How To Incorporate Family Heirlooms Into Your Wedding Day
Special wedding day MEMENTOS
Your wedding day is uniquely a special day for you and your future husband, but many times, it’s also a special day for your families as well. A symbolic milestone that everyone will remember forever. To pay homage to your family, you may want to add in some special heirlooms. These can be anything from a borrowed veil from your mother to a special handkerchief from your grandmother.
Wear or carry something down the aisle.
One of the most common things I’ve seen has been to carry a handkerchief either wrapped around the stems of the bride's bouquet or tucked away somewhere in the wedding dress. Another way would be to wear a pair or earrings that have either been passed down or borrowed from a family member. These will show up in pictures and will be remembered forever. For relatives that have passed, a locket or picture of them added to the bridal bouquet is a wonderful tribute to loved ones.
For the groom, an heirloom may be a set of cufflinks passed down, a pocket square borrowed or even a bowtie from a relative. These are all great ways to honor those in the family.
display family photos.
An heirloom can also be something as simple as a photo. Perhaps a wedding picture of your parents at their wedding. Pictures of loved ones that have passed or simply loved ones that are important and can’t attend. These are something that look great framed and placed somewhere that guests can admire as they arrive; near a guestbook or on a table all of their own. Adding candles around the framed pictures makes for a warm, nostalgic area for everyone to enjoy.
use generational serving wear.
This is a less common idea but nonetheless is something I’ve seen from time to time. A beautiful cake server and knife are also something that find their way into pictures to be remembered for years to come.
recipes with a spin.
Does your mom, grandmother or aunt have a special recipe that you would like to incorporate into your wedding day but you don’t know how for such a large crowd? Maybe you take a dessert recipe and turn it into a mini dessert to be added to your cake table. Maybe you replate the idea of a recipe into a bite size version for cocktail hour. Whatever you choose to do, step up a notch and frame that recipe for your guests to see or even make small copies for your guests to take home. A great way for a family heirloom to live on for generations and to be enjoyed by all.
HOWEVER YOU CHOOSE TO INCORPORATE FAMILY HEIRLOOMS INTO YOU WEDDING DAY IS UP TO YOU, BUT MAKE SURE TO TAKE CAREFUL THOUGHT INTO PLANNING IT.
Are you a former bride or groom and had a family heirloom or two incorporated in your wedding? Was it something not on the list above? If so, comment below what you did.
All images Copyright J Kathryn Photography, please don’t use without permission.
