My sister was going to be a bridesmaid in my wedding in 2 months and she just passed away last weekend. Obviously since it's all fresh, everytime I think about my wedding, I get really upset. I'm in the process of planning my ceremony and all of the last minute details and I want to include her in some way so I've been reading posts like these to get ideas.
I'm typically not a very emotional person at weddings but I'm very sensitive about her loss so if I saw an empty chair or pictures of her, I would absolutely lose it. I want to remember and include her as much as possible but I keep being reminded that it's a wedding and the focus should be on my fiance and I and happy times.
So far, some of the things I plan to do to remember her:
Drop her bouquet at her grave
Get hangers with our names in the wires and have out photographer take a picture of our dresses on the day of the wedding (since she already has hers), this is important for me to have and won't be showcased at the wedding or anything
Have a flower that is her favorite color at the center of my bouquet.
We'll probably put something in our programs or an annoucement about those who couldn't be there when they announce the wedding party, parents, etc at the beginning of the reception.
It's definitely going to be a very hard day for me so I think the less reminders all around me, the easier to focus on why we're there in the first place.
I'm so sorry for your loss. I would do whatever is easiest for you and your family. I know your sis won't mind either way. I don't think we said anything at our wedding about past family members that we had lost, but none were recent. I like the idea of something private or a moment of silence for those we have lost, but maybe no names so that the audience can think of both your sister and their other lost loved ones. Or just put a line in the program of we honor those that we have lost.
I probably would lose it if the grief was fresh with really obvious things like a picture or an empty chair.
Re: Death of my Maid of Honor
My sister was going to be a bridesmaid in my wedding in 2 months and she just passed away last weekend. Obviously since it's all fresh, everytime I think about my wedding, I get really upset. I'm in the process of planning my ceremony and all of the last minute details and I want to include her in some way so I've been reading posts like these to get ideas.
I'm typically not a very emotional person at weddings but I'm very sensitive about her loss so if I saw an empty chair or pictures of her, I would absolutely lose it. I want to remember and include her as much as possible but I keep being reminded that it's a wedding and the focus should be on my fiance and I and happy times.
So far, some of the things I plan to do to remember her:
It's definitely going to be a very hard day for me so I think the less reminders all around me, the easier to focus on why we're there in the first place.
Sue Sue your suggestions are so beautiful.
I probably would lose it if the grief was fresh with really obvious things like a picture or an empty chair.