How to recognize living grandparents not in attendance?

kkilborn

So we just found out that my fiance's grandparents will most likely not be able to attend our wedding next year. His grandfather will be 94 at the time of the wedding and the trip from OR to CA would be too hard on him. So we want some way to recognize them but I am afriad it will feel like they are dead. How do I do this without being depressing or making it seem like its a memorial? We plan on having a memorial candle for all those who have passed but what to do for living grandparents not there?

firsttimersluck

We were in the same situation. H's grandma couldn't travel to be there, but we didn't want to make a big deal about it.. Plenty of people couldn't be there, and we love her,.... but it's a day for US not for her. 

When we sat down after the ceremony and were getting ready to eat, H called her on his mom's cell phone. She was SOOO thrilled that he considered her enough to call her right after his wedding! Apparently she tells everyone and anyone. It meant so much to her, and it was just a personal thing between him and her. 

AurorasEnvy

I agree, calling them or skyping them would probably be the best idea and most meaningful for the missing family member.

Or maybe take a photo of you guys holding a "Wishing you were here, Grandma & Grandpa" or "Thinking of you..." sign at some point during the wedding and have it framed to give to them after?

BreannaNM

My grandpa had open heart surgery a three weeks before my brother's wedding and was not able to leave the hospital in time for the wedding. We set up a small table with a laptop on it in the front of the church that streamed the ceremony live to his hospital bed and my aunt and uncle went and watched with him so he wouldn't be alone.

After the ceremony, we all (bride, groom and ALL attendants) went to the hospital to say hi. A nurse wheeled him down to the main entrance and we took pics with the bride and groom and grandparents and then a few with the entire wedding party. My grandpa was SO thrilled and he still has the picture with the whole wedding party up in his house.

misstomrstodr

The skype thing is a great idea if possible - our ceremony is outdoors, however, so I'm hoping that we can send her a video of the ceremony after the festivities are over so at least my grandma in CA got to see it and all the special little details. It's also a great idea to call them as soon as possible, because as previously mentioned, it will go such a long way that you took time out of your special day to share a moment with them