In Memory of...

As we continue to near our wedding day, I can't help but think of all of the truly amazing people in my life who have passed, including my dad last year. It sucked. There isn't much else I can say without getting really sad, but knowing that my dad can't walk me down the aisle gets me a little choked up (to say the least.) I miss him every, single day but try to maintain a healthy perspective on life and death, how quickly life passes and how each day should be a day to cherish. This is it for us -- no trial runs here people, so make the most of it!

Even though D. didn't know my dad well (he lived in another state and we simply didn't get together as often as we'd have liked), I am so thankful for D. asking my dad permission to marry me. I know that my dad knew, deep down, that we'd get married one day. After all, D. made a promise to my dad that he'll always keep. To me, it doesn't get much more special than that.

To honor my dad, not only did we pick a very special day to get married (November 13 was the anniversary of my parents' first date and also the date he proposed to my mom), I've found a way to have my dad with me when I walk down that aisle -- as a photo inside a locket pinned to my bouquet wrap. I got this mint vintage locket brooch off of eBay for about $7-8 with shipping. I thought the colored cabochons would be beautiful against any flowers, too. I would've loved a vintage heirloom, but there were none to be found in the family. Now I'll have my own and maybe it will become an heirloom in my new little family. I love that idea.

D. and I have quite a few other special people for whom we'd like to honor at our ceremony. One idea I like is a memorial vase with a flower for each person with a small name tag on each, all placed in a vase at the altar. Simple, but thoughtful. I thought it would be fitting to move it to the reception and place it on the escort card or guest book table, too. Here's something with the same premise, but I'm thinking no baby's breath, less greenery, would need more flowers and dress up the vase a bit.

{Courtesy NeckersPhoto.com}

I love the idea of setting up a photograph display, too. Perhaps we could do both? Would that be too much? Is there such a thing?

{Courtesy: The Knot}

We're also definitely including something in our wedding programs, but that almost goes without saying, as it's the least we could do to remember such important people.

How did you (or do you plan to) honor the memories of your loved ones at your wedding?