After a bride’s father unexpectedly passed away she didn’t want anyone else to take his place on her big day – so covered her heels in one of his favorite shirts so he could “walk her down the aisle.”
When Lizzie Dean, from Los Angeles, California, lost her dad Ron, 69, before her wedding, the bride-to-be knew she wanted to incorporate tributes to him in as many ways as possible.
Lizzie said she also didn’t want anyone else to walk her down the aisle on October 17, 2025, so she planned a couple of gestures on the aisle itself.
Using a voicemail from her father, saying how much he loved her, Lizzie created an emotional track to walk out to, which she layered with music from the movie Interstellar.
She used the song “because the movie is all about love that isn’t defined by time and space, and a father and daughter bond,” she said.
Lizzie then headed down the aisle in a pair of shoes that had been covered in one of her father’s shirts, as a way to feel like he was walking with her.
Throughout the day other tributes to Lizzie’s father included: a cocktail called “The Ron”; music Ron liked, playing at various parts throughout the day; custom printed objects featuring images of Ron; and, the following day, a “Night After” party, which happened to fall on what would have been Lizzie’s parents’ 39th wedding anniversary, during which Lizzie wore her mom’s wedding dress.
Lizzie said: “The moment was beautiful. The shoes felt so special – it really made me feel like he was there.
“My dad and I had a very close relationship, he was absolutely the quintessential Girl Dad to me and my sister.
“He loved being an unofficial honorary member of both our sororities and loved hanging with the girls.
“He was quirky and silly and always had a story to tell from growing up in California, Beirut and Connecticut.
“I was so excited for everyone to hear my dad’s voice and for those who hadn’t met him to get the opportunity to hear his personality and what he sounded like.
“As a musician myself, I’m also really into music and how they make you feel so hearing the Interstellar track just felt so beautiful but sad and just lots of emotions.
“I listened to it a lot ahead of time so I wouldn’t be a complete mess walking down the aisle!
“I hope those who may be in a similar situation feel seen, heard and loved and know they’re not alone.
“I hope brides also get encouraged to do anything similar to honor those they love that have passed at their own wedding even if it’s hard and vulnerable and emotional.
“I have never felt so much love flooding in at once and everyone saying they can hear what a good dad he was from his voice has meant everything to me.
“I know my dad would get such a kick out of the response to the video, it has made me feel close to strangers and if it helped a few people without a dad feel less alone that’s everything I’d have wanted.”
