My fiance and I are getting married this summer. We have lost a lot of loved ones, especially in the last year, unfortunately. I would like to "memorialize" them somehow at our reception. I was thinking of lighting a candle and then in a picture frame next to the candle, something that says our loved ones' names and maybe a simple verse that explains what the candle is all about. Any ideas on how to word it? Or maybe a different way of going about it? I really appreciate any suggestion you may have.
I think that's a great idea. I would add though maybe have the who ever is preforming the service mention why the candle is there and for who. My hubby and did roses and had the officiant make mention of them and what they are for.
HTH's
M.
Congrat's L.! Two ideas: when my brother married, to remember some loved ones that passed they put a single rose on a chair (total of four chairs with 1 rose for each chair)- you could also have a vase with a select flower for each family memeber you care to remember- also on TV I saw on one of those wedding shows where a couple released butterfies to symbolize their loved ones both living and those who had passed on.
Good Luck have fun and be good to one another!
My two sisters and I all did something similar too. We each used flowers to represent the people we'd lost. One did an arrangement at her reception on a table with their pictures, one had the flowers in her bouquet represent each person, and one had special flower carriers (like ring bearer/flower girls) who each laid a flower on the alter. Each time though, we just put in the program what it was about, who it was for and a short "we miss you" thing.
I had a floral arrangement at my wedding in honor of those we lost (grandparents). I also had a candle globe with some fake flowers burning in honor of my brother that was killed in a car accident. I still have this in my hutch in memory of him. We wrote a little something about what each meant in our church bulletin.
The only way I have seen it before is at the ceremony itself. You would want those loved ones who have passed to be with you when you share your vows with each other! Many times, I have seen it where there is a special flower bouquet up near the alter (perhaps with their picture, if you'd like). Then the programs usually say something about the flowers representing those of us who couldn't be here with us today, and list those loved ones. You may even want the pastor/priest to mention the special arrangement or your loved ones during the ceremony also. Hope this helps. Good luck with the upcoming wedding!
For our wedding, my husband and I bought a rose for my two grandpas and my friend that had passed away. In our program we put a little memorial to them and explained what the floweres on the alter represented. Sorry to hear about your losses.
Congrats on the wedding!
We did this at our wedding for my father. We simply had a separate table next to the gift table with a picture of my dad along with a bouquet of flowers, because they didn't let us have candles. Many many family was touched by it.
A friend of mine wanted to do the same thing at her wedding. She left a few chairs empty on the end of both first rows and had a flower represent each person, a small tag held the name of the person remembered and was given to closest relative after the ceremony. Something like this can be difficult to decide. You want to remember the person, but not take away from your day and made into a "memorial". Good luck deciding on what to do and congratulations
We had our grandparents that passed and so we put a picture of them on the bride and grooms table along with our parents wedding pictures and our parents are still with us. Also at the wedding we had a flower arrangement for the grandparents that passed along with there pictures at the altar.
Have a great wedding and I hope that these ideas will help you.
Missy B
At our wedding we had a special flower arrangement at the service and on the back of the program we stated that the arrangement was in honor of the specific people who departed before the wedding. I think you could probably do something similar if you wanted to at the reception. I'd just do a table off to the side, maybe next to your gift table. I think the candle and frame is a great idea.
I found this site... not sure what your budget is, but this might be a nice idea for the candle. http://www.franscandles.com/memorialcandles.htm
L., I just wanted to add how thoughtful of you. I know a lot of people wrote to have a special bouquet. When my husband and I got married it was a year after we had lost our son. We had a small bouquet with a single white rose (the color that was in his and his now step sons boutinier) with a candle that I made that had the words in memory of our son, Cole Wishart, who is always present in our hearts. We also had a notation made on the back of our programs with a little angel that said the candle and flowers are in memory of our son who again is present in our hearts today and always.
Congratulations!
I think that is a very thoughtful gesture! Recently I saw something at a wedding reception - in an 8x10 was a picture of the bride and groom (maybe their engagement photo), in a 5x7 were the parents wedding picture and then in a 4x6 was wedding pictures of the grandparents. Maybe that could add to your memorial? Also, I have been subjected to this: when listing people either make sure to leave no one out or end with something to include those not listed ("And remember those whose name is not here but has touched our hearts....")
Good luck on the memorial and the planning. What a fun time!
My Husband's Dad passed away a couple of months before he was born. At our wedding he and his Mother danced to a song in memory of his Dad. It was great because everyone had their moment and then it was done.
The song they danced to was "The Dance" by Garth Brooks. Here's a link to the lyrics:
http://www.lyricsmagnet.com/song/GARTH+BROOKS/THE+DANCE_l...
Congrats,
J.
We had a little vase of flowers at the ceremony with a blurb in the program about it. I've been to weddings where the minister says something about missing those that can't be with us like grandma, uncle, etc. I don't think I've seen anything at a reception which is a nice idea, but receptions are so busy and loud maybe people wouldn't notice. Oh, unless it's like a little table on the way in like prayer candles at catholic churches? You could have like a name card by each candle or flower or whatever.
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding, and I'm so sorry to hear that you have lost loved ones recently. I think the idea of a memorial at the service is a lovely one. Since my husband and I each lost someone shortly before our wedding, I considered something I had read about: an empty chair at the ceremony, perhaps with a picture of the missing person. It seemed like a nice way of having them present. (As it happened, we were married outdoors, in a stand of trees, so there were no chairs; so I guess it depends on the seating arrangement at your ceremony.) But whatever you decide to do, I think a short card explaining the idea might be nice. It could be something as simple as: "Though [whoever] was unable to join us here today, she is here in spirit and in our hearts, kept alive in our loving memories."
Good luck, and congratulations!
