Remembering Loved Ones at Your Wedding
Posted in Past Weddings, Wedding Advice on Jan 31, 2025
Weddings are one of the major life events where we invite all of our loved ones to be together to celebrate with us. But often, someone dear to us is missing. What are some tactful and beautiful ways to weave them into your wedding?
We've compiled a list of ideas we've seen in the past few years that make the individual feel a little more like they are there in spirit (and most likely they are!).
A favorite color: Blue was the favorite color of one of our past bride's fathers, so we used light blue glassware at dinner in his honor. Another couple chose claret napkins in memory of a bride's grandmother.
A favorite drink in memory: A shot of white port wine was handed out during the ceremony in rememberance of the bride's dad in one wedding. This was from an article that we only saw briefly on Instagram and then couldn't locate again despite searching for half an hour. There was a pause in the ceremony as the port was passed to each guest.
A favorite item of clothing: Grandpa's favorite hat that he wore everywhere, or his cane propped in a likely corner he would have chosen. A jacket on the back of a chair. A broach pinned to the bride's gown.
Old Wedding Photos: "I love it when couples do a 'Generations of Love' table where they highlight all of the successful marriages in their family and display framed wedding photos," Jenny Lynn, of Before The Vows says. "This can be a combo of deceased relatives and ones who are still alive."
Photo by Wandermoore Photography
A favorite chair: One artsy bride had painted a special chair in rememberance of her mother, and had it placed in the front row where her mother would have sat. Photo by @wandermoorephoto
A vase or other decor: One couple brought in an oversize vase that was always filled with flowers when company came. It had been to the groom's sister's wedding earlier in the year, making it even more special.
Photo by Our Ampersand Photo
Another recent wedding had a box that belonged to the groom's father and had his name on it that the couple used for holding wedding cards on the welcome table.
Flowers: a favorite flower added to the bouquet, or the boutionnere, or on the tables. One groom's mother loved lilacs, so their soft fragrant blooms found placement in various arrangements throughout the wedding.
A simple flower placed on a chair at ceremony, or holding a place at the table.
"think of a quirk of that person and bring it out in some way during the cocktail hour," suggests Desiree Wells of Carmen Taylor Weddings. It might be a favorite word or phrase, or an unusual combination of ingredients in a snack, she adds.
Speaking of, food is a great way to remember someone.
In short, there are lots of things you can do to remember someone and have their presence felt by those who also knew that person. Ask yourself what the first thing is that you think of when you remember them, or talk to your family and see what comes up. The answers might bring out some fun and creative ways to weave their memory into your wedding!