Honoring parent that passed away.

A dance dedicated to them is nice We were supposed to do it but everything got mixed up :/

I've struggled with how to handle this too. I know I'm already going to be missing my mom, but I don't want to be teary-eyed all day with very obvious reminders. The ways I plan to incorporate her into the wedding are 1) use lace from her dress to border my veil (her veil was somehow lost, so I only have her dress to work with). 2) use sequins and pearl beading from her dress on a sash for mine. 3) my dance with my dad will be to one of her favorite songs. The song will probably make me cry a little, but I really like the idea.

Another idea I'm trying to figure out is finding a picture of my mom on her wedding day, and have a picture of me getting ready (putting on my veil or sash) with her picture somewhere in the background.

In addition to what everyone else has said about the very real need to be gracious to the other people who have lost the person you did, think about how you're going to feel looking at that empty chair through the ceremony and /or reception. It doesn't replicate having your parent there, and the entire ceremony is very emotional ANYWAY. I've had people insist on doing this that literally became unraveled and stayed there. Even when I do a short (and usually funny) statement about their lost parent/relative, it's often far more emotional than you can predict.

Yes, it's your wedding, but as in any discussion of what YOU want versus what is appropriate or gracious, it's not ONLY your wedding, unless you're getting married at starbucks. It's a significant event for everyone there (ideally). an emotional event for everyone, and that needs to be taken into consideration.

We wanted to really bad. I only have one living grand pafent, and her health is so poor she couldn't make it. The cousin I was closest to passed say from cancer a couple years earlier. DH had a few family members he wanted to think of to. But we ultimately decided to do nothing. If there wee a bride maybe charms on a bouquet would have worked. But ultimately I just decided to think of them and the strength they gave me before it all started. From then on it was a celebration- what they would have wanted.

Playing a favorite song is very subtle, since you can tell only a restricted number of people about it.