What to carry instead of a bouquet?

runpipparun

I've heard of brides carrying family heirlooms instead of a floral bouquet. We're doing flowers from a local farmer for the reception and for the altar, but I wasn't sure about carrying a bouquet. I'm a sneezy, sneezy person. And there aren't even any single women coming who would participate in the toss. Well, 1, maybe 2.

I have a Bible that was given to me by a now-deceased nun that was a dear friend of our family. I also have my father's childhood teddy bear that's 60 years old and totally ragged; he gave it to me when I was 10. (Slept with that thing till I was 15.) I could also carry my prayer book for the service. I'm having my mother's 1977 wedding gown shortened and altered into a reception dress, but maybe we could make something out of the veil (which is way too Beetlejuice my liking).

Has anyone else done this?

Lizzieyounce

Carrying the Bible sounds nice.  

The bear to me is a bit too "girlish" and anyway, why run the risk of having it damaged?

runpipparun

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_customs-traditions_what-to-carry-instead-of-a-bouquet?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:36Discussion:27783c21-70a8-475c-849f-01fe66c63eeePost:6e2038c2-8029-4787-a25e-05f986e23412">Re: What to carry instead of a bouquet?</a>:
[QUOTE]Carrying the Bible sounds nice.   The bear to me is a bit too "girlish" and anyway, why run the risk of having it damaged?
Posted by Lizzieyounce[/QUOTE]

<div>The reason to carry the bear was if my dad is unable to make it to the wedding. I can always find something else that reminds me of him. Let's see, what did he torture me with for years in my adolescence? Basketball equipment, free weights, books about track and field, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy... Ha.</div><div>
</div><div>Oh! My autographed copy of Robert Frost's complete poetry! It's signed to D!ck Higgins (whoever that is), but it's mine now. Thanks, Mom...</div>

Lizzieyounce

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_customs-traditions_what-to-carry-instead-of-a-bouquet?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:36Discussion:27783c21-70a8-475c-849f-01fe66c63eeePost:d6ff3e9b-93b8-44c6-9bde-52c4fb22ab48">Re: What to carry instead of a bouquet?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: What to carry instead of a bouquet? : The reason to carry the bear was if my dad is unable to make it to the wedding. I can always find something else that reminds me of him. Let's see, what did he torture me with for years in my adolescence? Basketball equipment, free weights, books about track and field, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy... Ha. Oh! My autographed copy of Robert Frost's complete poetry! It's signed to D!ck Higgins (whoever that is), but it's mine now. Thanks, Mom...
Posted by runpipparun[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>I understand about the bear, and I hope that I didn't offend you. It wasn't my intention. I'd be devistated if such a special keepsake got damaged at the wedding. </div><div>
</div><div>What about a picture of your dad in the Bible? Or his wedding ring on a necklace around your neck? Or even a pic of your dad in a locket brooch that you can wear on your gown?

</div>

Lisa50

I carried a bouquet, but I'm a flower lover. Heck, my shoes were floral. 

I think you should definitely avoid flowers.  Carry your Bible.  Why not?

mia888

if you're a sneezy person, you can also go for silk flowers. my friend also has the same problem with fresh flowers so she went for the silk ones. it looked so real! you wouldn't notice it's silk. 

or you can go for button bouquets. i found a beautiful photo of that somewhere. ill see 

here are beautiful silk wedding bouquets http://weddingwhoop.com/silk-bouquets-for-weddings

button bouquets http://www.iheartbuttons.co.uk/gallery/

OwningAHome1981

You do not have to do the bouquet toss... sneezy is a different thing

becky659

I didn't love the idea of flowers, so since my parents are both walking me down the aisle, I asked them if it would be ok if I just held their hands.
My dad has always liked to hold my hand anyway. He still does it just like he did when I was a little girl, so I think it's appropriate that he gets to do that on my wedding day.

The Bible sounds lovely and meaningful for you!

MangoSong

You can definitely carry whatever you feel like.

My two friends didn't want flowers, so my one friend did a "bouquet" of antique brooches. The wedding I'm currently in, the bride is doing "bouquet" of shells.

aluaevolver

I would either go with the bible, or the book of poems. I'm a poetry girl myself.

I'm doing silk flowers because of my allergies but I like the idea of carrying a book of poems, I might do that instead.

Mfodanie

I am curious as to what you ended up walking with. I stumbled upon this post, because I am looking for an alternative to a bouquet. I initially thought the teddy bear was childish too, but it grew on me especially if it has that tattered antique look, which I love. I am also intrigued with the book of poems, very romantic. 

I just saw an article about alternitives to bouquets for the brave bride which included lanterns (I've never seen or heard of anyone doing this before...can't decide how I feel about it) and parasoles.

I guess I'll keep looking.