30 Sweet Ways to Honour a Deceased Loved One at Your Wedding

While your wedding is a beautiful celebration of love and commitment, it’s only natural to feel the absence of beloved family members or friends who aren’t there to join in the happiness. Honouring these special individuals at your wedding is a meaningful way to keep their memory alive, and there are countless thoughtful wedding memorial ideas to help you do just that.

There’s no right or wrong way to acknowledge a much-loved friend or relative who has passed – it is your day, and you must do what feels right and appropriate. There are various personal and meaningful ways to honour them, and the approach you take can range from a public tribute to a subtle, private acknowledgment.

You can pay homage to them in your ceremony or at the reception, or you might choose to do something privately in the run-up to the wedding – do whatever brings you the most comfort.

Some couples will have a physical tribute at the wedding, possibly a photo collection or a memorial table. “Incorporate photos of your loved ones, with signage saying something simple, such as ‘those who can’t be with us’ or ‘to loved ones we have lost.’ Keep it accessible for guests, but also not too imposing, in case it causes upset,” says wedding planner, Hannah Rose of Hannah Rose Weddings.

“There are other options to keep the memory subtle. You could have a photo of them in a small, keyring-sized frame attached to your bouquet, or for the groom, a photo in their inside pocket, so that person is with you when you are at the top of the aisle/walking down the aisle.”

Before making a decision, it's important to think about several factors that might influence your choice:

• The bond the deceased shared with you and your partner.
• The timing of your wedding – if it’s soon after the passing, certain tributes may be emotionally difficult.
• The comfort level of those closest to the deceased – involve them in the planning, as some may find reminders of loss particularly sensitive.

Ready to find the perfect tribute to your lost loved one? Find the right section for you below:

• Wedding ceremony memorial ideas
• Wearable wedding memorial ideas
• Wedding memorial table ideas
• Unique wedding memorial ideas
• Wedding memorial FAQs

Wedding Memorial Ideas: The Ceremony

If you want to honour your loved one at your ceremony, there are many remembrance wedding ideas you can choose from. You can include a physical memorial or nod to their honour through words or songs.

1. Ask Your Officiant to Say Some Words

Many remembrance wedding ideas include saying something to honour your loved one. Sometimes this may feel too emotional to do yourself – and if this is the case, then you can ask your celebrant / priest / officiant to do this on your behalf. They could mention them at any point that you feel is appropriate, and you could even pen something for them to read.

2. Save a Seat at the Ceremony

While it may feel sad to see an empty chair where they would have been sitting, you could dress a chair as a beautiful honour. Maybe with a photo of them, or a special sign. You could even dress it with a bouquet similar to what the bridal party is holding. You can dress it up as much as you like, or just have something simple if you want to keep it more low-key.

3. Include a Tribute in the Order of Service

The inside front or back page of your ceremony programme is the ideal place for including a message in your loved one’s honour. You can write something heartfelt, or you could include a poem, a quote from a book or a religious passage – and you could add a photo of them too. If you would like some wedding remembering loved ones wording inspiration, we love the idea of a short quote such as:

• “We hold their memories close to our hearts.” 
• “May their presence be felt in this special moment.”

4. Mention Them in the Vows

You can incorporate your loved one in your vows – speak with your vicar or celebrant to get their advice on an appropriate way to do this. You can discuss a special memory, or even reflect on something they did in their marriage that resonates with you.

Equally, if you find it hard to say such emotion-filled words, you could ask for a moment of silence in the ceremony to remember them and reflect on a favourite memory with them.

5. Light a Candle

One of the more traditional wedding memorial ideas is to light a candle of remembrance. It would be lovely to include this in your ceremony and would nod to how brightly your memory of them shines. You can have a simple candle, or if you want, you could buy a personalised candle or a personalised sign to put next to it, which you can keep afterwards as a special memento.

6. Dedicate a Reading

If you are having readings as part of your ceremony, why not dedicate one to them? You could select a passage you know they would like, or maybe a poem that reminds you of them. We adore these words from an untitled work by writer R.M. Drake:

• “You will be the clouds and I will be the sky, you will be the ocean and I will be the shore, you will be the trees and I will be the wind. Whatever we are, you and I will always collide.”

