How to honor a deceased parent?

Brian's Mom passed away then he was a little boy and he wants to have a candle lit for her so he can look at it and think of her. He doesn't want it during the ceremony. Any ideas on how to do this and where to put it? We are getting married in a Church. I suggested leaving a seat empty and said that would be upsetting.

Thanks for any help in advance!

Kim

Re: How to honor a deceased parent?

Kim,
I agree....leaving the empty seat would be too upsetting. I lost my dad and I believe we are going to honor him in our wedding program and have a candle burning in his memory. Also, we are making a donation in his name. (He died of cancer).

Re: How to honor a deceased parent?

I would def. put the candle at the sweet heart table right in the front of the room. Maybe its own seperate little table next to your table.
I love the idea of leaving a seat empty and putting a long stem rose on her seat.

Re: How to honor a deceased parent?

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Posted by panapoli

Kim,
I agree....leaving the empty seat would be too upsetting. I lost my dad and I believe we are going to honor him in our wedding program and have a candle burning in his memory. Also, we are making a donation in his name. (He died of cancer).

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So sorry Paige Thanks for 2 great ideas.

Kim

Re: How to honor a deceased parent?

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Posted by KimberlyBride

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Posted by panapoli

Kim,
I agree....leaving the empty seat would be too upsetting. I lost my dad and I believe we are going to honor him in our wedding program and have a candle burning in his memory. Also, we are making a donation in his name. (He died of cancer).

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So sorry Paige Thanks for 2 great ideas.

Kim

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Thanks Kim.

Re: How to honor a deceased parent?

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Posted by Soon2bMsZ

I would def. put the candle at the sweet heart table right in the front of the room. Maybe its own seperate little table next to your table.
I love the idea of leaving a seat empty and putting a long stem rose on her seat.

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I know I think that is a nice to leave a seat with a flower on it. Brian doesn't want to do that though. We are going to have a table of pictures and we are putting his Mom and Dad's wedding picture on there also.

Re: How to honor a deceased parent?

We thought of leaving an empty seat for my FH's father as well. But, after much thought, it would be too sad for his mother. Instead we are going to have a memory candle (on the gift table) and bud vase with a white rose (sitting on our table). We are also putting a special acknowledgement in the ceremony program. And most importantly, we are going to have the band play the chicken dance in his honor. Apparently, he was quite the party animal.

Re: How to honor a deceased parent?

my FH's dad died 20 yrs ago and I keep trying to convince him that we should honor him in some way.

the only thing I can think of is if you don't want to do anything at the ceremony. how about having 1 single candle at your sweetheart table?

Re: How to honor a deceased parent?

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Posted by Soon2bMsZ

I would def. put the candle at the sweet heart table right in the front of the room. Maybe its own seperate little table next to your table.
I love the idea of leaving a seat empty and putting a long stem rose on her seat.

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HA! GMTA!

Re: How to honor a deceased parent?

my fh lost his father at a young age also of cancer. in jewish religion which we are, we honor the decease parent with a special prayer before the cermony in private with the rabbi and us. he also will be acknowledge during our cermony. we didn't want to take the day away from us, but still wanted to have his father there in our special way. i'm sorry for all the fh's and brides who don't have a parent there. i know what my fh is going through. it's getting closer for us to get married, knowing his father is only there in spirit, really is starting to bother him.

Re: How to honor a deceased parent?

I lost my Dad a few years ago and I wrote a poem to be included in the program. I will also have a candle burning, and I'm going to ask the priest to have a small moment of silence for him to rest in peace and bless our marriage.

I will then bring that same candle to the reception and have it burn there as well.

Re: How to honor a deceased parent?

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Posted by KimberlyBride

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Posted by Soon2bMsZ

I would def. put the candle at the sweet heart table right in the front of the room. Maybe its own seperate little table next to your table.
I love the idea of leaving a seat empty and putting a long stem rose on her seat.

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I know I think that is a nice to leave a seat with a flower on it. Brian doesn't want to do that though. We are going to have a table of pictures and we are putting his Mom and Dad's wedding picture on there also.

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Oops sorry I read it too fast!

Re: How to honor a deceased parent?

This is what a friend of mine did: Even though his dad is remarried, he put out photos of his mom and dad's wedding, his dad and step mom's wedding, and the bride's parents wedding.

Also, even though it was not necessary, his invitations included his mom's name (it had his name and then it said, 'son of the Joe Smith and the Late Jane Smith.').

He did 1-2 other small things but I don't remember.

Re: How to honor a deceased parent?

we had our officant draw up a paragraph honaring friends/family that couldn't be here today.
they are here in spirit and soul looking down on us to see us in our celebration in marriage
etc... and we took a quick moment of slience and somthing about how all life is important and cherishing everyday

if you like exactly what was said..i can dig out my program

Re: How to honor a deceased parent?

That would be great...thanks mcdo15.

Re: How to honor a deceased parent?

My FH's dad died about 4 years ago. He was a military man, so I want to have a small table with his folded flag, his mom & dad wedding pic and a candle.

Re: How to honor a deceased parent?

We did that at our wedding. DH lost his father 3 years ago on mothers day. I had a ordered a candle that had his name on it I got it from exclusivly weddings I think. We had a table next to our table where we put the candle and a photo of him and the card box with rose petals around it. A lot of people kept coming over to us to tell us how nice it was. During the ceremony we had the priest say a few words about him and a prayer.

Re: How to honor a deceased parent?

Is Brian sure he doesn't want just a little something said during the ceremony? I had a quick mention of my father to include him.
But I have to say I love the idea of a candle burning. Maybe with a picture near it.

Re: How to honor a deceased parent?

I'm sorry for ladies on here who have lost a parent. Both my FH's parents have passed away. Our deacon suggested lighting two votive candles at the beginning of the cermony and just making a quick reference to them. We are getting the memorial candle to put on our table at the reception with his parents names on it.

I'm also putting this in the ceremony program. I got it from a program I saw online (probably from someone on here).

IN LOVING MEMORY

WE LOVINGLY REMEMBER [MOTHER AND FATHER OF FH], AS WELL AS THOSE WHO WE HAVE LOVED AND LOST THROUGHOUT OUR LIVES. WHO, WITH THEIR OWN UNIQUE, INDIVIDUAL AND UNFOGETABLE PERSONALITIES HAVE TOUCHED OUR LIVES IN SUCH A WAY THAT WE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME WITHOUT THEM. THEY ARE HERE WITH US TODAY, LOOKING ON WITH A SMILE, AND MAYBE A COMMENT OR TWO.
WE LOVE AND MISS THEM VERY MUCH.

Re: How to honor a deceased parent?

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Posted by adioguardi

My FH's dad died about 4 years ago. He was a military man, so I want to have a small table with his folded flag, his mom & dad wedding pic and a candle.

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That is SUCH a wonderful idea!!