In years past, the father of the bride usually took a back seat to the mother of the bride when it came to wedding planning, outings, photo-worthy moments and star power on the day. Dads mainly stood out in roles such as walking the bride down the aisle, a father-daughter dance and footing the bill. Some dads would cheekily grab attention for being the host with deep pockets. Sarah Hoenig, who got married in the '80s, shared that her dad actually handed out "little printed cards saying that he's the father of the bride, the one who paid for everything." She didn't see much humor in his choice of stationery, but now that he has passed, she misses his ability to surprise people. "He made guests laugh, so that was a moment he liked," she says. A father's (or father figure's) participation can be whatever you want it to be. Think about makes a great dad moment, adds a welcome sense of lightness, honors your relationship, tugs at heartstrings and feels appropriate. Or get your creativity flowing with one of the following trends.

*Social Media Inspo

Social media platforms and sites such as Upworthy abound with photos and videos you can look to for inspiration. In one 2015 wedding video that went viral, for example, the bride and her father started off their spotlight dance awkwardly swaying back and forth, since dancing wasn't their forte. A guest stepped forward to hand them their baseball mitts and a baseball, and they played catch to music as the guests looked on with smiles and tears in their eyes. Dad had taught his little girl how to throw and catch, and they'd attended many games together, making this a special and unique moment.

Personalizing the first dance is a must nowadays, says recent bride Emily Thompson. They can "choose and choreograph the kind of dance to the type of music that's 'them,' she says. "No one wants to be stiff and uncomfortable, looking awkward and obviously just waiting to get past this nightmare dance moment. So first dances can be line dances that others join in on, hip hop, salsa, anything you'd like." If the bride wants to invite her stepdad, grandparent or both parents onto the dance floor, the more the merrier. They can share the moment however they'd like and then invite guests to join them.

*Recreate a Moment

Another father-daughter trend seen on social media is recreating a photo from when the bride was young. Brides and their dads look through family photos and videos to find the perfect memory of the pint-sized bride dancing on his feet, dressed up for a daddy-daughter dance, on vacation, playing in the backyard or even singing a duet. They can show the recreation at the rehearsal dinner or the wedding, post it on social media or post it on the couple's wedding website.

*Gifts

A heartfelt gift for the bride will always be appreciated. It might be a diamond pendant, a tennis bracelet, a Tiffany necklace or a gemstone she will belove for a lifetime. Nowadays, the father often presents a gift to the couple, or the couple offers a gift to each of their parents. Consider what would fit your family best and go from there.

*Speak From the Heart

"Today is the morning of your wedding day..." The father of the bride can write a letter wishing her a happy life, praising her positive attributes and lighting up her heart with gratitude and admiration. This meaningful, personal note can be given on her wedding day or perhaps saved for an opportune time down the road.

*Quality Time

The father of the bride isn't just special to the bride. He's special to the person she is marrying, and vice versa. Spending some quality time with the spouse-to-be creates valuable memories and a familial bond. Take photos or exchange gifts; make a big moment of it.

The father of the bride can be a calming counterpart not only on the wedding day but also on the road to it, especially during this unusual era of delayed weddings and thwarted wedding plans. The best father of the bride puts his daughter's happiness first and takes care to shape a relationship with her and her true love for this new chapter of all their lives.