At Ivory Events, there are so many important details that go into planning a wedding. Honoring a loved one can be one of those details. Celebrating a life of a favorite relative, a grandparent, a great-grandparent, or a parent is important to so many couples we work with at Ivory Events, as they take this next step in their relationship. Celebrating loved ones in the ceremony and throughout the day can keep their memory close and make a wedding that much more special and memorable for everyone, not just the happy couple. If you have lost a close family member or friend during the pandemic, these small gestures can be incredibly inspiring ways to honor their memory and celebration of their life.
Honoring the Loved One in Your Wedding Ceremony
Photography can be a wonderful way to include them in your day. During the ceremony, you can pre-select a seat and keep a frame photograph on it to reserve it. Some couples bring a small trinket to go along with the special photograph and decorate the chair with small flowers in memoriam to their loved one. Some couples even choose their loved ones’ vintage wedding photograph to keep them close or a photograph with their loved one.
Remembrance in Your Vows
Having a brief mention of your loved one in your vows can also be a tremendous way to honor their memory. Also having your officiant mention a fond memory of your loved one during your ceremony can add even more sentimental tone to your vows. Some couples even include that memory in their specific vows to one another.Another way to keep a lost loved one close is to dedicate a certain song before the wedding vows. This song can be a favorite of the loved one, a classic wedding song, or a song selected by the couple to reflect the meaningful relationship, this can be incredibly uplifting and inspiring for guests. Displaying a photograph or quote by your loved one in your wedding program, even though a small gesture, can really be a meaningful way to celebrate during your ceremony.
Another way to keep a lost loved one close is to dedicate a certain song before the wedding vows. This song can be a favorite of the loved one, a classic wedding song, or a song selected by the couple to reflect the meaningful relationship, this can be incredibly uplifting and inspiring for guests.
Displaying a photograph or quote by your loved one in your wedding program, even though a small gesture, can really be a meaningful way to celebrate during your ceremony.
The Dinner Toast
Your best man and maid of honor can include their memory and mention them in your wedding toast after your ceremony. Your wedding party can tell a funny story about them, they can mention their names, and toast to their honor or even have a special cocktail named after them. These small but special gestures can all be wonderful ways to have a grandparent or parent’s memory live on during your wedding.
The Reception
Framed photographs of your loved one with you throughout your life as well as framed vintage wedding photographs on a table can be a stylish and unique way to show important life events and shared family memories. Photography collages on a can also be popular for couples during the reception.
A special wedding floral wreath can also be arranged with a special photograph to honor a life well lived as well during your wedding reception. Your floral arrangements themselves can be a good way to keep them close, putting a quote or dedicating your loved one by the table numbers. Slow dance song dedications during your reception honoring grandparents can be especially memorable for guests, some couples also choose to have a short slide-show on a screen during the song dedication. Having a guest or child recite a poem or sing a song in honor of a loved one after your formal toast can be another way to honor a favorite family member or dear friend.
Keeping your Loved One in the Details
Sewing in a small piece of fabric from previous wedding dresses from grandparents or parents who have passed away, or stitching in a loved one’s wedding date can all be memorable and unique ways to honor those who have left us. Some include special items stitched on personal handkerchiefs as well. If a grandparent or parent had a favorite dessert, some guests include family favorites throughout the reception dinner to honor them.
We all have special memories from loved ones who we have lost, these are just a few of the many ways to honor loved ones during your special day coordinated by Ivory Events. The pandemic has made these small celebrations of life incredibly poignant and important to include during your celebration, especially when we have all been separated from one another.