Emma Roberts shared one of the most emotional moments of her wedding day with her five-year-old son, Rhodes. The “American Horror Story” actress married Cody John during an outdoor ceremony in Idaho on July 25, with her son proudly accompanying her down the aisle. While Rhodes played a special role in the ceremony, Emma’s father, actor Eric Roberts, did not attend. He has since defended his daughter’s right to celebrate the wedding exactly as she wanted.
Photographs published by Vogue show Rhodes holding hands with his mother as they made their way toward the groom. The five-year-old looked dapper in a white suit while Emma wore a flowing custom Monique Lhuillier gown in a vintage-inspired pink shade.
One image captured the mother and son from behind as they walked toward Cody. Their closest friends and family watched from outdoor seats, with several guests using umbrellas to protect themselves from the sun. The intimate aisle moment gave her son an important role in the celebration and produced some of the most memorable photographs from the day.
Emma welcomed Rhodes with her former partner, Garrett Hedlund, in December 2020.
Actress Wanted Her Wedding Dress To Feel Vintage
Emma collaborated with Monique Lhuillier on two custom looks for the wedding. For the ceremony, she wore a gown created in a specially developed shade called Vintage Rose. The flowing design was paired with a sheer shawl and a long white veil.
During her final fitting, Emma admitted that she initially had difficulty determining exactly what she wanted to wear. “I didn’t really know what I wanted,” Emma told Vogue. “I just knew that I wanted it to feel very vintage-inspired. I’m obsessed with antique books and treasure hunting, and I love collecting old ephemera, so I really wanted that to shine through in the dress.”
The custom color referenced Emma’s middle name while also contributing to the aged, romantic quality she envisioned.
To create the gown’s “tea-stained effect,” 25 yards of pink fabric were reportedly dipped into an ecru shade. The process gave the material an antique appearance rather than the bright white traditionally associated with bridal gowns.
Eric Roberts Did Not Attend His Daughter’s Wedding
Emma’s father confirmed before the ceremony that he would not be among the guests in Idaho. “I love my daughter, always have, always will,” Eric told Page Six in a statement. “It is perfectly wonderful for her to celebrate however she wants, with whomever she wants.”
The 70-year-old actor welcomed Emma with his former partner, Kelly Cunningham, in 1991. He later lost custody of her when she was a baby amid his past struggles with drug addiction. Eric has acknowledged that he was not emotionally prepared to be a dependable parent at that point in his life. During an April appearance on “Really Famous with Kara Mayer Robinson,” he described himself as “not to be depended on emotionally whatsoever” when Emma was born.
However, he challenged the perception that he and his daughter are estranged or that their relationship can be easily understood by people outside the family. “It’s only complicated through outside eyes because they don’t get any of it,” Eric said.
Julia Roberts And Celebrity Friends Supported The Bride
Although Eric was not present, Emma was surrounded by other relatives and friends during the outdoor ceremony. Her aunt Julia Roberts attended with her husband, Danny Moder. Several of Emma’s famous friends also traveled to Idaho for the wedding, including “American Horror Story” co-star Sarah Paulson and Demi Moore.
Emma and Cody were first romantically linked in 2022. The couple kept much of their relationship private before announcing their engagement in July 2024.
Emma Roberts Broke Bridal Tradition With Black Reception Look
Emma exchanged her romantic ceremony gown for a dramatically different outfit at the reception. The actress wore a black two-piece ensemble inspired by a design from Lhuillier’s Fall 2004 collection.
The “boudoir saloon” look featured a custom strapless corset made from Chantilly lace and a tea-length skirt constructed with layers of black silk organza. “I love the idea of wearing black for the afterparty,” Emma explained.
The unconventional color allowed her to move away from bridal tradition while maintaining the vintage aesthetic that shaped her ceremony gown. “We love doing something that’s a little unexpected,” she added. “This looks like it could be totally vintage from 100 years ago, or from now.”
Still, the most personal detail from the wedding had nothing to do with Emma’s two custom dresses. By walking his mother down the aisle, Rhodes became an unforgettable part of the day as she began her marriage to Cody.
