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Original poster

Best ways remember deceased parents on wedding day?

30 replies

rosegold15 · 26/12/2025 22:00

Hi all,

I’m getting married in June, and I would like a special way to still feel like my dad is included, he passed away when I was a child.

I was thinking a little locket necklace with a picture of him inside, but I’d love to hear other ideas.

Recommendations?

OP posts:

Seawolves · 26/12/2025 22:03

My dad was represented by a potted hydrangea (his favourite plant) sitting on the chair next to my mum at DD's wedding, his pot also sat at his spot at the dinner table and now resides in mum's garden.

AintNoStroppinessNowHesInTheBoot · 26/12/2025 22:04

I like the locket idea op. My brother married a woman who's mum had passed away and they talked about her in the speech which was quite moving.

JollyHostess101 · 26/12/2025 22:04

My friend and a little charm made with a photo of her mum and dad and it was attached to her bouquet! It was lovely!

FettleOfKish · 26/12/2025 22:10

We bought little star pin badges from the hospice that my dear Grandad had been cared for in, had them in a basket on entry and asked people to wear them if they wished (acknowledging that not everyone would want to stick a pin through a nice outfit). Lots of people did and it was lovely to see them on lapels etc through the day. I also had a blue badge from his army uniform attached to the underside of my bouquet.

Olderbutt · 26/12/2025 22:16

My youngest daughter had two ladder easels at the entrance to the wedding and reception rooms. One with photos of her partners lost loved ones and the other with hers. She included her late Dad, his parents, my parents, great grandma that she was close to and great aunts and uncles that she had been close to as well. Nearly everyone stopped to look at the photos and thought it was a great idea.

rosydreams · 26/12/2025 22:17

i saw this on temu the other day ,i was thinking of something similar for my wedding day

ILoveMyCaravan · 26/12/2025 22:20

The vicar mentioned both our deceased parents in the church service, in a nice way not morbid. I also had some subtle flowers in my bouquet that related to my dad.

modgepodge · 26/12/2025 22:20

I had a little photo frame (locket sized) with a tiny photo of my mum in, in my bouquet.

My brother wore one of her broaches pinned inside his suit jacket, and I lent his bride a piece of jewellery of hers to wear (but said she didn’t have to of course!!)

rosydreams · 26/12/2025 22:23

sorry

Best ways remember deceased parents on wedding day?

Ezzee · 26/12/2025 22:28

I had photo cufflinks made for DH as he'd lost both his parents.
They were also included in the speeches.
I gave them to his best man to give him the morning of our wedding, this was over 20 years ago and he still has them.

100Otters · 27/12/2025 08:33

We had a display of wedding photos from our parents/grandparents/ aunts and uncles etc. Not just people who were no longer with us but I felt it was a nice way to include and remember them without putting too much focus on it as my uncle had died quite recently and I wanted to remember him without upsetting my aunt too much.

Gettoachiro · 27/12/2025 08:37

We had pictures to one side of those we had lost. Too many for a locket or anything like that, but it wasn't in your face or anything.

I like the locket idea though.

onceagainforrose · 27/12/2025 08:43

At a religious ceremony where bride and groom had both lost a parent, a candle was brought up to the front by siblings to reflect them with a prayer.

Mumof1andacat · 27/12/2025 08:45

My dh mum died 2 months unexpectly before our wedding. We didn't want too much focus on her being absent from it such as photos or an empty seat at the top table. She was mentioned in the speeches and we did a toast for her. That felt enough. We didn't want the day focusing on those who weren't there. We were very much aware she wasn't there.

Plump82 · 27/12/2025 08:50

I had a tiny locket necklace with a picture of my dad so he was with me all day. And I attached his wedding ring to my bouquet as a something borrowed. My sister did a speech and mentioned him in it also.

SleafordSods · 27/12/2025 08:54

The locket is a lovely idea. My DF had a little table at her Reception wirh sone framed photos and an electric candle. Both of the Groom’s Parents had alrwsdy passed.

It was small, tasteful and unobtrusive.

MrsMoastyToasty · 27/12/2025 08:56

When my cousin, who was a widower, remarried he placed his daughter's bridesmaids bouquet on his first wife's grave. His new wife , who had also been previously widowed, placed her bouquet on her first husband's grave.

caringcarer · 27/12/2025 08:56

I put my wedding bouquet on my Dad's grave.

columnatedruinsdomino · 27/12/2025 09:14

I love the potted plant on the pew!
Can you wear his watch or put his wedding ring on a neck chain? Definitely have his photo somewhere. Whatever you decide it will be lovely.

bumphousebump · 27/12/2025 09:56

My nephew referenced his mum in his speech in a really nice way (and also, his stepmum who is absolutely lovely ). I have been to other weddings where there has been a picture on the table. The locket or a piece of her jewellery sounds a lovely idea.

DivorcedButHappyNow · 27/12/2025 10:05

At my wedding last May, I painted place pebbles for all our guests and also added in everyone that couldn’t come because they had passed or were too unwell etc

Those pebbles sat in the middle of the tables, amongst the flowers and pots of herbs (we had two long tables) so they were with us and after the wedding I took them home and they are now by my pond in my garden.

my husband had lost both his parents and my father had had surgery. It really warmed our hearts they were with us.

Original poster

rosegold15 · 28/12/2025 05:53

Thank you all so much for your lovely replies, I love all of them they are all so sweet and moving, I’m definitely not short of ideas now! Thank you💐

OP posts:

user1492757084 · 28/12/2025 06:01

Include his favourite flowers in your bouquet.
The locket idea is sweet.
You don't need to broadcast it.

Toast all who could not be here today and thank them for the love they showed you both through the years.

Eat an extra serving of cake or their favourite sweet and think of them.

Musicaltheatremum · 02/01/2026 17:38

My daughter mentioned her father and grandmother in her wedding speech. At my wedding I mentioned my first husband and my wonderful new husband mentioned him too which was rather lovely.

Also the minister who married me had been a great friend of my husband having met him at our church when he was locumming(he was partially retired). He did my husband's funeral then 10 years later did my wedding and the next year did my daughter's wedding.

He was really emotional during my daughter's wedding as my son walked her down the aisle and he is the spitting image of his father and the minister said all he could see was my late husband. It was though still a very happy day.

Crikeyalmighty · 02/01/2026 17:44

A wedding I went to both the brides parents had passed away and there were lovely pictures of them on a table where wedding presents and message book was placed - the best man also mentioned them in his speech

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