Weddings are perfect for acknowledging the special people in your life. Beyond readings, special corsages, and wedding party roles, we’ve assembled a few unexpected ways to honor loved ones.
1. Borrow something from them, such as wearing your father’s bowtie or your grandmother’s pearls.
2. Add a favorite food of theirs to your day whether for dinner, dessert, or a snack to share with your guests.
3. Have those special people walk down the aisle ahead of the wedding party.
4. Include one of their favorite flavors in your wedding cake or signature cocktail, and make sure to explain your intention on a sign. Or add a flower that your mom loves to your bouquet, and note it on your program so your guests can appreciate the gesture.
5. Offer a toast in their honor at the rehearsal dinner or wedding reception.
6. Include an anniversary dance at the wedding reception where married couples dance with each other.
7. Dedicate a dance to them during the reception, and join them even if they don’t fall into the father/daughter or mother/son categories.
8. If you err on the side of wedding favors, assemble a handful of your grandmother’s favorite recipes in a small booklet to share at place settings or in baskets at your reception.
9. For the bride who lost her dad, attach a charm with his photo to your shoe so he can “walk you down the aisle.”
10. Honor deceased loved ones by placing photos around the reception.
11. Light candles in memory of friends and family at your ceremony and include a moment of reflection and remembrance.
12. Carry an additional posy along with your bouquet and hand it off to your mother as you walk down the aisle.
Featured photo by Samantha Leto Photography/Caty & Sean 2025 wedding submission. This article originally appeared in the February 2025 issue.
