All couples want their nearest and dearest by their side when celebrating their wedding day. Unfortunately, life is fragile, and this may not always be possible. If you’ve had your big day set in stone for a number of years, there is a chance you may lose a loved one along the way.
While your wedding should be full of celebration and joy, the loss of a close friend or family member can mean feelings of sadness play a role in your big day too. There is no reason why you cannot highlight the part they have played in shaping the person you have become, especially on your wedding day. With that in mind, here are some special ways you can honor a deceased loved one on your wedding day.
Establish How Much Attention to Bring to the Loss
Firstly, the fact that a loved one isn’t present at your wedding may affect you, or some of your family members deeply. Although, there is a delicate balance between remembering the purpose of your special day and allowing your nearest and dearest to celebrate the joy of your marriage. Remember, this is a wedding after all – not a wake!
If your loved one has passed recently, you may decide to separate the two by organizing a celebration of life. This can take place separately from your wedding. If you decide on this option, Greenvelope have great celebration of life invitations you can choose from. Their invitations will set the scene for proceedings, and you can look into wedding invites too.
Wear Something That Reminds You of Them
When your wedding day looms, the number one factor of all is what you’re going to wear. Deciding on the perfect dress will take time and patience. However, if you’ve recently lost a loved one, wearing something that reminds you of them can be a great way for them to feel present on your special day.
You can work with a seamstress to sew in a ‘memory’. This can be facing outwardly so guests can see it. Alternatively, you may want to have it hidden so only you and your partner know it’s there. If you’re wearing a veil, why not consider sewing in your loved one’s name? This can be displayed in a frame once your big day ends and serve as a long-lasting nod to the fact that they in a sense, walked you down the aisle.
Mention Them During the Wedding
Throughout your wedding day, you can mention your loved one to keep them firmly in everyone’s memory. For example, if you have an order of service, you can attach a tag with a dedication, or simply print a mention of those who you miss. This is a simple and effective way of acknowledging important people who are not present at the wedding.
During the ceremony, a simple poem or reading from a favorite book, or a piece of music that they cherished is another meaningful gesture to mark your loved one’s presence. Thanks to technology, you may even have voice recordings of your loved one that you can play during the ceremony.
Light a Candle
Lighting a candle in memory of a deceased loved one is a spiritual, reflective act that can simply involve you and your partner, or other close family members to signal the opening and closing of your wedding ceremony. You can also light a candle as you get ready or in the days leading up to your wedding day.
Another popular way of honoring those who are not with us is by creating a candle table. This is normally set with a photo and message of remembrance that symbolizes their presence. Your wedding guests can engage with it as they feel comfortable.
Incorporate Flower Arrangements
Flowers are a huge part of any wedding. Whether you take a minimalistic approach and stick to a bouquet or two or go extravagant and have every kind of flower under the sun on your big day, you can create a meaningful flower arrangement that can be a physical presence of anyone you have lost and unable to be at your special day.
Some couples decide on one bloom for each person who they wish were present to share their day. The great thing about flower arrangements is they can be as private or public as you like. You may decide on flowers that spell out your loved one’s name. The choice is entirely up to you.
If a loved one has sadly passed before you had the chance to walk down the alter, that doesn’t mean they can’t be at your special day in spirit. There are lots of beautiful tributes you can play throughout your wedding which will not only honor their passing and how much they mean to you but show to others the impact they had on your life.
Speak Your Mind