No bouquet for the bride?

shimmer193

I'm considering not having a bouquet, but would this be horrible? My reasons are: I feel like the bride hardly holds a bouquet anyway, I have a beautiful waistline on my dress with intricate beading all over the bodice and it seems sad to block that with flowers, and I don't really feel like I want one.

But will I be missing out? Is there something wonderful and special about having one? I've been a bridesmaid several times and always felt like the bouquet is an annoyance. But maybe I'll regret not having one?

Does anyone feel strongly about their bouquet?

jagore08

If you don't want one then don't have one.  I had one because I love flowers.  There was no real reason for me to have one.  I held it while walking down the aisle and for pictures.  After that it just sat on the sweetheart table.

ElisabethJoanne

I'll need to have SOMETHING to do with my right hand. I might carry a prayer book instead of a bouquet, but I'd worry about fidgeting if I had empty hands. (In job interviews, I always hold a pen, so I'm not fidgeting quite so much.)

Traditionally, the bride's bouquet was a gift from the groom, like he'd give her flowers on a date or at a party she was hosting. She carried it to honor him in his gift-giving.

Magdala9

I love flowers and wanted my bouquet.  I have also spent many days as a bridesmaid and carried parasols, pinwheels and fans because that is what that bride wanted.    I was in one wedding without any thing to carry.  That bride wanted the bridesmaid to wear floral head wreaths.    While it was a beautiful look, we (all the bridesmaids) kept fidgeting because we didn't know what to do with our hands. 

LisaLovesFlowers

Hello, while it may be a choice for most Brides, by all means, axe the bouquet, if you feel you would be comfortable with out one. If your dress is your "starring attraction" matbe you could compromise and wear a very expensive and beautiful flower in your hair.. if you DYI the floral hair clip, think of the money you would save.Be yourself, but please at least consider a small flower some where for your self. They do after all tend to lend a softer look to the pictures.
I am a big flower person myself, garden, arrange, paint them..LOL.. my girl's carried lit hurrican lamps in our 7:30 candlelit Wedding Ceremony 20 years ago.. think out side the box and above all..go with YOUR heart:) Best of LUCK!

PS. Baby sister almost caught her waist lenght hair on fire going down the asile....

Maggie0829

If you don't want one you don't have to have one.  However, if you do decide to go with a bouquet just know that it doesn't have to be huge.  If you don't want to hide all the detail of your dress let your florist and know that you would like a small bouquet (more the size of a nosegay).  IMO, a bouquet adds to the overall affect of the whole bridal look.   I have seen some brides only carry a couple of flowers while others (like myself) carried a huge bouquet...it really is a personal preference.

ashleyvanderhoof

I was thinking a very small bouquet, 5 stems or so would look nice. Or you could also carry some calla lillies if you like those. They are long and you would hold them across your arm (like a baby) so they wouldn't really block much of your dress.

flower_diva

go to a floral artist.....I have created many different kinds of floral accessories for brides to carry,there are alternatives to a standard bokay.

shimmer193

OK, thanks for the wonderful thoughts! I love the idea of the tradition that this came from, when the groom gave the bride flowers.

So here's what I'm thinking: I want my fiance to hold a bouquet until I get to the front, then he can give it to me. We'll see if he'll agree to hold flowers But it's more meaningful that way, I don't block my dress while I'm entering, and I'll still have a bouquet for pictures.

Thanks everyone!