7. Dedicate a Song to Them

As you walk down the aisle, wait at the altar, or maybe when you sign the register, you could play some music that reminds you of them, or that you know was a particular favourite of theirs. If you are having hymns, why not choose something that they had at their own wedding, or that reminds you of them?

Make Me a Channel of Your Peace is a gorgeous choice, as it is all about remembering peace and love.

Wedding Memorial Ideas: Wearable Items

If you want to include a really personal memorial, you could consider incorporating your remembrance wedding ideas into your outfit or as part of your ensemble. You could easily slip a photo or cherished note into your pocket, but there are many other more detailed options.

8. Bespoke Embroidery

Many bridal boutiques will help you to include sewn-in message or small outline-picture on your dress – and the same goes for suits. You could even have a personalised pocket square. Specialists can copy handwriting and notes, or create motifs that feel representative to you.

A great idea is to have your special embroidery created on a patch, which can be located anywhere you like. The train of your dress maybe, or the inside pocket of a jacket perhaps. 

9. A Personalised Veil

As well as a patch in your dress or suit, one of our favourite wedding remembrance ideas is to have some special embroidery on your wedding veil, but there are so many other options to consider.

Crafting bespoke wedding veils is my canvas for weaving cherished memories into beautiful and tangible tributes. From delicate blooms reminiscent of a loved one's favourite flower to the elegant script of a meaningful phrase, each stitch is a silent homage to their presence,” says Rebecca Anne of Rebecca Anne Designs.

10. Wear a Family Heirloom

Do you have something that has been left to you by your loved one, or a gift that they gave to you? Maybe you could borrow an item for the day?

This is one way to keep them with you for the whole day, from ceremony to the end of the night. Jewellery would be ideal, or a watch perhaps. Alternatively, do you have a pocket square of theirs, or a handkerchief you can keep in your pocket?

11. Incorporate Their Favourite Flowers

Did your loved one have a favourite flower? If you are thinking of in loving memory wedding ideas to honour them, including flowers they really adored is a lovely idea. Maybe you could have the flower in your bouquet, or you could arrange a special buttonhole with a stem of the bloom.

Perhaps you could use their birth month flower if that feels more special to you. Speak to your wedding florist, who will be able to help with ideas.

12. Add a Keepsake to Your Bouquet

Another idea for your florals – if you are carrying a bouquet, you could add a charm so they are walking down the aisle with you. You could opt for a lock of hair or a photo charm, or even a symbol of something that you remember them by – such as a feather.

13. Wear Their Favourite Scent

A unique wedding memorial idea is to wear their favourite aftershave or perfume on the day. Not everyone will know the meaning of the scent, so it is one way to keep things private if you so wish.

Plus, if you buy a bottle, you’ll have happy reminders of your friend or family member whenever you spritz it on.

14. Wedding Party Colours

Did your loved one have a favourite colour? Or is there a colour you remember them wearing often? You could choose your wedding party outfits in this shade, or even include a small item, maybe the ribbon on your flowers or a hairpin. 

Memory Table Ideas for Weddings

A wedding memorial table is a beautiful and meaningful way to honour your loved ones who have passed. It serves as a heartfelt space for both you and your guests to reflect, reminisce and feel connected to those who may no longer be physically with your. By setting up a memory table at your reception, you create a spot where memories can be celebrated and emotions can be shared.

15. Choose the Perfect Space

Your table can be up front or kept in a low-key area – and the size totally depends on what you want to do with it. Some people want to include a floral display, which is lovely, or you could just have a simple photo and a candle.

It may be something you want at your reception for just the wedding breakfast and speeches, but it can be removed for later in the evening if you so wish.

16. Decorate It in Their Honour

As you plan your wedding memorial table ideas, you could create a space that just feels distinctly ‘them’. For example, if they had some favourite flowers, try and include them.

Or use a tablecloth in their favourite colour, or perhaps, you could theme the table’s colour. Is there a fragrance that reminds you of them? Maybe keep a bottle of it on the table, or a candle with that scent.

