You'll stand with your daughter in the back of the church as the music starts and the bridesmaids process down the aisle. What do you say? You have to say something, don't you? This is it, after all. She came in this place as a daughter and she's leaving as a wife, and you have to tell her…what?

Keep It Real

You can say whatever you want, including nothing at all. If the feeling strikes you, or if you've been saving a little line for this occasion, lay it on her. Most brides can repeat verbatim what their dads said to them as they waited to walk down the aisle — but the bride with a silent dad will remember that her father held onto her a little tighter than she expected, or that he smiled brilliantly at her before they started their journey.

If you don't normally tell her that you're proud of her, or that you love her, or that you're really happy for her, this is a great time — the perfect time — to express those feelings. If you can say something that will knock her socks off at this moment, she'll add that to her list of Perfect Wedding Day Memories.

The Hand-Off

Once it's your turn to make your way down the aisle, remember the lessons you've learned from the rehearsal and from practicing your smile for the wedding pictures. Don't feel as though you have to keep a stoic face here — smile all you want, nod to so-and-so over there. This scene is as much about you as it is about the bride.

At the end of the line, of course, a nervous young man will be waiting for you to give him your daughter. Don't rush this. This is not just a symbolic transaction — you are literally passing your daughter off to another man, who is expected to love and care for her for the rest of their lives, so don't just shove her in his general direction and scamper off to your seat. Shake his hand firmly; give him a word of encouragement; kiss your daughter.

Now you can sit, in the first row of seats if you and her mother are married, in the third row if you're divorced.