Bridal Bouquet Alternatives
Walking Down the Aisle Without Fresh Flowers on Your Wedding
Feb 14, 2008
According to the history of wedding traditions, “Before the use of flowers in the bridal bouquet, women carried aromatic bunches of garlic, herbs, and grains to drive evil spirits away as they walked down the aisle. Over time, these were replaced with flowers, symbolizing fertility and everlasting love.”
While fresh flowers can be a beautiful part of a wedding ceremony, they’re not for everyone. Allergies, cost, and style considerations are just a few of the reasons to look for bridal bouquet alternatives.
If anyone in your wedding party claims that you have to carry fresh flowers because it’s tradition, remind them that if you were really going traditional, you’d be carrying garlic.
Non-Floral Look
If you aren’t bothered by the scent or cost of fresh floral materials, but want something other than a frilly bouquet of flowers, try a bouquet of herbs or greenery. Ferns, ivy, pussy willows, fall leaves, or winter berries can all make a beautiful bouquet for the right season. (It’s still a good idea to leave out the garlic.)
Flower Look-Alikes
If you like the look of fresh flowers, but allergies or other concerns keep you from carrying them, here are some alternative floral bouquets:
- Silk flowers - While some faux flowers look like plastic, others are indistinguishable from real flowers at a distance (some even have to be touched). Unlike fresh flowers, you can purchase silk flowers for your wedding well in advance and keep them as long as you want afterwards. You can buy a ready-made bouquet, or save money by picking out silk flowers from craft stores and making your own.
- Porcelein flowers - Look online for beautiful porcelain flower bouquets that will look stunning going down the aisle, and last a lifetime. While not the least expensive bridal bouquet alternative, porcelain flowers will add a touch of class to your celebration. You can even find matching porcelain boutonnieres and corsages.
- Paper flowers - Made from colored tissue paper or origami paper, paper flowers can be a fun, economical, and even elegant alternative. Check out a book on making paper flowers and have fun cutting and folding.
Unique Bouquets
If you’re looking for a bridal bouquet with no flowers at all, consider:
- Candy bouquets - What better way to join your fun-loving sweetheart at the altar than with a handful of candy?
- Crystal bouquets - For a very high-class wedding, look online for bouquets, boutonnières, and corsages made from Swarovski crystals.
- Fabric or ribbon bouquets - You can order bouquets of fabric or ribbon roses online, or, if you’re crafty, make one yourself.
- Seashell bouquets - Perfect for a beach wedding, you can find bouquets made from fabric or silk flowers with seashell accents, or made entirely from seashells.
Books and Bibles
Instead of a bouquet of any kind, consider carrying a Bible or book of your favorite poetry down the aisle. You can use your family Bible, or buy a bride’s Bible just for the occasion. Many bridal Bibles include beautiful covers, and a special place to record your marriage and family history. Add a bookmark with ribbons or tassels for the finishing touch.
Candles
If carefully enclosed to avoid fire hazards, carrying a candle can be a beautiful part of an evening ceremony. You may even want to incorporate it into the lighting of a unity candle.
Other Objects
Rosaries, picture frames, or other family heirlooms can all make special symbols for your ceremony.
Whatever you hold in your hands as you walk down the aisle should be beautiful and meaningful to you.
