The Significance Of Flower Petals At Weddings

Throwing flowers at weddings, or the bouquet toss, is a wedding tradition that has existed for hundreds of years and has evolved over time. The tradition is said to have originated in England during the Middle Ages, when brides threw bouquets of fragrant herbs, such as dill, to represent lust, and spices to ward off evil spirits and mask body odour. The bride was considered lucky, so guests would try to grab something belonging to her, such as her dress, hair, or flowers, in the hopes that her luck would rub off on them. To escape, the bride would toss her bouquet and run away. Today, the tradition is often seen as a fun activity during the wedding reception, with the unmarried woman who catches the bouquet said to be next in line for marriage.

The tradition's history

The tradition of throwing flowers at weddings, also known as the bouquet toss, has a rich history that dates back centuries and is steeped in symbolism and ritual. Here is a detailed look at the evolution of this fun and entertaining custom:

Ancient Times to the Middle Ages

Long before the modern bouquet toss, ancient Greeks and Romans carried flowers and wore garlands to signify new beginnings, fertility, and loyalty. Flowers were also believed to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck. During the Middle Ages in England, brides threw bouquets of fragrant herbs, such as dill, to represent lust, and spices to ward off evil spirits and mask body odour.

The Medieval Period

In the 1300s in medieval Europe, it was considered good luck to touch the bride, and single women would crowd and rush her, hoping to share in her good fortune. To escape, the bride would toss her bouquet and run. This is where the tradition of throwing the bouquet is thought to have originated.

The Victorian Era

During the Victorian era, flowers became a prominent part of wedding ceremonies, with Queen Victoria carrying a bouquet of snowdrops, myrtle, and orange blossoms when she married Prince Albert. Flowers were also used to convey specific messages, with Victorian lovers exchanging blooms as expressions of their relationships.

The Modern Era

The modern bouquet toss tradition, as we know it today, started in England in the 1800s. However, it spread to other countries, particularly those with English influence, such as America. Over time, the tradition has evolved, and today, it is a fun and light-hearted way for the bride to share her special day with her single friends. The woman who catches the bouquet is said to be "next in line for marriage".

The bride's escape

Chapter 1: The Ancient Greeks and Romans

In ancient times, the Greeks and Romans used flowers and herbs to ward off evil spirits and bad luck. They carried flowers to signify new beginnings, fertility and loyalty. Brides would throw bouquets of fragrant herbs, such as dill, to represent lust and spices to ward off evil spirits and mask body odour.

Chapter 2: The Middle Ages

During the Middle Ages, brides were considered lucky, and guests would try to grab something belonging to her, such as her dress, hair or flowers, in the hope of improving their luck. This often led to the bride being crowded and touched, and to escape this invasion of privacy, she would throw her bouquet into the crowd and run. This is where the tradition of throwing the bouquet is thought to have begun.

Chapter 3: The Victorian Era

Queen Victoria carried a bouquet of her groom's favourite flowers when she married Prince Albert. Flowers became common in wedding bouquets, and the specific choice of flower was critical, carrying symbolic meanings. The tradition of throwing the bouquet, by this time, was well established.

Chapter 4: Modern Times

Today, the tradition of throwing the bouquet is mostly seen as a fun activity during the wedding reception. The bride tosses her bouquet to unmarried women, and whoever catches it is said to be the next to wed. It is a way for the bride to celebrate her single friends and wish them luck in love.

Chapter 5: A Twist on Tradition

Some brides may choose to forgo the bouquet toss altogether, instead presenting their bouquet to their mother or grandmother, or a woman who has been married the longest. This is a beautiful and genuine gesture that has been praised by many.

Chapter 6: The Escape

The bride, feeling the weight of tradition and expectation, knew she had to make a decision. Should she follow the well-trodden path of the bouquet toss, or forge her own way? With a mix of excitement and nervousness, she chose the latter. After the "I dos", she surprised everyone by presenting her bouquet to her grandmother, a gesture that brought tears to the eyes of many guests. And so, in her own unique way, the bride made her escape.

The modern context

The tradition of throwing the bouquet is still popular today, though it has evolved over time. The custom usually takes place towards the end of the wedding reception, with the bride tossing the bouquet over her shoulder to a group of single women. The woman who catches the bouquet is supposedly "next" to walk down the aisle. This can be a fun way for the bride to share her day with her single friends and wish them luck in love.

