Creating A Disposable Wedding Bouquet: Tips And Tricks

The tradition of tossing the wedding bouquet is a long-held one, but it is not often seen at modern weddings. The bride's bouquet is an important part of the wedding vision, with brides spending a lot of time choosing the right colours and flowers. To then throw the bouquet into a crowd may not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, some brides still choose to partake in this tradition, and there are ways to do it without damaging an expensive bouquet.

Choosing flowers

Colour Scheme

The colour of your flowers can be chosen to match your wedding theme or the bride's dress. Traditional colours include white, ivory, and shades of pink and purple. However, bolder colours such as red, orange, and navy can also make a statement. Consider whether you want a single colour or a mix of complementary shades.

Type of Flowers

The type of flowers you choose is important, both for aesthetics and practicality. Popular choices include roses, peonies, eucalyptus, and baby's breath. You can opt for fresh flowers or artificial ones, depending on your preference and budget. Silk flowers, for example, can be a cost-effective and long-lasting option.

Size and Shape

Bouquets come in various sizes and shapes. A small and simple bouquet might be easier to throw and catch, while a larger, more extravagant bouquet can make a statement. Consider the size of your venue and the number of guests when making your decision.

Scent

While scent may not be the first thing that comes to mind, it can add a subtle touch to your bouquet. Fragrant flowers like roses, lilies, and freesia can enhance the sensory experience of your wedding. However, be mindful of any guests with strong scent sensitivities.

Personalisation

Your bouquet can be personalised to match your unique style. You can add ribbons, pearls, or other decorative elements to make it stand out. If you're looking for something truly special, consider incorporating flowers with personal meanings, such as your favourite blooms or those that hold sentimental value.

Cost

The cost of your bouquet will depend on the type and number of flowers you choose, as well as any additional decorations. If you're on a tight budget, consider using a smaller number of more expensive flowers or opting for artificial flowers, which can often be more affordable.

Remember, your throw-away bouquet doesn't have to be identical to your main bridal bouquet. You can choose a simpler or more cost-effective option while still achieving a beautiful result.

Keeping it fresh

The bridal bouquet is an important part of the wedding's overall vision and the bride will want to keep it looking as fresh and vibrant as possible throughout the day. Here are some tips for keeping the bouquet fresh:

Before the wedding

• Keep the flowers in water for as long as possible before the ceremony.
• Be careful not to fiddle with the bouquet too much before walking down the aisle as some flowers can bruise easily.
• If you are arranging the flowers yourself, fill buckets with room-temperature water. Cut each stem and place it immediately in the water.
• If you are using gladioli, pop the tops after cutting and placing in water. This will help the flowers open up.
• Keep the flowers in water in a cool, dark room.
• If you are using a vase, mist the blooms and store in a cool place.
• If you are using a refrigerator, remove any fruit as apples will cause flowers to rot faster.
• Warm water is key as it will cause the flowers to drink faster and hydrate better.
• If you are done with the bouquets and they are looking perfect, refrigerate them to keep them in that state.
• If you are using roses, buy them when they are still pretty closed.
• If you are using hydrangeas, submerge the heads and stems in cool water if they are limp.

On the day of the wedding

• Put the bouquet in a vase of water when sitting down to eat.
• Remember that your bouquet is fragile. Avoid crushing it or flinging it around.
• If you plan to throw the bouquet, consider using one of the bridesmaids' bouquets, which are usually smaller.

Bouquet-throwing alternatives

If you're looking for alternatives to the traditional bouquet toss, there are plenty of options to choose from. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Pass the bouquet to a special couple or individual

Instead of tossing your bouquet, you can choose to pass it on to a particular couple or individual as a way of honouring them. For example, you could give it to the longest-married couple in attendance or to an engaged couple as a way of wishing them good luck. Alternatively, you could give it to a special individual who has been a great help to you during your engagement and wedding day.

Honour loved ones who have passed

You can use your bouquet to honour lost loved ones by placing it on a memorial table with photographs and dedicating it to their memory. Alternatively, you can take your bouquet to their cemetery or burial site as a form of remembrance.

