Ways to Honor the Dearly Departed at Weddings
Weddings are meant to be a time for celebration and a happy gathering of friends and family. But for some couples their joy is mixed with sadness because beloved family members have passed away and won’t be there to witness the marriage.
Whether you’ve experienced a recent death in the family or you’d like to remember grandparents who passed away many years ago, there are many thoughtful ways to honor those special loved ones on your wedding day.
Many brides and grooms have come up with creative ways to acknowledge loved ones in their wedding attire including:
- Tying a father’s wedding ring into the bride’s bouquet
- The groom wearing special cufflinks that belonged to his father
- The bride carrying a bouquet fashioned out of her great grandmother’s costume jewelry
- Using a grandfather’s favorite blue tie with the groom’s suit
- Sewing a heart shaped piece of a brother’s t-shirt inside the bride’s gown
However, you don’t have to limit yourself to incorporating a remembrance related to "something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue in your outfit. Keep in mind that your remembrances can either be done publicly at the ceremony or in a quiet and personal way.
Here are other ideas of how couples have honored loved ones during their wedding day:
- Serving a signature drink or favorite dessert of your loved one
- Playing a special song that reminds you of them
- Including a “in loving memory” tribute in the wedding program
- Setting up a small table at the reception, filled with photos of those who have passed
- Giving a toast or sharing a story about loved ones during the day
There many different ways to pay respects to deceased loved ones at your wedding. However you choose to remember them should be unique to that relationship. No matter what you decide to do, paying tribute during your celebration will make the day even more special.
