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Amber
Just Said Yes May 2023

How to Remember my Father on my Wedding Day?

Amber, on November 3, 2022 at 12:48 AM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 7

My father died in May of 2010, my wedding falls one day shy of the anniversary of his passing (I did not think about it when booking the venue). I've been thinking for years on how I would want to remember him at my wedding, and what I would do. I've heard people say that "your wedding day is not a day to memorialize their death" and I understand that. I'm planning to have a seat saved, a bouquet of our favorite flowers made, a candle, and a picture of he and I together. To some it might sound like enough, a lot even, but somehow I'm still not satisfied. I can't have him there in person, but I want to feel like he's there somehow. I'm being walked by someone else, dancing with someone else, and taking pictures without him. I'm 7 months out and somehow I can already feel his absence. I just don't know what to do. I've thrown around the idea of recording a message for him to play before the father daughter dance (I'm dancing with his father, my grandfather) but that might be going too far. I always feel really silly and over the top. Any advice would be appreciated.

7 Comments

Latest activity by Brooke_Frhlich, on November 8, 2022 at 11:53 AM
  • Michael
    Rockstar October 2023
    Michael ·
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    You are doing well to include those elements to your wedding event. You may have been able to see some other posts here on recognizing family that have died. I think someone also added that their photographer could add a picture of their father into a picture with the bride. I hope the best as you look to honoring your dad in your wedding.

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  • H
    Master July 2019
    Hannah ·
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    I think the reality is that there isn’t anything that will make it “enough.” You miss your father and want him there on your wedding day, which is a perfectly reasonable want. Do you have a piece of clothing—maybe a tie that you can use to wrap your bouquet in or something, so that way a part of him is still walking you down the aisle?
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  • Sonal
    Savvy August 2024
    Sonal ·
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    That does not sound like it's over the top. In the weddings I've been to, when couples have incorporated special elements to remember their loved ones, guests have been super respectful and kind. I've seen a table of pictures with a family member who passed. I've also seen the bride/groom wear something palpable (brooch, bracelet, earrings, watch, handkerchief) that belonged to their loved one. I would pick something that "feels right" to you because that could never be silly.
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  • Michael
    Rockstar October 2023
    Michael ·
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    One bride did have a patch of her father's. I think next to her heart.

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  • Amber
    Just Said Yes May 2023
    Amber ·
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    I love this idea. I don't have many of his clothes left, but I'm sure I could find something!

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  • R
    Rockstar
    Rosebud ·
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    HI Amber,

    So sorry for your loss. The tributes you have mentioned all sound lovely. Etsy sells little bouquet charms/lockets you can put a photo in and add to your bouquet. I ve also seen brides take a photo of them holding a fave photo of their deceased loved one. Another option is to serve a favorite drink, dessert, or side dish of your dads. Whatever you do seeing you love!

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  • Brooke_Frhlich
    Savvy May 2023
    Brooke_Frhlich ·
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    If you have any clothes that you're willing to cut up you could also use a strip of his clothing to wrap your bouquet.

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