Proxy Bride-To-Be

As I was in a planning meeting for an upcoming bride, her caterer (a friend of the family) asked if she, the bride, would attend the rehearsal. Confused, I said, "Lets reschedule to a time that you can be there, its important for you to be present."

The bride chuckled and said she could make the rehearsal, but her family had a long-standing tradition of having a stand-in-bride for the rehearsal. Brides are present at the rehearsal to answer questions and design the processional, however they sit and watch someone else walk down the aisle. It is thought to be bad luck to walk down the aisle more than once, hence why it's done only on the big day.

I had never heard of that tradition before. Funny to think all of the planning that goes into the day of the rehearsal even and picturing yourself every step of the way and then watching someone walk down the aisle to your song, to your fiance.

Very fun though that she and her family have a tradition that gets carried on. That is what makes weddings so much fun, is that they are an expression of the two people getting married. The anticipation of finally seeing his bride walk down the aisle the next day will make it all the sweeter for her husband-to-be! What a romantic idea :)