87Kviews
26 Of My Favorite Photos That Depict Unstaged Father-Daughter Moments At Weddings
87Kviews
There’s no relationship quite like the relationship with your parents, and for me, my relationship with my father is so special. As a father myself, the moment my daughter entered the world, I became a different person. I am clearly a "father," but I intend to be so much more: a lifelong friend, a shoulder to cry on, a teacher, a mentor, and, above all, someone she will be able to trust and love forever.
I will nurture her from her first steps as a child all the way to her final steps before becoming a Mrs. I will watch her blossom knowing that as she grows up, my relationship with her will blossom exponentially. Then the wedding day comes—a day full of emotion that I didn’t know even existed—and before you know, it's time to pass over the "baton" to someone else.
There’s no greater gift a father can have than that of watching their daughter grow into a beautiful soul, an independent, confident, and successful human. The accumulation of this can be their wedding day, which is filled with so many emotions, from the first look to the first dance, the tears, laughter, joy, adulation, and pride. Walking your daughter down the aisle, taking those steps by her side is an honor, a magnification of the relationship between father and daughter that can never be broken or replaced.
Here’s a collection of my favorite documentary wedding images that depict some of these one-off moments from some of wedding photography's greatest talents.
Also, check out my previous post with more unstaged wedding photos.
This post may include affiliate links.
The Final Kiss
I Will Always Be There For You
Awww. Daddy helping his baby keep from ruining her makeup on her wedding day.
Even The Coolest Dads Can Not Hold It In
Omg!
It’s the moment when they think back to the first time they held their daughters right after they were born.
Not Being Able To Hold It Anymore
No matter how stoic you try to be, the floodgates always eventually open up, full force and when least expected.
"Hang On Dad"
Hold On Dad, You Can Do It!
The Final Card
"I Will Always Be Here For You"
To My Daughter!
I only wish I was that close to my father. He was dominating, explosive, narcissistic and I've never had successful relationships because of him. He was a scary selfish guy. These are lovely photos however.
"Not Sure I Can Take Much More Of This...."
Upvoted almost every one. Not the bored panda thing to do, I know, but couldn't help it. Lovely post. Thanks.
Same!
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
✅✅I’m under your control. (｡❤‿❤｡) Let’s have a great time together ==>> ︆︆i︆︆s.︆︆︆︆gd/id9632
I never understood the overwhelming emotional wedding thing. I've been told it is a mark that your kid is all grown up, but having known many married people, that just doesn't seem to be the case. Why not this kind of emotion over graduations, or moving outs? Why the display at weddings? Sometimes I just don't get humans.
I cried on my daughter's valedictory ceremony, when she stopped her class and got her name engraved on the school's Top Student Plaque. I was there alone with no one to celebrate with me. I was so proud.
well, in my experience usually any of these is emotional. They aren't showing the other stuff, but I'll bet they were emotional then too
I've boo-hooed every time my kid moved out (he has been back a few times due to life circumstances, so it wasn't a one-and-done -- and I just have one child). I cried over his high school graduation, since it meant he was not a kid anymore and would be going away to university. I'll likely bawl at his wedding when he finally meets the right girl and gets married because I'll be super happy for him to have found her (please, God, let her be awesome!). It's not just weddings.
This comment has been deleted.
For us, as the happy couple, it simply marked a day to celebrate our love with people who are close to us. One of the best parties I've been part of :)
I cried at my daughters graduation and even her school plays sometimes lol some of us are more squishy when it comes to our kids :)
This comment has been deleted.
At a wedding, you’re giving your child to the care of someone else. This is a significant part of them starting their own life/family. It’s exciting when they graduate and when they move out it’s a big step, but they can always come back. When they marry, it’s almost like saying goodbye to a part of your life. Your life is changing too.
I don't get that. Death, divorce etc happens. What if they never get married? Shouldn't the most joyous day be when they move out and are taking care of themselves? Someone else's care? Are they not grown adults who should be taking care of themselves?
