10 Wedding Ceremony Ideas to Honour Absent Loved Ones

Looking for ways to include your loved ones who have passed or are unable to be present on the day? There are a number of ways to pay homage and include friends, family and even fur babies who are not able to be with you on the day due to distance, circumstance or passing.

Here are 5 ideas to consider when you are planning your ceremony:

1. Add mementos or a photo to the signing table or create a memorial table. Your celebrant can include a reference to it in the opening introduction of the ceremony.

2. Add a charm, small memento or picture locket to a bouquet or your tie pin.

3. Include a song or a favourite poem/reading in the ceremony with an introduction so your guests appreciate how important it is to you.

4. Light a candle as part of the welcome/introduction that will burn throughout the ceremony. You can even include a moment of reflection and invitation to be present before the ceremony begins.

5. Add a section of 'thanks' to the end of the ceremony so your celebrant can make specific reference to people you want to thank for making the day possible.

6. Have a toast to those who couldn't make it (especially family/friends overseas).

7. Hold a seat with a photo of them or a place name tag, you can even invite guests or your family to add a flower to a vase on the chair as they make their way to their seats.

8. Add a photo of them to decorations or paper goods such as napkins or table numbers maybe even menu cards - this works really well for fur babies.

9. Have a message book dedicated to them so you can share guest and family comments with the after the day - this is wonderful for older family members that may not be able to travel.

10. Take their photo with you to include in some of your family or couples' shots. Or include their photo as a prop for family and guests hold if you are having a photobooth.

    
    

As with all ceremony things there is no right or wrong. If you do want to remember, commemorate or celebrate loved ones who aren't with you on the day speak to your celebrant about it so they can support you in finding the ideal solution for your ceremony.

These ideas are suitable for marriage ceremonies, wedding speeches, naming's and celebration of life ceremonies.

Personally, I love helping my couples and families find creative solutions to things like this. My work as a celebrant takes me across the Gold Coast, into the Hinterland, around the Scenic Rim and all across Brisbane. I love helping couples make their ceremony feel like them and resonate with their values. Give me a call, I am happy to help!

A toast to those who couldn't be with us. Image by NML Photography