Weddings are a beautiful reason to get all of your loved ones – family and friends – to join you and your new spouse and celebrate your new life together. That said, there may be some friends or family that have gone on before you that you’d like to honor in a special way at your ceremony or reception. In this post, we’re going to be talking about some different and creative ways to share their spirit with others at your wedding and to keep them close by in remembrance.
Many brides with whom I’ve worked have set up a small table, candle and photo, or even saved a seat for their loved ones at the ceremony. While you certainly don’t want to be sad on one of the best days of your life, you also don’t want to forget the loved ones that helped you get there. Here are just a few creative ways to honor your family members who can’t join you at your wedding.
Ceremony
As I mentioned, having an empty chair reserved, a table with photos and candles (which our daughter and her now-husband did; see cover image), or mentioning them in your wedding program can be a very sweet way to bring attention to your loved ones. If you plan to do this, just be aware of any relatives that may have a hard time seeing this, especially if the death is in the recent past.
If you are looking for more subtle ways to incorporate your family who have passed, you can always include their favorite flower in your wedding bouquet, or even have an heirloom of theirs sewn into your dress or suit. Another option is to walk down the aisle to a special song or music composition that your loved one was fond of. For our daughter’s wedding, the processional went through a lovely rose garden at the venue as a way to honor and remember her maternal grandfather (my dad), who tended roses during his retirement years. Yes, it was emotional, but so beautiful!
Reception
Honoring your loved ones at the reception is also a special way to recognize the past and share memories with your family still with you. By choosing some special photos to display or perhaps even offering an activity that they loved, you can share that joy with your wedding guests and also learn more about that person from others. If you are honoring more than one person, you could consider a memory book with displayed photos adding a little biography about each person.
For our daughter’s wedding, they used her paternal grandparent’s glass cake stand to hold the different flavors of
cupcakes available to their guests. And, in a nod to her maternal grandmother (my mom), the DJ played ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” — one of my mom’s favorite songs ever!
Another option for a personal touch is to consider your menu. You can add a favorite appetizer, drink, or dessert that your loved one enjoyed or even feature their own recipe! I’ve had a wedding where they used a grandmother’s recipe for their cookie favors for guests! There are so many different options to include and remember a loved one at your wedding, and you can definitely think outside the box!
One last option that I find very sweet is to honor your guests AND your deceased relative by donating to a cause they believed in or were affected by as a wedding favor to your guests. Many times these days, wedding guests do not expect or like favors, so finding an option that is intangible may be a very good fit for you and your loved ones! For example, if your grandmother was affected by Alzheimer’s disease, you could consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Association as a bulk donation in honor of her for your big day.
Whatever you decide to do, there are so many beautiful ways to remember your loved one. While it’s certainly not the same thing as having them there with you for the celebration, at least you can feel them with you on the day of and know that they are in your hearts.
If you need further ideas or help planning the best option for you, I would love to help! Please call or text me at 410-978-2048 to discuss the details!
Lexi
(All images are by Living Radiant Photography)
