Butterfly clings to groom’s father during bittersweet tribute

If you’ve ever lost a loved one than you know how painful it can be when important life events happen and they’re not there to share in the happiness of it all.

When Max Van Gorder got married he and his family wanted to pay tribute to his sister, Vanessa, who died a few years earlier. They decided to release butterflies as a tribute.

The photos their wedding photographer captured – a sign from heaven.

A few years earlier, Max’s sister, Vanessa, died in a car accident. His family wanted to remember her at the ceremony, so when it came time for Max and his bride, Lydia, to exchange vows, Max’s parents released beautifully vibrant orange butterflies.

But instead of flying off into the sky, many of the butterflies stuck around.

It was as if Vanessa was present for this happy moment.

The Van Gorder family have used butterflies as a way to remember Vanessa, according to Bored Panda.

“This is probably the most emotional thing I’ve witnessed at a wedding,” Jessica Manns, the wedding photographer, wrote on her Facebook.

Jessica said that many of the butterflies refused to leave.

“They clung all over them and even stayed on their bodies the entire ceremony and well afterwards into cocktail hour.”

One butterfly even landed on Max’s father’s finger and stayed put for the remainder of the ceremony before it flew onto Lydia’s bouquet during the recessional.

After Jessica posted the photos on Facebook they went viral.

Lydia even commented on the photos to thank Jessica for capturing such a special moment for her family.

“Thank you again Jessica Manns Photography for capturing such a special and loving moment during our wedding,” she wrote. “Vanessa was with us there and throughout the night. I relive my wedding day everytime I look at your photos.”

I can’t believe how gorgeous these photos are!

I truly believe that Vanessa visited her family as a butterfly on this special day.

Share if you agree!