When Zach Bryan and Samantha Leonard exchanged vows this past December, the bride carried a poignant “something borrowed” that bridged the past and the present in a deeply emotional way.
The country music sensation took to his Instagram Story on Monday, January 5, to reveal a sentimental tribute Leonard integrated into her bridal attire. Sharing a candid photograph of a beaming Leonard preparing for the ceremony, Bryan explained that his new wife went to great lengths to honor his late mother, Annette. “Samantha went out of her way to put my mom’s wedding dress lace on her dress,” Bryan shared with his followers.
The gesture was overwhelmingly moving for the singer, who admitted, “I cried for a good bit. Meant so much sweetheart, thank you.” To further commemorate the occasion, Bryan posted a vintage photo of his mother on her own wedding day, adding the heartbreaking caption: “Wish you were here about now gorgeous.”
The Grammy-winning artist and Leonard celebrated their nuptials in Spain shortly before the New Year. Bryan confirmed the union by posting a photo of the couple in their wedding finery, quoting his musical idol Bruce Springsteen in the caption: “Tougher than the rest.”
The wedding came as a pleasant surprise to many in the industry, following a romance that first gained public attention during the summer of 2024. Bryan’s personal life has been a subject of interest for years; he was previously married to Rose Madden from 2020 to 2021 and was later in a high-profile relationship with podcaster Brianna LaPaglia.
Bryan has never shied away from discussing the profound impact his mother has had on his life and artistry. In November 2024, marking the release of his track “This World’s a Giant,” the singer shared a long, reflective post about visiting Annette’s resting place in Oklahoma, eight years after her passing in 2016.
In that tribute, he detailed the internal conversations he holds with her, updating her on his life—from his decision to step back from touring to pursue a master’s degree in Paris, to the joy he finds in his close-knit circle of friends and family. This long-standing devotion to her memory made Leonard’s wedding day tribute all the more significant.
Fans can expect more personal storytelling from the musician very soon, as his latest album, With Heaven On Top, is scheduled for release this Friday, January 9.
