Remembering loved ones

That sounds lovely.

At the risk of offending (not just you, but probably everyone), I've never been keen on massive memorials or...shudder...empty chairs. It's a wedding and I'd bet every penny I had that nobody's grandmother would want a shrine set up to remember her.

I think that's a lovely idea.

Im going to place somewhere a small sunflower in memory of OHs nan who died and he was very close to. They were her favourite flowers.

If I can find a nice pin badge I'll get one and pin it somewhere on my dress or bouquet.

H2Bs speech will include a toast to absent friends and family. He will also wear his late uncles lovely Rolex watch in his memory

X

Sasha, that's a lovely way to have your dad walk you down the isle so to speak.

I agree, the pebbles sound lovely.

I wanted my Nana with me who sadly died a few years ago and my Grandad who couldn't come due to ill health so I had their wedding day pictures on my bouquet:

Sorry the quality of pictures isn't 100% have only got screen shot as haven't had my copyrights back yet!

Frames from eBay.

I wore a family locket around my neck with my four grandparents in but, as shown above, you can have lockets for bouquets too.

Hi i think that your loved ones who have passed will be looking down on you anyway on your special day, you could make it more a celebration of life and name your tables after them xx

We're getting married on my grandfathers birthday. I was very close to him growing up, he passed away 5 years ago and to me it's important that he is a part of the day. We'll also be having a mix of his and my other grandfather (who passed last year)'s favorite flowers in the church too.

The engraved pebbles is a lovely idea, I like these things and the pics in bouquets / lockets etc, discreet ways of having the people you love with you and a really nice touch I think

I lost my dad a few years ago and wanted to make sure he was remembered on the day. Rather than a memorial type thing we've done a photo board behind our cakes showing photos from when we were young, when we started seeing each other and pictures of all close family. This way I get to include photos of my dad but as they are mixed with others it's not too sad. It's my big day tomorrow so ill let you know how it goes!

Good luck, have a fab day!

*shudders*

I don't like noticeable memorials, it's not for me.

I'll be walking down the aisle to my Dad's favourite song, I'm also debating a single white rose to place on the top table with us, my Mum will understand and appreciate the symbolism, no one else need know - it's personal to us.

I love and miss my Dad immensely, however I don't want the day to be a focus of him not being there, it's the start of my marriage to my wonderful partner and that is my priority.

Thank-you for your in-put everyone

x

I find it a little disconcerting at a wedding, it can/does shift the mood a little if there's lot of references or words devoted to a person/people who have passed.

That said, I went and did exactly that, mentioned both my gran and my grandad in my speech, but it was on a theme and related to a little saying they each had, both about luck funnily enough, and it tied back to firstly my son and then my husband so it wasn't maudlin. Or I didn't think so, who knows, ha ha!

Hubby mentioned people who weren't celebrating with us on the day, but he's a grandma with alzheimers who doesn't travel so it was as much about her as those who we've lost.

I don't like drinks bought for dead people, empty chairs, moments to remember, big photos on show, or anything like that. Our family aren't really 'open grievers' as it were. My gran would be mortified she even got a mention. Life is for living, in her view, and you carry your loved ones in your heart every day, and don't put them on show.

We mentioned them (my father and H's uncle) by name in the prayers and in my speech I proposed a toast to "absent friends". It felt right, but enough.