17. Create a Special Piece of Art

One of our favourite wedding memorial ideas for a table is getting a piece of art made for the occasion. You can have something hand-illustrated, or you can get something that is digitally hand-finished that shows you and your loved one. It’s a gorgeous honour for the day and something extra special for you to keep afterwards.

18. A Collection of Photos

There may be more than one person you want to honour on your special day, and a really simple but beautiful idea is to have photos of them all on your memory table.

You could coordinate the photo frames, or you could pick a mix of styles for a more whimsical look – or choose frames in different colours that you know that individual person would have loved.

19. A Photo Backdrop

If you want your table to have a floral display or candles, then you could create a backdrop that includes images of your loved ones. You could place frames on the wall, create a collage, or have a selection pinned on strings.

This would also look great if hung outdoors or at the entrance, and gives you the opportunity to have multiple images of your loved one in your wedding memorial, or of the different people you want to honour.

20. A Memory Tree

A similar idea would be to have a pretty memory tree, decorated with lights and a collection of small snaps. Again, this is a pretty keepsake for the future, but would be an extra special wedding memorial idea for your reception.

21. A Subtle Card or Sign

Having images and a big display isn’t the right choice for everyone. If you want something subtle, but that’s still beautiful, then you could opt for a written or printed sign with a few words and your loved one’s name. You can put this in a frame of your choice and have it on a memorial table or even on the head table with you if you want the tribute close by.

Wedding Memorial Ideas: Unique Touches

If you don’t like the idea of a memorial table, then there are so many other ways of remembering loved ones at your wedding reception. There are tributes in speeches, playing music they loved, and even offering drinks or favourite food items you know they would have really enjoyed.

22. Play Their Favourite Song

If your loved one adored dancing, or there was a piece of music or song that reminds you of them, then you can absolutely include this at your wedding reception. You could have it playing at a time when you are greeting guests, or as part of the dancing celebrations in the evening.

You can say a few words before the song is played, or keep it as a personal touch that just you and your partner know about. If you want to make it a more prominent part of the day, you could get your band to announce that the song is dedicated to the special person and invite your guests to join you on the dance floor to honour them.

23. Incorporate Their Favourite Drink or Cocktail

If you are serving drinks or having a cocktail hour, then why not serve a drink you know they would have really enjoyed. Did they have a signature cocktail perhaps? Or was there a tipple they were known for drinking? You could even have a sign at the bar with a note saying: “Share one of their favourite drinks with us.”

24. Serve Their Favourite Dish

Of course, the wedding food you serve at your wedding should be your own favourite. But if there is something that they particularly adored, maybe you could incorporate it somehow. Did they love baking sourdough bread? Maybe you could serve some with your starter. Or did they have a deep love of Eton mess? It would make a special dessert.

25. Include a Cake Flavour They Loved

If you are having a multi-tier cake, you could have one layer in their favourite flavour… or even an array of their favourites at a dessert station. Imagine a spread of chocolate brownies, a Victoria sponge, and a zesty lemon drizzle cake. You could set up a frame with the dessert menu dedicated to them.

26. Wedding Favours

If you are looking for really special wedding memorial ideas, then we adore the thought of offering a wedding favour in honour of them. You could offer jars of their favourite sweets, or perhaps miniature bottles of their favourite drink. We also love charity wedding favours, where donations are made in that person’s honour, and then guests get a card or pin in tribute to this.

27. Have a Memory Jar

While it may feel too bittersweet to ask guests to add to a memory jar on the day, you could have a pre-filled jar there for guests to cast fond memories over. You could write some small notes with fun memories, quotes or sayings they loved, or some of the things you know they would have wished for you on your wedding day.

Alternatively, if you have lots of small reminders of them in your wedding, you could write out what these different things are, and your guests can read them in private moments of thought.

28. Guest Book

If you want your loved one to feel like part of your special day, one of the special remembrance wedding ideas is to include them in your guest book. The first page could have a photo of them attached, and a few words that feel poignant. “We wish you were here to celebrate with us. Our memories of you will always make you the most special, loved guest to be with us in spirit.”

