These pictures capture the special bond between these duos.
Published on May 28, 2025 09:20AM
Photo by Kelly Hornberger
There's something particularly special about a father-daughter bond. Whether your father was the one who taught you how to drive, throw a ball, or hold a pencil, there were likely a number of important and special moments that you shared with him throughout your childhood—and even into adulthood. Your wedding day is another such moment. And even though this occasion is about celebrating the love between you and your partner, it's also about expressing your gratitude for all of the family members and friends who helped you get to this point, including your father.
Regardless of how you choose to include your father (or a father-like figure) in your nuptials, the spectrum of wedding-day moments ranges from the emotional to the unexpected: aisle walks marked by tears or laughter; first dances full of spontaneous twirls or well-practiced steps; first looks filled with emotional hugs or looks of wonder and awe; and impromptu speeches or last-minute tequila shots. An experienced photographer won’t just capture the traditional moments: They’ll be in the right place at the right time to capture every genuine expression, feeling, and memory. Whether it's a snap of you and your father sharing a smile before entering your ceremony space or giving a hug to each other after you say "I do" to your lifelong partner, these moments will stay with your forever.
Here, we've rounded up 20 of our favorite father-daughter photos from real weddings to give you inspiration for your own nuptials—or just to shed a tear or two.
01 of 20
Sharing a Dance
Photo by Samm Blake
Though unexpected rainy weather forced this couple's outdoor wedding inside, it didn't dampen their joy; this and her father beamed as they shared a dance to Billy Joel's "Just the Way You Are" underneath the tent at their upstate New York celebration.
02 of 20
Laughing Down the Aisle
Photo by Brandon Lata Photography
As the first strains of "Moon River" cued this bride and her father to begin their walk down the aisle, they realized she had forgotten one key item: Her bouquet. Luckily, her wedding planner grabbed a few blooms from a nearby cocktail table and thrust them into the bride's hand. "It was so funny, my dad and I laughed the whole way down the aisle," she said.
03 of 20
Saying Good Luck
Photo by Heather Waraksa
At chic indoor venue The Pool NYC, this bride and her father shared a sweet hug after he walked her down the aisle to Tchaikovcky’s Piano Concerto No.1 in B flat Minor. The quick squeeze of good luck before the bride joined her partner at the altar was the perfect heartfelt finale to their entrance.
04 of 20
Smiling Before the Ceremony
Photo by Carlos Hernandez
This bride and her father shared a smile before her wedding at the Waverly Country Club in Portland, Oregon. In a sentimental moment of coordination, his boutonnière matched her bouquet of white roses. In a nod to the location, all the florals were inspired by Portland’s nickname, Rose City.
05 of 20
Having an Emotional First Look
Photo by Kelly Hornberger
This couple held their Texas wedding at the bride’s grandmother’s home, which is located right next door to the bride’s father’s home, making it an obvious choice for their Father of the Bride-inspired vision. The father of the bride channeled his inner Steve Martin in the classic film as he marveled at his daughter during their first look.
06 of 20
Giving a Hug
Photo by Oliver Fly
While this couple chose to save their first look for the ceremony, the bride and her father set up their own version of the pre-ceremony tradition before walking down the aisle. With her father facing the opposite direction, she tapped him on the shoulder from behind before the two shared a sweet hug.
07 of 20
Helping With the Finishing Touches
Photo by Carlos Hernandez
This bride accessorized her ivory lace gown with simple jewelry, including pearl drop earrings and a pendant necklace. Her father helped her with the the latter, which was borrowed from the bride's mother, securing the piece, which featured a round jade during their pre-wedding portraits.
08 of 20
Wiping Away a Tear
Photo by Anthony Vazquez
This bride took a moment to wipe a tear from her eye during a first look with her father. The two shared some quality time together before her black-and-white winter wedding in White Plains, New York.
09 of 20
Giving a Look of Complete Shock and Awe
Photo by Still Miracle
This couple capped off a multi-day celebration at Chateau Challain in France with a ceremony at a nearby church and a fairy-tale-inspired reception. We love the complete shock and awe displayed on this father of the bride's face upon seeing his daughter's look before walking her down the aisle.
11 of 20
Sharing a Moment Together
Photo by Kyle John Photography
Before this bride's springtime wedding in Chicago, she and her father shared an emotional moment together before heading to the ceremony. The bride wiped a few tears away from her face, as her dad placed his hands on his cheeks in a look of awe.
12 of 20
Sitting in the Car
Photo by Mason Neufeld Photography
Channeling a vintage look for her Little Women- and Legends of the Falls-inspired nuptials, this bride and her father arrived at her outdoor ceremony in a classic Rolls Royce. Prior to their ride the two also shared a first look together "It was such a special moment for us both," she said.
13 of 20
Shedding a Few Happy Tears
Photo by Elizabeth Warrick
Both this bride and her father—who she calls "my best friend and my person"—shed a tear during their first look before her wedding in a California garden. The waterworks flowed again as they prepared to walk down the aisle, but the father of the bride came prepared: In addition to a few words of encouragement, he also gave her a pre-ceremony shot of tequila.
14 of 20
Dancing In Sync
Photo by Savanna Sturkie Photography
At an iconic mansion in Newport, Rhode Island, this bride and her father showed off a few well-practiced steps during their dance to “Our House” by Madness. All of their loved ones watched on in awe and excitement during the celebratory performance.
15 of 20
Walking Arm in Arm
Photo by Jacqui Cole
A string quartet played “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” as this bride's father escorted her down the aisle at her Aspen wedding after months of practice. "We were not sure he would be able to walk me down the aisle without the support of a walker and how we would be able to dance," the bride said. "Over the 11 months following our engagement, he worked so hard to get the strength to be able to do both of those things beautifully."
16 of 20
Making an Entrance Together
Photo by Gideon Photography
This bride said she "felt like a princess" in her embroidered Monique Lhullier gown as her father escorted her down the aisle during her art-inspired wedding in Mexico. Making sure to coordinate with his daughter's look, the father of the bride opted for a maroon velvet jacket for the nuptials.
18 of 20
Assisting With the Bow Tie
Photo by Lauren Baker Photography
Before exchanging vows with her wife in a grove of soaring trees at an outdoor Minnesota wedding, this bride asked her father to help her secure her black floral bow tie. In addition to helping his daughter with her accessories, he also made sure that her collar was straightened.
19 of 20
Having a First Look
Photo by The DV Image
This couple choose a rooftop wedding spot that provided sweeping views of the New York City skyline during their wedding ceremony. The iconic scenery also served as a backdrop for the bride's first look with her father, who couldn’t hide his happiness during the joyful moment.