The bouquet toss is not compulsory, and some brides may feel uncomfortable with the idea of singling out their unmarried friends. Some modern brides choose to include the tradition with a twist, such as staging the bouquet toss so that a specific person catches it, or giving the bouquet to a married woman who has been wed the longest.

Some couples opt to replace the bouquet toss with a different tradition, such as an anniversary dance, where married couples are invited to the dance floor and gradually dismissed based on the number of years they have been married, until the last couple remaining wins the bouquet.

The bride may also choose to keep her original bouquet as a keepsake and have a smaller, separate bouquet crafted specifically for tossing, to be caught with ease.

The bouquet itself is also significant. In Western culture, certain types of flowers and colours are chosen for their symbolic meanings. For example, in the language of flowers, red roses signify love, while yellow roses signify friendship.

The significance of the toss

The bouquet toss is a wedding tradition that has been around for hundreds of years. It is said to have originated in England, where it was considered good luck to touch the bride on her wedding day. Single women would crowd around the bride, touching her in the hopes that some of her wedding-day luck would rub off on them and they would soon find a husband. To escape the crowd, the bride would toss her bouquet and run away. This is where the tradition of throwing the bouquet is thought to have begun.

Today, the bouquet toss is seen as a fun activity during the wedding reception. The bride tosses her bouquet to a group of single women, and whoever catches it is said to be the next to walk down the aisle. This belief can lead to some friendly competition, as those with partners may want to be the next to tie the knot. For the bride, it is a way to celebrate her single friends and wish them luck in love. Even if the catcher doesn't meet her future spouse, she still gets to take home a beautiful bouquet.

The flowers themselves are also symbolic. Throughout history, flowers have been associated with beauty, love, romance, kindness, and affection. In ancient times, fragrant herbs and spices were used to ward off evil spirits and bad luck, while in the Middle Ages, English brides threw bouquets of dill to represent lust. Today, the specific flowers and colours chosen for a bouquet can convey different meanings, depending on the culture. For example, in Western culture, red roses symbolize love, while yellow roses symbolize friendship.

While the bouquet toss is not compulsory, it is still a popular tradition that adds entertainment and cheer to the wedding festivities. It has evolved over time, with some modern brides choosing to put their own twist on the custom, such as giving the bouquet to the woman who has been married the longest.

Is the bouquet toss compulsory?

The bouquet toss is a wedding tradition that has existed for hundreds of years and has been considered compulsory by many brides. However, in modern times, the decision to include this custom in wedding celebrations is entirely up to the couple. There are no set rules, and couples can choose to tailor the tradition to their preferences or opt out of it altogether.

The bouquet toss originated in England, dating back to the 1300s or 1800s, and has evolved over time. In the past, wedding guests believed that touching the bride or taking a piece of her clothing or bouquet would bring good luck, especially in finding a partner and getting married. To avoid the hassle of guests crowding and invading the bride's personal space, she would toss her bouquet and run away from the venue.

Today, the bouquet toss is seen as a fun and entertaining tradition that adds excitement to the wedding reception. It is usually done towards the end of the night, after the toasts, dinner, and dances. The bride tosses her bouquet over her shoulder into a group of single women, and whoever catches it is believed to be the "next" to walk down the aisle. This belief adds a competitive and playful element to the tradition.

While some brides may want to uphold this custom, others may have reservations due to the personal and sentimental value of their wedding bouquet. Wedding bouquets are carefully crafted, incorporating the couple's style, theme, and personality, making them a notable decoration and a special part of the bride's outfit. Additionally, the cost of florals can be significant, and some brides may prefer to preserve their bouquet as a keepsake.

To accommodate these concerns, some brides choose to have a ""throw bouquet" specifically for the bouquet toss. This bouquet is typically smaller and less expensive, mimicking the original bouquet but designed to be tossed easily. This option allows the bride to keep her actual bouquet while still participating in the tradition.

Ultimately, the decision to include the bouquet toss in a wedding is a personal choice. Couples can choose to incorporate it as a fun activity for their guests or explore alternative ways to celebrate, such as an anniversary dance or a ladies-only dance.

Frequently asked questions