29. Include Them in the Speeches

You could say a few words in your speech to remember them on the day, or you could ask one of your wedding party to pay homage to them.

If it feels too emotional for you to do this, you could ask for the words – “We are thinking of those we wish were here” – to be said, and even raise a glass to them that has been specially engraved with their name or a meaningful few words.

30. Give a Special Toast

As well as including them in your speech, you could simply raise a toast to your loved one. You or one of the bridal party could raise the toast with a few personal words, or you could embrace a famous and meaningful quote.

Wedding Memorial Ideas: Ideas for toasts

We adore these remembrance wedding ideas – short toasts and quotes to honour your loved one at your reception.

• Quote by Gandhi: “There are no goodbyes, wherever you'll be, you'll be in my heart.”
• Quote by Winnie the Pooh: “How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” – Winnie the Pooh
• Quote by Eleanor Roosevelt: “Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.”
• Quote by John M. Simmons: “Friends come into our lives and friends leave our lives. But friends never leave our hearts. And best friends always get to stay in the best places in our hearts.”
• Quote by Helen Keller: “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen nor even touched, but just felt in the heart.”

Wedding Memorial FAQs

Got questions about how to create a tribute to a lost loved one at your wedding? We've answered all your questions about wedding memorials here.

How can you honour a deceased loved one at your wedding?

There are so many ways to honour your loved one. The most important thing is to do what feels right and appropriate to you as a couple. This could be something in the ceremony or reception, or you could even take time in the days leading up to the wedding to do something special for them. You could have a meal in their honour, you could walk to one of their favourite spots or you could even have a movie night to cosy up and enjoy their favourite film. 

What are meaningful ways to remember loved ones at a wedding?

Meaningful wedding remembrance ideas include a memory table for wedding, a keepsake in your bouquet, or including their favourite flowers in your décor. You can also dedicate a special toast or song in their honour. Think about what you think they would like the most – play a song for music lovers, read a poem or a passage from a book they loved, or even serve up their favourite dessert. 

How do you word a wedding memorial for a program or signage?

For a wedding memorial, wording can include phrases like “In loving memory of those who are forever in our hearts” or “This day is for you, too, forever loved and remembered.” Or you can simply include a photo of them with their name. Alternatively, check out our ideas for toasts, they would all look wonderful in print and offer really heartfelt sentiments. 

What is a wedding memorial table?

A wedding memorial table is a space set up to honour deceased loved ones, often with framed photos, that serves as a poignant reminder during the reception. When planning memorial table ideas for a wedding, one popular option is to display the framed photos along with their names and dates of birth or passing.

You might also consider adding sentimental mementoes, such as a favourite piece of jewellery, a letter, or an object that holds special meaning. 

A memory table for a wedding could also feature framed quotes – whether it's a line from their favourite song, a line of poetry, or even a quote about love. These words can serve as a beautiful tribute, helping others to connect with their memory. Alternatively, you could create a small book for guests to flip through, containing some of their favourite sayings or memories.

If the person you are honouring had a favourite saying, lyric, or even a mantra, displaying that framed beautifully adds an emotional touch.

To enhance how your memorial table looks, consider creating something in their favourite colour, display flowers they were fond of or incorporate a candle display – perhaps in their favourite scent or colour – creating a peaceful, serene atmosphere. 

As you plan your wedding memorial table ideas, remember the size is completely up to you. It could be a modest yet meaningful arrangement with just a few photographs and keepsakes, or it could be a larger, more elaborate setup filled with flowers, quotes, and mementoes. It’s important that the table reflects your personal feelings and connection to the person you are honouring.

What are some creative ideas for a wedding in memory of a loved one?

If they were a creative soul, you can honour this with some personal artwork, write notes to display on why you wish they were there, or include a whole photo album for guests to look through. Keep a selection of items that were personal to them or that remind you of them – maybe their favourite hat, a golf ball, cufflinks etc. You can make a really pretty display with just a few simple items.

If you're keen to leave a tribute to your lost loved ones in your ceremony programme, we've got some order of service templates for you here.