Will Reeve, son of the late actors Christopher and Dana Reeve, incorporated deeply personal tributes to his parents into his recent wedding to Amanda Dubin. The ABC News correspondent ensured his deceased parents were symbolically present as he walked down the aisle, a gesture that speaks to the enduring impact of their lives and the grief of their premature loss.
The ceremony, held on January 17th, featured deliberate nods to Christopher, who was paralyzed in a 1995 riding accident and died in 2004, and Dana, who succumbed to lung cancer in 2006. Reeve wore gold cufflinks inscribed with his father’s initials, along with a brooch that belonged to his mother. He also received an IWC Portugieser Chronograph watch as a gift from Dubin, adding another layer of sentimental value.
Perhaps the most touching detail was a pocket square embroidered with his mother’s handwriting. Dubin had found a letter Dana wrote years prior, extracted the phrase “I love you,” and had it sewn into the fabric as a surprise for Reeve. The couple also wore their parents’ original wedding bands, preserved by the family for this occasion.
Reeve chose “Sunrise” by Norah Jones as his processional song, a track his mother cherished. Norah Jones herself performed the song at Dana Reeve’s memorial service in 2006, solidifying its significance. During the ceremony, Reeve deliberately paused to acknowledge empty chairs adorned with flowers, symbolically reserved for his parents, and reflected on their absence while also recognizing their enduring presence.
The decision to honor his parents in this way is rooted in the tragic circumstances of his upbringing. Reeve lost both parents by age 13, a fact he described as “abnormal” in a 2024 interview with USA Today. Despite this, he credits his parents with instilling in him a grounded perspective on life.
“Talking about my parents keeps them with me,” Reeve said. “It’s a privilege to carry them into the future that so needs heroes.”
Reeve’s actions underscore the universal human need to preserve the memory of loved ones, particularly when loss occurs at a young age. The wedding was not merely a celebration of his union with Dubin, but a deliberate act of remembrance, ensuring his parents’ legacy continues to be honored.
The couple’s thoughtful tributes demonstrate that grief and love can coexist, and that even in moments of joy, the absence of those who are missed can be profoundly felt and acknowledged.
