Incorporating the memory of a passed loved one

Im having picture charms put on my bouquet and carrying one of my Papous handkerchiefs.

We are having a "Memorial Table" with photos of family and friends who have passed.

This is what we had my husbands mom passed and my dad passed so we had each one at the end of our table at the wedding

I will have a chair set aside

with my mother's picture and a bouquet of flowers at the ceremony with a sign that says: In loving memory of the mother of the bride and then her name.

We had a simple memorial sign listing their names next to a vase. I put my bouquet in it during the reception instead of doing a bouquet toss, but the picture was taken beforehand with a different bouquet.

Please do not consider the empty chair. Someone else has to sit next to it and the very image is far too graphic for a happy occasion. And that sight may unravel you as well.

One bride here had one of her dad's ties wrapped around her bouquet, which was lovely.

I like the memory tables with people who are with you and people who are not, I always mention relatives in the ceremony (if the couple wants that).

I always tell my couples that less really is more. You cannot anticipate what the mention of people's names or dramatic gestures will affect other people who knew your loved ones.

@Celia Milton I agree with a lot of what you are saying. My father was not exactly loved by all my family members and my FH's sister passed recently. Certainly don't want it to cause too much emotion. @A&W I like the idea of putting my bouquet next to a memorial sign.

Thanks all for your info. Very helpful.

My FSIL just got married last month, and she ordered butterflies and let them go at the wedding while a song played. She had one for every loved one who passed. As well as a picture of their Mom, to walk down the aisle and put in a chair.

No suggestions but I love your ideas for something old and something borrowed, that's incredibly thoughtful and beautiful.

No. Butterflies.

We are having the officiant say a little something and we are also having his photo at our guest book table .

My FH lost his first wife to breast cancer in 2014. We are going to donate what we would have spent on favors to the local cancer facility that gave her such wonderful care. We are not making a deal out of it though. It is our token of respect to her. Our loved ones will know why we are doing it without having to make an announcement

We are adding a small altar at the church with the pictures of my granny and my FH's dad with white roses. Also the wedding program has a dedication to them as well. and I will have a charm of my granny pic attached to my bouquet

At the venue, we will have a small table next to our sweetheart table with their pictures and bridesmaids will place the flowers there.

It will be a small sign at that table that will say " We know you would be here today if Heaven wasn't so far away"

My dad past away a couple years ago from Pancreatic Cancer. I am planning on taking one of his blue t-shirts and having the alterations people cut a piece of it and sew a heart into my dress (for my something old and blue). Still unsure but might have a little picture charm of him on my boutique. Instead of party favors we will donate whatever we have left over from the wedding fund and put it towards the pancan research having a sign at the wedding saying "a donation was made in your name to the Pancreatic Research Foundation" (or something similar to that) Lastly a small picture to honor him on the guestbook table. It seems like a lot of things but they are really subtle as I will only know about the heart in my dress and the picture and the donation sign will be by each other on a table. Not a lot of people will focus on my boutique besides my wedding party and some family.

Here's an idea

I'm truly sorry for everyone's losses.

But no signs. If you want to donate, donate, but don't grandstand it; it's not made in your guests' names anyway, and it is in no way a substitute for a favor (which are basically pointless anyway....)

Everyone should donate as much and as often as they can.

Both my grandfathers passed before my wedding. I made a charm that had their pictures, one on each side. The charm was tied to my bouquet.

My grandpa (moms dad) grew sunflowers, i'm going to incorporate sunflowers (or a sunflower) into her or both moms corsages. I am wearing some jewelry from my grandma (moms mom) overall I'm just going to be dropping little hints of things that meant a lot to my deceased loved ones, and it will be only understood by certain people. i like that rather than a big old presentation of memorials etc. etc.