My family is literally just my beautiful daughter & myself. Other "family" has either never been in our life or is not welcome due to many factors including physical, emotional, and mental abuse. Because I'm a single mom, I not only wear all the hats, but I'm extraordinarily close with her. She's now only one year away from college and is applying at multiple top tier/ivy league schools. I couldn't possibly be more proud if I tried. But if she ever chooses to get married (right now - for her - it's books before boys lol), it will be me bawling on her wedding day. She is my best friend & the love of my life. It's incredibly difficult knowing that she will leave for college in just over a year and that I will be alone for the 1st time in over 18 years. :-( But my heart will always be with her and vice versa.
The anticipatory grief of the last year before your only child leaves for university is agonizing. Hang in there, mama -- your heart will break, but you'll be so proud of her.
I loved my father in law (May he Rest In Peace). During our wedding he walked my wife to be down the aisle, handed her to me and said “no returns.”
THE DRESSES? WHY IS NOBODY TALKING ABOUT THE FANTASTIC DRESSES? THEY'RE ALL BEAUTIFUL!!!!
Stop STop STOP all this..it's not fare..!! as l never DID get married in my 55 years l never had the chance for a moment like this with my father, and now that he's departed l never will..it gets so sad when you realise the opportunities you miss and can never make up for..
love these pics! for myself, my dad wasn't able to walk me down the aisle because, being in the Navy, he was literally half way across the world. he had been deployed unexpectedly due to his expertise at the of my wedding. my mom wasn't able to walk me down because three days before my wedding she became very ill and was hospitalized. since i was marrying a serviceman, our chapel was on base as was the hospital that my mom was staying in. so, there i was...the two most important people in my life were physically unable to be there. however, the nurses found out about the wedding and one of them went to our house, got one of her formals. the nurses fixed her hair & makeup & had an ambulance take her to the chapel. so, in a wheelchair and trailing an IV stand, she was able to be there for me. nurses are awesome people.
My husband cried at both of our daughter's weddings (so did I but I'm the mom so it's not surprising) and I thought it was really touching. It's a big deal when your kids get married. They are starting an entirely new phase of their lives.
I envy and yet am so glad for all these women who love their daddies so much, and who's dads love them back. Lovely photos
Just remember, half of these marriages will end in divorce.
Honestly, while this is very sweet, I always get really pissed off at my dad when I see stuff like this. Super envious of people who have supportive fathers.
These made me cry because I didn't get to have this with my father when I got married, as I know many other readers probably have. Yes, Dad's still alive, but he hated my now-ex and wouldn't come to the wedding (which was nowhere near as nice as any of these). Looking back, I should have listened to Dad.
I'm crying, and my daughters are still unmarried...*weeps in communal joy with the pandas* Of course, I cried with my Father's Day gift this year, so maybe it's just me...
Isn't this a picture of Anna Nicole Smith and her 90 yr old hubby?
My husband died young. What will my dau do. It us right that you celebrate.
some pictures takes one to the most happiest moments of the lives..nostalgia...
This is the best post in a while! Thank you!
This comment has been deleted.
This comment has been deleted.
This comment has been deleted.
Such a fuss. SO AMERICAN.
Upvoted almost every one. Not the bored panda thing to do, I know, but couldn't help it. Lovely post. Thanks.
Same!
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
✅✅I’m under your control. (｡❤‿❤｡) Let’s have a great time together ==>> ︆︆i︆︆s.︆︆︆︆gd/id9632
I never understood the overwhelming emotional wedding thing. I've been told it is a mark that your kid is all grown up, but having known many married people, that just doesn't seem to be the case. Why not this kind of emotion over graduations, or moving outs? Why the display at weddings? Sometimes I just don't get humans.
I cried on my daughter's valedictory ceremony, when she stopped her class and got her name engraved on the school's Top Student Plaque. I was there alone with no one to celebrate with me. I was so proud.
well, in my experience usually any of these is emotional. They aren't showing the other stuff, but I'll bet they were emotional then too
I've boo-hooed every time my kid moved out (he has been back a few times due to life circumstances, so it wasn't a one-and-done -- and I just have one child). I cried over his high school graduation, since it meant he was not a kid anymore and would be going away to university. I'll likely bawl at his wedding when he finally meets the right girl and gets married because I'll be super happy for him to have found her (please, God, let her be awesome!). It's not just weddings.
