10 Ways To Honor Lost Loved Ones On Your Wedding Day
If you’re stumbling across this blog post, you’re likely trying to think of ways to honor a lost loved one on your wedding day. Losing a family member or dear friend is never easy, especially when your heart aches for them to be there on your big day. In this blog post, we’re sharing a few ways you can incorporate and honor lost loved ones into your wedding celebration. We hope these ideas make you feel more connected and at peace throughout the wedding planning process and on the big day itself!
About The Author
For those of you who are visiting our website for the first time, welcome to Madera Estates! We are a luxury Spanish & European inspired wedding venue located in Conroe, Texas. Our couples love getting married in an exotic, resort-like, setting. We are proud to be named one of Houston’s best wedding venues! At Madera Estates, our couples have everything they need for a magical wedding day all in one place! From the outdoor ceremony space to the temperature-controlled ballroom and getting ready suites, Madera Estates can make your dream wedding come true! If you would like to learn more about our venue, check out our other blog posts or click here to book a free champagne tour of our facility! We hope you enjoy learning about 10 ways you can honor lost loved ones on your wedding day.
1). Something Borrowed
You may have heard that you should wear something borrowed, blue, old and new on your wedding day. This is a great way to honor a deceased loved one. Consider wearing their jewelry, hairpin, or other accessories such as a purse or veil. For grooms, cufflinks, ties, and handkerchiefs are all good options for displaying your love for a lost one.
2). Enhance Your Bouquet
Adding a small framed photo to your bouquet might be just the ticket! This way, your loved one can still walk you down the aisle! You can even add a broach or use the fabric from a tie in your bouquet. Whatever small keepsake you have, ask your florist how they can creatively display your lost loved one in your bouquet.
3). Add To Your Attire
You’re likely going to need alterations done on your gown or tux. Ask your tailor if they can incorporate a lost loved one’s piece of clothing into your wedding day attire. Bring them fabric from the wardrobe of the departed and ask them to work their magic! For brides, we’ve seen heart-shaped fabric cutouts hidden in the inside of dresses.
4). Photo Display
Having a photo display of lost ones is a great way to honor their memory! Put this display near the guest book or on a table in the reception haul. We’ve seen a lot of these tables with signs that read “We know you’d be here with us today if heaven wasn’t so far away”. Additionally, if you do a photo display with lost loved ones, it might be a good idea to label the photos so that guests know who they are.
5). Reserve A Seat
Reserving a seat for a lost loved one is a great way to honor them during the wedding ceremony. Reserve a seat with a photo of the individual or even a sign, flower, or article of clothing that best represents them. We’ve seen seats reserved with hats, corsages, and even painted signs. There are lots of creative options on Etsy.
6). A Moment To Reflect
Light a candle during the ceremony for your lost loved one! Or, a simple moment of silence to remember them works just as well. If your lost loved one had a favorite song or poem, consider having those shared during the ceremony. Alternatively, you can simply make a note of their significance in your programs.
7). Charitable Donations
Consider making a charitable donation in their honor! If your loved one was a philanthropist or felt particularly strongly about a specific cause, consider asking your guests to help you make a charitable donation in their honor. Maybe your loved one passed from a particular illness or preventable accident. In this case, consider donating to causes that support the prevention of these diseases and events.
8). Toast To Their Memory
When it comes time to give the toasts or say the dinner prayer, don’t be afraid to mention your lost loved ones! You can either have a friend or family member say a few words or the newlyweds can mention the departed as they’re giving thanks to all their guests for attending. Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to remember a lost loved one!
9). Dance The Night Away
Perhaps your lost loved one is a parent. If this is the case, the father/daughter and mother/son dance can be extremely emotional. During these dances, ask relatives to alternate dancing with you. This bittersweet moment will make you feel connected to your lost loved one.
Additionally, you can ask the DJ or band to recognize your lost loved one. Perhaps the deceased love to dance! Have the DJ or band make an announcement of their favorite song and encourage guests to get on the dance floor in their honor!
10). Share A Family Recipe
If you don’t want cheap favors to end up in the trash, consider gifting a family recipe! Maybe your loved one made the best cookies. Gift a fresh batch to your guests with the recipe attached so that they can bake them later! This is a great way to remember a lost loved one, and likely a really special favor that your guests will cherish.
Celebrate Your Marriage With Madera Estates!
At Madera Estates, we understand losing a loved one is never easy. It can be especially bittersweet to celebrate a major life milestone without a particular loved one by your side. Even though your heart might ache for someone on your wedding day, remember that their memory and spirit are still a part of this joyous occasion! We hope that this blog post gave you a few great ideas for honoring your lost loved ones and keeping them close to your heart on your wedding day!
Are you engaged and looking for the perfect venue? Madera Estates would love to help you celebrate this momentous occasion. Located just north of Houston, Madera Estates offers a destination-like ambiance. Our couples love having an exotic venue with charm inspired by Spanish & European architecture. From the Grand Fireplace to the wooded grounds, the Hacienda Ballroom, Champagne Suite, Whiskey Lounge, and more, Madera Estates offers everything you need to have a once in a lifetime celebration! Click here to book a free champagne tour of our venue!
We are located at 3201 N Frazier St, Conroe, TX 77303. If you have any questions, fill out this form on our website or give us a call at (936) 441-9337. Our team of experts is more than happy to answer any questions you may have! Don’t forget to check out all the behind the scenes fun on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest! If you enjoyed reading this blog, click here to check out more of our content! Congratulations on your engagement and happy wedding planning!