Wedding Blog

Weddings are a time of happy celebration, but often, someone important is missing from the festivities. Many couples ask me how to memorialize a friend or family member on the wedding day. This can be a challenge. We want to create a memorial that is meaningful, but we don’t want to sabotage the celebration. Here are some ideas for creating a special memorial for a loved one.

1. If the one to be memorialized is a close family member like a parent or grandparent, leave an empty seat in the front row during the ceremony. We have also placed a single flower on that chair to indicate that it is empty because someone special is missing.
2. Put a notice in the ceremony program. On a few occasions the bride or groom have written a small paragraph or poem about the loved one they are memorializing.
3. Do a photo display at the reception including photos of the couple with the person to be memorialized. Frame a small paragraph about the person and place it on the display as well.
4. Make a donation to a charity in the person’s name and put a small note on your menu card or in a small frame on your guest tables.

I remember early in my career I had a wedding where the bride’s father had passed away. Several family members made big speeches about the father, with very honorable intentions, but the bride was a sobbing mess when the speeches were over. It is important to acknowledge loved ones who have passed, but keep the memorial small so that it doesn’t overshadow the celebration.

If you have questions on this or any other wedding related topic, please post for me here or send me an email to susan.southerland@pwg.com. Also become a fan on Facebook by clicking here and follow me on Twitter by clicking here.

Your partner in perfect planning,

Susan