The real reason why brides carry bouquets

Love is forever, but wedding flowers are fleeting. So what should a high quality bouquet look like? Is there a standard? In this blog post, we will share out opinion on the characteristics of a high quality bouquet so that the next time you purchase one, you will know whether it is good. We will also share some fun facts. 

Fun Facts: 

Everyone has seen a beautiful bride carry flowers down the aisle, but few people know the significance behind the flowers. While it's true flowers add a touch of glamour to a wedding, there are deeper reasons their presence.

The origin of this floral tradition stems back to ancient Rome. Flowers were a common decoration at Roman weddings because they were known as symbols of new beginnings, fidelity, and fertility.

According to the Huffington Post, during the 15th century, people took their yearly baths in May and would generally get married in June. Just to be safe, brides carried bouquets to mask the smell of body odor.

Herbs were more prominent in Middle Age bouquets than flowers, especially dill and garlic, which supposedly kept evil spirits and bad luck away. The dill reappeared at the wedding feast to get the newlyweds ready to consummate their love that night. 

Anyone who has been at a wedding has seen the sometimes cringe-worthy moment: The emcee informs all single ladies to get into position on the dance floor for the tossing of the bride’s bouquet. Read on to know why...

It was thought to be very good luck to touch the bride. People just wanted pieces of the bride’s accessories because she was married. This later turned to guests typically standing around her in an attempt to rip the gown off! (Really??, no thanks!!!) In order to deter guests, the bride began tossing their bouquets into the crowds to distract people. Over the years, this act of distraction has turned into a tradition meant for the bride to pass on her good fortune to one single lady. Whoever catches the bouquet at a wedding is thought to be the next lady in line to wed. The bride relishes the moment for her ability to unknowingly choose who will follow in her footsteps next, while the guests now respect the beauty of the bride and her gown, as opposed to ripping it off of her.

By the Victorian era, exchanging flowers became an increasingly popular way to express love. Keeping with the romantic theme, they eventually became linked to engagement and weddings. Fast forward few centuries,  flowers play a prominent role in wedding bouquets and around the venue.

Flower Size: Depending on the type of primary flower you choose, the size varies. Good rule of thumb, it should never be smaller than half of your palm size.

Flower Condition: You can feel the moist and the softness of flowers in a good condition. The petals does not break easily. On the other hand, flowers that are in a bad condition often look a little dry. On some occasions, the color might even start to wear off by the time your recipient gets it.

Wrappers: The wrapper of a bouquet determines its quality as well. Other than having a better appearance, a good wrapper helps to keep a bouquet in shape. A high quality bouquet wrapper is also water-resistant. This allows your recipient to hold the bouquet comfortably for a longer period.

Today, flowers enrich the wedding theme. Planning a wedding on a budget can make it difficult to look at the big picture. Partner with Alpha Events and Decor to make your wedding a memorable one, on your Budget!