In fact, the role of both parents has changed in recent years.
Costs are also often shared, taking the traditional responsibility of paying for the whole wedding off the shoulders of the bride's parents. The groom's parents are usually happy to contribute significantly, as are the couple themselves.
These changes have been brought about by various factors, including the age of couples now getting married. Many are in their mid- to late 20s or early 30s, have successful careers and already own and share a home.
Of course many mothers continue to drive the planning. Those not given this option should be listener, chief cheerleader and a source of support for the couple.
Mothers will often help the bride select the wedding gown and assist when looking for wedding and reception locations, particularly if the wedding is taking place in her home town and not where the couple are living.
The bride may want both her parents to escort her down the aisle, even if they are divorced. They are after all still her mum and dad.
At the reception the mother of the bride acts as hostess, sharing this duty with the groom's mother, greeting guests and making sure all are comfortable.
The duties of the bride's father still include accompanying her to the ceremony, escorting her down the aisle, escorting the groom's mother from the church, making a speech at the reception on behalf of himself and his wife and proposing the first toast to the newlyweds.
With divorce and remarriage can come tension between parents at weddings. But there are many happy stories where divorced parents and new partners put their differences aside, settle down and between them create a happy day.
