Honouring your loved ones.

Honouring lost loved ones during a wedding or celebration is really important for many of us. It often becomes quite special and significant, especially if they played a big role in your life. And it’s important to plan ahead, as it can make it much more calming for you knowing that honouring them is planned into the day. It can help you emotionally prepare.

There are so many special ways to honour your loved one; it can be done privately, or more publicly depending on what you feel most comfortable doing.

If a loved one has recently passed, you may want to remember them more privately, as it may be too overwhelming to openly honour them.

Remembering this loved one’s personality and what they would have been comfortable with is also something to think about. They may have loved being the centre of attention and therefore something more public may be suitable. They may have been also one to shy away from the spotlight, so something more discrete may be best. It can be challenging and really must be thought through whilst keeping them in mind, as well as yourself, and those who will be at your celebration who knew and loved them too.

Here are some memorable ways to include that person in your day:

Keep them close to your heart

Keep on yourself something small and personal they have given as a gift, or an heirloom passed down through the family. A beautiful piece of jewellery or handkerchief which you can wear, or incorporate into your wedding bouquet perhaps. Why not sew a small photo of them into your wedding dress so they are kept close to you.

These are some special ways to honour your loved one a little more privately, especially if they have only recently passed and it’s still very emotional for you.

Treasure their past possessions

They may have passed down their favourite pen which you can use to sign the registry, or champagne flutes that can be used to toast. Or perhaps their wedding cake knife or beautiful set of cutlery which you can set on the bridal table.

Take a moment

This may be in the form of having a photo of them framed, or a candle lit and placed at the front table to give significance that you’re honouring them.

Many people are also dedicating parts of their ceremony to loved ones. Reading their favourite poem, walking down the aisle to their favourite song or even just simply a moment of silence is a really personal way to have them be part of the day.

Toasting to them during speeches is of course really popular, especially if your guests knew and loved them too.

A walk down memory lane

Photo tables at receptions are becoming a really popular way for guests to take a look and remember loved ones by. These could be photos taken at their own wedding, a lovely portrait, or even photos they have had taken with you at your 18^th birthday. People love to take a wander down memory lane through photos.

Share their sweet treats with your guests

Perhaps your grandmother passed down her family favourite sweet treat recipe; why not use that as the Bonbonniere so everyone knows how delicious it was too! It’s a lovely way to honour them, and the process of making it would be just as special.

A few of their favourite things

If they loved jersey caramels, make caramel a flavour of one the cake tiers. Or if roses were their favourite flower, why not include it in your bouquet, or as part of the reception floral decorations. Maybe they were renowned for making a roast every Sunday for the family; can you perhaps incorporate that that into your menu?

Honouring a loved one is a really personal and emotional gesture. It comes down to what you’re comfortable with, and what feels the most memorable and significant for you.

If you’ve honoured your loved ones differently, we’d love to know how. Please leave your ideas in the comments section below.

To listen to the full podcast of this episode of Weddings, Parties, Celebrations, click here.