Something Old, Something New: Creative Ideas for Family Heirlooms

By Denise DeWitt HERWriter

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Something Old, Something New: Get Creative with Family Heirlooms

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Including family heirlooms in your wedding can be a wonderful way to connect your family history with that of your spouse. It can help family and friends on both sides learn more about you as a couple as well.

It can also be a loving way to remember family members who are no longer with you, or who are not able to attend your wedding.

Consider these ideas to include your heirlooms in your wedding:

Dresses on display

Each bride’s dress is precious to her, and some families love the tradition of passing a dress from mother to daughter. But if your mom’s dress style or size doesn’t match your own, don’t despair. There are other ways you can include her dress in your wedding without actually wearing it.

One option is to use dress forms to display your mother’s dress along the path you will walk or at your reception. You might also include your mother-in-law’s dress or any other family heirlooms you have access to such as items that belong to your sisters or grandmothers.

Lace

Consider using pieces of lace from a family heirloom dress as accents to your own style. Try wrapping lace around the flower stems in your bouquet, or have the florist spin strips of lace into rose buds to include in your bouquet.

You might also carry a piece of lace or have a small piece inserted into a locket or other necklace to wear on your special day. Bits of lace can also be made into a beautiful garter or added to a cake topper for your reception.

Jewelry

Think about pairing mom’s pearls with your own for a special memory or entwine them in your bouquet.

A family brooch can be worn at your waist or in your hair as part of your veil. Or gather brooches from family and friends and create a glittering bouquet, in addition to or instead of flowers.

Your days of playing dress-up may be past, but it’s never too late to ask your grandmother if you can borrow a favorite ring or other piece of jewelry to wear at your wedding.

And don’t forget about heirlooms from your father or grandfather. Carry a family pocket watch with your bouquet, or offer it to your husband to wear during the wedding.

Bouquet memories

If you have an heirloom fan, hat pin, or other special item such as a button from an heirloom suit or dress, ask your florist to include it in your bouquet.

You can also pay tribute to family members who cannot be with you at your wedding by adding photo charms or a photo locket to your bouquet to carry your loved ones with you. A photo charm in your husband’s boutonniere can be a loving way to include someone important in his life.

Daddy’s little girl

Dad plays a special role in many bride’s wedding day. Show him he still has your heart by using a piece from his blue shirt for your something blue. You can carry it with you or cut out a heart and sew it into your dress. You might also plan a special photo moment to show it to him.

If your father can’t walk you down the aisle in person, hang a little photo of him from the back of your shoes so he can walk with you in spirit.

Reception memories

Include heirloom china or silver pieces at your reception as a special display or just for the two of you on the head table. If your mom or mother-in-law saved her cake topper, use it on your cake or put it on display along with a photo of her special day.

Photo history

Heirloom photos tell your family story. Make a display to pair up photos of both of your parents at similar times in their lives.

If you have favorite photos from your parents’ weddings, recreate them with new photos of your own. Or you can include old photos in the background of your picture.

You can also share photos from your childhoods by making table markers. Pair up a photo of each of you at age one for table one, age seven for table seven, etc.

Whatever way you choose to include family heirlooms in your wedding, you are sure to bring back memories for your family and create new memories to share with future generations.

Sources:

Bridal Guide. 100 Sentimental Wedding Ideas You’ll Love. Kristen O’Gorman Klein. Web. February 10, 2015.
http://www.bridalguide.com/planning/wedding-planning-basics/sentimental-...

Karson Butler Events. Incorporating Family Heirlooms. Amber. Web. February 10, 2015.
http://karsonbutlerevents.com/incorporating-family-heirlooms

Charlotte Geary Photography. Wedding Ideas: ideas for Heirlooms. Web. February 10, 2015.
http://charlottegeary.com/wedding-ideas/heirlooms.html

Reviewed February 11, 2015
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith

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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.