deployed groomsman!

cbarnes18

one of my groomsmen is going to be deployed during our wedding. We are not taking him out because he means the world to us both and we want him included! so our sides will be even in the program but there will be a person missing.

we were trying to think of an original idea to represent our deployed marine. maybe our solo BM walk carrying picture of him or something. i just dont want it to look like he died!!! lol!

also my bridal party will be seated so his seat will be empty and the BM could put whatever in his seat...i just have run out of ideas as to what!

HELP!

Summer2011Bride

I In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_deployed-groomsman-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:094c5edc-04ee-488a-a765-579c5bcebb1dPost:f97b39bb-1511-4a0c-b05f-be602073a87c">deployed groomsman!</a>:
[QUOTE]one of my groomsmen is going to be deployed during our wedding. We are not taking him out because he means the world to us both and we want him included! so our sides will be even in the program but there will be a person missing. we were trying to think of an original idea to represent our deployed marine. maybe our solo BM walk carrying picture of him or something. i just dont want it to look like he died!!! lol! also my bridal party will be seated so his seat will be empty and the BM could put whatever in his seat...i just have run out of ideas as to what! HELP!
Posted by cbarnes18[/QUOTE]

I think both those ideas will make it seem like he has died. If anything, I might make mention in the program that, due to serving our country, so and so is not in attendance (you can word it better than I did). Otherwise, I would just send him pictures or a video of the wedding and let him know you miss him.

kmmssg

I'm a MOB and 26 year vet.  Please skip both of those ideas (which I am sure are well intended) as it would make it look like he died!

This is what I would do - put a blurb in your program that your groomsman can't be with you today because he is serving his country.  If you have a religious service you might even have your officient mention him in one of the prayers.  You could leave his spot at the altar open too.

Then, as the bride, you could secretly ask this guy to tape a toast, while he is deployed, to be played at your wedding as a surprise to your DH.  

theelusive1

I would not leave the space but put it in your program.  Groomsman john doe will not be with us today, he is currently deployed in service to our great country. We will miss him but we also thank him for defending our freedom.

I agree with PP that you have him tape a toast and play it on a computer for your FI at the reception.  Also I would tape him a little video of your missing him and your thanks for his service and you will pop a tab for him and when he is home you can drink one together.

Being military we have seen this done often.

tonyadombrowski

I absolutely love the idea of taping the toast to be played as a surprise!

Jen4948

The sides don't have to be even, so don't leave the space or ask your solo bridesmaid to carry his picture or anything like that. 

Putting a notice in your program should work, and I also like the idea of the tape for him.

Lindzxxo

Anyway you can request for him to Skype during at least the ceremony and have someone carry him down the aisle on an Ipad? That way he is still included and people don't think he is dead...

Ven&Radio

I just wanted to say I love the idea of having the deployed groomsman pre-record a toast or get skyped in for the ceremony.  My fiance's brother (the best man) is in the navy and we don't know if he'll be able to attend yet.  I'll pull him aside when we see him at Christmas and make these suggestions in case he ends up on deployment for our wedding.

cbarnes18

thank yall so much!! we dont want our groomsman looking dead, that's for sure!

and the only reason i mentioned a space is because my wedding party will be seated during the entire ceremony.

im praying we can get him on skype! poor guy not only has to watch his best friend get married on skype but also his first child is due during this upcoming deployment!  

thanks again everyone!!!