Grandfather has Alzheimer's...can't attend wedding.

My cousin had this at her wedding and I loved it because it didn’t seem as much of a downer as the normal sayings on a memory table. We are going to use this saying at our wedding but add grandparents to the saying, especially since I still have grandparents who are alive and attending the wedding. I’m sorry your grandfather can’t attend the wedding but I think it’s really sweet that you want to recognize him as a part of your wedding.

I have a sister in a nursing home with the stroke. We are mailing arrangements for her to FaceTime our wedding. To honor him, you might have a locket with his picture either necklace or charm in your bouquet.

I have a similar situation in that both of my grandmothers are alive, but cannot travel to attend. I’m having a table recognizing people who cannot be there, either due to death or medical reasons. I’m having a bouquet with each person represented by a different flower and their wedding pictures next to it.

Super silly, but hear me out: cardboard cutout

Our “memorial” table will say “With us in spirit” and will include pictures of my mom who has dementia and can’t attend. I have three daughters via foreign exchange who can’t attend and their pictures will be there, as well as pictures of our grandparents. I feel “with us in spirit” includes everyone. I will also have an empty chair with flowers at the ceremony for my mom.

Is he close enough that you could go visit that day? My great-grandfather was in a nursing home with Alzheimers' when my parents got married, and they went to visit him with my mom still in her wedding dress at some point either after their reception or between the ceremony and the reception. I've always thought it was a sweet thing to do.

I’m so sorry you are going through this, but it’s so wonderful you want him to be part of your day. ❤️ I unfortunately lost my grandparents both last year before I was engaged, but my FH and I had discussed dressing up in a suit and nice dress and visiting him to show him pictures...it felt silly but special .

At my cousins wedding they mentioned my nana (who was in a home with Alzheimer’s) during the ceremony. I forgot exactly how they did, but the priest was talking about the many people that have shaped our lives, parents, godparents, etc. and gave a special mention to my nana. It was very touching.

If you have your dress and are willing I think it would be amazing if you got in your dress and got all fixed up and went to his nursing home. You could take a picture with him to have in a frame at your wedding. He would also feel involved. Even if he doesn't quite remember who you are it would still feel special for him and for you as well. I worked as a CNA with a lot of dementia patience and they love things like wedding and babies. Their faces always light up when you show them wedding photos. Plus the other residents in his nursing home would get a huge kick out of seeing someone in their wedding dress!