Not all your guests will be able to share your wedding day. Maybe they live on the other side of the world, or maybe they're not in the world at all any more. But there are ways to include them and make them a part of your wedding.

 

Not having your mum or dad there on this special day is sad for many brides, but how about wearing an item of jewellery or a watch in remembrance, or wearing Mum's wedding dress at the evening reception as a homage to her? Many brides carry a coin minted in the year their mum or dad were born, or incorporate a photo into their wedding bouquet.

 

A reading could refer to the missing loved one, or a candle could be lit during the ceremony and a speech made in their honour. You can also display photos of you with your missing parent at the reception venue. If they supported a favourite charity, why not give your guests charity pins to wear instead of corsages, and donate the money usually spent at the florist to that cause. If you know that making an emotional speech about your loved one will have you in floods of tears and deflate the joyful wedding mood, keep the references short and just get everyone to raise their glasses 'to absent friends.'

 

                                                                                           

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If it's a case of missing friends who can't turn up because they now live in Australia, Mexico or Brazil, thank goodness for the wonders of webcam! You can arrange for a live webcast to be set up and beamed anywhere in the world, so that your friends can join in the day. Some venues offer this facility as standard. If you don't fancy that idea, why not make a video of the day and send copies to missing friends, along with a bottle of wedding champagne and a bouquet. That way, they can still share in your happiness.

 

For more hints and tips that will help take some of the stress out of organising your big day, check out our wedding information pages. They're an indispensable source of wedding planning tips and style advice for any bride-to-be and we are adding to them all the time so make sure you visit us again.

 

And don't forget to browse Henry Kaye's complete range of of stunning wedding shoes (for brides, bridesmaids and pageboys alike), stylish pageboy outfits, gorgeous bridesmaid dresses, and exquisite wedding bags and beautiful wedding accessories.