This comment has been deleted.
For us, as the happy couple, it simply marked a day to celebrate our love with people who are close to us. One of the best parties I've been part of :)
I cried at my daughters graduation and even her school plays sometimes lol some of us are more squishy when it comes to our kids :)
This comment has been deleted.
At a wedding, you’re giving your child to the care of someone else. This is a significant part of them starting their own life/family. It’s exciting when they graduate and when they move out it’s a big step, but they can always come back. When they marry, it’s almost like saying goodbye to a part of your life. Your life is changing too.
I don't get that. Death, divorce etc happens. What if they never get married? Shouldn't the most joyous day be when they move out and are taking care of themselves? Someone else's care? Are they not grown adults who should be taking care of themselves?
My family is literally just my beautiful daughter & myself. Other "family" has either never been in our life or is not welcome due to many factors including physical, emotional, and mental abuse. Because I'm a single mom, I not only wear all the hats, but I'm extraordinarily close with her. She's now only one year away from college and is applying at multiple top tier/ivy league schools. I couldn't possibly be more proud if I tried. But if she ever chooses to get married (right now - for her - it's books before boys lol), it will be me bawling on her wedding day. She is my best friend & the love of my life. It's incredibly difficult knowing that she will leave for college in just over a year and that I will be alone for the 1st time in over 18 years. :-( But my heart will always be with her and vice versa.
The anticipatory grief of the last year before your only child leaves for university is agonizing. Hang in there, mama -- your heart will break, but you'll be so proud of her.
I loved my father in law (May he Rest In Peace). During our wedding he walked my wife to be down the aisle, handed her to me and said “no returns.”
THE DRESSES? WHY IS NOBODY TALKING ABOUT THE FANTASTIC DRESSES? THEY'RE ALL BEAUTIFUL!!!!
Stop STop STOP all this..it's not fare..!! as l never DID get married in my 55 years l never had the chance for a moment like this with my father, and now that he's departed l never will..it gets so sad when you realise the opportunities you miss and can never make up for..
love these pics! for myself, my dad wasn't able to walk me down the aisle because, being in the Navy, he was literally half way across the world. he had been deployed unexpectedly due to his expertise at the of my wedding. my mom wasn't able to walk me down because three days before my wedding she became very ill and was hospitalized. since i was marrying a serviceman, our chapel was on base as was the hospital that my mom was staying in. so, there i was...the two most important people in my life were physically unable to be there. however, the nurses found out about the wedding and one of them went to our house, got one of her formals. the nurses fixed her hair & makeup & had an ambulance take her to the chapel. so, in a wheelchair and trailing an IV stand, she was able to be there for me. nurses are awesome people.
My husband cried at both of our daughter's weddings (so did I but I'm the mom so it's not surprising) and I thought it was really touching. It's a big deal when your kids get married. They are starting an entirely new phase of their lives.
I envy and yet am so glad for all these women who love their daddies so much, and who's dads love them back. Lovely photos
Just remember, half of these marriages will end in divorce.
Honestly, while this is very sweet, I always get really pissed off at my dad when I see stuff like this. Super envious of people who have supportive fathers.
These made me cry because I didn't get to have this with my father when I got married, as I know many other readers probably have. Yes, Dad's still alive, but he hated my now-ex and wouldn't come to the wedding (which was nowhere near as nice as any of these). Looking back, I should have listened to Dad.
I'm crying, and my daughters are still unmarried...*weeps in communal joy with the pandas* Of course, I cried with my Father's Day gift this year, so maybe it's just me...
Isn't this a picture of Anna Nicole Smith and her 90 yr old hubby?
My husband died young. What will my dau do. It us right that you celebrate.
some pictures takes one to the most happiest moments of the lives..nostalgia...
This is the best post in a while! Thank you!
This comment has been deleted.
This comment has been deleted.
This comment has been deleted.
Such a fuss. SO AMERICAN.