In Honor of or In Memory of..what to do

This is what I have so far This is what I have so far. Any imput would help on this thanks.

This is what I have

In Memory of: Paul and Connie

who cannot be with us today and share in the celebration of marriage for their daughter

Tania and Jason.

Paul was a great musician who played guitar, piano and harmonica, he wrote his own music and dedicated his life to his family. 1949 – 2013

Connie was a beautiful woman who succeeded at anything she wanted to do. She was strong, intelligent and well respected. ****

Paul and Connie were married in 1968. If they were here today they would have given their blessing to Tania & Jas

In memory is for people who have passed on and In honor is for people still living so you'd want in memory of. So sorry for you loss

I think In Memory sounds a lot better and personal...when i hear "In Honor of" I think of someone from the armed forces that has passed away in action. "In Memory of" is what we are using at the memory table we plan on setting up at the reception.

@Maltese how are you wording yours. I didn't want to be too lengthy and I certainly don't want a bunch of people asking why aren't your parents here, when did they did how did they die, and I don't want to cry about my parents on this day...

So sorry for your loss...maybe have the ceremony mention them and others that are there only in spirit? I saw I beautiful quote that the officiant could say perhaps...it says:

"Those we love don't go away. They walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near. Still loved, still missed, and very dear."

I have heard that passage before but not during the wedding. I will have a prayer read probably something like that. But not too lengthy our ceremony is only 30 min.

In Memory of

Paul and Connie

who cannot be with us today to share in the joy of the wedding of their daughter,

Tania, to Jason.

Paul was a great musician who played guitar, piano, and harmonica, and wrote his own music. He dedicated his life to his family. 1949 – 2013

Connie was a beautiful woman who succeeded at anything she wanted to do.

She was strong, intelligent, and well respected. ****

Paul and Connie were married in 1968.

If they were here today, they would give their blessings to Tania & Jason.

I havent quite nailed it down but I really like this:

In Loving Memory

To those in our hearts who could not be here to celebrate with us today, we honor you with our hearts

I just really hate the "We know you be here to celebrate with us today if Heaven weren't so far away"

@ Nancy I like your suggestions I am getting so stuck and teary eyed doing this.

@Maltese I agree that saying is overdone therefore looses its heartfeltness.

The way I understand it...

In support of (someone who is currently living with a disease)

In honor of (someone who battled a disease and won... aka a cancer survivor)

In memory of (someone who passed away)

Thank you for some good advice hopefully it will be nice for them.

I would never inject myself into something this personal, but since you've asked for input...(and I'm so very sorry...the losses must still be fresh for you).

In Loving Memory of the Bride's Parents,

Paul & Connie Smith

While we know that nothing would have pleased

them more than to have shared the joy of this day,

we gratefully acknowledge our assurance of their

silent presence and mutual blessing of this union

between their daughter Tania and her groom, Jason.

Paul: 1949 - 2013

A devoted father and husband, Paul was inspired

by music. He was a gifted musician and songwriter,

and he played the guitar, harmonica, and piano. We

are so thankful that he shared those gifts with those

he loved. He is in our hearts today and always.

Connie: 1952 - 2011

Connie was a beautiful woman blessed with ambition,

respect, intelligence and strength. She had a

passion for success, and she achieved it in countless

areas of her life. We remember her with love and

respect.

Paul and Connie were married in 1968, and

their 43 years together serves as an inspiration to

Tania and Jason on this, the first day of their

marriage.

@ Centerpiece Floral...those are beautiful words that I could just not find..

I will be using these words...Thank you

My parents are so missed that I have to put it out there because they did so much for me in my whole life and I never had the chance to show them how much I appreciated everything they did and the support they gave me.

Thank you

You are more than welcome. I'm so glad I could help you in what is obviously an emotional and difficult task. I think it's beautiful that you want to honor them this way (and believe me, they knew how much you appreciated them -- parents know). I hope your wedding day is everything you're dreaming of. You deserve it.

Despite the tears currently ruining my makeup, I'm so glad you posted this. I lost my mother last year just a week after our engagement, and I'm petrified that I'm going to be a crying hot mess on my wedding day (in two weeks) and that everyone will think that I'm crying for some other unmentionable reason. I've been crying everyday the closer the date gets; I often wonder if I planned this too soon and haven't allowed myself enough time to grieve. But of course although I have a huge hole in my heart (it's been just awful planning a wedding without my amazing mother), I'm very excited for the wedding.

All that to say... I made a special section for my mom in our wedding programs and I'll be placing flowers and several photos of her (a beautiful, vintage, black and white bridal portrait and a more recent portrait) on the chair where she will be sitting in spirit.

The program reads:

In Loving Memory

Maria Del Carmen Skeels

October 18, 1945 - June 8, 2013

I thought of you with love today

But that is nothing new

I thought about you yesterday

And days before that too

I think of you in silence

I often speak your name

All I have are memories

And your picture in a frame

Your memory is my keepsake

With which I'll never part

God has you in His keeping

I have you in my heart

@Shawna I am sorry to hear about your loss as well. What you have wrote is very beautiful and will touch the hearts of all your guests. It is comforting to know there are others that share this same saddness.

@tnovak: Thank you. And I'm sorry I was so rude to forget giving my condolences to you as well. Your post struck a chord, and I love how you've written memorials for your parents. I may consider doing this as well; like you, it's important to me that people know what a wonderful person my mom was and how dearly she is missed. Thank you again for sharing.

Shawna, my condolences to you. The whole planning process must have been bittersweet for you. I noticed that you're just about to hit the first anniversary of your mother's passing. I'm so sorry. Know this -- your mother envisioned your wedding day in her mind more times than you'd believe. She'll be with you. She's in you. You know that. I love what you wrote about her, and as a guest at your wedding, I would read what you wrote and know immediately that your mother has left a wonderful legacy, and that is the mark of a life well lived. Best wishes for a spectacular wedding day -- just two weeks to go!