Weddings are a happy time filled with joy and anticipation of a beautiful day and wonderful start to a new marriage. But sometimes tragedy strikes. The sadness of the death of a close loved one, especially a parent, can conflict with the happy emotions of your upcoming nuptials. Whether the loss is unexpected or due to a long illness, the loss is still the same. So many couples choose to lovingly honor a deceased parent or loved one during their wedding ceremony or reception.
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Even if the person has been deceased for a while, perhaps several years, this loss is still apparent on the wedding day itself with the obvious absence of this loved one. Many people feel that while the person is not physically there, they are still with them, whether in spirit, or in their hearts, or watching down on them from Heaven.
There is no way to truly fill the empty spot, but you can honor your loved one’s memory on your wedding day.
Honor a Deceased Parent or Love One at Your Ceremony. . .
1. Attach a locket with their photo to your bouquet or boutonniere. Some brides will attach a locket with their father’s photo to their shoes, so he can still walk her down the aisle.
2. Place a rose or favorite flower on their seat.
3. Mention them in your wedding program. It can be a simple “In Memory Of” followed by the name(s) of those who are gone. One bride had a prayer written for her father printed on the back of the program.
4. You can light a memorial candle in their honor. Either one candle, or separate candles for more than one person.
5. You can display a vase of their favorite flowers.
6. You can walk down the aisle to an instrumental version of their favorite song, or a song that reminds you of them.
7. Wear a ring, brooch, or other piece of jewelry that belonged to them. One bride had her father’s wedding ring tied to her bouquet.
8. Use a piece of fabric from an article of their clothing to wrap the stems of your bouquet, or make a small hanky or garter. One bride had a piece of her father’s favorite shirt sewn in the shape of a heart into the inside of her wedding dress. A groom can have a piece of fabric sewn onto the back of his tie.
9. Have your officiant ask for a moment of silence.
10. Carry a replica of your mom’s bridal bouquet.
11. Carry your grandmother’s handkerchief or rosary.
. . . and at Your Reception
12. Open the dance floor with their favorite song.
13. Serve a specialty drink that was their favorite.
14. Make a toast in their memory with that person’s favorite drink.
15. Ask guests to donate to a charity in their name.
16. Have a memory table with their photos.
17. As butterflies symbolize death – specifically life after death, the soul, resurrection, change – do a butterfly release in their memory.
Of course, there are so many other things you can do to honor the memory of a deceased loved one. Think about the relationship you had with them, and the things that were meaningful to you (perhaps a favorite song, poem, hobby) and incorporate it into your wedding day.
Also, and this is very important, think about how it will affect you on your wedding day. While having an empty chair with a pretty bouquet of her favorite flowers is a lovely way to honor your deceased mother, for example, how will you feel when you see it on your wedding day? Will if give you some comfort having her “there” or will it be too big a reminder that she isn’t there?
What ways to honor a deceased love one have you seen at weddings you’ve attended or at your own wedding? Reply in the comments below. We’d love to hear about more ideas!
Hearts, Joy, Love!
Jean
Looking for fun ideas, or need help with your wedding plans?
Weddings From The Heart can help. Contact me today at [email protected] or by phone or text at 937-581-3647!
