Weddings are intensely personal and family-driven events. So when someone you love is missing, it hurts even more than a usual day. Despite the celebratory nature of the day, it may still be cathartic to pay homage to lost loved ones. Whether you choose to honor your loved one privately or in a way that all your guests can be involved in, there are plenty of options.
Private:
- Sew a special patch into your wedding garments.
- Serve their favorite food or drink.
- Dance to their favorite song.
- Make your favors something that was special to them.
- Carry his/her favorite flowers or make just one bloom in a very homogeneous arrangement a different color or type and only you know why.
- Incorporate a piece of their jewelry or clothing into your wedding outfit. This is a particularly nice way to have your mom or dad “walk you down the aisle”.
- Literally incorporate that person into your jewelry by having their ashes made into a diamond. This is not an option that everyone enjoys but I think it’s neat. It’s something I always wanted to do with my parents someday.
- Hide a little token that reminds you of that person peeking out of your cake (much as this Spider Man does).
Public:
- Add a memorial note in the program, the introductions, or the opening prayer.
- Have a photo memory tree.
- “Reserve” a seat for the person at your ceremony or reception. This has always been one of my favorite ideas. <3
- Have a small side table or mantel dedicated to lost loved ones. Display their pictures, candles, or a combination of both.
- Go all out with life-sized cutouts of the missing guests like our featured bride Kate did at her wedding.
- Have guests make a donation to their favorite charity or a memorial scholarship fund in lieu of gifts.
- Invest in shoe or bouquet charms/lockets so their image is with you. I really like these ones from a seller on Etsy:
Great story – wonderful ideas!