by: We all know parents play a major part in our lives! They raise us and lift us into adulthood—then it's our time to show gratitude for all they've done for us. So, as we honor our dads, stepdads, granddads, and other father figures this Father's Day weekend ... let's kick it off with a compilation of how real brides honored the special men in their lives. {Grab a tissue.} We hope you find sweet inspiration for including Dad in your wedding day!
To honor her late father Christine honored her dad by having a special detail sewn into her gorgeous wedding dress. "My dad had passed away a few years ago, so I had a piece of his old work shirt sewn over my heart in my dress." 
Crafting and officiating Both fathers lended a hand at Rachel and Joe's elegant fall wedding day! Joe's father officiated the wedding ceremony, and both helped craft Rachel and Joe's unique rustic reception décor. "My dad is awesome and helped me make all of the wood items we used on the table! The candle-holder and little picture and place card holders turned out so great and I’m excited to be able to use them in our house. The antlers were Joe’s dad’s and it was special to be able to incorporate those into the wedding." 
To honor Grandpa Bride Emily and groom Alex honored both his late grandfathers in a couple of very sentimental ways. "Alex has two grandfathers that have passed, and we felt it was important to include them. We had a memorial candle for each, and a photo of each of them in frames on reserved seats." 
A blue heart Mindi's "something blue" was a special something of her late grandfather's. "My something blue was a heart cut out of my grandfather’s shirt that was sewn into the back of my dress. My grandfather passed away in October 2015 and I would have given anything to have him physically present on my wedding day." 
A selfie with Dad Bride Brae took a selfie with her dad during a very important moment of her wedding ceremony! "Right before it was time to walk down the aisle (keep in mind I was a bit nervous), my dad asked me if we could take a selfie as we’re walking down. I gave him a look of, “are you serious?” He nodded. So, right before my dad gave me away, we took a selfie together. It was an unexpected surprise and the picture turned out great. The picture calmed me down and put a smile on everyone’s face." 
Photo charm Jenny attached a photo charm of her dad to her beautiful yellow bouquet, so that he could be with her as she walked up the aisle. 
"Something blue" from Dad For her military beach wedding, Brittney honored her sweet dad with a special something blue. “I had a heart from a blue shirt of my Dad’s sewn into the heart of my gown.” 
A song that Dad wrote During their wedding ceremony, Ashley surprised her groom, Josh, with a song that her dad had written! {Oh, and plus she did a first look with her Dad, that you have to check out in Ashley and Josh's wedding day blog post.} “My Dad wrote the music and lyrics to a wedding song when I was younger. Everyone who knows me, knows that music and especially singing is something I’m extremely passionate about. My Dad and I recorded the song together and it played during the sand ceremony at the wedding … which none of our guests, not even Josh, knew about.” 
A Father Daughter dance song Ashley had yet another surprise planned for the dance—this time for her dad! “Another surprise was that I recorded a cover of the song ‘Daddy Dance with Me’ by Krystal Keith … and that was the song that was playing during the Father Daughter dance.” 
An interview with a Father of the Bride Scott is a funny, clever, tender-hearted and a real {great} Father of the Bride! You HAVE to read the candid interview he did with us as he reflected on his daughter's overall wedding journey. He is not only hilarious, but he's also a great dancer. You can definitely see the admiration he holds for his daughter, Natalie. "Seeing the joy in Natalie’s eye’s that reached right down to her soul. We always hope and pray for the best for our kids and to see it played out on such a stage as a wedding … I can’t imagine anything better than that. Bittersweet for a Father for sure, but seeing Natalie for who she is now—a beautiful wife—is the best. 
Happy Father's Day to all the special guys out there!
