Bride's Unique Way to Pay Tribute to Late Father During Wedding—'Magical'

Traditionally, fathers often walk their daughters down the aisle, but sometimes circumstances prevent this. However, their presence can still be felt in meaningful ways. One bride recently shared a touching tribute she made to honor her late father on her special day.

Amy Rose Perry, 32, released monarch butterflies at the altar to include her father, Nathaniel Machain, who passed away from cancer at the age of 36, in her wedding ceremony. However, when she opened the glass container, the butterflies didn't fly away. Instead, they lovingly attached themselves to her dress, her new husband's suit, and her sister's bouquet.

Perry, from Andover, Massachusetts, told Newsweek: "As I stood there, surrounded by the beauty of monarch butterflies gently fluttering around us, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with love and a sense of my father's presence."

Perry added: "It was a sign I had hoped for, but never truly expected in such a magical way. To see those butterflies landing on my dress, over my husband's heart, and on my sister's bouquet was a breathtaking reminder that my father is with us, watching over us, and blessing our union from above."

The tear-jerking video has since been shared by their photographer Brit Perkins (@britperkins_) and racked up more than 22.7 million views on Instagram.

Perry said why this particular insect holds a very special place in her heart. "A year after my father passed, on the anniversary of his death, I was on a hike with my sister and my mom.

"A monarch butterfly paid a special visit to each of us. Ever since that day, monarchs often visit us on my father's birthday, Father's Day, and other special occasions. I couldn't envision a more-fitting tribute than releasing monarch butterflies in his memory."

So far, the video shared on June 1 has left social media users in tears, receiving almost 2 million likes and almost 10,000 comments.

One user wrote: "[It] seems like her daddy just wanted to hold her one last time."

"And the butterfly is right over her hubby's heart... it's like her dad is giving her to his heart," posted a second commenter.

A third added: "As someone that raises Monarch butterflies and releases them daily, this is very abnormal, they usually are eager to fly away and use their wings. There is the odd one that lands on me every now and then but it's very rare and this many going straight onto the bride is no coincidence, this is precious."

Perry told Newsweek that her dad, who passed away in 1999, was a very vibrant, selfless, and courageous man.

She said: "Though he is no longer physically with me, his spirit continues to inspire me every day. He taught me to embrace life fully, to cherish every moment, and to live with kindness and integrity."

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