There are a lot of wedding traditions that we follow without even thinking about them much. They are simply “the way weddings are done”. From walking down the aisle to having a set of bridesmaids and groomsmen, we simply can’t imagine a wedding going any other way. And one of those traditions is the bridal bouquet. It is the key part of any bride’s look as she’s approaching her partner at the end of the aisle, and an iconic moment when she throws it over her shoulder to the women eagerly waiting to catch it.
But why do we carry the bouquet in the first place, and how to choose the right one?
Why do we carry a bouquet?
The origin of the bouquet stems from quite a funny story and another tradition that used to happen at weddings. It is known that the bride is the luckiest girl in the celebration, and back in the day in England, other women would try to tear a part of the bride’s dress, believing it will give them a part of her luck. The clever bride, to escape this situation and save her dress, would throw the bouquet to the women, in order to distract them and buy some time to run away. Today, it is believed that the single woman who catches the bouquet is the one who gets the bride’s luck, meaning she’ll be the next to marry.
Choosing the shape
There are plenty of different shapes you can choose from when picking out your bouquet. Be careful about three main things when making this decision: the overall style of your wedding, the comfort of the bouquet in your hands, and the shape of your dress and body.
Firstly, let’s talk about style:
For a traditional, classic wedding, you would want to go for something like the Biedermeier, or a composite bouquet. They are both simple, clean, round shapes and will go great with a traditional setting. Secondly, you want to be comfortable while holding your bouquet. If you don’t have a lot of upper body strength, go for something that isn’t too heavy; if you have smaller hands, opt for something with a tightly wrapped stem that you can hold onto, or an arm sheath bouquet, which you carry across your entire forearm.
Lastly, you want to consider your body and the dress:
If you want to mask your mid-section, then a wide, asymmetrical bouquet or a shield-style bouquet can be perfect for that; but if you want something to visually lengthen you, then going for a thin, tall bouquet is your best bet – like a bunch of long-stemmed flowers tied with a single satin ribbon.
Choosing the flowers
You can’t make a bouquet without flowers, and what kind of flowers you use is completely up to you. Firstly, you want to think about the overall bridal look and the look of the ceremony. Is there a dominant color that you can use for your flowers, like a beautiful yellow daffodil? Is there a certain style that would look great, like using wildflowers for a boho wedding? Or do you have a favorite flower that holds a special meaning for you, which you would like to see incorporated in your bouquet? Once you have this figured out, you can start working with a florist and build the look around it.
A brilliant option would be to use natural-looking artificial flowers for your bouquet because it allows you to make it ahead of time and get it just right. These flowers won’t wilt during the ceremony and ruin the complete look (especially on a hot summer day). Also, they and can be a beautiful keepsake you can cherish forever. If you can’t’ decide which flowers to go for, take a look at their meanings to get inspired and choose the perfect one.
Alternative Bouquets
Of course, no wedding tradition is a rule that you must strictly follow, and the bouquet is no different. Many brides decide to opt for something completely different, like carrying a balloon, or a small hand fan. These are small changes that make the bride unique and help her stand out. Other alternatives include baskets with small flowers or memorabilia, cupcake bouquets (which definitely aren’t recommended for summer outdoor weddings, for obvious reasons), and book-bouquets, which are a favorite book tied with a decorative ribbon with a small flower. These alternative bouquets are often a great way for the bride to show some personality in her look.
Conclusion
So, whether you want to stick to a traditional bouquet, or go for something more outside the box, now you know your options and the different ways to help you choose the perfect arrangement to complete your look.
