Justin Bieber Got Stephen Baldwin's Blessing Before Proposing to Hailey

EXCLUSIVE

Justin Bieber‘s a sucker for old school traditions — he made sure to ask Hailey Baldwin‘s father for her hand in marriage before he popped the question … TMZ has learned.

Sources close to the couple tell us Justin and Stephen Baldwin met face-to-face several weeks ago. We’re told the conversation was very important to the Biebs, who absolutely wanted the green light from Hailey’s pop. Stephen is a minister in NY, and we’re told he believes Justin has the same Christian values as he and Hailey do — and, of course, JB and HB both attend Hillsong Church.

Point is … Stephen happily gave his blessing. The mano a mano also proves Justin’s proposal wasn’t an impulsive decision in the middle of a vacation.

We broke the story … Justin proposed to Hailey Saturday at a resort in the Bahamas. Hailey, obviously, said yes … and was flashing her engagement ring all day Sunday.

Justin referenced those Christian values that so impressed his father-in-law-to-be when he posted an open love letter to Hailey. The super romantic message was really his first public declaration about Hailey since they reunited.

It’s interesting, Justin got the go-ahead from Stephen sometime in June, and, as we’ve seen, the couple’s been inseparable since their PDA-filled Miami weekend on June 10.

Safe to say, Justin’s been in proposal mode this whole time they’ve been attached at the hip.