Flowers at the Wedding Alter for Deceased Family Members?

I am getting married in September and have a few family members that have passed so I would like to have some memorial flowers up on the alter for them and also list them in our program. When would be a good time, if any, to give the living family member the flowers in honor. Or do you wait until after the ceremony to give them to them? Thanks!

Flowers at the Wedding Alter for Deceased Family Members?
I am getting married in November and doing the same thing. Our wedding colors are black and white but the flowers on the alter will be yellow and pink roses- the flowers that were used at each family member's funeral. I am planning on listing the meaning in the program, but not giving the flowers to the living relatives until after the ceremony. I don't want to make them uncomfortable or make a big scene about it.
Reply:You will not have time to be passing out flowers. Tell the living family member that the flowers will be there and you would like for them to take them after the ceremony. If you want the flowers in pictures, tell to please take the flowers after the pictures are taken.





NOTE: It is hotter than hades out. If the person is going to have to leave the flowers in the car during the reception, it is best to not give them to the living family member, but either leave them in the church or arrange for them to be taken to a shut-in etc....
Reply:Here's an idea, an eternal flame in the center of white rocks, and water of course for safety. Use a bowl, and place the flowers around the bowl rim, stems in water of course. Then just make an announcement or even light candles from the flame. Symbolic of those that have gone and the forward motion of your marriage. The circle of life.
Reply:I attended one in which right before the bride and groom made their vows, they presented flowers to both the brides Mom and then the Groom's Aunt (Grooms Mom had passed)..then right after that the minister announced they were placing flowers on the alter in remembrance of the Grooms Mom and both Grandmothers, and they put then in a beautiful vase on the altar. It was really a nicely done moment.
Reply:Both my fiance and I have lost our fathers, and we decided that at the table with the guest book, we would have our engagment picture, with a picture from my parents wedding on one side, and a picture from his parents wedding on the other side. Nothing big, just a little something to honor them.
Reply:My friend just attended a wedding with something similar to what you are mentioning, I have the document with the complete wedding ceremony, if you wanna take a look send me and email. Good luck.
Reply:I just got married on Saturday and my bouquet was in honor of our deceased family members. I made a plaque (with a picture frame) and set it on my husband and my table with my bouquet. At a time during the reception that I could pull myself away I took apart my bouquet and gave the flower (with a little handmade tag with the deceased name on it) to each person. I pulled them aside and did it which I recommend because it made people VERY VERY VERY emotional. My mother in law needed quite a few minutes to pull herself together when I gave her the flower for her father. Everyone really loved this part of the day and I got lots of comments about how important it was for them that we included those who couldnt be there. The frame was really pretty and on the paper inside it said "For those who are blessing our union from heaven" and it listed the 7 peoples names and their relationship to us with a cross I got at a scrapbook store.


Good luck! It went over very well at our wedding!