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How to: Honour a Loved One Who Has Passed at Your Wedding

Writer's picture: Eternal Bliss EventsEternal Bliss Events

Updated: May 26, 2024

As monumental celebrations such as a wedding approaches, the loss of loved ones can be ever-present and painful. There are many ways to incorporate their memory into your big day. Here are a few ways to honour a loved one that has passed, at your wedding.


Memory table 


Along with your Welcome Table, a small table can be set up to honour and remember those you wish could celebrate your day with you.  To honour those important people who have passed away, place a framed photo of each person with a candle or flower beside them. You can also incorporate a sign stating a message such as “In loving memory of those who could not be here but are in our hearts”. You can also include any small items that remind you of that person. 


(left) Eternal Bliss Events Couple: Christina & Tristan ~ Photo Credit: Timeless Tree Weddings, Venue: Royal Ambassador Event Centre ~ (right) Eternal Bliss Events couple: Cassandra & Jon ~ Photo credit: Amanda Thirkill Photography, Venue: Belcroft Estate


Christina and Tristan included the favoured flowers and drinks of the people they remember.

 

Reserve a seat at the ceremony


Place a reserved sign on the chair/ pew where they would be seated during the ceremony. You could also lay a single long-stem flower, a memento and/or a photo. 


Eternal Bliss Events Couple: Madison & Cole ~ Photo Credit: Rosewood Studios, Venue: Kortright Centre for Conservation


Dedicate a song/ dance 

Between courses, before the dancefloor is open, dedicate a song to the person you would like to honour. Say a few words or have someone close to you say a few words about the person you are honouring. You can also add a slideshow and/or invite people to the dancefloor if they have a loved one who has passed as well. Select a favourite song of theirs or a song with lyrics that remind you of them, for this special dance.

Eternal Bliss Events couple: Ashleigh & Anthony~ Photo Credit: Amp Studios, Dance Floor: Dance Floor Graphic, Venue: The Arlington Estate, Florals: Gatto Flowers

Our groom Anthony, pictured above, shared a special dance with his sister to honour their parents.


Light a candle during your ceremony


This candle can be announced and dedicated to a specific person or as a general lighting for all that have passed away. This candle lighting can symbolize these people attending in spirit. Have the officiant add the candle lighting at the beginning of the ceremony, so their light and spirit are with you for the whole ceremony.


Pin a photo to your bouquet or inside your suit jacket


(left) Eternal Bliss Events Couple: Christina & Tristan ~ Photo Credit: Timeless Tree Weddings, Venue: Royal Ambassador Event Centre ~ (right) Eternal Bliss Events couple: Cassandra & Jon ~ Photo credit: Amanda Thirkill Photography, Venue: Belcroft Estate


As captured on the left, our bride Christina honoured her grandmother by pinning a beautiful photo of her to the ribbon on her bouquet. This is a very common way that our brides honour their loved ones. Gentlemen can have their loved ones with them by pinning a photo to the inside of their suit jackets or attached to their boutonniere, as our groom Jon wore (pictured right). 


Wear an item of theirs

Honour a grandparent, parent, or sibling by including something of theirs in your wedding day outfit. Choose a favourite flower to include in bouquets/ boutonnieres, wear their cufflinks or veil, or use their handkerchiefs (as traditionally styled or wrapped around your bouquet). 


EBE bride Gabby wore a veil that was passed down in her family.

Eternal Bliss Events Couple: Gabrielle & Keith ~ Photo Credit: Amp Studios, Venue: Stevenson Estate, Florals: Rose & Shine

Bonus!

Include a special memory in your day's event! Our couple Cassandra and Jon's family surprised Jon by fixing up his dad’s old truck and bringing it on-site for photos!


Eternal Bliss Events couple: Cassandra & Jon ~ Photo credit: Amanda Thirkill Photography, Venue: Belcroft Estate


There are many ways to honour a close family member who has passed on, on your wedding day. Choosing to do one of these gestures can be comforting and is a beautiful way to include those people you are missing most on your day. 





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