be fairly small — 15% of weddings now have between 25-50 guests.
If you want an intimate wedding and your parents want to invite too many people, convince them to respect your preferences. Explain that your decision won’t offend distant relatives, and show them how a smaller guest list means a cheaper wedding overall — and more money available to make your wedding even more special with a professional videographer or live music, for example.
Our Experience: Through my interviews, I’ve often heard about the balancing act brides face with guest lists. One bride described a heartfelt conversation with her parents, where she explained her desire for a cozy 40-person wedding. Her parents initially pushed back, but after she shared her dream of spending quality time with every guest, they relented and even helped trim the list. Another couple opted for a compromise: they hosted an intimate ceremony and dinner for close friends and family, followed by a larger casual reception later. Hearing their stories proves there’s always a way to find a middle ground.
For more tips on this challenging topic – watch this video:
To Conclude…
Modern weddings and traditional parents may not always be a seamless mix, but it’s important you celebrate your day how you want. Take care to communicate with your parents and explain your decisions, and they’re likely to respect and support you regardless.
