Something Borrowed – Honoring a Loved One at Your Wedding

March 14, 2017

Weddings are a time for celebration, family, and commitment. It’s one of the few events for which an entire family will travel to one place, and the absence of a loved one who has passed is hard not to notice. Take the opportunity to use “something borrowed” as a way to honor someone important to you that couldn’t be at your wedding.

Something Borrowed to Honor Your Loved One

  1. Make a wedding ring into a bracelet. Chanel over at bywayofney had a great idea for incorporating her Grandfather’s wedding ring into her wedding by making it into a bracelet.
  2. Use his cufflinks. For the groom, wearing his grandfather’s or father’s cufflinks is a subtle way of paying tribute to his memory. For the bride, she have the florist incorporate the cufflinks into her bouquet.
  3. Wrap your bouquet in a memory. Whether it’s a locket with your loved one’s picture or an old tie, wrapping your bouquet with something that honors your loved one is a great way to remember them on your wedding day.
  4. Wear her wedding dress. Wearing your loved one’s wedding dress can be a great way to honor their memory. You can have it altered to fit your taste, while retaining the vintage beauty of the dress.
  5. Use their fine glassware at the reception. If your loved one had really nice glassware, like old crystal, use them at your table at the reception. It’s useful and is a subtle tribute to your loved one.

Decide Whether to be Subtle or Bold

Decide whether or not you want your tribute to be subtle or bold. This will determine the kind of tribute you do, and how it will affect your guests. Something small and borrowed is a good way to remind yourself and close family of your loved one, while a dedicated speech or musical tribute might be more bold. No matter what you choose, remembering your loved one at your wedding ceremony is the perfect way to honor their memory.

March 31, 2026
Planning ahead isn’t always something we naturally gravitate toward—especially when it comes to end-of-life decisions. It’s easy to put off, to say “someday,” or to assume there will always be more time. But preplanning your funeral or cremation arrangements is one of the most thoughtful and meaningful gifts you can leave behind for the people you love. What Is Preplanning? Preplanning is simply the process of making your final wishes known ahead of time. This can include decisions about burial or cremation, the type of service you’d like, music, readings, and even the small personal touches that reflect your life. It doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, even a simple plan written down can provide clarity and comfort when it’s needed most. Why More Families Are Choosing to Plan Ahead 1. It Relieves Emotional Burden When a loved one passes, families are often faced with dozens of decisions in a very short time, many of them while navigating deep grief. By preplanning, you remove that weight. Your family won’t have to wonder what you would have wanted, they’ll already know. 2. It Protects Your Family Financially Funeral costs can add up quickly depending on services selected. Preplanning gives you the opportunity to guarantee certain services and merchandise, avoid future inflation, and prevent overspending during emotional decision-making. 3. It Ensures Your Wishes Are Honored Every life is unique and every service should reflect that. When you plan ahead, you can choose burial or cremation, select meaningful music or readings, and include personal touches that tell your story. 4. It Gives You Time and Control Planning in advance allows you to make decisions thoughtfully and without pressure. There’s no urgency. No rushed decisions. Just clarity and confidence. 5. It Brings Peace of Mind Knowing everything is taken care of allows you to focus on what matters most: living fully and spending time with loved ones. Preplanning Doesn’t Have to Mean Prepaying You have options: document your wishes, set aside funds gradually, or explore pre-need plans or insurance options. Families are guided through these choices with no pressure—just support and information. A Simple Step Today Can Make All the Difference Tomorrow Preplanning is about easing the path for those you love. It gives them space to grieve, remember, and heal—without added stress. Ready to Learn More? Click here to get started. Whether you’re ready to start a plan or simply have questions, speaking with a preplanning specialist can help you explore your options in a comfortable, no-pressure setting. Because the greatest gift you can leave behind isn’t just memories—it’s peace of mind.
By Missy Hardenburg February 9, 2026
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