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Memorial Ideas
If you would like to include a special moment in lighting a candle for a lost loved one, you can do so during the Unity Candle Ceremony. Visit our Pinterest page for more ideas with photos.
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Light a Memorial Candle.
If you want to include grandparents or parents that you have lost before you light your Unity Candle, you may want to think about adding this to your ceremony: provide a table at or near the front of the ceremony venue. On it, place a Memorial Candle in tribute to your loved ones. Ask your Officiant to include them at the beginning of the candle-lighting ceremony. For example, "Before (Bride) and (Groom) light a candle to symbolize their union, they will light a candle in honor of (Loved One), whom they dearly miss, and who they know is present with them here today." Then, light the Memorial Candle, ask the Officiant to say a prayer or poem or reading, then move to the altar to light your Unity Candle. Another way to honor loved ones is to light a Memorial Candle, then place a rose in front of the candle in memoriam.
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Light Taper Candles In Memoriam.
It is traditional to have one or both parents light the individual tapers for their children before the bride and groom light the Unity Candle. If one or both of your parents is deceased, there are several ways to honor them. First, you the bride or groom can light the taper yourself and ask the Officiant to acknowledge the act before you light the Unity Candle. You may also think of using candelabras, and having sisters, brothers, or other family members light a candle for each relative that is no longer with you.
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More Memorial Ideas
1. Have a special moment in the ceremony when all your family members can come forward and light candles in memorial of loved ones.
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2. As a beautiful reminder and also a keepsake of your wedding, have a Memorial Candle printed with your loved one's name on it.
3. Set up a small table at the wedding reception with a flower arrangement and a card saying “In memory of those loved ones who are not with us today” or more specifically, “In memory of Marcy Mable, mother of the bride.” You could also put a picture of the bride or groom with the deceased person you are honoring.
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4. Place a flower on a seat in the front row, and/or a picture of the deceased family member. It can remain unmentioned or the officiant can refer to it at a certain point in the ceremony.
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5. Place a photo of the deceased family member on the altar or near the unity candle table or sand ceremony table.
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6. Place a memorial candle which the bride or groom (or both) will light at the start of the ceremony. A picture of the deceased family member can also be placed next to it. Include in the program that the memorial candle is being lit in memory of ___________.
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7.In response to the question, "Who presents this Bride in marriage?" the response might be, "In memory of her Father ___________full name of Father here____ I do."
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8. After welcoming the guests, the officiant can say, "Before we begin our celebration today, the Bride and Groom would like us all to take a moment to remember those family members who can be with them today solely in spirit, especially mother of the bride ________. Bride appreciates all of the love and support _______ has given her throughout the years and would like to take a moment to remember her today. There is then a 10 second pause.
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9. Before the vows the officiant says, before we continue, the Bride and Groom would like us all to take a moment to remember those family members who can be with them today solely in spirit, especially mother of the bride ___________________. There is then a 10 second pause.
10. Compile a floral centerpiece. Have a vase on the altar, or at the back of the ceremony site. Give each guest a white flower as they enter and have them place it in the vase at a certain point in the ceremony. When you get to the last flower it is announced that it will be placed in the vase in memory of the deceased family member. As a final symbolic gesture, the bride and groom can each insert a red rose into the center of the arrangement, signifying the couple being surrounded by the love and support of their family and friends. The arrangement can be used to decorate the head table or in another location at the reception.
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11. Incorporate butterflies into your ceremony which are released at a certain time.
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12. If you will be having a wedding program you can have a page or paragraph dedicated to the deceased family member (preferably a picture with the bride and or groom). You can write something like: Today, we keep in our hearts those who celebrate with us in spirit. Then write all of the names of family member who are deceased along with their relationship to the bride or groom. Or just write the name of one deceased family member.
13. Light a memorial candle during a special song or poem. In the program you can have the song / poem printed in memory of your deceased loved one or in loving memory of ________________.