Honoring Parents and Grandparents at Your Wedding

At Love Stories at Brooklake, a man in a tuxedo makes a toast with a microphone as the seated bride and groom raise their glasses, surrounded by elegantly decorated tables.

Meaningful Ways to Celebrate Your Family

Your wedding day is a celebration of love, not only between you and your partner but also with the family members who have guided and supported you along the way. Honoring parents, grandparents and other elders can add a touching dimension to your day, creating moments that will be cherished by all. Whether you want to reflect cultural traditions, show appreciation for special gestures, or accommodate specific needs, Brooklake offers an accessible, welcoming environment where you can celebrate these important figures with ease and elegance.

A couple is getting married outdoors at Love Stories at Brooklake. Guests are seated on each side, while a floral arch frames the scene. A woman in a red outfit officiates the ceremony with elegance and warmth, making it an unforgettable celebration of love.

Incorporate Cultural Traditions

Cultural Customs and Blessings: Many cultures have special customs for honoring parents and grandparents. In Chinese weddings, for example, a tea ceremony allows couples to express gratitude to their elders, who, in turn, offer blessings for a happy marriage. Indian weddings may involve a touching moment when the couple touches their elders’ feet as a sign of respect. Brooklake’s flexible and accessible spaces provide a beautiful setting for incorporating such cultural practices, allowing you to create moments that honor your heritage.

Traditional Attire: Inviting parents and grandparents to wear attire reflective of their heritage can be a beautiful tribute. For example, inviting a grandmother to wear a sari, hanbok, or other traditional dress can highlight her cultural roots and add a meaningful, personal touch to your wedding photos.

Highlight a Special Role in the Ceremony

Walking Down the Aisle: If you’re looking for a unique way to include grandparents, consider having them walk down the aisle ahead of the bridal party. Brooklake Country Club is fully wheelchair accessible, ensuring that loved ones with mobility needs can comfortably participate. If needed, our staff can assist in arranging for safe, comfortable access to all areas of the ceremony.

Readings and Prayers: Give your parents or grandparents the opportunity to deliver a special reading, blessing, or prayer. This allows them to share their own wisdom and adds an intimate, multi-generational touch to the ceremony.

Handfasting or Ring Warming Ceremony: If you’re open to creative or symbolic ceremonies, a handfasting ritual (common in Celtic traditions) can involve grandparents tying the knot around the couple’s hands. Alternatively, you can pass your wedding rings among close family members to be blessed before exchanging them—a lovely way to include both parents and grandparents.

A man and a woman are dancing closely at a formal event, embodying the essence of "Love Stories at Brooklake." The room is radiant with chandeliers, and the joy of seated guests adds to the enchanting atmosphere.

Acknowledge Their Love Story

Display Family Wedding Photos: Celebrate the love stories that came before yours by displaying wedding photos of your parents, grandparents, and even great-grandparents. Brooklake’s scenic surroundings and elegant event spaces offer the perfect backdrop for such displays, whether you place them along the aisle, in the lobby, or near the reception area.

Share Their Stories: Consider including a short segment in your ceremony or reception where you or your officiant share anecdotes or lessons from the love stories of your parents and grandparents. This could also be included in your wedding program or printed on place cards at the reception tables.

Plan a Special Tribute During the Reception

First Dances: In addition to your first dance as a couple, you might invite your parents or grandparents to share a dance. You could also play a special song that has sentimental value to them, celebrating their relationship with a dance of their own.

Toast to the Generations: Have a family member offer a toast that honors not only your marriage but also the lasting bonds within your family. Brooklake’s attentive staff can help arrange for a toast to be part of the formal program, enhancing the moment with thoughtful service and ambiance.

Slide Show or Video Tribute: Create a short video or slide show featuring photos of your parents and grandparents from different stages of their lives. Brooklake offers modern amenities to support multimedia presentations, allowing you to share this touching tribute with your guests seamlessly.

At Love Stories at Brooklake, an elderly man with a cane and a younger woman in a white dress dance gracefully together, surrounded by smiling people at the elegant event.

Consider Their Comfort and Involvement

Accommodate Physical Needs: Brooklake is fully wheelchair accessible, making it easy for family members with mobility challenges to enjoy the day without worry. From accessible walkways to convenient seating, we’re dedicated to ensuring that all your loved ones can participate in every moment comfortably.

Special Seating Arrangements: Make them feel honored by reserving a place of honor during the ceremony, such as a front-row seat with a special flower arrangement or a pillow embroidered with their name. This is an easy way to show respect and gratitude.

Personal Assistance and Escorts: Our staff at Brooklake can work with you to assign a family member or friend to assist older relatives throughout the day, ensuring they are part of key moments and feel included and cared for.

Involve Them in Pre-Wedding Activities

Convenient Bridal and Groom Suites: Preparing for your wedding day is a special experience, and Brooklake’s bridal and groom suites provide a comfortable and private space for pre-wedding preparations. Located on-site, these suites make it easy for family members to join you for final touches, photos, or simply to relax before the ceremony.

Family Heirlooms and Keepsakes: Ask your parents or grandparents if they have any family heirlooms or keepsakes they’d like you to incorporate into the wedding. This could be a piece of jewelry, a small item sewn into your dress or suit, or even a family Bible for use in your ceremony. Not only will this make them feel honored, but it also adds a layer of family history to your day.

At Love Stories at Brooklake, a bride and groom stand beside seated elderly guests at their wedding reception, engaged in heartfelt conversation. In the background, other attendees share in the joyous celebration.

In a black and white photo, two women appear joyful, holding hands—one in a white dress, the other in black—capturing one of the beautiful love stories at Brooklake.

Include Them in the Wedding Program or Invitations

Mention Them in Your Program: If you’re printing programs, consider adding a section where you acknowledge the support and love of your parents and grandparents. This can include a dedication or a personal message of gratitude that recognizes their role in your life.

Special Mentions on Invitations: Some couples choose to add the names of their parents and even grandparents to their wedding invitations as a tribute. This can be a way to honor their presence and involvement, even if they’re unable to attend the ceremony.

Gifts of Appreciation

Personalized Gifts: Present your parents and grandparents with a small token of appreciation during the reception or as part of the wedding festivities. Brooklake’s team can assist in presenting these gifts as part of a special moment in the program, enhancing the significance of the gesture.

Handwritten Letters: Take the time to write personal letters to each of your parents and grandparents, sharing what their support has meant to you over the years. These letters can be presented privately or as part of your ceremony, depending on your preference.

Guests at Love Stories at Brooklake, in formal attire, are smiling and dancing joyously at the indoor event.

At Brooklake Country Club, we believe in creating weddings that celebrate not only the love between two people but also the bonds between family members of all generations. By choosing Brooklake, you’re choosing a venue that’s thoughtfully designed with accessibility, comfort, and beauty in mind, allowing you to make unforgettable memories with the people who mean the most to you.

Ready to begin your Brooklake love story? Contact us today to learn more about how we can help make your wedding dreams come true.

By Mario Fastiggi