Not a Normal Wedding, Death of Family Member

What if a parent, child, family member, or friend passed away before your wedding?

Sorry if the title of the email took you aback. This is real life.

Many engaged couples are planning their weddings without a mother or father, a friend, or a close family member.

First of all, this is more common than you think.

Many couples wonder how they will pay tribute to them during a wedding ceremony. This may include:

• Leaving an empty chair

• Playing a special song

• Lighting a candle in their memory

• Having a tribute table

• Wearing a memento

That's a wonderful and meaningful way to remember them.

However, having someone close passing may also create logistical wedding day choices too! Common scenarios include:

• Who will walk with the bride down the aisle (or walk by herself)?

• Who will the wedding couple dance with for the formal dances (or skip them)?

• For the formal dances, will multiple family members dance with the couple?

• Is a Mother and Daughter dance appropriate?

All of these questions are legitimate. There is no right or wrong answer. The answer is to do what makes you happy.

The most important thing is the couple celebrates their love for each other with the people they care about most. All else is just the small stuff.

What does this have to do with music?

Not every parent-child dance is a father and daughter and a mother and son.

The formal dances could be a groom and MIL, a bride and stepfather, a bride with her son, and so on.

Here are a few ideas to remember a loved one gone too soon.

Remember Your Dad

1. “Dance With My Father” by Luther Vandross (R&B – 2003)

2. “Thank You for Being My Dad” by Jon Barker (Singer-Songwriter – 2006)

3. “Heaven Right Now” by Thomas Rhett (Country – 2021)

4. “When I Get There” by P!nk (Pop - 2023)

5. “Monsters” by James Blunt (Pop - 2019)