March 2009 wedding, how to commemorate my mom and grandparents

Question

I am getting married March 2009, due to our budget we are limited to 50 people and have filled those 50 people. When I was 10 my mom passed away, then I moved in with my grandparents (whom i was very close with) then they have both passed. I originally wanted to have three flower bouquets in the first three seats at the ceremony, but that counts as a "person" and would go over 50. My question is, what is a unique way to remember my mom and grandparents at the ceremony and reception? Thanks for all your help!

Answer 1

I agree with the above answer.  If I were you, I would make it a personal thing...with the jewelry, songs, etc...not a public display.  After all, it is not a memorial service...it's your wedding!!  Also, you will already be emotional...it is meant to be a day of good memories, not sad ones.  Your loved ones will be with you in spirit.

Answer 2

Ive seen these really cute flower vases you can personalize and put a single rose in one for each of them and have a table for them at the wedding and reception.  Maybe you can put it with the guest book

Answer 3

You can do the Armegeddon thing where they had the easels with the pictures on them.

Answer 4

I am sorry to hear that they have passed away - but you know that they will be there in spirit.

Here are a few things that you could do in order to honor their memory.

-Ask guests to observe a moment of silence before the ceremony begins, or include a prayer for your loved one just before saying your vows.

-Wear a piece of jewelry or item of clothing that once belonged to them.

-Have the band/DJ play one of their favorite songs during the reception and dedicate it to their memory.

-Place their photo's on your guest book table.

Here is an article I found that also has some good ideas about honoring them. I hope that this will help. Best of luck to you!

http://weddings.about.com/od/weddingstre...

There was one suggestion in the article that I really liked - it said to have photo charms of them put in your bouquet. I think that is a nice way to carry them with you throughout the day.

Answer 5

maybe use the flowers that commemorate their bday or death date as your flowers in your wedding...

Answer 6

Why not combine what the first couple of answerers said....at your reception have family pictures set up for people to see and in your bouquet, have three unique flowers in the center, one for each of them?

Both are really great ideas and will have special meaning for you personally (your flowers and carrying them with you) and for everyone else there, in that they get to see your family pictures and remember those you loved you best.

One little suggestion, if I might.  When it comes time to toss the bouquet...don't.   What my sister and I did, was have a smaller replica made of ours, and had it waiting at the reception hall.  We kept our flowers, and tossed the 2nd one....which meant we didn't have to chase down the catcher, in order to get a couple flowers for drying later.  ;)

I hope your day is happy.

Answer 7

You'll want to keep your remembrances very low-keyed and personal. You don't want to spend your wedding day and reception doing nothing but answering questions about your mom and grandparents because people will be nosey and ask questions if they don't understand something you've done - like flowers on empty chairs or "in memory of" notices in a program.

Here are some suggestions to think about:

Carry your grandmom's Bible with your bouquet.

Make a garter (to wear and keep, not to throw) using material from your mom's wedding gown or other article of clothing you may have.

Have a single flower in your Mom's favorite color and your grandmom's favorite color incorporated into your bouquet.

Carry one of your grandfather's hankies.

Play one of their favorite songs during the wedding and/or during the reception.

Wear a locket with their photos inside.

Many brides also choose to place their bridal bouquet (or a flower from it) on a parent's gravesite in between the wedding and reception (if not in the same location).

Hope this is helpful!

Answer 8

I have been to a few weddings where they remembered their loved ones in their ceremony. One way placed ribbons or flower arrangements on the rows going down the isle. For example because you lost 3 family members the first three rows on the edge would have a bow or flower arrangement on the side of the chair.

Also I have seen them mention them in the bulletin. Or even have their picture going down the isle way.