Last Updated on December 21, 2024 by Sandra Adamson
25 Unique Wedding Memorial Ideas for the Bride and Groom
Are you searching for unique wedding memorial ideas to help include loves ones who are no longer with you on your wedding day? Congratulations on your big day! Marriage is one of the greatest joys and adventures of life. Whether you’re running off to a remote location, hosting a giant party, or planning on something in between, you’re sure to remember your wedding for the rest of your life.
Weddings not only celebrate the happy couple but often include time to celebrate the joining of two families. If some of your family members recently passed away, it’s natural to miss them and wish they could be with you on your special day. Thankfully, there are many ways to remember your loved ones during the wedding ceremony, reception, or both. Here are 25 ways you can honor and remember loved ones at your wedding.
Remembrance Wedding Memorial Ideas For the Bride
Many couples dream of their wedding, but facing such a momentous occasion without your loved ones can be hard to deal with. Here are five ways to remember them so you can feel like they are taking part in your special day.
1. Place a special memento on the bouquet.
This option is subtle and beautiful. You can use any special memento for this, such as a piece of lace from your grandma’s wedding dress, a picture of your mom in a locket, or a special necklace that was passed down to you. You could also use a loved one’s tie to wrap the bouquet stems or tuck a cuff link into the bouquet using lace or ribbon to secure it.
2. Sew something handwritten on the dress.
Do you have a piece of your loved one’s handwriting? Consider embroidering their signature or a few words in their handwriting on the inside of your wedding dress.
3. Wear an item of theirs.
This may not be practical for everyone, but you might see if there’s an item that belonged to your mother, grandmother, or mother-in-law that you could wear on your special day. You could choose to wear a piece of their jewelry or even their wedding dress.
4. Share a moment of silence.
During the wedding ceremony or wedding reception, ask your guests to observe a moment of quiet contemplation and remember those who may not be with you on your special day.
5. Choose a stand-out flower in your bouquet.
Add a white flower to the bouquet in honor of your loved one. Already have white in your bouquet? Choose a color you don’t have so the single flower will stand out. Greenery can also serve as a fitting reminder. Traditionally, rosemary and sage are representative of improving memory.
Remembrance Wedding Memorial Ideas For the Groom
Your wedding is approaching and you’ll soon be marrying the love of your life. If you have lost a loved one, here are five ways to remember them during your wedding day.
6. Light a memorial candle.
During the wedding ceremony or wedding reception, take a moment to light a candle to remember your loved ones who passed away. This is also a good time to read a memorial poem in their honor or pray.
7. Create a handkerchief from a piece of their clothing.
If your loved one had a handkerchief or pocket square, you might decide to use it as-is. You can also craft one by using fabric from a piece of their clothing such as a dress, shirt, or tie. Call a local seamstress or tailor to do the sewing for you if you don’t feel like DIYing this project.
8. Toast with their favorite drink.
Taste and smell often evoke strong memories. Offer a toast to your new spouse and guests while sipping your loved one’s favorite drink. You might just feel like they’re right there with you.
9. Reference them in your vows.
What did your loved one adore about your bride? Consider mentioning what they loved about your partner during your vows as a way to bring them into the ceremony.
10. Wear your loved one’s watch or cuff links.
Take your loved one down the aisle by wearing something they owned like a watch or cuff links.
Remembrance Wedding Memorial Ideas During the Ceremony and Reception
Here are fifteen more ideas for honoring and remembering your loved one during your wedding ceremony and reception.
11. Heat the rings.
This traditional ceremony occurs when family members and loved ones hold your wedding rings to “warm them” with their love, blessings, and good wishes. To honor a loved one who has died, place the rings in a decorative box of theirs so they can participate in this tradition.
12. Show a slideshow.
If you have several members of your family that are absent due to death, consider compiling a slideshow of their photographs to play. You can choose to play while everyone watches, or play it in the background during the events.
13. Create a piece of sand art.
Sand art or unity sand has become a popular way to create a visual representation of the joining of two lives together. To honor loved ones who have passed, consider choosing a unique color of sand for each person and add it to the sand art to remember them.
14. Read a poem, passage, or verse.
Reading poetry can be a wonderful way to honor a loved one during your ceremony or banquet. You can read it yourself, assign it to a member of the family, or have a member of your bridal party read the chosen passage.
15. Play or sing a special song.
Is there a certain song that reminds you of your loved one? Perhaps you’re a bit of a songstress and you can create a song in their honor? Consider playing or singing a special song to bring your deceased loved one into your wedding day.
16. Make a memorial wooden sign.
Create a special memorial sign or poster to remember loved ones who can’t be with you. It can be located wherever you’d like such as the altar, the front of the aisle, the entrance to the reception room, or even the guest sign-in table. You can include pictures, messages, and poems.
17. Create a memorial table or bookcase .
Set aside a special table or bookcase, whether it’s a wedding reception table or a small gift table. Fill the tabletop with photos of your loved ones, special mementos, and other things that will help them remember them. This is a wonderful way to honor your loved ones and it allows your guests to take a moment to remember them, as well.
18. Incorporate a family recipe for the reception menu.
Was your loved one known for a special dish or receipt? Consider including it in your reception or menu.
19. Write a tribute note in your wedding program.
Include a poem or message in your wedding program along with the name or names of those in your family who passed away.
20. Set aside a memorial seat.
Set aside a memorial seat that’s “reserved” for your loved one who passed away. You can set aside a seat for the ceremony, reception, or both. Place a framed photo of them with a flower in the seat or place of honor.
21. Create a memorial flower arrangement.
Consider creating a memorial bouquet in honor of your loved ones. Ideas for this include one white lilly for each person that passed, one stem of each person’s favorite flower, or a single long-stem rose alongside a memorial candle.
22. Toast their memory.
During the reception, consider toasting their memory. You can share a special memory, a funny anecdote, or a piece of advice you’ll always remember.
23. Use their wine or champagne glasses.
Use the champagne glasses that belonged to your deceased loved one. Hold on to those glasses during your wedding reception to toast their memory or toast your new spouse.
If you don’t have champagne glasses, consider using their wedding knife to cut your cake.
24. Light up lanterns.
Consider lighting up battery-operated lanterns in honor of your loved one. You can place them near the altar, toward the front or back of the aisle, or on your gift or card table. Consider including a sign with the names of your loved ones and how they continue to “guide you” or “light your way.”
Wedding Resources
1. For great wedding planning ideas visit the knot and weddingwire!
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