Honoring A Deceased Parent: A Guide To Writing Wedding Programs

There are many ways to honour a deceased parent in a wedding program. If you want to include a brief tribute to a deceased parent or honour multiple deceased relatives, you can create a Dedication page at the end of the program with headings such as Dedication, Thank You, or In Memoriam. Here, you can list the names of the deceased and write a heartfelt message, such as On this joyous day, we remember those who could not be with us. Alternatively, you can list your deceased parent as part of the wedding party by including your living parent's name first, followed by something like The Late Mr. Arthur Den. This honours the deceased without adding an entire page to the program.

Include a 'Dedication' page at the end of the program

A wedding is a time of celebration, but it can also be a reminder of loved ones lost. If you want to honour a deceased parent on your wedding day, a "Dedication" page at the end of the program is a great way to do so. Here are some ideas for what to include:

Names and Heartfelt Messages

List the names of the deceased and write a heartfelt message. For example, "On this joyous day, we remember those who could not be with us." You could also include a specific dedication to your late parent, such as "In loving memory of [Name], who is forever in our hearts."

Recipes

If your parent was known for their cooking or baking skills, consider including one of their special recipes in the program. You could add a note such as, "Although [Name] cannot be here today, we honour them by including their beloved [dish name] recipe. Please use it to spread love and joy to your own families."

Quotes and Poems

Share a meaningful quote or poem that reminds you of your parent. This could be something they loved or a piece that captures how you feel about their absence.

Photos and Memorabilia

Display framed photographs and memorabilia from your parent's life at the front of the reception hall. This will allow guests to reflect on their memory as they enter.

Flowers

If your parent had a favourite flower or plant, incorporate this into the program design or use it as a decorative element at the ceremony.

Remember, there is no right or wrong way to honour a deceased parent. Do what feels right for you and your family, and know that their memory will be cherished on your special day.

List your deceased parent as part of the wedding party

There are several ways to list your deceased parent as part of the wedding party in your wedding program. Here are some suggestions:

List the Deceased Parent's Name with "The Late"

When listing the parents of the bride or groom, include the name of your living parent first. Underneath their name, include your deceased parent's name with the prefix "The Late". For example, "The Late Mr. Arthur Den". This simple approach honours the deceased without requiring an entire page in the program.

Include a "Dedication" or "In Memoriam" Section

Create a "Dedication" or "In Memoriam" section at the end of the program to list the names of deceased parents and other loved ones. You can include a heartfelt message such as, "On this joyous day, we remember those who could not be with us."

Add a Special Tribute

If your parent had a special talent for cooking or baking, include one of their recipes in the program. You could say, "Although she cannot be here today, we honour the late Isabella Perez by including her recipe in this program. Please use it to spread love and joy to your own families."

Reserve a Seat

Reserve a seat for your deceased parent at the front with a small sign or framed photograph. This can be a touching way to preserve their presence during the ceremony and reception. A sign could say, "Reserved for the late Mr. Thompson" or "Reserved in honour of Mrs. Whittier."

Share their recipe in the program

Sharing a recipe from your deceased parent is a wonderful way to honour them at your wedding. Here are some ideas on how to go about it:

Choose a Meaningful Recipe

Select a recipe that holds a special significance to you and your parent. It could be a dish they were famous for cooking or baking, or perhaps one that holds fond memories for you. It might be a family recipe passed down through generations or a dish that symbolises your parent's heritage and cultural background.

Include the Recipe in the Wedding Program

You can include the recipe in your wedding program, either on its own page or as part of a "Dedication" or "In Memoriam" section. If you wish, you can add a heartfelt message, such as:

> "Although she cannot be with us today, we honour the late Isabella Perez by including her recipe in this program. Please use it to spread love and joy to your own families."

Make it Wedding-Appropriate

Consider choosing a recipe that fits with the theme of your wedding. For example, you could include a recipe for a wedding cake, an entrée, or even a unique twist like your parent's special way of making pasta. If you wish to include a less traditional recipe, such as their favourite donut recipe, go for it! It's your wedding, and you can choose what feels right to you.

Encourage Guests to Try It

You could also encourage your guests to try making the recipe themselves. Perhaps add a line such as:

> "We invite you to try making this special recipe and spread the love and joy it brought to our family."

Add a Personal Touch

If you have a large guest list, it might not be feasible to include the entire recipe in the program. In that case, you could provide a shortened version or a link to an online recipe page. Alternatively, you could add a personal touch by sharing a story or memory associated with the recipe. For instance, you might write about how this particular dish always reminded you of home or how it was a staple at family gatherings.

Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to honouring a deceased parent. Choose the option that feels most comfortable and meaningful to you.

Reserve a seat for them at the front

There are many ways to honour a deceased parent at a wedding, and reserving a seat for them at the front is a heartfelt way to preserve their presence during the ceremony and reception. Here are some ideas to help you plan this special tribute:

Signage and Decorations

You can place a small sign on the chair with wording such as "Reserved for the late Mr. Thompson" or "Reserved in honour of Mrs. Whittier." Alternatively, a simple "In memory of [name]" sign can be just as impactful. If you'd like to add a personal touch, consider using their jacket to reserve the seat or placing a bouquet of flowers or a single flower from your bouquet on the chair. You can also block off the seat with ribbons.

Involving Family Members

If you have a family member who was particularly close to your deceased parent, you could ask them to sit in the reserved seat during the ceremony. This can be a meaningful way to involve them in the tribute.

Combining with Other Memorial Ideas

You can combine the reserved seat with other memorial ideas, such as lighting a memorial candle or displaying framed photos and memorabilia. For example, you could place a framed photo and a candle on a small table next to the reserved seat.

Timing and Location

The reserved seat is typically placed in the front row, where the parent would have sat if they were present. It is best to reserve a seat on the aisle, closest to the altar or stage, to make it easily accessible. This ensures that the tribute is visible to all guests and allows everyone to pay their respects.

Honoring Multiple Deceased Loved Ones

If you have multiple deceased loved ones you wish to honour, you can reserve a seat for each of them or opt for a more general tribute, such as a memorial table with framed photos and flowers.

Remember, there is no right or wrong way to honour a deceased parent at your wedding. Choose the memorial that gives you the most comfort, and don't be afraid to ask for help from your loved ones if you need it.

Involve your guests with a moment of reflection

There are many ways to involve your guests in a moment of reflection to honour a deceased parent during your wedding ceremony. Here are some suggestions:

A Moment of Silence

You could ask your wedding officiator to give a brief introduction of your loved one and then request your guests to pause for a moment of silence or reflection. This can be called a "moment of reflection" or a "moment of silence" to honour and remember your parent. This can be done at the beginning of the ceremony to make it feel like your deceased parent is included in the festivities.

Your officiator could say something like:

> On this day of celebration, we want to stop and reflect on those who have passed. Let’s take a brief moment of reflection to think about those who could not be with us today.

Lighting a Memorial Candle

In many cultures, lighting a candle is a symbol of unity during wedding ceremonies. A twist on this tradition is to light a candle in honour of loved ones who have passed away. You could ask your officiant to include a short statement about your loved one and then pause for you to light a candle.

Reading a Poem or Letter

Poetry can help you express your feelings and experiences. You could read a memorial poem during your wedding, either one you wrote yourself or a classic piece of poetry. Alternatively, you could read a letter from your loved one or write one of your own to explain what their love meant to you and why you want them to be a part of your wedding day.

Playing a Favourite Song

Playing your loved one's favourite song is a great way to honour their memory and share it with your guests. You could play this song during the first dance or as part of your wedding playlist.

Frequently asked questions