Many brides find their bouquet just as important as their wedding dress when it comes to creating a bridal look to remember. Read our article to find out why do brides carry bouquets at weddings.
Depending on your personality, you may opt for a showstopping, free-flowing floral arrangement or a more chic, understated design, but whatever you select, the versatility of your wedding flowers cannot be overstated. This is why we work closely with every bride to createwedding flowersthat perfectly complement their own individual aesthetic.
However, as well as beauty, there’s also a lot of history and symbolism behind the bridal bouquet. Here, we uncover the many reasons why flowers are carried down the aisle, and how the tradition began.
What does a bouquet symbolise and why do brides carry bouquets
Flowers have been a key part of the bridal look since the ancient Romans started to carry and wear floral garlands to their nuptials as a symbol of fertility, fidelity, and new beginnings. However, brides in the Middle Ages took a less optimistic twist on the custom, instead accessorising their wedding attire with a combination of pungent herbs and spices to fight off unlucky evil spirits. Dill was especially common, as it was not only thought to drive away negative energy, but it was also known as the herb of lust — its inclusion was expected to stimulate sexual desire as the newlyweds prepared to consummate their marriage.
The bridal bouquet as we know it was born in the 19th century, when Queen Victoria held a small clutch of flowers at her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. This also led to the onset ofwedding flower symbolism, as brides began to choose blooms based on the meanings behind the flowers. For example, roses signify love, and peonies represent happiness and ambition. As a result, bouquets became closely associated with sentimental romance, making them the perfect wedding accessory.
The bouquet has gone on to take a central role in modern bridal aesthetics, becoming one of the most important decisions that brides-to-be need to make. Selecting the best colours, fragrances and shapes are just as important as finding flowers that convey their feelings towards their partner, and their hopes for the future. The careful combination of all these factors is what has led to bridal bouquets becoming seen as so beautiful and heartfelt.
What is the wedding bouquet toss for?
The bouquet toss is a historic tradition which continues to be embraced by many brides to this day, although many don’t know how it came to be. It originated in medieval Europe, when it was normal for women to rip fabric from the bride’s wedding dress for good luck. To prevent the guests from tearing her gown to shreds, brides began to toss their bouquet as a distraction to guests, allowing her to make an escape with her dress intact. Grabbing the flowers was considered an act of good fortune, as the accessory symbolised fertility coming from a married woman.
Nowadays, the tradition is that if a single woman catches the bridal bouquet, she will be the next one to get married. The bouquet toss now takes place during the second half of the reception, after the cake is cut and the speeches are made, when the party is in full swing and all the ladies will be on the dance floor, ready to catch the flowers.
What happens to a bridal bouquet after a wedding?
Some brides may decide to skip the bouquet toss, so they can keep their arrangement for themselves. Amongst those newlyweds, it has become common topreserve wedding flowersafter the ceremony, using techniques like drying, freezing or pressing. Brides can then choose to frame their bouquets, or transform them into paperweights, creating an additional keepsake of their special day that they can treasure forever.
For more bridal inspiration, visit our Pinterest profile.
Connect with:
To leave a comment, you can safely log in via Facebook or Google
As an expert in the realm of weddings and bridal traditions, it's evident that the significance of the bridal bouquet extends beyond just being a beautiful accessory. Drawing on a rich history that spans ancient Roman traditions, medieval practices, and 19th-century innovations, the bridal bouquet has evolved into a symbol deeply ingrained in the fabric of weddings.
The roots of this tradition trace back to the ancient Romans, who adorned themselves with floral garlands as symbols of fertility, fidelity, and new beginnings. However, during the Middle Ages, brides took a more cautious approach, using pungent herbs and spices, such as dill, to ward off evil spirits and stimulate desire. It's fascinating to note how these practices reflect the cultural and historical contexts of their time.
The transformation of the bridal bouquet into its modern form occurred in the 19th century, thanks to Queen Victoria, who carried a small clutch of flowers at her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. This pivotal moment marked the onset of wedding flower symbolism, with brides choosing blooms based on their meanings. Roses came to signify love, and peonies represented happiness and ambition, adding layers of sentiment and personalization to the bouquet selection process.
Today, brides meticulously consider various factors when choosing their bouquets, including colors, fragrances, and shapes, aiming to convey their emotions toward their partners and their aspirations for the future. This attention to detail has elevated bridal bouquets to a central role in modern bridal aesthetics.
The article also sheds light on the tradition of the bouquet toss, a historic practice originating in medieval Europe. The toss served as a distraction to prevent guests from tearing the bride's gown for good luck, with catching the bouquet symbolizing fertility. In contemporary times, catching the bouquet is believed to predict that the single woman will be the next to get married, turning the tradition into a lighthearted and playful element of wedding celebrations.
Finally, the article mentions what happens to a bridal bouquet after the wedding. While some brides opt for the traditional bouquet toss, others choose to preserve their arrangement as a personal keepsake. Techniques such as drying, freezing, or pressing allow brides to transform their bouquets into framed mementos or paperweights, providing a tangible reminder of their special day.
In conclusion, the bridal bouquet is not just a floral arrangement; it's a symbol deeply rooted in history, tradition, and personal sentiment, making it an integral part of the wedding experience.
