Alternate Bouquet Ideas

Pygmybride88

Hey All!

I'm going to be getting married at the Florida Aquarium in Tampa.  I'm not having any flowers in my wedding and I'm having trouble coming up with ideas for alternate bouquets.  I was thinking of possibly having my girls walk down the aisle with lanterns but I don't know how much I really like that idea. I'm a quirky bride to be in need of assistance! Help!

missdelilah

I actually love the lantern idea from an aesthetic point, but I can see a few problems with them.  Firstly, electric lanterns (depending on design) might look a little tacky, and traditional lantern may emit smoke that will stain dresses, leak oil, and of course, provide a risk of fire.  

Can you please be a little more specific about your style other than "quirky?"  It will give us a better idea of what to suggest to you.  

It wouldn't let me link photos today for some reason, so I'll stick them all in a following post.

missdelilah

These are just a few that I really loved.  

Folding fans - I actually love this one so much I'm going to do a bit of research for myself.

Lollypops:

Pinwheels:

Not quite flowers:

They all came from a Pinterest search with the term "alternate wedding bouquets" if you're interested in looking at any of them further.

Ven&Radio

Off the top of my head..

- paper/origami flowers
- books
- clutches
- feather bouquet
- seashell bouquet

And Google has lots of pictures: https://www.google.com/search?site=&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1920&bih=1065&q=unusual+bouquets&oq=unusual+bouq&gs_l=img.3.0.0l3j0i24l5.1938.9094.0.10134.28.16.5.7.4.0.369.2054.0j8j2j1.11.0....0...1ac.1.51.img..10.18.1939.qaLzekluOoo&gws_rd=ssl

Pygmybride88

I don't really have a style per say. I want to go with some type of nautical theme and my colors are turquoise, royal blue, purple, and pearl white. I really loved the idea of folding fans but my bridesmaids seemed to hate it.  I was originally thinking of doing paper parasols but I think it might be weird to have them at an indoor wedding. 

missdelilah

I had such a backlash from my bridesmaids about parasols, and they would only have been for the outdoor photos after the ceremony!  I'm sorry your ladies don't like the folding fans; I still haven't found anyone I'd like to buy them from, but I think I might just tell my ladies to suck it up.  I think it's nice for them to have something they can take home and keep, rather than something that only lasts a few days.  

What about feather fans?  I can see peacock feathers working well with your color scheme.  I thought this was cute.  I found this, and several similar fans, on Etsy, from various sellers.

ElcaB

I've seen people do clutches & I liked it better than any other alternative. 

emanon321

I wanted to go with this paper flower bouquet originally. Really pretty.

http://liagriffith.com/diy-paper-rose-wedding-bouquet/

But then I remembered that crafts and I don't really get along well or produce good results. But you could probably make it in your colors or nautical maps if you're so inclined.

jenna8984

I have no frigen clue what this is or where to get one (sorry) but I saw it once online and saved the picture because I loved it! 

msuprincess04

Shell bouquets would be appropriate. I had originally planned to do this:http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/226560/shell-bouquet-how

But ultimately added shells to a silk flower bouquet.

bridesontherun

I've shot events at the Florida Aquarium, but not a wedding. However, in prepping for the event shoots I've done I've checked out a lot of other's photos (mainly weddings) at your venue. It's dark! That's all part of the ambiance of getting married at the aquarium, but when you mentioned lanterns, I thought, what a perfect solution! Lanterns fit into a nautical theme, and can even be embellished further with your theme if you're crafty. Though before you purchase anything make sure you clear it with the aquarium. They have strict requirements on what they will allow due to the animals and tanks.

I also love the idea of the shell bouquet for your venue, but as a photographer, I'd love to see the added lighting incorporated like with lanterns, or some other sort of light sourced item.

bridesontherun

I had another thought for you as I was driving home from my shoot today... What if you got a votive holder that was shaped like a fish bowl (but a tad smaller than a fish bowl) and glued a clear candlestick to the bottom. Die some water blue like the ocean and have a floating glowing candle in the bowl. Maybe even one of those ones for the pool that float and glow that's shaped like a flower. There you have the aquarium theme tied in, a "technical" flower, and the light element that would be beautiful in photos and ambiance. Score! (You can find the glass votive holder and the candlestick at the Dollar Tree) you can glue them together with a craft glue called E6000. It sets in 30 minutes and is permanent in 24 hours and it's clear so it's forgiving if you need to adjust it to center it.)