Getting married without a dad.

Do you have an uncle that can step in? What about Mom?

View Quoted Comment I don't have either

To incorporate into your ceremony, a pillar candle prominently placed with a single white rose, for your reception during that time, maybe play his favorite song along with a slide show & dance with your husband. Or if your Dad has any siblings maybe dance with them, regardless of gender.

The slide show of photos of your father would be great and you can dance with your new father in law, if his dad is in the picture, kind of a welcoming to the family and celebrating news things?

First off, I'm sorry for your loss. I lost my dad almost 8 years ago and am dealing with the same situation. Personally, I don't think it's necessary to call attention to the fact that my dad is not there. Everyone who will be there already knows it and knows it will be hard for me without drawing attention to it.
I plan on walking down the aisle to an instrumental version of God Only Knows because the Beach Boys were his favorite band. My sister is having one of his rings melted down and turned into a pendant I can wear on my big day.
If I choose to do anything to overtly let people know I'm thinking of him, I may have a lantern lit in his memory.
No matter what you do, even if you don't do a thing, just know that he will always be with you and will most definitely be right there next to you on your wedding day.

You could just do a mother daughter dance or you could just skip it altogether.

View Quoted Comment I’m with allyson on this one. I would stick with something subtle to have you Dad with you. I can’t that imagine having a slideshow play or having an empty chair in his honor wouldn’t be upsetting. Personally if I saw pics of him while I was dancing (or any time) I would end up bawling my eyes out.

Im sorry for your loss. My father too passed away almost 3 years ago. My Uncle is walking me down and He is my bestfriend. We are super close. Maybe you have someone walk down with a picture of him or set up a table with pictures of you two and memory of. Or have a moment of silence for him. But don' feel like you have to do something extra.

I am so sorry. One small way is to add a photo of him (or the two of you), in a frame in your bouquet. (Thy sell them at craft stores and online) Maybe, if you have an old tie or shirt of his, if it's blue it could be your something blue, or use it as a handkerchief or have it sewn into the underside of your dress so he'll still be there walking you down the aisle. So sorry.

I am so very sorry for your loss. I lost my dad 2 years ago, and I completely understand. My older brother will be walking me down the aisle. I personally couldn't imagine having a father daughter dance, even with my brother stepping in. Or having an empty chair for him, or a slideshow. I'm actually crying writing this comment, I could only imagine what any of that would do on my wedding day. I completely agree with Allyson, something subtle. Everyone who knows me, would totally understand that I wouldn't want to draw attention to the fact that my father isn't there. I do however plan on having his picture, but somewhere off to where I can't see it during the ceremony because even seeing his picture will make me cry.

Another vote for something subtle, as you may not be the only one who will be upset with a more obvious gesture to him not being there.

Some ideas:

- Have a piece of his clothing sewn into the lining of your dress

- Buy a bouquet charm and put his picture in it so he is still 'walking you down the aisle'

- Serve his favorite food, put his favorite color in your bouquet or play his favorite song at some point in the evening.

It will be hard not having him there, and I'm sorry that you will have to go through that. More subtle touches throughout your day will bring him to you in ways that won't overwhelm you with emotion on an already emotionally charged day.