Replace it with another game

If you're looking for a more interactive alternative, you can replace the bouquet toss with another game. For example, you could have a limbo competition open to all guests, regardless of their relationship status. Or, you could organise a game where guests try to unlock a glass box holding a bouquet with keys provided at the beginning of the reception.

Donate your bouquet

Instead of tossing your bouquet, you can choose to donate it to a worthy cause. Organisations like Repeat Roses and Random Acts of Flowers will deliver your bouquet to patients in nursing homes, hospices, cancer treatment centres, mental health facilities, and homeless shelters. This way, your bouquet can bring joy to those in need.

Anniversary dance

The anniversary dance is a beloved wedding game where the DJ calls all married couples to the dance floor. Throughout the dance, the DJ calls out several years, and couples step off the dance floor if they've been married for fewer years than the number called out. The couple who has been married the longest receives your bouquet as a gift.

Bouquet ribbon cut

This alternative involves attaching multiple long ribbons to the bouquet's stems and handing each ribbon to a guest. The guests then walk slowly around the bride in a circle while she cuts the ribbons one by one with her eyes closed. The guest whose ribbon is left at the end receives the bouquet.

The history of the tradition

The tradition of throwing a wedding bouquet has a rich history across many cultures. In ancient times, the Greeks and Romans used fragrant herbs and spices to ward off evil spirits or bad luck, wearing garlands or carrying flowers to signify new beginnings, fertility, and loyalty. In ancient Rome, brides carried or wore flowers as a symbol of new beginnings, fertility, and fidelity, often a combination of herbs like rosemary and dill, believed to have magical properties. Brides also wore flower wreaths to symbolise their virginity and purity.

The bridal bouquet evolved over time, becoming more decorative and elaborate. By the Middle Ages, brides carried bouquets of fragrant herbs, flowers, and spices, often scented with rosewater to mask body odours and unpleasant church smells. English brides threw bouquets of dill, a symbol of lust, and spices to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck. Guests would try to grab something belonging to the bride, like her flowers, for good luck, so the bride would toss her bouquet to escape.

The modern tradition of tossing the bouquet to single women began in England in the 14th century, when the bouquet was seen as a symbol of good luck and happiness. It was believed that whoever caught the bouquet would be blessed with good fortune and be the next to marry. In the 19th century, as weddings became more formal, the tradition of throwing the bouquet became more popular in the United States.

Today, the tradition has evolved to include all guests, regardless of gender or marital status, reflecting the diversity and inclusivity valued in modern weddings.

Whether to include it in your wedding

The wedding bouquet toss is a long-held tradition, but it is not often seen at modern weddings. It can be a fun, light-hearted moment for the bride to share with her single friends. However, it is understandable if a bride hesitates at the idea of throwing her bouquet, given the time, effort, and money that goes into creating it.

If you are unsure about whether to include a bouquet toss in your wedding, consider the following:

Pros of Tossing Your Bouquet

• It is a fun tradition that can get guests excited and on the dance floor.
• It is a generous gesture to offer your bouquet to someone else, as these flowers hold special meaning and were a special part of your big day.
• The bouquet toss is a notable tradition with a long history, dating back to ancient Rome and England. It was believed that the bride's bouquet spread good luck, and tossing it was a way to deter guests from ripping pieces of her dress.

Cons of Tossing Your Bouquet

• Wedding bouquets are expensive, and it is natural to want to get your money's worth and hang on to them.
• Bouquets are delicate and easily damaged, and you may want to preserve them as a keepsake.
• The bouquet is an important part of the wedding vision and something the bride will want in her photos, so tossing it may not be the first thing that comes to mind.

Alternatives

If you want to keep your bouquet but still include the tradition, you can ask your florist to create a smaller, cheaper "throw bouquet" to toss instead. This bouquet can also be used as decor earlier in the day. Alternatively, you can skip the bouquet toss altogether and include other activities at your reception, such as an anniversary dance, a ladies-only dance, or a candy toss.

Frequently asked questions