As we come closer to the big day I want to start sharing details about it here on The Chic Counsel. This new series will be called Wedding Wednesday and could encompass any aspect of wedding planning, bridal events, fashion choices, etiquette and reception activities. I'd love any and all feedback about these topics because brides can be some of the most indecisive people and I am, of course, no exception!
During this first installment of Wedding Wednesday, I want to talk about a topic really close to my heart which is honoring a departed loved one on this special day. My fiancé and I both have family members that, unfortunately, will not physically be in attendance of the festivities, but they will be there in spirit and in our hearts. In my case, this individual is my grandmother, or as I affectionately named her at a young age, Grammy.
Grammy was my very first best friend and taught me countless lessons about life, love, selflessness, compassion, respecting myself and standing my ground. We both have a flair for being strong-willed...I mean we are both Virgos, afterall!
Grammy made a profound impact on my life and it tears me apart knowing that I won't be able to hold her hand, look her in the eye and give her a great big hug right before I walk down the aisle and embark into this new adventure called marriage. This doesn't mean that she won't be present though, she will be on my mind in the days leading up to the wedding and the days thereafter as I live my life and follow in her footsteps.
A few ways that I plan to pay tribute to her on the day is to firstly save her a seat. I want her seat front and center during the ceremony and adorned with a small bouquet of white calla lilies right next to my mother.
I also want to light a candle in tribute to her next to my favorite photograph that you see pictured above with Grammy, my grandfather and great grandfather.
Lastly, I would like to wear a memento that reminds me of Grammy. When my family moved from New York to Texas, my Grammy and I were separated by miles, but she would always write me letters and send me cards and to this day, I still have most of them. I recently found a piece on Etsy that can take writing like a signature and create a piece of jewelry from it. I want to have one created that says "Love, Grammy" how she would always sign off in her letters to me. Everytime I look at it, I'll feel a bit closer to her and feel like she's sharing the moments and memories with me.
Honoring a loved one during the wedding day is very personal and I hope that my Grammy knows just how important she was and continues to be to me. There's no way that I would be the woman that I am today without her.
