Honoring Deceased Family Members in Your Des Moines, Iowa Wedding

Celebrating your special day without all your loved ones can be hard, but remembering them during your special day can make them feel close to you. This wedding blog gives idea on how to honor deceased family members in your Des Moines, Iowa wedding!

Create a Memorial Table or Display

One of the most common and heartfelt ways to honor deceased family members is by setting up a memorial table or display at your wedding venue. This dedicated space can feature framed photos, candles, flowers, or personal items that belonged to your loved ones.

• Choose a visible location near the entrance or reception area so guests can pause and reflect.

• Include a small sign or plaque explaining the significance of the display.

• Add items that represent their personality or interests, such as a favorite book, piece of jewelry, or a handwritten note.

  
  

For example, a couple in Des Moines placed a vintage photo of their grandparents alongside a bouquet of their favorite flowers on a rustic wooden table. This simple tribute sparked many warm conversations among guests.

Incorporate Loved Ones in the Ceremony

Including deceased family members in the ceremony itself can make their presence felt in a powerful way. Here are some ideas:

• Lighting a candle: Have a family member or close friend light a candle in memory of those who have passed. This can be part of a unity candle ceremony or a separate moment of remembrance.

• Reading a poem or prayer: Select a meaningful poem, prayer, or passage that reflects the spirit of your loved ones. Ask someone to read it aloud during the ceremony.

• Mentioning them in vows or speeches: Personalize your vows or speeches by acknowledging the impact of deceased family members on your lives and relationship.

  
  

In Des Moines weddings, officiants often welcome this inclusion, helping couples craft moments that feel authentic and respectful.

Use Symbolic Items in Wedding Details

Incorporating symbolic items connected to deceased family members into your wedding details adds subtle but powerful meaning.

• Jewelry: Wear a piece of jewelry passed down from a family member, such as a necklace, bracelet, or cufflinks.

• Fabric or accessories: Sew a piece of a loved one’s clothing into your dress or veil, or carry a handkerchief that belonged to them.

• Floral choices: Include flowers that were special to your family member in your bouquet or boutonnieres.

  
  

For instance, a bride in Des Moines carried a bouquet with her late mother’s favorite flower, the lily, which brought a sense of comfort and closeness throughout the day.

Dedicate a Moment of Silence or Toast

Setting aside a moment during the reception to honor deceased family members allows everyone to share in the remembrance.

• Ask the DJ or emcee to announce a moment of silence.

• Invite a family member or close friend to propose a toast in memory of those who have passed.

• Play a song that was meaningful to your loved ones as a tribute.

  
  

This shared experience can be deeply moving and helps guests understand the importance of those absent from the celebration.

Include Them in Your Wedding Invitations or Programs

Mentioning deceased family members in your wedding invitations or programs is a subtle way to honor them and inform guests of their significance.

• Add a line such as “Remembering with love those who are no longer with us.”

• Include a photo or a brief tribute in the wedding program.

• Share a short story or memory that highlights their role in your family.

  
  

This approach helps set the tone for your wedding and invites guests to join you in honoring your family history.

Choose a Meaningful Venue or Location

Sometimes the location itself can serve as a tribute to deceased family members.

• Consider holding your ceremony or reception at a place that held special meaning for your loved ones, such as a family home, church, or park.

• Use local Des Moines landmarks or gardens that your family enjoyed.

• Incorporate elements from your family’s heritage or traditions into the venue décor.

  
  

Selecting a meaningful setting adds depth to your wedding and connects your celebration to your family’s story.

Capture Their Memory in Wedding Photography

Ask your photographer to include subtle nods to deceased family members in your wedding photos.

• Take pictures near a memorial display or with symbolic items.

• Include a photo of your loved ones in your bouquet or boutonniere shots.

• Capture moments of reflection during the ceremony or reception.

  
  

These images become lasting reminders of your family’s presence and love.

Thank you!

We are dedicated to using our platform to support locally owned wedding venues. In every blog we write, we will include 5 to 10 locally owned wedding venues who use their articles to support their colleagues and the wedding industry in ways that are not always recognized but are essential. If you are searching for a wedding venue, please consider a locally owned venue.

La Bella Luna

Oxbow Acres

Sparks Museum & Event Center

Lizton Lodge

Homestead 32