Memorial Ideas for a deceased parent

My FHs mom is deceased as well as the man who raised him his step dad. Instead of a mother/son dsnce or father/daughter dance, we are doing a champagne toast "to those we wish could be here" . And since our venue has 2 giant screens, we will glad a couple pics up of them as well as my grandparents..short and sweet, includes them but doesn't feel "funeral" like to me (like empty chairs/tables etc). We discussed it with his sister and she loves the idea and so did our DOC.

We have quite a few family member gone and we are doing a table in the reception area with their pictures, a candle for each of them and a sign that says "these lights shine for those watching today from heaven". That way their pictures are there but aren't a central focus like an empty seat would be.

One of my family members made this at her wedding to have all those that have passed away still be there present on her wedding day. I thought it was something really nice to keep there memories

Do you want something visible? I’m planning on pinning my dads medic badge to the inside of my dress. Maybe you can put something of your mothers on the inside of your dress? That way you know she’s there with you, but lessens the difficulty of having to see an empty seat or pictures.

I'm sorry for your loss! I've heard of people tying a small charm with a picture to their bouquet, if you think a table with pictures might be too much. You could maybe have a favorite song of hers played during the reception, something upbeat of course.

I'm so sorry for your loss. If it's possible, maybe try talking to your dad and see if he has suggestions or what he would be comfortable with. If you think that conversation would be too difficult for him, my suggestion is to go with something that's personal but not a permanent decoration at your wedding, such as a memorial table. That would be something you'd have to see over and over, and might bring up bad feelings for you, your dad, and other family for the entire evening. If she was married, you could do something like wear her veil or have lace from her dress sewn into your wedding dress. Maybe wear a piece of her jewelry. You could walk down the aisle to the same song she did or maybe choose a special song that reminds you of her to dance to with your dad. That way you guys will have a special moment that she will be a part of, but it will last a few minutes and then you can continue with the positive emotions of your wedding day. I don't mean to downplay the importance of remembering your mom on your special day and I know that you will think of her constantly, but I'm sure that you want to focus on the positive parts of the day and having a constant visual reminder might make that more difficult.

I'm doing a table as well with my grandparents pictures, which both sets passed away by the time I was 18, and my FH's stepfather picture, who passed when my FH was 26. Then I'm going to have a lit candle with a sign that says "This light burns in honor of those who are watching today from Heaven"

I am so very sorry for your loss. We are doing a memorial table with flowers, pictures. & candle for those who can not be with us. I was very close to my grandmother. I will also be doing a memory charm, with her favorite picture of herself, on my boquet. It will also be on mother, aunt & daughters flowers. Pink was her favorite color & my boquet will have little bit of pink in it.

My FH's father passed away last year and we're doing a couple of things ..... 1. mentioning him in our wedding program. 2. We have a table of family wedding pictures so his picture will be there too. FH thought it would be too hard on his Mom to do a candle or reserve a seat or play his favorite song at the reception (other ideas we considered).

I think the table with a candle and a picture of her is always sweet. I'm having a charm with a picture of my grandparents in it on my bouquet too.

Both of my FILs unfortunately passed away before I had the chance to meet them.. I really want to honor them at our wedding, without it being too much of a downer that is .. I’ve come up with the idea to put a dozen of FMIL favorite roses out and I will have a vase made to place them in..
the vase is actually made for a candle but I will be using it for flowers

I am very sorry on the loss of your mom. I would like to be the unpopular opinion here and say: No memorial table, no empty chair for her, nothing super visible. Why? Your emotions will already be super high, and you and or others could bust out in tears. Wear some charms on your bouquet, have your bouquet made from her favorite flower, something subtle. Your wedding is a HAPPY event, not a memorial. Look, both my parents have passed (my dad had passed at my first wedding too) and the would be horrified to think pictures of them are out and people are looking at them, mourning AGAIN when they should be celebrating our new union.

I'm sorry for your loss. My husband's father died last year and my sil still struggles a lot as well. We ordered a small bouquet to place at his gravesite. Not doing a moment of silence, sil would fall apart, but we will place the bouquet at his gravesite either after the ceremony or the next day.... not sure yet but the flowers are ordered. Hope this helps

View Quoted Comment That is a lovely idea. Thank you

View Quoted Comment Thank you for your suggestions, I am hoping to find a heartfelt way to honor her, without a permanent and visually potent reminder. I also appreciate your suggestion of talking to my dad. It involves him as well, and the best way to gauge his response is to ask ahead of time, this will also help me introduce him to the idea in a controlled way that is not too triggering. That is a wonderful idea. Thank you so very much.

View Quoted Comment That's a wonderful idea!! I could incorporate a single yellow rose into my bouquet. Beautiful suggestion! It would represent her, but not overwhelm my dad, who honestly probably wouldn't even notice! ( I mean that in a good way). But It is something that would represent her with me throughout the day. Thank you so much, I would have never thought to add a yellow rose!

View Quoted Comment I am very sorry to hear of your FH's loss. I love the idea of a champagne toast- it is an elegant and positive gesture which is also brief. Thank you for the idea. I would fit beautifully into our reception.

View Quoted Comment That is very true, a candle would not be a central focus, but is beautifully symbolic. This is an idea which would allow me to also honor my grandmother, and my FH's grandparents, without adding a somber note to the day. Thank you for your suggestion.

View Quoted Comment Thank you for sharing the photo. The table is beautiful.

View Quoted Comment Thank you for your condolences. Maybe we could incorporate her favorite hymn into the ceremony or her favorite scriptures could be read at the reception before the blessing of the food.