Today’s blog post is a continuation of my wedding planning series, but it involves a topic that isn’t as fun. Almost every couple will have lost a loved one prior to their wedding day. Brides and grooms often want to honor someone they have lost at their wedding, and today’s blog post has five ways that you can do that!
1. Memory Table
One of the most popular ways to remember loved ones that have passed away is with a memory table! This is something I see at 90% of my weddings, and we had one at ours as well. You can combine this with your guest book and gift table if you are limited on space! Place photographs of you with the people you’ve lost around the table as a way to include them in your day.
2. Wear Something That Belonged to Them
If you are a bride wanting to honor a woman you have lost, see if you can wear a piece of their jewelry on your wedding day! If you are a groom wanting to honor a man that has passed, ask if you could wear a pair of their cufflinks, their watch, or a tie pin.
Brides can tie something belonging to a loved one around their bouquet! (If you decide to do this, make sure your florist has a way to securely attach the item to your bouquet stems. You will want someone to remove the item before the reception and place it with your other items in the getting ready suite so that it isn’t lost.)
If you have an item that they gave you, you could wear that as well! For my something blue, I wore sapphire earrings my dad had given me as a child. I also wore a gold locket he gave me for my fifth birthday for my something old.
3. Honor Them With Music
I lost my father in 2016, and I married my husband in 2019. I chose some of my dad’s favorite songs to add to our dinner music playlist that I gave our DJ. Every time I heard one of the songs come on, it made me smile thinking of him and how happy he would have been to be there! I also had his favorite hymn in the playlist that was used as guests arrived to our ceremony.
4. Have Items With You in the Getting Ready Suite
One of the most unique things I’ve seen is the bride’s late grandmother’s wedding dress on a mannequin in the bridal suite! Madison also had a photo of her grandmother in her wedding gown next to the dress. It was in a lot of the photos of Madison getting ready, which was so special!
5. The Empty Chair
I’ve seen several couples keep a chair reserved for someone they have lost with either a framed photograph of that loved one in the chair or just a single flower. Reserving a seat for someone important is such a sweet visible way to honor them and show that you wish they were there.
I wish this was something that never impacted my couples, but unfortunately loss is a common part of life. I hope that this helps you think of ways to honor someone you miss on your wedding day.
Want to see more wedding planning tips? Click here!
I’m a wedding and lifestyle photographer based in Knoxville, Tennessee but available anywhere. If you have questions about booking me for a session or wedding, click here! To follow me on social media, check out my Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.
