Not everyone can have both sets of parents and grandparents present at weddings. It can be that you have lost a parent or a grandparent but you want everyone to know about them and acknowledge their contribution to your life. You can mention their names or have several meaningful gestures that will recognize their presence without casting a gloom on the event. Here are a few ways to go about it.
Flowers- Flowers are a few of the most popular alternatives. You can set up an extra chair on the dais and then the bride and groom can place a white rose on the chair to recognize the presence of the lost loved one. You can also use white calla lilies, lilies of the valley or daisies
Remembrance tables- You can set up table at the altar with photos of the loved one and mementoes like printed cards and bracelets for the guests. These tables can be set up near the entrance of the reception or at the wedding altar so that all the guests can see it.
Donations- You can ask your guests to donate their gifts in the form of cash to a favorite charity. Place individual donation cards or printed envelopes or even mementoes that have to be purchased with the donations going to your favorite charity in the name of the lost person.
Raise a toast- Its common for the bride and groom to thank the invited guests for their contributions to the wedding. You can recall your loved ones by raising a glass to their memory and remembering them.