9 Ways to Honour a Lost Loved One at Your Wedding

My heart aches for the couples who have lost parents or someone special before their wedding day. And for the couples that change their plans to include someone who is sick.

There are ways to honour that person, each way you choose is beautiful.

Here are 9 ways to honour a lost loved one at your wedding.

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In your flowers

You can hang a charm or locket with a photo of your loved one on your bouquet or work their favourite flowers into your bouquet.

In your something borrowed

I love the idea of borrowing a piece of jewelry, like a brooch, wedding band, necklace, or earrings. Maybe that special woman had a veil or hairpin you could borrow.

Another idea is to wear their perfume or cologne scent. There are certain scents that I have smelled and it brings back very specific memories for me or the smell of my grandma.

In your front row

A way to honour a lost family member could be to reserve a seat with their photo and some flowers, or maybe a piece of their clothing, like a jacket, or hat.

I have had couples place a flower on a saved seat for their loved one and the couple each carried a flower down the aisle so their mom and dad were with them at that moment.

In your walk down the aisle

Like hanging a photo on your bouquet, you can hang a picture charm on your shoe.

Or maybe they always picked up a lucky penny, place a penny in your shoe to remind yourself of that connection and memories you had together.

In your ceremony or reception decor

Perhaps most common is a set up of photos of lost loved ones in various frames with a sign. Maybe you choose not to have photos but light a candle in honour of your family members instead.

You could incorporate their favourite colour into your decor, or theme of the wedding.

In your food or drink menus

You could have their favourite drink on the bar menu, like a fancy cocktail or even a simple one, like rye and coke. You could even work in their favourite food, or something they made for you that is special. My grandma made delicious buns and peanut butter and jam pie that I am drooling over just thinking about.

In your toasts

Make your toast with their favourite drink, or toast them!

In your music

Dance to their favourite song, play a special song of yours as you walk down the aisle, or chat with your DJ about how you can work it into the music for your ceremony or reception.

If you are unable to have a father-daughter dance or a mother-son dance, you can dance with some of their best friends and other people who had a hand in your growing up, or your siblings. If they had many friends, switch partway through the song.

In your jewelry

Maybe your loved one left you a piece of jewelry, or gifted you a piece of jewelry before they passed, wear those cufflinks or tie clip, or earrings, or watch or whatever it may be that is special from them.

My grandmother worked in jewelry stores for years, and before she passed she gave me a pendant with a note attached. I think when the time comes for me to say my vows to my partner, I would wear that around my neck to have a piece of her with me.

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