In our Ask A Planner series, Atlanta’s top wedding planners answer questions submitted by our brides:

If a bride has a parent that has passed away, how can she honor them at the wedding? Any creative ideas that you can share?

I’ve had this very situation come up and there are a couple of different ways – but one of the most poignant is to leave their chair/seat open at the ceremony with a rose placed on the seat. A message could be placed in the ceremony program indicating the reason for the rose.  In conjunction with this, a “memory candle” could be placed at the ceremony (or even the reception). If used at the ceremony, then the “In Memory” description would be placed in the ceremony program.  If used at the reception, it could be placed by the guest book with a framed photo of the deceased parent and a message indicating that the candle is burning in memory of…
Janice P. Blackmon
Janice Blackmon Events

Missing a loved one on your special day can be difficult but there are many ways to keep them close and honor them during your wedding celebration. If you have lost your grandmother or mother, you might consider carrying their picture in a locket attached to your bouquet or having your bouquet wrapped in a fragment of their wedding gown. A piece of jewelry passed down through the generations could be used to honor them as well as signify your “something old.” If a grandfather or father has passed before your wedding, you may honor them by wearing a military ribbon or award they were granted on the inside hem of your gown, just be sure it is secure. If the loved one’s wedding band is available and your groom is willing, what better way to celebrate the love shared by another generation than by gifting his ring to your new husband? If there are not any mementos available from your loved ones who have passed, why not have “rose bearers” who place roses in memory of the deceased on the alter before your ceremony?  Such a touching tribute to those you love.
Candice Gurr
Signature Weddings by Candice

Everyone who has ever lost a loved one knows how hard it is to not be able to share their special day together, but they are there in Spirit and there are many ways to recognize them. Here are a few of my favorites:

• Wear a piece of their jewelry or wrap it around the bridal bouquet
• Have their initials sew into a hankie or on the wedding dress
• Place a photo of the lost one on their chair (see photo)
• Carry a bouquet with one single blossom that sticks out from the others, perhaps one yellow rose in a white bouquet for a lost friend
• Choose a bouquet made of their favorite flowers or compose of their favorite colors
• Play a song that reminds you of them
• Light a candle at the alter or placed by the entrance in their honor
• Recite their favorite scriptures or poem during the ceremony
• Place beside the programs a photo and a note explaining the significance of your loved one and what you share (see photo)

A bride should never have to walk down the aisle alone, so if she has lost her father then have her mother, brothers or his brother escort her instead; however, she may enter the chapel alone and meet her escort at the beginning of the aisle before they walk down together.
My condolences to all brides and grooms as they weigh the options and miss their parent.
Elizabeth Stephenson
Table 6 Productions