Halachot and Customs
Who accompanies the bride and groom to the chuppah?
Question
In Israel, it is customary for both fathers to accompany the groom and for both mothers to accompany the bride. In our family, it is customary that each set of parents accompanies their own son or daughter, and I asked why this is not done in Israel.
Why should there be a problem of modesty?
Answer
Shalom and greetings,
The custom that both fathers accompany the groom is based on the explicit ruling in the Rema, Yoreh Deah (siman 391, seif 3), that two men bring the groom under the chuppah. See also Shevet HaLevi, volume 3 (siman 147). This has no connection to modesty. And there are those who customarily have the groom's parents escort him and the bride's parents escort her (see Nitei Gavriel, Marriage, volume 1, chapter 14, seif 3). Each person should follow his own custom.
With blessings,
Hillel Meirs
