Pete Wentz Asked Joe Simpson For Permission To Marry Ashlee

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- When rocker Pete Wentz decided he wanted to marry Ashlee Simpson, he went about asking her in a very traditional way - he asked her father first.

Wentz asked Ashlee's father, Joe Simpson, for his permission, Access Hollywood has learned.

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Papa Joe Simpson told E! he was thrilled to welcome a new son-in-law.

"I'm totally happy and so excited to have Pete as part of the family," he told E! "We are blessed."

[ All Access: Ashlee Simpson - Pete Wentz - Couples - Music - Celebrities ]

A source told E! that Wentz, the bassist of popular emo outfit Fall Out Boy, went to the senior Simpson within the last fourteen days.

"He doesn't look like it, but Pete is a very traditional guy, and he knows Joe is too," the source said. "He never would have asked her without Joe's permission."

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Last night, Ashlee released a statement confirming that after almost two years of dating, the couple was ready to tie the knot.

"We know there has been a lot of speculation recently about Pete and I and we wanted our fans to be the first to know, because you guys are the best. Yes, we are thrilled to share that we are happily engaged," she wrote in a post on FriendsorEnemies.com.