in memoriam

We're getting one of those signs that says "We know you would be here today if heaven weren't so far away" and surrounding it with pictures of the people we've lost. My grandpa, his aunt, his grandma. We're going to take a moment of silence at the beginning of the ceremony to just acknowledge them, and I plan on taking a rose from my bouquet and laying it at the sign. I miss my grandpa more than I can say. Yes, this will be a downer- I'll probably cry. But I'm going to do it at the beginning of the ceremony so that we can move forward and enjoy the happiness of the occassion.

Im making memory picture charms for my grandparents that im attaching to my bouquet, and they will also have a small tribute on the program

Thanks for the suggestion. The one issue for us is that we are both atheists and therefore don't believe in a heaven, but i understand the idea behind it. Maybe we can come up with some other sort of sign. thanks

What about displaying THEIR wedding photo on your head table?

Sara,

I'm an atheist as well. Nothing in an memorial display has to invoke religious connotations. We atheists are allowed to mourn as well.

My problem is, will I offend people if I leave someone out,,,

I would put one up for my moms mom, and my cousin...

But what about honoring my dad's mom, who, while still alive, can't be there cuz she has major Alzheimer's and dementia, or, what about another cousin, who for the last 11 years has been missing... (He got into some legal trouble at 22, and in the middle of it, disappeared without a trace, we have no idea if he's dead, on the run, or even in witness protection)

Do I include my great grandmother... I'm worrying about offending people.,

@Pezzy You would be safe only recognizing your immediate line of family- grandparents, parents, siblings, children.

A friend of mine who got married and her parents passed, had a little note card on the table that said "Thank you for sharing in our special day. In lieu of favours we made a donation in honour of (parents names), (FH's name) parents, to the Cancer society. We know they are here in our hearts today." You could change that to any organization related to preventing whatever caused their death.

Let - the problem is, the person I was closes to was my cousin, and everyone in the world knows this, she died at 42 from cancer 3 years ago.

Same situation here.

We decided to place a huge arrangement on the altar in their memory. That arrangement is the only decoration at the church so that it is a focal point. We'll move it to the reception once the ceremony is over.