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Wedding Customs & Traditions Forum
ShadowAP
member
No bouquet for the bride?
Why is this such a big deal?
I do not want a bouquet. I don't like fresh flowers (why kill a flower just so I can hold it for an hour), and I do not want the awkwardness of the bouquet hand off (which is always awkward), and I think the bouquet toss is tacky.
Kudos to the millions of people who DO have bouquets, but come on - our wedding is non-traditional in just about every respect, and my mother and my MIL do not have a problem with anything else except this one thing.
What's the big deal with the bouquet? I researched the symbolism behind this tradition - and there isn't any. Not the tiniest bit. It's a holdover from when people did not bathe regularly - the bride held fresh flowers so that the fragrance would cover up her unwashedness. Since I plan to take a shower on or near my wedding date, this seems like less of an issue.
Do I need to just suck it up and carry one anyway?
I do not want a bouquet. I don't like fresh flowers (why kill a flower just so I can hold it for an hour), and I do not want the awkwardness of the bouquet hand off (which is always awkward), and I think the bouquet toss is tacky.
Kudos to the millions of people who DO have bouquets, but come on - our wedding is non-traditional in just about every respect, and my mother and my MIL do not have a problem with anything else except this one thing.
What's the big deal with the bouquet? I researched the symbolism behind this tradition - and there isn't any. Not the tiniest bit. It's a holdover from when people did not bathe regularly - the bride held fresh flowers so that the fragrance would cover up her unwashedness. Since I plan to take a shower on or near my wedding date, this seems like less of an issue.
Do I need to just suck it up and carry one anyway?
This discussion has been closed.
Re: No bouquet for the bride?
The bouquet handoff isn't that awkward, actually. IMO, what's more awkward is the MOH having to fluff and re-fluff your train throughout the ceremony as you move around.
I'm not having fresh flowers, because the ones I want aren't in season at the time of my wedding , so I'm ordering mine through Etsy seller DK Designs. She hand-makes flowers out of this lightweight craft clay. They look so real, it's hard to discern between them and real flowers.
If you're concerned about people having a problem with you carrying nothing, you could carry a pomander instead. They're beautiful, and you can make them yourself, so you can control how long or short the ribbon that you carry it with turns out to be, so it won't get in the way and you won't have to hand it off. It'll be almost like a little purse.
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"Are you one of those vegetarian zombies that only eats grrrrrraaaaaaiiiinnnnnsssss?" -- raynes
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Don't carry a bouquet if you don't want to. I love hearing about the origin of a lot of these traditions! Thanks for the enlightenment!
I won't be wearing a veil either. Oh noes! Haha.
Are you still getting corsages for the moms? I saw some beautiful corsages made from buttons and felt flowers on etsy. I think they also had small bouquets.
Planning Bio-Updated 3/11 with groomsmen attire
You can consider that, a book of poetry, a clutch purse, or nothing at all.
However, you said yourself that nothing in your wedding is traditional and that your family members have been supportive (which is AWESOME and you're super lucky, btw!) If this is the one thing they request, I honestly might just do it....
I feel like it's a pick your battles situation. And while your mom might treasure a portrait of you with your beautiful bouquet for years to come, I highly doubt you'll ever remember the awkward handoff to the MOH...
You can carry whatever you want down the aisle. If you're comfortable with nothing, carry nothing. If you might prefer to have something to do with your hands, or if it would keep the peace to carry something, you can come up with another option. I got some good inspiration here: http://offbeatbride.com/2009/03/wedding-bouquets
This is a belated married bio, with no reviews yet because I'm lazy.
Sometimes I feel like people think that brides are delicate little flower princesses who get all dressed up and pretty for one special moment of their dreams, when really they're just normal people who just happen to be getting married. Things shouldn't have to be sugar-coated for grown-ass women. -mstar284
if you don't like flowers you shouldn't have to carry them. since i'm walking alone down the aisle (omg heressy!), i'll be carrying our dog -she's small so it won't be such a big deal. so if guys you have a maneagable pet together, i think it's a good way to include it in the ceremony.