Ways to Honor the Deceased at Your Wedding

Your wedding day is a celebration with loved ones, so it's only natural to want to include those friends or relatives who've passed away before you get to say "I do." You can find ways to honor the deceased at your wedding while still maintaining the festive nature of the occasion.  First, you should decide how much you want to include the person, whether in a more private or a more public way. Then, you can decide exactly how you want to incorporate them into your wedding or reception.  Your inclusion of a deceased relative can be as subtle as a symbolic white rose in your bouquet or as public as a moment of silence at the ceremony, and we rounded up a few more ways below.

You want your wedding day to be filled with the ones you love, even if those loved ones have passed way. While they can't be with you in body, you can include them in your wedding in spirit.  The following are some good ways to honor the deceased at your wedding:

Include a photo in your bouquet
Attach a small photo of your loved one to your bouquet for a sweet, subtle reminder of them.

Set up a memory table
A photo table at the reception can include photos of the bride or groom with the deceased, or perhaps their wedding photos. This can be a nice way to remember several deceased loved ones.

 

Use or wear something they’ve given you
Perhaps you’ve received a special piece of jewelry that you could wear. Brides may have been given a veil or even a wedding dress that they could have updated. Grooms could use a pocket square or handkerchief.

Save them a seat
Leave a photo, flower or reserved sign on an empty seat at the ceremony to save a spot for them.

 

Photo Charms

Photo charms are a charming way to have loved ones walk you down the aisle.

Incorporate one of their favorite flowers
Include your loved one’s favorite flower into your bouquet, or use it in floral displays for the reception or at the altar. After the wedding, you can dry the flower and keep it in your wedding album.

Remember them in the program

Add an “In Loving Memory of” tribute in your wedding program with the rest of the ceremony details. 

Light a candle
Either at your ceremony or reception, take a moment to light a candle in their honor. 

Have a moment of reflection
At the beginning of your ceremony, have a moment of reflection or silence before carrying on with the celebrations. 

Give a toast
Toast to them at your reception alongside all of your guests for a special moment you'll  remember forever. 

Balloon Release

A balloon release at the end of the ceremony is a special touch, release one for each loved one lost.

 Butterfly Release

If balloons aren’t your thing, you could also have a butterfly release to honor them.  Reserve a moment of silence as they flutter away.

Include a family recipe
Whether it's on your dinner menu, for dessert or as a late-night snack, include a beloved family recipe to honor a lost loved one. 

 

Make a donation to a charity that your loved one supported.  

In lieu of a normal registry, have your guests donate to a special charity in honor of your loved one. Or, instead of favors, make the donation yourself and place a sign at your reception indicating so. 

However you decide to honor your deceased loved one at your wedding, do what feels right to you, and remembering that they would want you to enjoy and celebrate your special day.