Throwing Away the Bouquet Tradition
2012-05-22 | Dennis Gruetter
The throwing of the garter and bouquet tradition dates all the way back to medieval times. The wedding dress was considered to be the ultimate symbol of good luck and fertility. Wedding guests would often try to tear off a piece of a bride's wedding dress for luck and the bride would often throw items such as the bouquet and garter to distract the crazed guests.
Although the tradition of throwing of the bouquet has been around for years, its popularity has diminished recently. Brides often skip this tradition for a number of reasons. Most often it is either due to lack of time, or the direct relation to the generally awkward garter removal tradition.
Regardless of the reason, there is no need to throw this tradition away entirely. There are alternatives. For those contemporary brides who would like a fun and fresh way to honor the tradition of giving away the bouquet, several wedding professionals offer up their favorite ideas:
Erica Thimsen - Owner, Helping Hand Parties, (Alabama, USA):
"One of the things my brides have done is ask all the couples onto the floor to dance who have been married one year, then 5 years, then 10, etc. The couple that had been married the longest was presented the bouquet and garter. Another way is to present to a special couple like grandparents or someone that introduced the couple or played a special role in the wedding couple's life."
Kisha S. Facey - Event Specialist, (New York, USA):
"I used to be a Wedding Planner, one idea which is so much fun - create a circle of single ladies around the bride and pass the bouquet around with music playing and when the music stops, this is the woman who receives the bouquet. The idea is just like when you played "Hot Potato" as a child."
Zania Ballentine - Alice in Weddingland, (UK):
"The first thing that popped into my mind would be to really break tradition (as we like to do at Alice In Weddingland) and get the boys to catch the bouquet! (I) love this sort of thing, sticking to, but shaking up tradition."
Dianna K. Shitanishi - CPCE, CMP - Hawaii Weddings and Events (Hawaii):
"For those that don't have many single guests attending, we've done a 'bouquet presentation' to mother, grandmother or another significant woman in the bride's life."
Gayla Matos - Owner of Leave the Details to Me.. (Canada):
"A twist on the bridal toss that some of my brides have used... The bride has a second 'toss' bouquet of single stem flowers that are held in a 'bouquet' just lightly tied together with a ribbon tied in a bow. Just before tossing it, the bride slips the ribbon off of the bouquet - so when she tosses it, all the single flowers go in different directions, allowing many girls to 'catch' a stem!! It always surprises the guests and goes over really well!!"
Have you tried any of these suggestions? Have any exciting ideas of your own? We would love to hear them.
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