Very Odd Circumstance

To be honest, I’m not a fan of the “empty seat” thing because it seems more funeral than wedding. A photo of him on the memory table is sweet. You can put a locket on your bouquet. Song is sweet too.

I agree with Pirate Bride. It just sounds a little much to be and kinda depressing. I'd pick a few things, like just the picture and maybe half the song (2 songs is a lot of guests to just sit and watch).

I'm on a different board. I actually love the place setting idea. That was something similar to what I was going to do for my MOH if she couldn't attend (with a rubber ducky with a painted red dress at the chair).

However, I would feel weird about dancing to the song. Could you incorporate the song in a different way? Such as wedding party entrance?

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I thought about having it where we would start off dancing together, then have it where everyone else could start and come up as well, this way the dancing aspect could get started.

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Every time I've seen that done, it was during the first dance (as a way to not bore the guests and open the dance floor). So. if I knew the significance as a guest, that would feel doubly awkward for me. But the decision is obviously up to you.

This seems like a lot. I can understand why he was so significant to you both and I’m sorry for your loss, but I’d feel bombarded by the amount of tribute to him you’re trying to accomplish. I don’t know your guests, but I know for our families this would make everyone really sad/emotional on a day that’s supposed to be joyous.

I agree with PPs. This might make some people very sad. Yes, honor him in another way, but I think scaling back would help keep your wedding happy. I'm so sorry for your loss

I would pick no more than 2 tributes to him. I feel awkward at weddings when couples bring up loved ones who passed away more than once.

I think it's a beautiful way to honor him

I would skip the song, or play it as a song for everyone to dance to later on. To have it as a special dance for you and your husband when it was "your song" with someone else might not come across in good taste to the older family and attendees you are talking about.

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That's why we were having it as a second song, Our song will be Greatest Love Story by LANCO. but later after like the parent dance songs, we would play this song, start dancing and invite everyone come up and dance with us

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Just the dancing alone to it might be a little strange. Especially if you already had one song, your older guests will wonder why there is a second. I'm just playing devil's advocate, hearing the voices of the older family members of mine hahaha.

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Gotcha. lol

I think those are all good ideas, except for maybe the empty seat idea. You definitely don't want to pull focus from why you're all there on that special day in the first place yanno? A picture is nice, but I just don't know if I'd go further than that. It's about you two.

Amber, this is your big day. Your friend is somebody that you love very much, and you will miss him very much; and he is the reason that you and your fiancé are together now.

would not worry about what anybody else thinks. I am so sorry for your loss. But this is a way that you can make his memory and the joy you would’ve had with him...last.

God bless you and blessings to you and your family.

P.S. I also noticed on Pinterest that some people show an example of how they leave a pew or a chair reserved at the ceremony in memory of someone they love. I’m going to have a chair at my wedding with a sign in it for my mother who passed away about 12 years ago.

Hey Guys, Just wanted to let you know that we decided to not do the empty chair thing. We decided instead to give his chair to one of his oldest best friends (He was there from the beginning and is a best friend to me as well) When we do the entrances for the bridal party, we are going to have his song played. Also we are still doing his Photo up with the groomsmen for the ceremony and up again at our memory table (both of us have grandparents that are gone that we were close to and wanted them to be recognized so Memory Table.) And in front of his Picture we are placing a Diet Coke (he was diabetic) and one of his signature turquoise paper roses he liked to give people. (I have dozens of these!) We are more than certain that people will ask and we are alright with that. After all, he is the reason why we met and why we are ready to face this next adventure in our lives.