4 Ways To Honor Passed Loved Ones At Your Wedding

A wedding day is a beautiful celebration of love, unity, and new beginnings. However, it can also be a poignant reminder of those who are no longer with us. Honoring these important people at your wedding is a powerful way to pay tribute to their memory, embrace their lasting influence, and ensure that they remain an integral part of your special day.

As a bride and DFW wedding photographer, I wanted to share a few meaningful ways to honor passed loved ones at your wedding. Including 2 that I used for my own wedding.

Ways To Honor Passed Loved Ones At Your Wedding

Include a Memory Table

A memory table can be decorated with photos, jewelry, candles, mementos or notes to honor your loved ones. Most couples choose to include a small memory table at their reception. This is a great choice for honoring all those who have touched the lives of you and your partner.

Incorporate Something of Theirs

I’ve seen brides incorporate mini photos or small personal items of their loved ones into their bouquets. I’ve seen brides and grooms stitch the names or initials of their loved ones onto handkerchiefs, on the inside of their suit jackets, their garter and even subtly into their veil.

For my own wedding, my brother-from-another-mother/late-best-friend’s husband offered me any of her wedding jewelry to wear on my wedding day. (Which, was the most unexpected and wonderful offer – I cried buckets). I chose to use her wedding headband as a bracelet – and I couldn’t imagine a more meaningful way to have had a piece of her with me throughout the day.

Leave a Seat

Another beautiful way to honor a significant loved one who has passed on is to leave a reserved seat at the ceremony for them. Couples can plan for the empty seat in the front row. Like a memory table, a seat can be decorated with a portrait or flowers – or just have a “reserved” sign. Some couples ask the officiant to mention the loved one and indicate their seat. You could even have a moment of silence as an additional way to honor them during either this moment – or later during the reception speeches, for example.

Play their Song / Dedicate a Song or Dance

You can also include your loved ones’ memory through special songs dedicated to them. Talk with your DJ beforehand about including a tribute song. This can especially be a really beautiful way to honor a family member or close friend who would traditionally have played an important role in your wedding reception. Playing their song can give your guests the opportunity to share the moment too.

For my wedding, we decided to take this one step further and dedicated not just a song, but a dance to our late best friend. She was the life of the party and celebrating and honoring her in this way was just perfect. It felt like we had another big piece of her out there on the dance floor with us. 10/10 would recommend.

There is no right or wrong way to celebrate and honor your late loved ones at your wedding. Choose the way that feels most genuine and meaningful to you. By cherishing their memory, their wisdom, and their love, you’ll create a wedding that is truly a celebration of life, unity, and the beautiful legacy they have left behind.

If you’re ready to start talking about documenting your own beautiful legacy, I’d love to connect! Reach out here and let’s talk! Cheers!