Congratulations on your big day! Marriage is one of the greatest joys and adventures of life. Whether you’re running off to a secluded place, having a giant party, or planning something in between these two options, you’ll definitely remember your wedding for the rest of your life. Weddings celebrate the happy couple and often include time to celebrate the joining of two families. If some of your family members recently passed away, it’s natural to wish they could be with you on your special day. Thankfully, there are many ways to remember and honor them during the ceremony, reception, or both. Here are 25 ideas for remembering loved ones at a wedding.
Wedding Remembrance Ideas For Brides
Many couples dream of their wedding, but facing such a momentous occasion without your loved ones can be hard to deal with. Here are five special ways, as a bride, you can honor them on your wedding day!
1. Place a special memento on the bouquet
This option is gentle and beautiful. You can use any special souvenir, such as a piece of lace from your grandmother’s wedding dress, a photo of your mother in a locket, or a special necklace handed down to you. You can also use ribbon to wrap the stems of the bouquet and help hold a loved one’s cherished item securely to your bouquet.
2. Sew something handwritten on the dress
Do you have a piece of your loved one’s handwriting? Consider embroidering a phrase or a few words in their handwriting on the inside of your wedding dress.
3. Wear an item that belonged to them
See if there’s an item that belonged to your mother, grandmother, or mother-in-law that you could wear on your special day. You could choose to wear a piece of their jewelry or even their wedding dress. If you don’t like the style, consider combining a portion of their dress with a more modern option that might suit your tastes better. If your loved one didn’t have anything you might could wear on your wedding day, you can always “wear it” by way of pinning it inside a pocket of your wedding dress or to the underside of your dresses skirt so that you can hold that remembrance close to your heart without having to share those special items with the rest of your guests if you choose not to.
4. Pin a special item to your dress
If your loved one didn’t have anything you might could wear on your wedding day, you can always “wear it” by way of pinning it inside a pocket of your wedding dress or to the underside of your dresses skirt so that you can hold that remembrance close to your heart without having to share those special items with the rest of your guests if you choose not to.
5. Choose a stand-out flower in your bouquet
Add a white flower to the bouquet in honor of your loved one. Already have white in your bouquet? Choose a color you don’t have so the single flower will stand out. Greenery can also serve as a fitting reminder.
Wedding Remembrance Ideas For Grooms
Your wedding is approaching and you’ll soon be marrying the love of your life. Here are some unique ways a groom can remembering their lost loved one on wedding day.
6. Create a pocket square from a piece of clothing
If your loved one had a handkerchief or pocket square, you might decide to use it as-is. You can also sew one by using fabric from a piece of their clothing such as a dress, shirt, or tie.
7. Wear their one’s watch or cuff links
Take your loved one down the aisle by wearing something they owned like a watch or cuff links.
Wedding Remembrance at Wedding Ceremony
8. Mention them in your vows
What did your loved one adore about your significant other? Consider mentioning what they loved about your partner during your vows as a way to bring them into the ceremony.
9. Heat the rings
This ceremony occurs when family members and loved ones hold your wedding rings to “warm them” with their love and good wishes. To honor a loved one who has died, place the rings in a decorative box they owned so they can participate in the tradition.
10. Create sand art
Sand art or unity sand has become a popular way to create a visual representation of the joining of two lives together. To honor loved ones who have passed, consider choosing a unique color of sand for each person and add it to the sand art
11. Write a tribute note
Include a poem or message in your wedding program along with the name or names of those in your family who passed away.
Remembering Loved Ones at Wedding Reception
12. Light a candle
During the ceremony or reception, take a moment to light a candle to remember your loved ones who passed away. This is also a good time to read a memorial poem in their honor or pray.
13. Toast with their favorite drink
Taste and smell often evoke strong memories. Offer a toast to your new spouse and guests while sipping your loved one’s favorite drink. You might just feel like they’re right there with you.
14. Create a signature drink
While you might want to enjoy their favorite drink on your own, you might also consider making their favorite beverage a signature drink offered to your guests at the bar so that everyone can take a moment to remember the loved one..
15. Read a selection
Reading poetry can be a wonderful way to honor a loved one during your ceremony or banquet. You can read it yourself, assign it to a member of the family, or have a member of your bridal party read the passage.
16. Play or sing a song
Is there a certain song that reminds you of your loved one? Perhaps you’re a bit of a songwriter and you can create a song in their honor? Consider playing or singing a special song to bring your deceased loved one into your wedding day.
17. Make a poster
Create a special memorial sign or poster to remember loved ones who can’t be with you. It can be located wherever you’d like such as the entrance to the reception room or the guest sign-in table. You can include pictures, messages, and poems.
A Remembrance Table at Wedding Day
18. Set up a memorial table
Set aside a special table, whether it’s a reception table or a small gift table. Fill the tabletop with photos of your loved ones, candles, special mementos, and other things that will help them remember them. This is a wonderful way to honor your loved ones and it allows your guests to take a moment to remember them, as well.
19. Incorporate a family recipe
Was your loved one known for a special dish or receipt? Consider including it in your reception menu or sharing it with your guests as a favor at each place setting for the memory of your loved one to continue on through that recipe.
20. Create a flower arrangement
Create a memorial bouquet in honor of your loved ones. Ideas for this include one white lilly for each person that passed, one stem of each person’s favorite flower, or a single long-stem rose alongside a memorial candle.
More Ways for Remembering Lost Loved Ones at a Wedding
21. Set aside a seat
Set aside a memorial seat that’s “reserved” for your loved one who passed away. You can set aside a seat for the ceremony, reception, or both. Place a framed photo of them with a flower in the seat or place of honor.
22. Include a memory in your champagne toast
During the reception, consider toasting their memory. You can share a special memory, a funny anecdote, or a piece of wisdom they shared with you.
23. Use their wine or champagne glasses
Use the champagne glasses that belonged to your deceased loved one during your reception to toast their memory or toast your new spouse. If you don’t have champagne glasses, consider using their wedding knife to cut your cake.
24. Light lanterns
Consider lighting up battery-operated lanterns in honor of your loved one. You can place them near the altar, toward the front or back of the aisle, or on your gift or card table. Include a sign with the names of your loved ones and how they continue to “guide you” or “light your way.”
25. Donate to their favorite charity
Whether you have a large wedding or a small one, you’ll probably receive cash and checks from guests. Consider donating an amount to your loved one’s favorite charity in their honor.
Honoring Your Loved One
Remembering and honoring your loved ones at your wedding can be beautiful and touching. There are no right or wrong ways to incorporate someone’s memory into your wedding. Simply choose what feels best to you and helps you bring their presence into your special day.
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