Aisle etiquette - too small for tradition!

I'd be tempted to ask the vicar how other brides have done it previously and would a bigger dress fit down the aisle - he will be the best one to tell you

Oh go for the ball gown i say!! so it will be a bit of a squash but your dress will allow room for your dad it just might not look perfect walking down the aisle

As long as its not a very rigid dress surely it will just squish into the size a bit if you see what I mean. Just don't have candles lining the aisle!

Does a married friend have a full dress you can test it with holding just the bottom half over your clothes rather than a full dress up sort of thing.

My only other suggestion to avoid settling for a dress you don't want is to consider whether hour dad could walk some of the chapel with you. Leave you at the end of the aisle and go down and shake your husbands hand then wait at the front while you walk down alone. Then he takes your hand and hands you over to your husband. OK. Not ideal. But whatever works for you.

My feeling is that unless your dress is huge and rigid it would probably work OK for him to walk with you.

The dress hoops usually collapse once there's pressure on them, so your dad should still be able to get his arm through yours and you both up the aisle. You'd have to avoid using anything like flowers on the pew ends or else the dress will drag on them!

Speak with the vicar and get his opinion. Please don't compromise on your dress for a slightly difficult aisle! And as JayneE said, it will definately squish if you need it too, just might not look the best in pics but it is only a tiny aspect of the day!

Up to you, but I've been to a wedding in a similar setting - bride had a full dress and the aisle just wasn't big enough. She ended up leading her Dad down the aisle by the hand, with him tripping over and standing on her dress a few times. Yours may be wider, but personally I wouldn't risk it...

Hi everyone, huge thanks for all the replies!! I'm definitely feeling better about this after reading through your advice. I think I'll sort the dress - treat that as a separate thing - likely end up with a ball gown and THEN look at the aisle situation. Even if we squash a bit that's ok I guess as like you guys have said its a few photos and tiny part of the day! I guess what I'd not thought about is the reverse issue - how am I going get out again arm in arm with the new hubby!! Ah well.. Cross that bridge when we come to it. I'll 100% speak to the vicar and ask them about other people's experiences - great idea thank you. And I'll avoid any end of pew decor - especially candles!! Cheers everyone