Honor those who can't attend your wedding with a memory tree #Decor#memorial#steal-this-idea#wedding cards Updated Oct 12 2015 (Posted Jan 10 2013) Ariel arielmstallings Photo by Mark Umstot Photography At Danielle & Nathan's Halloween wedding, they found a gorgeous and meaningful way to honor the guests who weren't able to be with them on their wedding day. Check out their Memory Tree: We couldn't have everyone we wanted attend, so we did a Memory Tree. We sent out cards to those who could not attend and had them send them back with a wish, piece of advice, story, or blessing. We added them to the tree on our altar. We also added names of people who passed away. Danielle is on the Offbeat Bride Tribe as arcticfox if you want to find her over there, and you can see more stunning photos from her Halloween wedding on Flickr. Ariel Author of three editions of the Offbeat Bride book and the brand-new From Shitshow To Afterglow, Ariel Meadow Stallings acts as the publisher of all the Offbeat Empire websites. She lives in Seattle with her son, and if she's not reading or writing books, chances are good that she's dancing or happy-crying. To follow her latest work, join join The Afterglow, for exclusive access to essays, videos, online courses, and more. PREVIOUS Ashley & Eric's Wedding in a Bar NEXT Dinosaur topiaries and punk rock shoes at this museum wedding Show/Hide comments [ 11 ] This is a great idea! Do you have or can you post a blog about how to still have a wedding even if one side of the family is not in approval of marrying your love? They say they will not attend. Love conquers all right? How do you go about proceeding with a wedding? Thanks! Reply Hey, that's me! Thanks, Eloquent. I say just because one side doesn't approve shouldn't stop you if you love your partner. If their blessing is important then it may need to be worked on, but your questions sounds like logistics, or is it how do you emotionally go on? Logistically, nothing will stop you if one side doesn't approve you can still get married no matter how many people are there. Lots of people just get married with the two of them and an officiant, so no worries there. Emotionally, focus on the positive. Focus on the people who ARE supportive and try to let go of the ones who aren't. If they love you they will come around, just give them time. That's my opinion. It's worth what you paid for it. Good luck! Reply Hey arcticfox! I love this idea! Where did your awesome tree come from? Reply It's called a manzanita tree. I got it here. http://www.efavormart.com/36-vogue-manzanita-centerpiece-tree-potted-natural.aspx It's fake, and adjustable so you can move the branches any way you want. They also had different colors. 🙂 Reply My sister-in-law makes these trees too, and did one for my wedding! http://www.etsy.com/shop/heartnotincluded Reply Thanks for the encouragement Arcticfox! I hope they come around too. It is just hard when it is your own (my) mom and dad. I am mentally preparing myself that I may have to walk down the aisle alone. His side adores me and have threatened to hurt him if he lets me go (hahah!). Reply You're welcome! Reply My future groom will love this idea. He's been looking for some way to honor his late grandmother on his dad's side for quite some time. I would like to honor some of my own deceased relatives as well. Reply Awesome! Reply I can't express how much I love this idea. My mother, who has passed was very fond of trees. My fiancé and I are planning on planting a tree at our reception (the actual ceremony will be very small and out of town, so it is important to me that my side of the family is able to witness SOME sort of union). However, my mother always decorated Christmas, Easter, and Halloween trees when I was a child. This idea will not only commemorate many passed loved ones, but one of the most important women in my life. Reply I love this idea! I hate to ask but what was typed on the cards when you sent them? Reply Join the conversation Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Sign me up for your offbeat awesomeness newsletter! No-drama comment policy Part of what makes the Offbeat Empire different is our commitment to civil, constructive commenting. Make sure you're familiar with our no-drama comment policy. Biz owners & wedding bloggers Please just use your real name in your comment, not your business name or blog title. Our comments are not the place to pimp your website. If you want to promote your stuff on Offbeat Bride, join us as an advertiser instead.
This is a great idea! Do you have or can you post a blog about how to still have a wedding even if one side of the family is not in approval of marrying your love? They say they will not attend. Love conquers all right? How do you go about proceeding with a wedding? Thanks! Reply
Hey, that's me! Thanks, Eloquent. I say just because one side doesn't approve shouldn't stop you if you love your partner. If their blessing is important then it may need to be worked on, but your questions sounds like logistics, or is it how do you emotionally go on? Logistically, nothing will stop you if one side doesn't approve you can still get married no matter how many people are there. Lots of people just get married with the two of them and an officiant, so no worries there. Emotionally, focus on the positive. Focus on the people who ARE supportive and try to let go of the ones who aren't. If they love you they will come around, just give them time. That's my opinion. It's worth what you paid for it. Good luck! Reply
It's called a manzanita tree. I got it here. http://www.efavormart.com/36-vogue-manzanita-centerpiece-tree-potted-natural.aspx It's fake, and adjustable so you can move the branches any way you want. They also had different colors. 🙂 Reply
My sister-in-law makes these trees too, and did one for my wedding! http://www.etsy.com/shop/heartnotincluded Reply
Thanks for the encouragement Arcticfox! I hope they come around too. It is just hard when it is your own (my) mom and dad. I am mentally preparing myself that I may have to walk down the aisle alone. His side adores me and have threatened to hurt him if he lets me go (hahah!). Reply
My future groom will love this idea. He's been looking for some way to honor his late grandmother on his dad's side for quite some time. I would like to honor some of my own deceased relatives as well. Reply
I can't express how much I love this idea. My mother, who has passed was very fond of trees. My fiancé and I are planning on planting a tree at our reception (the actual ceremony will be very small and out of town, so it is important to me that my side of the family is able to witness SOME sort of union). However, my mother always decorated Christmas, Easter, and Halloween trees when I was a child. This idea will not only commemorate many passed loved ones, but one of the most important women in my life. Reply