Bride honors mom at wedding with touching surprise

“I think the most important thing is to honor the people that you love."

October 9, 2023, 4:03 AM

When Briana Keith married Devan Coffey last month, she knew she wanted to do something special for her mother, Tracy Keith, whom she calls her "best friend."

"I wanted to be able to do something for my mom the day of my wedding, to really be able to thank her and appreciate her for raising me and being my mom and being there for me for everything," the 25-year-old told "Good Morning America."

So when the time came, Coffey stood in front of her guests at Willowynn Barn in Santa Fe, Texas, and delivered a speech before surprising her mom, and the rest of the wedding guests, by foregoing the traditional bouquet toss.

PHOTO: Briana Coffey married her husband Devan Coffey on Sept. 23.
Briana Coffey married her husband Devan Coffey on Sept. 23.
Courtesy of EventSmith Productions

Instead, Coffey said she was going to honor her mom by gifting her wedding bouquet to her.

"To all the single ladies out there, I am sorry that I will not be doing a bouquet toss. Instead, I am dedicating my bouquet to my beautiful mother," Coffey said in part in a video captured by EventSmith Productions.

Coffey said she hit upon the idea after seeing another bride do it about a year ago, and knew quickly it was something meaningful she wanted to do at her own wedding.

Keith told "GMA" she was completely shocked and touched by her daughter's sweet gesture, a moment she said she will remember forever.

PHOTO: Briana Coffey surprised her mother Tracy Keith at her wedding by sharing her bouquet with her instead of holding a traditional bouquet toss.
Briana Coffey surprised her mother Tracy Keith at her wedding by sharing her bouquet with her instead of holding a traditional bouquet toss.
Courtesy of EventSmith Productions

"It was just a special time to be able to be there with her and that she took time at her special day to honor me just really blew me away," the mom of four said.

PHOTO: Briana Coffey and her mom Tracy Keith say they've been close ever since Coffey was a young girl.
Briana Coffey and her mom Tracy Keith say they've been close ever since Coffey was a young girl.
Courtesy of Briana Coffey
PHOTO: Tracy Keith told "GMA" she won't forget the meaningful gesture her daughter showed her at her wedding.
Tracy Keith told "GMA" she won't forget the meaningful gesture her daughter showed her at her wedding.
Courtesy of EventSmith Productions

Coffey and Keith said they both encourage the idea of brides honoring their moms at their wedding.

"I hope that she can start something new here with the brides and that [couples will] be more mindful on that day to include the moms and the mother of the groom as well," Keith said.

"I think the most important thing is to honor the people that you love and make your wedding your own," Coffey added. "[You don't] always have to follow on the traditions of everything that's always being done at the wedding. Just do what you feel is right."

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