I have a friend who is getting married who's fiance's best man just got sent to Iraq. They are looking for a way to honor him during the ceremony. The following are some suggestions I thought of, if anyone thinks of any other ideas, please post them. Thanks!
*If not having anyone else stand in, just have a picture of him on a podium next to the groom. Not leaning too much this way though because it seems more like a memorial.
*Have someone else stand in but include the original best man in the program and the reason he could not be there.
Any other thoughts? Thanks!
2006-09-07 06:21:00 · 13 answers · asked by skygirl_21 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
Sounds good. And maybe a chair with a small handheld American flag setting in a seat, or big American flag draped across the seat? Or American flag pins on the groomsmen's lapels instead of boutonnières? How do those sound? Hope I was helpful. GOD Bless him and keep him and his family while he's away.
2006-09-07 06:32:23 · answer #1 · answered by dct1218 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think including him in the program, as something like "Best Man in Spirit" or "Long-Distance Best Man" is a great idea. Then, in addition to the guest book, you could put out another book for guests to write messages to him, and wish him well and let him know what he's missing. You can send it to him after the ceremony along with some wedding pictures.
You could also include with your program some information about how to send care packages and letters to the troops. When my husband was deployed he had a few of these sponsors, and if I'm being honest, he didn't need most of the stuff, but the letters meant the world. I was very touched by them also. Yellow ribbons make you feel good, but they don't do anything for the soldiers.
2006-09-07 16:31:37 · answer #2 · answered by smurfette 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One suggestion that came to mind was to still have the same amount of groomsmen the couple had had intended, minus the best man and have the groomsmen line up as though there still was the best man present. Leaving a space for the 'spirit' of the best man to be there even though physically he could not.
Maybe also during the ceremony a candle is lit for the best man and a prayer be asked that he have a safe tour in Iraq and return home quickly and safely could be added during the time when the bride and groom traditionally give flowers to their parents and the other flowers in honor of those who have passed on. The candle could be lit rather than the flowers as the best man is not dead, but just remembered and prayed for.
Good luck and best wishes to your friends!
2006-09-07 14:32:43 · answer #3 · answered by Unity 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Those mostly sound like he has passed away. Maybe you could see if he could write something and have the official read it either at the ceremony or the reception. That way you could still honor him in his role as best man.
Or if you are all close maybe have a brother of the original best man fill in and wear maybe a flag-colored hanky in his tux - or everyone could do that.
I think something simple that won't distract from the joy of the bride and groom, but still honor the best man and what he is doing for all of us right now would be best.
2006-09-07 13:47:42 · answer #4 · answered by Kaitelia 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I recently saw a news piece on the National Guard's "Flat daddy and mommy" program and one of the things the family took their "flat daddy" to was a wedding where he was to be a groomsman before he was deployed. The flat daddy is a lifesize cutout photo (from the waist up) of the loved one who's overseas. In the news piece, the cutout was treated just like the person who wasn't there and was in every photo. I thought it was a beautiful way to include the soldier.
I would imagine any photo shop could take a picture, blow it up to poster size, mount it on foam board and cut it out.
http://www.wcsh6.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=40970
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/08/30/guard_families_cope_in_two_dimensions/
This would let your friend be present in pictures
2006-09-07 14:40:13 · answer #5 · answered by Canadian_mom 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
How about having the wedding party (or even just the groomsmen) wear a yellow ribbon (the universal "support our toops" ribbon) and put a small blurb in the program about the best man and the signifigance of the yellow ribbon.
2006-09-07 15:25:39 · answer #6 · answered by Colly 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I like the garter idea. Its a fun way to include him without brining down the atmosphere of your special day.
2006-09-08 00:55:44 · answer #7 · answered by Mommy-of-Twins 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This really should not be mentioned at all. It is the day to honour and celebrate the bride and groom, not the personal circumstances of their friends. They can just tell people individually if they want.
2006-09-07 17:10:37 · answer #8 · answered by Lydia 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Those are both amazing ways - also maybe having a moment of silence/prayer for him and the other miltary people that are away from their families.
2006-09-07 13:46:30 · answer #9 · answered by wild_orchid_tx36 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I like your second idea.My fiance's brother is deployed and I am wearing a camouflage garter for the tossing and the DJ will explain its significance. You can get one for like $10 at http://www.customweddingsolutions.com/gartersandgloves.html
Or if you purchase your garter from them, you can request that your free tossing garter be a camo one. (I did)
2006-09-07 23:59:28 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