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While it’s not possible to have lost loved ones physically present at your wedding, it is possible to have them there, in some small way. Here at BRIDES, we see how real brides (like you!) honor their late relatives and friends in the most heartwarming of ways—always intimate, personal, and in some way fitting to the individual’s personality.
So we asked our editors to weigh in with their own unique ideas, from what they did at their weddings to sweet sentiments they’ve seen their friends and relatives do on their big days. Here, nine creative ways to honor lost loved ones on your wedding day.
“My friend honored her mom, whose name was Violet, by placing a bouquet of violets in the seat where she would’ve been.” -Jamie C.
“My cousin played our grandmother’s favorite song at her reception and the whole family got up and danced to it.” -Erin B.
“My friend and her husband served his grandmother’s famous chocolate pie as dessert, and then gave away the ingredients and recipe as their favor.” -Mary F.
“My husband and I did a table with photos and candles in memory of our deceased relatives and held a moment (probably more like 15 seconds!) of silence during our ceremony in their honor.” -Jennifer T.
“My boyfriend’s sister wore her grandmother’s engagement ring and great grandmother’s bracelet.” -Gabriella R.
“My sister lit a single candle for each immediate family member who had passed and asked the officiant to explain the symbolism.” -Samantha K.
“My friend cut a heart out of her dad’s favorite dress shirt and had it sewn on the inside of her dress.” -Michela H.
“I had a photo of my aunt engraved on a gold heart and hung it from my bouquet. My husband and I also wrote a special note to her and his late father in the program so guests could read it during the ceremony.” -Anastasia C.
“My friend and her husband exchanged vows in front of a beautiful wooden cross that was made from a tree at her late uncle’s house.” -Anna O.
See More: 7 Ways to Honor Deceased Loved Ones Without Bringing Your Wedding Down