Bride’s Father Refuses Traditional Dance, Leaving Bride in Tears. Was He Wrong?

By: Elizabeth Ervin
| Published:
March 18, 2023

When it comes to weddings, tradition plays a significant role in many ceremonies. For example, one tradition often a part of wedding receptions is the father-daughter dance. However, in a recent wedding, the bride’s father refused to participate in the dance, leaving the bride in tears. 

The matter has sparked a debate about whether or not the father was in the wrong for not dancing. 

Two Left Feet

According to reports from guests, the ceremony was beautiful and took place at a historical house where the couple had volunteered before the wedding. 

However, during the reception, things changed dramatically when people watched a mother-son dance for the groom but no father-daughter dance for the bride.

The bride was said to be deeply upset by her father’s refusal to participate in the dance. Many witnessed her crying as her bridesmaids consoled her. 

According to the witnesses, the bride’s father, a pastor, and the wedding officiant cited his “two left feet” for not dancing, stating that he completed “his job” as the officiant.

Ultimately, the bride and groom ended the reception an hour and a half early, with guests acting as though nothing had happened. 

However, the bride has reportedly not forgiven her father for his refusal to participate in the dance. Many guests expressed understanding of her feelings. She genuinely wanted a father-daughter dance. So is she wrong to be angry? Here’s how the internet responded.

Could Be Worse

Someone shared his thoughts that the situation was unfortunate but shared a terrible story of a bride who had found out about her father cheating on her mother with the maid of honor between the ceremony and reception, suggesting that the situation may not be the “worst” one.

Someone Should Have Been More Assertive With Dad

Another believed that someone should have spoken with the bride’s father at the wedding and explained to him how important it was for him to dance with his daughter. 

They also question the absence of the bride’s mother and suggest that someone should have taken a more assertive stance with the father about dancing with his “little girl.”

Dad Didn’t Do Anything Wrong

Many agreed that refusing to dance did not necessarily occur during the wedding. Someone noted that the bride may have known of her father’s reluctance and attempted to guilt him into it at the reception. 

He also noted that it would be more disappointing for the bride to dance with someone forced into it rather than for him to be comfortable. Additionally, he suggested that the father being a strict pastor is not relevant to the discussion, as it was not about dancing being sinful but rather about the father’s inability to dance.

Chop It Up to Poor Communication

Someone noted that the issue could be attributed to poor communication between the bride and her father. For example, the bride may not have expressed her desire for dance, and the father may not have indicated his discomfort with dancing in front of others. 

Despite his initial reluctance, the father’s agreement to dance would have been a kind gesture. Still, understandably, he would not have wanted to be put on the spot.

He also mentioned that their parents were not interested in dancing and did not have dancing at their wedding. Still, they had an open conversation with their father about the possibility of a father-daughter dance before the wedding and decided not to have one. 

The person also mentioned that they had their father walk them down the aisle to have a featured moment in the day, despite having general qualms about the idea of a woman being “given away.”

What do you think? Did this Reddit bride have a right to be upset, or did the father have a right to refuse her dance?

 

This article was inspired by the internet and did not necessarily reflect the views of The Budget Savvy Bride.

 


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