A lot of weddings feature amazing ways to honor those loved ones who have left us. We have a whole archive dedicated to it. Let’s recap a few of our favorite (and some new) ways to memorialize your dearly departed family and friends including with memorial trees, boutonniere charms, gifting your bouquet, and even one “releasing of the goldfish.”
Offbeat Bride reader Lauren, honored her beloveds this way: “I had my grandfather and father’s monograms 3D printed into shoe clips so they ‘walked’ me down the aisle.”
Cullie honored her deceased kitty by wearing the tag on her wrist. Pets are family: it’s totally okay to honor them at your wedding!
A partner opting to wear a boutonniere could use this little charm found on Etsy in lieu of a bouquet charm.
Ben and Erin honored their departed loved ones by saving them a seat with a small LED candle in a jar.
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Scooter honored her late father with a shoe memorial so he could symbolically walk her down the aisle.
Amanda W. honored her grandmother by laying the bouquet on her grave instead of tossing it. We think that’s one super sweet way to buck tradition.
Jenni decided to honor her mother with a charm on her bouquet, but with a little extra sentiment:
When Shaun proposed to me, my mother was terminally ill. We hoped that she’d be able to attend our wedding or at least watch it from the live stream we were planning to set up for Shaun’s sister, but unfortunately she died nine months before the wedding. To make her part of the wedding, I filled a heart charm with a small portion of her ashes, and put it on my wedding bouquet.
Danielle and Nathan found a gorgeous way to honor the guests who weren’t able to be with them on their wedding day: a memory tree!
Ruben and Joaquin wanted to celebrate both their Mexican roots and their four deceased grandparents with this lovely Dia de los Muertos altar.
You can find loads of memorial signs for your photo display over on Etsy, if you’re looking for some pre-made signage.
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Jodi and Kim had a goldfish save the seat for Jodi’s mother and honor a special fishie friend all at once. Here’s how they did it:
We had seats honoring my mom who has passed, and Kimi’s best fish friend, Fishie. Fishie was very excited about our big day, but unfortunately passed away before it arrived. We released a goldfish into the fountain where we said our vows in honor of her, and her presence was felt all day.
Want more advice about wedding memorials?
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