Deciding how to honor a deceased loved one in a wedding can be a tough decision because there are so many things to think about and so much emotion involved.

Before you even begin deciding what you want to do to remember your loved one, we think you should ask yourself a few questions to make the process a little easier. Was it a very close family member or someone very important to you? How recent was the passing? Do you want to do something simple or something elaborate?

Answering these questions can be tough but sorting through them can help give you a clear vision on how you would like to honor your loved one. While we understand you want to remember your loved one, you don’t want to do it in a way that turns the happy celebration of a ceremony into a sad memorial.  It should be a piece of your ceremony, not the major focus. Below you’ll find a few ways that we like to tastefully remember loved ones in our BTS Weddings.

Small table with plants or seeds to pot in their honor.
Find a small area in your reception or after party and set up a small round table. On it you can include micro plants, or bags of seeds as well as a picture of your loved one. Make sure to leave simple directions and explain the reason for having the table.

Wear something that reminds you of them.
That could be something as simple as a color that reminds you of them, or something more complicated such as having a piece of their shirt sewn into your dress. This would also be a good time to tie in ‘something old’ or ‘blue.’

Tribute in ceremony program.
Reserve half or a quarter of the back of the ceremony program to pay tribute to your loved one.

Light a candle or Moment of silence.
This can be done at the dinner, reception or after party. You can also set up a small round table that has a candle and picture of your passed loved one.

Save a seat for them.
Reserve one seat with a bouquet of flowers with small signage letting guests know that this seat is to honor a loved one who has passed.

Rehearsal Dinner.
Never forget your rehearsal dinner is a great time to honor a passed loved one. This gives you the opportunity to intimately and properly pay your respects while letting the wedding focus be on you and your new spouse.

Honoring a passed loved one in your wedding is a very personal decision. Do what is in your heart and you’ll never go wrong.