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Sarah Anne
Beginner June 2019

Listing absent parents in wedding program?

Sarah Anne, on January 21, 2019 at 1:39 PM Posted in Wedding Ceremony 0 11

My parents are choosing not to attend my wedding (long story), so I am starting to wonder if it's necessary to list them in the wedding program. FH's parents support us and are chipping in financially for the wedding, so I'm not sure if they would be okay with us not listing family at all.

11 Comments

Latest activity by Caitie, on January 23, 2019 at 8:48 PM
  • Caytlyn
    Legend November 2019
    Caytlyn ·
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    I think this is a very personal decision. I wouldn't list anyone in my program who wasn't at the wedding. I think this would only bring up more questions from guests.

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  • Kenisha
    Champion June 2019
    Kenisha ·
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    I wouldn’t include their names but that’s my personal view.
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  • MrsD
    Legend July 2019
    MrsD ·
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    If it were me, no. They would not be mentioned at all. It seems completely different to mention someone who can't be there because they have passed on or are very ill, rather than someone who is choosing not to attend.

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  • Clarissa
    Super October 2021
    Clarissa ·
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    If it were me I wouldn’t be including them on anything.
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  • MrsV1027
    Master October 2018
    MrsV1027 ·
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    I wouldn't list them if they chose to not attend my wedding. I would still list FH's family since they will be there. It's only fair.

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  • tempestt
    Dedicated September 2019
    tempestt ·
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    My mom name will be there alone. My dad is choosing not to be in attendance just cause he don't want to make the trip.
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  • Nykole
    Expert October 2019
    Nykole ·
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    My life donors (my "mom" and "dad" are garbage humans) will not be in attendance either. I will not be listing their names on the wedding program, since they will not be there. I will have my fiancé's mother and his grandparents listed. All of my grandparents have passed, so I will be listing them under a special "In Loving Memory Of" section. I'm also choosing to walk down the aisle by myself, since I've been on my own for a very long time. Hope this helps! Smiley smile

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  • Tara
    Master May 2020
    Tara ·
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    I wouldn’t list your parents names because this may confuse guests and they will inquire. I’ve been to a wedding before where the bride’s father was not supportive at all, but he attended. The couple decided to list the bride’s parents on the program anyway. They even had a “father-daughter dance” and the bride’s father refused to dance with her, so she danced with the groom’s father instead. This caused many guests and even myself to inquire.
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  • M
    VIP December 2019
    Michelle ·
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    Exactly this!!!

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  • E
    Expert April 2019
    Elizabeth ·
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    I agree with some of the other responses. My dad and step mom aren't coming to the wedding so on the programs I included my future in laws and my mom and step dad. I feel like including those who aren't there only brings more attention to their absence. At the same time I think it's only right to include those who did make the time and effort to be there for your big day (his parents)
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  • C
    Savvy March 2019
    Caitie ·
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    I agree with the other girls. My parents are choosing to not attend as well and are not supportive of our union. So I will not be listing them on the program. I am asking my godfather (who is in complete support of me and FH) to walk me down the aisle. So sorry you are going through this too.

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