Memorial Candle?

Question

My Fiances father passed away five years ago and its painful for him that his father is not going to see him get married. I want to put a candle at the front of the church with us so that in a way his father is there. I was wondering how exactly to do this. Any ideas?

Answer 1

I think this is a lovely idea. I have a picture of this in my head which assumes a Christianschurch service, but I hope that you'll find it helpful:

In front of the ambo / pulpit (wherever people will do readings), have a small but very nice table or stand set up with a nice cloth and candle stand/base so that it has a feeling of elegance and solemnity and also be up front without being blatantly "front and center." The candle will go here. I think the candle should be white or cream and the pillar type, at least 3 inches in diameter.

I have a couple thoughts about getting the candle there:

* If you fiance can handle it emotionally, do the traditional seating of the mothers / grandmothers and then have the groom and groomsmen come out. The candle for his father is preset at the front of the church. He goes to it, lights it, carries it to the table and places it there. Then he returns to his spot and the procession continues.

* As a couple, you two can place the candle on the stand in lieu of a unity candle.

* The candle can be preset and lit on the stand before the ceremony begins.

I am personally not big on lots of explanation, so I would put a tasteful note about the significance of the candle in the program and have the officient make mention of it. If this was a Catholic wedding, I would include his father in the Prayers of the Faithful (aka intentions).

I hope some of this helps. Please feel free to take, use, adapt, reject or whatever. And congratulations on your upcoming marriage!

Answer 2

A memorial candle is a wonderful way in which to celebrate those who have departed from us. Usually, the memorial candle stands on a candlelabra on the bride's side of the altar, but since it is the groom's father, you may wish to have it placed on the groom's side. It should be on a separate pedastal or candlelabra than a Unity Candle since it represents a memorial. The groom should light the candle after he enters with the best man and the officiant. You can also have a nice poem read during the ceremony, and have him light the candle at that time. This should be done prior to reciting the vows.

I am a professional wedding planner and I have had a bride and groom perform the above memorial service where someone read a nice poem while the groom lit a candle for his mother, who died of cancer.

Faith Walker
http://www.planit4me.com
check out my bridal blog at blog.planit4me.com

Answer 3

weve thought about this long and hard
my father passed away when i was 5 and so were going to have a candle representing him and any other parents that may pass on (were renewing our vows but due to financial reasons unsure as to when)
then for grandparents or any other relative that has passed were going to place 2 individual lillies in front of the candle laying on the table

Answer 4

Here is a great website of exactly what you are looking for.
http://www.foreverandalways.com/ProductDetails/wedding-memorial-candle/memorial-candles/155-15-215.htm

I hope that this helps a little bit. I am sorry that this happened, but hopefully this will help. If you look on my 360 page on my photo album you can see my grandparents table. We did flowers and pictures of our grandparents that had passed away. We had decided to do this because right before my husband and i had met my loving great-grandmother had passed away and I was very close to her and I couldn't imagine a wedding without her and the wedding was beautiful and she was there in our hearts and I know that she could see the wedding!

Answer 5

Place the Candle next to his father's Picture, and if you want you can even place a small Bouquet next to the Picture...You can both, or he can, or his Mother Can Light the Candle before the Ceremony. I have seen this done, and it was very touchng...and comforting to the Bride.

Answer 6

www.customweddingsolutions.com has two great options. One is a memorial vase for flowers or whatever and the other is a cylinder that holds a candle. They both come with a loving quotation on the front and are availabe with the name of the person you are remembering engraved on the back. I think they cost abou $20. I think they are wonderful and will make a great keepsake.

They are located on their "accessories" page

Answer 7

I think that this is a wonderful way to honor his father. My parents are getting remarried after 10 years of divorce. My brother passed away 2 years ago and would be thrilled to have seen our parents back together. I am going to have to mention this to them...I know they'll love it! I may not have been able to help you much but you have given me a great idea!

Answer 8

We did kinda the same thing except we put a calla lily for our past grandparents and my nephew that died when he was 3 months. Everyone really liked the gesture and it was in memory of them so they knew they weren't forgotten on our special day♥ A candle is a really good idea.

Answer 9

I went to a wedding once where they actually did this, and once the bride and groom were at the alter, they, together lit the candle and announced that it was in honor of his dad, who might not be there in body but is there in his spirit.

Answer 10

I just found these candles this morning. I think they are beautiful.