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North Carolina-Outer Banks
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Honoring Late Friends/Family

sarahebrownsarahebrown member
100 Comments
in North Carolina-Outer Banks
Hey All,
So my FI grew up very close to his cousin. His cousin died tragically in a car wreck when FI was 17. He still talks about him often and he mentioned to me that if he was still alive, he would definitely be his best man in the wedding. So, I thought it would be nice to include something in our day to pay tribute to him. Here's my suggestions thus far:

1) Leave chair empty in front row with a sign/picture dedicated to him
2) Have Officiant ask our guests to observe a moment of silence in his honor during the ceremony
3) Acknowledge his memory during the reception with a toast

What do you all think would be best??
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Re: Honoring Late Friends/Family

  • obxlaurakobxlaurak member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I plan on putting something in the program about those that cannot be with us. 

    Maybe a picture of him and his cousin by the guestbook?
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  • JAK33JAK33 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011

    Either including him in the program or during the ceremony asking to remember those that couldn't be there in person, but in sprit.  Either are good ways to include anyone else you may have been close with that passed I think. 

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  • dwfangirldwfangirl member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We had a memorial candle at the reception near the guest book honoring several people who passed away.  We printed out a message that said something like,

    "This candle burns in loving memory of:
    John Smith
    Jane Doe

    We know you are here with us in spirit."

    and put the printout of the text into a 5x7 picture frame next to the candle. 

    We also had those people named during the prayers of the faithful during our ceremony (Catholic). 
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  • rebecca2929rebecca2929 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011

    I'd go with the empty chair.  My dad is no longer here so I plan on leaving an empty chair and putting a Gardenia in it.  He planted 2 huge Gardenia bush's in our backyard when I was a kid and he always loved to clip flowers from the bush and put them in a vase for me.  If they're still blooming, I'm gonna clip one from the bush in my mom's backyard to use.

    Anniversary
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  • Flip0330Flip0330
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We have the same thing - my FI's sister passed away about 6 years ago and it has been a really hard thing to go through for his entire family.
    I was too thinking about having our offciant mention her specifically (and a of couple others that we have lost that were close to us), however, I didn't want it to turn into a sad moment during the ceremony.
    God knows that I would lose it!  That would be my only fear of leaving an empty chair...
    The officiant is still going to mention those that have passed...but more like "those who could not be with us physically are with us in spirit", etc.
    I am going to put something in the program that mention each person as well. 
    I also love the candle idea.
    Having a toast is also a really nice idea as well
    Good luck...this kind of stuff is always tough.


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  • JAK33JAK33 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_north-carolina-outer-banks_honoring-late-friendsfamily?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:598Discussion:a0932935-b967-40c2-8ed5-6a410740399dPost:7a6a7bbb-65db-461d-b056-d40b5745dacb">Re: Honoring Late Friends/Family</a>:
    [QUOTE]I'd go with the empty chair.  My dad is no longer here so I plan on leaving an empty chair and putting a Gardenia in it.  He planted 2 huge Gardenia bush's in our backyard when I was a kid and he always loved to clip flowers from the bush and put them in a vase for me.  If they're still blooming, I'm gonna clip one from the bush in my mom's backyard to use.
    Posted by rebecca2929[/QUOTE]

    This is so beautiful, what as awesome way to remember your Dad!
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  • ldybug78ldybug78
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011

    The empty chair sounds beautiful (and totally making me tear up)

    Lisa Daisypath - Personal pictureDaisypath Anniversary tickers
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