How do you honor a deceased loved one during wedding ceremony or at reception? He was Veteran Military?

Desert Storm Part I. I am helping do the flowers %26amp; decorations for my friend's sons' wedding. His dad/her husband recently passed away. How do I help them plan on honoring him?

How do you honor a deceased loved one during wedding ceremony or at reception? He was Veteran Military?
One way to honor him would be to place flag on the chair that would be his during the ceremony as the bride walks down the isle.


Also, the bride would carry a special rose draped with the red, white and blue ribbon hanging down and the groom would also have the same rose and both would place them on the chair before saying the I do's.


Out of respect the minister can ask for a minute of silence before beginng the ceremony to honor him.


At the reception, have a bell at the bride and groom's table to mring when it is time to give the toast and they both can say something to honor him.


Even if he is not here with them, he can be acknowledged at different times to have him a part of the ceremony.


Sorry to hear that he has passed away while serving our country.


I applaud him for his courage and dedication for all of us here in the states.
Reply:I am planning a wedding for my "niece" (my best friends daughter) and her mother (my best friend) died of lung cancer in 2005. They were really close so we wanted to do something special. We are having a memory table sitting near the alter during the ceremony. Its going to be a pretty table with cloth, flowers, a candle, they make special memorial candles with names on them that are beautiful and a picture of her.





We like this idea, because people can see it but it won't be over powering the ceremony and taking away from the true meaning of the day which is the wedding. You don't want people mouring a loss at your wedding so keep it simple and elegant
Reply:There is a website that sells remembrance candles....


They are specifically made for events like that, and list the name, dates, and read "Watching from Heaven."


I plan to use one for my wedding and my children(s) baptisms, for my mother who died in 2004.





If I could remember the site, I would post it.
Reply:Have them place a picture of him with a lit candle in the place he would be sitting at the reception...at the parents table or head table...right next to where mom is sittingl.
Reply:I would think a group of photos depicting his life. His accomplishments, interests and happy times. Things that he liked would certainly honor him. It's a terrific idea!
Reply:We used seven white roses in a vase near the altar to represent deceased grandparents and my godmother. You could use a flower arrangement, maybe in reds, whites and blues.





You can also mention something in the program. ANd I like the idea about having a framed photo at the reception, but I don't really care for the idea about leaving an empty seat. That may be too much.





The groom can wear an American flag pin on his lapel or some other military memento of his father (maybe his dog tags under his shirt?) This too can be mentioned in the program. Also, make sure there is an American flag flying.
Reply:Not at the ceremony, but they could include a small something in the printed program. The best place for the son to talk about him is when he and the bride are giving thank yous at the reception; that's when I spoke of my deceased dad. Let the ceremony be only of joy! He will be thinking of his dad regardless.
Reply:I agree to have a small table honoring this person with a candle they light or lay a flower there to allow a moment of thought during their special day.


A flag, a picture, a medal could also be there or something that was his "favorite" they could also have or place there in honor.





Perhaps bring this to the reception and where there is a place for flowers or near the cake continue to honor him - so he's included at the "party"
Reply:Depending on the branch of service they are in, you can get members of the branch to guard the coffin until the burial and will cover it with the flag. My self being in the military would think that would be a great way to honor a military veterans death
Reply:Frame one of their favorite pics of him and put it where he should have sat along with a red rose. They can also light a Remembrance Candle during the ceremony and place it by the guest book during the reception. Sorry to hear about his passing. Good luck.
Reply:During the wedding have the minister to have a moment of silent prayer for the grooms father in memory of him not being able to be present at the wedding. If it doesnt upset the groom and his mother have a picture set at the reception table where the father would have been seated. At some receptions there is a table or picture podium of both sides of the wedding party from when the bride and groom were little or born to when they get married and have all the lifes memories up to that point displayed. The father could be in that as well.
Reply:i did a pic and a lit candle at my wedding
Reply:Get a memory candle, you can even have his picture put on it or you can make one. have his wife light the candle right before the wedding ceremony. Then tell the minister you would like to take a moment to place honor on his name and to wish he were there. It is very common.
Reply:We are honoring our grandparents by reserving one chair with a single white rose laid on it, along with a note that says reserved for the memory of Mr. %26amp; Mrs. ......I like that idea of a photo.





One of my friends at her wedding observed a moment of silence in memory of lost loved ones, very nice.





Anything more than this may be too much, remember its nice to remember someone, but the focus of the day should be the celebration of the wedding.
Reply:At my wedding we had a memorial candle lit for my husband's mother who passed away. I ordered it from www.invitationsbydawn.com. When we presented flowers for the mother's we set a bouquet next to the candle and a picture of her. Since his brother was the best man we had them light the candle together. Maybe you can have a small table with a picture of him, a candle, and his flag. We also mentioned her in the program.
Reply:Set aside a special table with his picture and some personal information. Maybe you could have a book there where people could write a little note...