How to Honor Loved Ones at Your Wedding

Facing your wedding day without beloved family members can be hard. You want to enjoy this happy day while still remembering and incorporating those you’ve lost. If you’re trying to figure out how to honor loved ones at your wedding, read our tips inspired by real weddings here at 48 Fields.

CONSIDER A PRIVATE REMEMBRANCE

While many people honor their loved ones publicly as part of their ceremony or through a public display, you might decide this isn’t right for you. Especially if you’re mourning a recent loss, a private moment to remember them might be a better fit.

48 Fields bride Trish, who lost her mom not long before her wedding, opted to go this route. She brought a photo of her mom to the getting ready suite on the morning of her wedding so she could still be a part of Trish’s day.

LEAVE A PLACE FOR THEM

Some couples choose to leave an empty chair at their ceremony for a loved one. You can mark the chair with a photo of them or a sign. If you would like to acknowledge them during the ceremony, consider getting their favorite flower and bringing it to the chair as a moment of remembrance.

CARRY THEM WITH YOU

Another meaningful yet subtle way to acknowledge your loved ones is to carry a small photo or charm with you. This can either be attached to your bouquet or tucked inside your clothing.

Both Venus and Hussein’s fathers passed away before their wedding. So Venus carried a photo of her father on a charm attached to her bouquet, and Hussein had a photo of his father pinned inside his jacket, next to his heart.

INCLUDE THEM IN THE PROGRAM

You might also choose to honor your loved ones in your ceremony program, either in writing or mentioned by your officiant. This works well if you are concerned about getting emotional during the ceremony or have several loved ones you would like to honor.

DISPLAY FAMILY MEMENTOS

Include your family members in your day by displaying items that remind you of them. At their vintage-inspired wedding, Sarah and Michael displayed her grandmother’s typewriter, perfume bottle, and other mementos as a special remembrance.

Amanda and Dustin wanted to honor Amanda’s mom, who was still living, at their ceremony. So they used her wedding veil as part of their ceremony backdrop, to keep a piece of her front and center.

SHARE THEIR PHOTOS

Consider a family photo table in the ceremony space or at your cocktail hour. You can choose family wedding photos like Bailey and Brian did, or simply photos of loved ones. This is a wonderful way to celebrate those who came before, including those who are still living.

We hope this list helps you figure out how to honor loved ones at your wedding in a way that’s right for you!

Photos by Jessica Nazarova Photography, Stephanie Honikel Photography, Candice Adelle Photography, and Stefanie Kamerman Photography

48 Fields Farm is a Leesburg VA barn wedding venue for celebrations of all sizes.
Our countryside barn and vast fields are peacefully set in the heart of Northern Virginia wine country.

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