Rockstar Richie Sambora fought back tears all weekend long as his only daughter, Ava Sambora, said ‘I do’ to husband Tyler Farrar in Montecito, California.
‘He was emotional the whole day,’ a wedding guest exclusively told the Daily Mail of the Bon Jovi rocker. ‘His family is Ava.’
But despite the waterworks welling up in his eyes, when it came time for Sambora, 66, to see his ex-wife, Heather Locklear, and her new boyfriend, he put on a brave face.
We’re told it had likely been years since the exes – who were married from 1994 to 2007 – last saw each other in person, but it was not awkward at all.
‘He’s always had her back. Not only when they were married, but even as her ex,’ the guest and longtime friend of the family said.
‘He’s been the first person always to support her and stand by her. But more importantly, to make sure she’s OK.’
Richie Sambora, Heather Locklear and their daughter Ava Sambora on her wedding weekend
Sambora and Ava shared a father-daughter dance at the wedding
Sambora and Locklear called it quits after more than a decade of marriage in 2006 and were then embroiled in a contentious custody battle for a year.
Following their divorce, Locklear struggled with addiction and mental health issues, but the insider claimed Sambora was always there for the mother of his child.
‘He’s the one who hired the best physicians and medical team to get her the help she needed,’ the longtime pal told the Daily Mail.
Locklear – who has been sober for more than five years – looked ‘solid’ and ‘beautiful’ at her daughter’s nuptials in a form-fitting black dress.
The actress, 64, was accompanied by fellow ’80s heartthrob Lorenzo Lamas, whom she has been publicly dating since April.
‘Richie’s a cool cat and Lorenzo is a cool dude,’ the wedding guest said of Sambora’s thoughts on the new couple. ‘Richie just wants Heather to be happy.’
The insider said that while Locklear and Lamas, 68, ‘looked strong,’ it is ‘way too early to tell’ if the matriarch is next to walk down the aisle.
We’re told that everyone – including Ava – is supportive of Locklear’s new relationship because ‘everybody honors how Heather feels.’
Locklear poses with loved ones at Ava’s wedding, where one inside source told the Daily Mail the actress, who has struggled with substance abuse issues in the past, looked ‘solid’ and ‘beautiful’
Locklear and her new boyfriend Lorenzo Lamas. The couple attended Ava’s wedding together
The guest said Sambora’s encounter with the new lovebirds could have been uncomfortable had he shown up to the wedding solo, but he had a date.
The You Give Love a Bad Name songwriter brought Australian guitarist Orianthi – whom he previously dated for several years – as his plus one.
‘They’re inseparable dear friends,’ our source said before sharing that it appeared Sambora and Orianthi were’rekindling’ their romance once again.
Not only did the guitarist, 41, accompany Sambora to his daughter’s big day, but she also played alongside him at the Unbridled Gala for the Kentucky Derby a few weeks ago. That performance was a special moment for Sambora, as it marked the first time he had been back onstage after suffering a near career-ending hand injury.
The source said that because Orianthi has her own impressive career, touring the world and doing televised performances such as the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, she doesn’t always have a lot of downtime, but makes sure to visit Sambora when she can.
‘Orianthi is not only a beautiful woman, she’s very talented,’ the friend said. ‘Every second she gets, she flies back [to the US] and hangs out with him.’
On her Instagram, Orianthi showed just how deep her bond with Ava is, writing alongside a video of the newlyweds dancing at their reception, ‘The most beautiful wedding for the most beautiful couple !!! Love you.’
Ava also shared the dance floor with Sambora for a father-daughter dance to a song he wrote titled, I’ll Always Walk Beside You.
Sambora and his ‘rekindled’ flame, Orianthi, performed together at the Unbridled Eve Gala for the Kentucky Derby before he brought her to the wedding as his plus one
‘When he left Bon Jovi, he never left her side,’ the friend told the Daily Mail. ‘There was nothing more important to him than spending every minute with her.’
The insider shared that since Sambora is on the outs with Jon Bon Jovi and other members of their legendary rock group, none of them were present at the wedding or even called Ava to congratulate her.
But Sambora did honor his Bon Jovi roots at one point, as he jumped onstage with the house band to sing along to Livin’ On a Prayer.
‘It was a beautiful day, a beautiful wedding,’ the source concluded. ‘It was all about Ava. There was a lot of great family, a lot of great support.’
The Daily Mail has contacted Sambora and Locklear’s representatives for comment.
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