Honouring a lost loved one at your Wedding.

A wedding is an occasion of joy and celebration, but for some, it is a day where they feel the hurt and loss of a loved one not being present. Couples struggle with not knowing how to honour a loved one during their day. Some couples choose to acknowledge a loved ones absence publicly, while others choose to keep it private amongst family. Whatever you choose, it can be very challenging striking the balance between acknowledging a loved one and keeping a joyous mood during your day.

Before planning a tribute consider how recent the loss was. If you haven’t had the time to properly grieve a loved one you will want to handle the tribute differently. It is important to find your personal comfort level, ask yourself, “When is it best for me during the day to have a moment to grieve?”. You may think you can hold it together and not shed a tear, but the emotion in the moment may surprise you, and you may need time alone with your spouse or a close family member to grieve. Try to focus on the happy, special details they loved and celebrate the person they were and what they meant to you.

Here are 10 ideas to help you honour a lost loved one during your day.

1.Choose a cherished photo of a loved one and place it in a beautiful frame, consider creating a table of honour for them in the reception hall. This could include a tribute to who they were and why they were important to you, and items that they valued.

2. Light a candle in honour of your loved one. You could light it during the reception, or later, privately with your family. You can have the candle engraved with a tribute to who they were and what they meant to you.

3. Incorporate a piece of your loved ones jewellery or an article of clothing into your wedding day outfit. This could be anything from a broach, necklace, tie, watch, piece of fabric, hair pin ect.

4. Hold a moment of silence in their honour during the reception. Take a moment to think about what they meant to you, and how they positively impacted your life. Consider ending the moment of silence by raising a toast in hour of them.

5. Sew a special handwritten note from your loved inside your dress or suit jacket. Find a local tailor who can help you with this.

6. Make a donation to a charity your loved one was passionate about in their name in lieu of a wedding favour.

7. Reserve a seat for your passed loved one during the ceremony and the reception. Consider laying an item that represents them best/was important to them on the seat. You could also use a simple flower, or a frame with their picture it it.

8. Create a tribute in your ceremony program in loving memory of them.

9. Play your loved ones favourite song during the reception. Have fun dancing to it and reminiscing about your most special memories with them.

10. Have a dish they loved served in their honour during the reception dinner. You could also incorporate a recipe they loved on the dessert table!

“In life we loved you dearly, in death we love you still. In our hearts you hold a place, no one else will ever fill.”