Honoring lost loved ones

Yes, You can honor those who have passed at a wedding, I have seen memorial Candles,(which can be displayed at the chapel as well as at the reception hall) I have seen the memorials written on the wedding program as well. With the phrase, To those loved ones who could not be here today, Names mentioned with the relation to the bride and groom such as brides grandmother or mother. with the following

We wish you could be standing here with us today, but we know you are here in spirit. You are in our hearts always, we love and miss you.

I hope this helps, Best Wishes,

Debbie

It is appropriate to honor those you have lost if you choose. I have seen a small candle arrangement on a separate table, or programs that state the flowers are "in memory". The sweetest I have experienced personally was a bagpipe rendition of Amazing Grace in memory of grandmothers.

Yes it is appropriate. My grandmother passed about 5 years ago and each one of us grandchildren when we get married do something in rememberance of her. My older brother left an empty seat beside my grandpap and gave him a rose for her in the middle of the wedding. (like at the same part they did the roses for the moms) and my cousin keenan just got married this past december he had a rose up by his unity candle in rememberance of her. For mine I'm having a picture of her with a candle and a little saying and some flowers at the reception.

We are doing a few things. First, when the guest first come into the church we have a table set up. We are putting a picture of my mother and FH's father with a white candle between the photos on the table, plus, I'm putting a white rose in the spot where my mother would sit and asking a sister if she would "stand in" for our mother.

This has been a recent topic for my family and I. I was very close to my grandfather (the first grandchild) and he passed about 2 years ago from ALS. It was very hard on my grandmother to see the strong man she knew fade, so I have decided to get one of those pins that have a locket hanging from it. I will put a picture of my grandfather in it and put the pin on by bouquet. After the ceremony I will be giving the pin to my grandmother. I just feel that something like this will mean more to the two of us and my Mother loves the idea.

My FH mother passed away about 3 years ago. He adored her dearly and misses her. I am planning on decorating a table with her favorite flower and setting a picture of his mother as a memorial. Even though she is not there physically she will be there in our hearts and thoughts.

We are setting up a small table against a wall with pictures of our grandparents along with small candles and flowers. This is a simple, yet memoriable way to honor the lost loved ones.

As an officiant, I believe it most appropriate to honor those who have passed away. I have a number of suggestions, which I offer the bridal couple.

For example, lovingly calling to mind the names of the departed, and, if desired, a brief sentence or two about the relationship to the bridal couple. Again, if desired, a single chair representing all those departed placed upfront between the last groomsman and first row of seats. On this "Remembrance" chair there may be placed a floral bouquet. No floral bouquet, no chair. I then typically read a lovely poem by François Mauriac, the 1952 Nobel Laureate in Literature.

We have lit candles, etc. The one thing I have not done is to have a "moment of silence." I believe this to be a "downer" (i.e., it brings down the energy).

I urge you to discuss the addition of a Remembrance Ceremony with your minister, as it must fit comfortably into the overall wedding ceremony.

Reverend Stan

I'm sorry for your losses... It is very understandable and appropriate to honor those who have passed away. There are so many great suggestions above.

I am in no way suggesting you should do what I am about to say - because it is not very common at all. But I just had an order about a month ago for a custom embroidered garter. It said - "In Memory of Grandma" on the band. The bride was very close to her grandmother and wanted to have her be a part of her wedding day in a special way. Then she will have the garter as a keepsake afterward.

I am sure you will find some way to represent those who are loved but lost. Best wishes to you.

I know for my fiance and I we are in the same boat with wanting to honor our lost ones. What I am doing is on my flower bouquet I am taking their wedding picture and putting it into a small picture frame (think of a large charm, they can be purchased at a craft store). That way they are there at the wedding even though it is not physical they are represented and it is something that will later on be very special. Also sometimes when you do something like a certain area for their pictures it can make your guests be depressed/sad. But with the charms it is also an heirloom and it is something that you can show people if you want but you don't have to. You can also have them put into a bracelet, this can also become an heirloom for you to give your daughter (if you have one later on). I hope this helps you out. But it is very appropriate to honor them at your wedding and if you look at it without them where would you or your fiance be?

Angela

Hello and congratulations on your upcoming wedding.

Yes, it is definitely appropriate to honor those who have passed at your wedding. I have several memorial vases, memorial candles, and other items that you can look at on my site for ideas, if you want. Just type memorial in the search box, and you will get an idea. The most popular one right now it the heart vase with the hands holding the vase. The vase can be engraved with names and dates and/or a special sentiment. It can be filled with sand and a candle, flowers and water or water pearls or anything else you might feel that is appropriate. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Yes, it is not only appropriate, but also very moving to remember loved ones during the ceremony. Some wonderful suggestions have already been made in this discussion. Another thing that can be very effective is a moment of meditation during which a favorite song is played. If there are several names or anecdotes, the music might also be played softly in the background as they are mentioned.

Best wishes for a beautiful wedding. I know your family members will be with you in spirit and in your hearts.

Margaret Sneddon, Harpist

(914) 715-8793

www.margaretsneddon.com

Hi there!!!

I did a memorial tree, I looked for branch of a tree and I stuck it into a flower pot and of course I decorated it to look nice. Then I made little ornaments with the pictures of all our relatives who passed on. I also, hanged little crystal balls throughout the branches (I found these at Michaels).

The only thing that I did forget well really I just didnt have time was to include a note by the flower pot that it was in remembrance of our past relatives. But I figured, that people would get the idea...and they did...some loved it...

Good luck with your planning!

By the way, I placed this tree on the Entrance table to our reception.

What about having a small blurb read and then lighting a candle during the ceremony or leaving a seat open to honor those who cannot be there??? Very subtle basic ideas that could easily be incorporated into the ceremony...

As an officiant, I am often asked this question, you could have your officiant say a nice short memorial mention or have a small memorial candle lit on the altar or both. Don't over do it or under do it. You don't want it to become to emotional or sad, as your wedding is a joyous event. Your officiant should be able to put something nice together for you. sweet and simple is the best option.

It is totally fine. My FH's mother died 2 years ago, and I have lost my 2 favorite grandparents. We are having the altar flowers listed in the program as "in memorial to ... (fill in the blank)." We are also having candles lit down the aisle. Those are lit in memory of my FH's mother.

There are several things you can do. Just use your imagination.

Congratulations. It's appropriate if you think it's appropriate. If it's important to the two of you, do it. You can have a red single rose on each chair to symbolize each death and let your pastor or reverend mention the meaning of the roses.

Charlene Roberts

Party & Wedding Coordinator

718-930-1974

Saint Albans, NY 11412

I am having empty seats upfront with a flower on each seat, For the flowers on my grandpa and aunt seat, I will pick them up after the ceremony and take them to the cementary, the rest will be put in a vase by the guest book, and they will also be mentioned in the programs.

Thank you so much for all of your responses. We should be meeting with the priest soon so I will ask him what he suggests. I really liked some of the ideas for the reception too. Thanks again