Richie Sambora Shares Video of Daughter Ava and He...

Richie Sambora Shares Video of Daughter Ava and Her New Husband Rocking Out to Bon Jovi’s ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’ at Wedding

Ava Sambora’s wedding festivities fittingly included an epic Bon Jovi sing-along.

Ava’s father, Richie Sambora, posted a video to Instagram on Sunday, May 17, showing his 28-year-old daughter — whom he shares with ex Heather Locklear — and her new husband, Tyler Farrar, rocking out to the band’s 1986 hit “Livin’ on a Prayer.” The newlyweds can be seen holding hands as they jump up and down and belted out the lyrics while a live band played.

Richie, 66, who was the lead guitarist for Bon Jovi for two decades from 1983 to 2013, stood at a microphone and sang along in his black tuxedo. Ava and Tyler’s wedding guests also joined in.

The pair, who met in college, tied the knot during an outdoor wedding ceremony at the Rosewood Miramar in Montecito, Calif., on Saturday, May 16. Photos from the nuptials show Richie and Locklear, 64 — who attended with boyfriend Lorenzo Lamas — beaming as they watched their daughter say “I do.”

Another photo shows the proud parents walking Ava, who wore a strapless gown and veil, down the aisle.

Ava Sambora with parents Richie Sambora and Heather Locklear at her wedding on May 16, 2026.BACKGRID

On Sunday, Richie also shared a video of his emotional father-daughter dance with the bride. He can be seen leading Ava onto the dance floor, before she told the crowd, “My dad wrote this song.”

The two then lovingly embraced and swayed together to the music.

Richie previously told PEOPLE about his plans for the special dance while stepping out to the 2026 Kentucky Derby earlier this month.

“We’re dancing to a song that I wrote for her, ‘I’ll Always Walk Beside You.’ She picked it,” he said, adding, “She was such a great kid, so I lucked out.”

Ava Sambora and Tyler Farrar at their wedding on May 16, 2026.BACKGRID

Richie also raved about his son-in-law, telling PEOPLE at the horse racing event that Farrar was “a shoo-in.”

“He’s a gentleman, he’s honest,” the musician said.

Richie also shared that Farrar took him out for a round of golf to reveal his plans to propose to Ava and ask for his blessing.

“I said, ‘Do you have to ask, son?’ I said, ‘Of course,’ ” Richie recalled. “They’ve been living together happily for a long time, and we went on many vacations together and we spend a lot of time together. It’s really a very good thing.”

“Being a dad is my favorite thing in the world, man,” he added.