Bridal Bouquet Alternatives

Walking Down the Aisle Without Fresh Flowers on Your Wedding

© Christy Jones

Whether you're allergic to fresh flowers or just want something unique, there are plenty of stylish wedding alternatives to traditional bridal bouquets.

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:

Unique Bouquets

If you’re looking for a bridal bouquet with no flowers at all, consider:

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.


The copyright of the article Bridal Bouquet Alternatives in Wedding Style is owned by Christy Jones. Permission to republish Bridal Bouquet Alternatives in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.




Post this Article to facebook Add this Article to del.icio.us! Digg this Article furl this Article Add this Article to Reddit Add this Article to Technorati Add this Article to Newsvine Add this Article to Windows Live Add this Article to Yahoo Add this Article to StumbleUpon Add this Article to BlinkLists Add this Article to Spurl Add this Article to Google Add this Article to Ask Add this Article to Squidoo