Sweden considers banning fathers from walking brides down the aisle

In many cultures, a bride walking down the aisle with her father is a central wedding image. But in Sweden, a country with its own unique cultural norms, this practice has sparked debate. Many are now questioning whether it aligns with Swedish values.

Until recent years, the tradition of a father walking his daughter down the aisle was uncommon in Lutheran Sweden. But with the influence of Hollywood films, American TV shows, and the wedding of Crown Princess Victoria, the custom has started to gain popularity in the country.

The issue reached new heights recently when a motion was introduced in the Church of Sweden to ban fathers from walking brides down the aisle.

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The proposal, which argues that the custom is patriarchal, was put forward by Reverend Sara Waldenfors, a member of the Social Democratic opposition party, alongside Reverend Jesper Eneroth.

“The relatively new trend that the father walks the bride down the aisle and passes her over to her new husband is not in our church tradition,” Waldenfors told the Observer. “Even though the scene feels nice for future bridal couples, we can’t disregard what it symbolises: a father handing over a minor v r g i n to her new guardian.”

“It has been a struggle to make it totally natural that women can be ordained to be priests. It has been a struggle for same-s e x couples to be able to get married in the Swedish church. Shall we then amend a tradition in the church that isn’t ours and does not represent something that we can abide by?”

Sweden, known for its equal parental leave and nearly balanced gender representation in parliament, is considered one of Europe’s leaders in gender equality. For many, this makes the popularity of the father-daughter aisle walk surprising.

According to Swedish Lutheran tradition, couples walk down the aisle together on their wedding day.

At present, it’s the officiating priest’s decision whether the bride can be walked down the aisle by her father.

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Naturally, opinions on the motion vary, with some seeing the tradition from a different perspective.

Henrik Lööv, an executive commissioner from the Jönköping parish, told the Guardian that the practice simply includes family in a significant moment, without any patriarchal implications.

Lööv pointed out that only around 10% of Swedish brides opt to be walked down the aisle by their fathers.

Photo: Jakob Owens / Unsplash

Lööv also noted that this debate touches on two core Swedish values: gender equality and individual freedom. Deciding to ban or allow the custom risks undermining one of these principles.

Photo: insung yoon / Unsplash

"Those who are strongly committed to a ban believe that bride handover is a patriarchal custom, while many who are strongly against a ban find it difficult to accept that the church could decide how they marry at their wedding,” added Lööv.

Photo: A s so Myron / Unsplash

Lööv also pointed out that the motion comes at a time when marriage rates in Sweden are dropping, with 44,190 couples marrying in 2023 compared to 56,240 in 2012.

Photo: Євгенія Височина / Unsplash

Will Sweden’s Social Democrats rally enough support to ban the “patriarchal” custom for good? Lööv believes it’s unlikely, saying he doesn’t expect the motion to pass.

Photo: Benita Elizabeth John / Unsplash

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