When we were planning our wedding it was important to my husband and me, that we honored our loved ones who were no longer with us. Since we had a Roman Catholic ceremony, we honored our loved ones during the Prayers of the Faithful, where a prayer was offered for my father, my aunt, my husband’s grandmother and his cousin.  I recall kneeling at the altar as my niece recited the prayer. As she said each of their names, I was reminded of their love and felt blessed by their spiritual presence. After we were married my husband’s aunt commented on how she was grateful to hear her mother’s name as part of this prayer. I realized then that by honoring our loved ones, who were not with us, we were also honoring those who were present.

My nephew and his bride incorporated a memory table at their reception with beautifully framed photos. It was the first time I had seen a memory table and wished I had thought of it for my wedding. As I watched family members visit the memory table, I saw smiles as they remembered their loved ones. While my heart was heavy, I too walked away from the memory table with a smile after seeing my brother’s photo.

Here are a few more ideas on honoring loved ones during a wedding: reserve a moment of silence at the beginning of the ceremony, leave a bouquet at an empty seat at the ceremony, incorporate their favorite flower in your bouquet, add a photo charm to your bouquet, wear their wedding dress, wear a piece of jewelry that belonged to them or that they gave you, dance to their favorite song, add a thank you for them being a part of your life in your wedding program, or be creative and let you heart guide you.