George Boyle
The wedding bouquet has evolved over centuries, from ancient times when brides carried herbs and spices to ward off evil spirits and create lust and fertility, to the modern day where the bouquet is a gorgeous accessory to complement the bridal outfit and wedding decor. The bouquet toss is a historic tradition that continues to be embraced by many brides today, believed to have originated in medieval Europe when women would rip fabric from the bride's dress for good luck. The bridal bouquet as we know it today was popularised by Queen Victoria, who held a small clutch of flowers at her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840, leading to the onset of wedding flower symbolism.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To mask body odour, ward off evil spirits and demons, and bring good luck and fortune |
| Symbolism | Fertility, fidelity, new beginnings, happiness, and ambition |
| Flowers | Roses, peonies, ranunculus, calla lilies, and dahlias |
| Colour | White symbolises purity, orange and purple symbolise happiness and fertility |
| Cost | Between $100 and $350 |
| Budget | 7% of the wedding budget |
| Timing | After the cake is cut and the speeches are made |
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What You'll Learn
Bouquets as a symbol of fertility
The wedding bouquet has a rich history that dates back to ancient times. In ancient Rome, brides carried and wore floral garlands as a symbol of fertility, fidelity, and new beginnings. The custom of carrying a bouquet was also associated with fertility in ancient times, when women would carry strong-smelling herbs and spices to ward off evil spirits and bring fertility and lust. The most common bouquet was the dill bouquet, which was believed to drive away negative energy and stimulate sexual desire.
The colour of the flowers in a bouquet also carries symbolic meaning. In the past, orange and purple flowers were seen as signs of happiness and fertility. Today, the bouquet toss is a tradition that is believed to bring good luck and fortune to the catcher, who is said to be the next person to get married.
The bridal bouquet as we know it today, a small clutch of flowers, was popularised by Queen Victoria, who carried one at her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. She added a sprig of myrtle to her bouquet, a tradition that has been continued by British royals, including Kate Middleton.
The flowers in a bouquet are chosen for their looks and symbolism. Brides today consider the meanings of different blooms when selecting their bouquets. For example, roses signify love, and peonies represent happiness and ambition.
The bouquet is an important part of a bride's wedding-day look and is chosen to complement her dress and personality. The size, colour, fragrance, and shape of the bouquet are all carefully considered.
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Flowers used to ward off evil spirits
The bridal bouquet has evolved from a bundle of blooms used to mask body odours and ward off evil spirits and demons in the Middle Ages to a gorgeous accessory that complements the wedding dress and highlights the décor and florals that appear throughout the ceremony space. Brides today choose blooms based on their personal preference, the wedding's colour scheme, and the time of year of the wedding.
In ancient times, brides carried strong herbs and spices in their bouquets to ward off evil spirits and create lust and fertility. One of the most common bouquet herbs was dill, which was thought to drive away negative energy and stimulate sexual desire as the newlyweds prepared to consummate their marriage. Bridesmaids and flower girls carried sheaves of wheat, which symbolised growth.
Other herbs believed to protect against evil spirits include rue, oregano, rosemary, and thyme. These herbs were used in the form of wreaths, incense, or scattered throughout the home. Garlic is also commonly believed to repel evil spirits and banish the "evil eye". According to folklore, when Lucifer was evicted from the Garden of Eden, his footsteps were marked with garlic that sprang forth.
Stinging nettles are another plant believed to protect its host from evil spirits. Carrying a fresh piece of this plant or sprinkling bits of it around the home is thought to ward off evil spirits.
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Bouquet toss as a historic tradition
The bouquet toss is a historic tradition that has been embraced by many brides over the years. While its exact origins are unclear, it is believed to have originated in medieval Europe, specifically England, and has evolved into different forms over time.
In medieval times, wedding guests considered parts of the bride's attire and flowers to be symbols of good luck. It was customary for guests to rip fabric from the bride's wedding dress, believing it would bring them good fortune. To prevent her dress from being torn to shreds, the bride would toss her bouquet to distract the guests and make an escape. This practice allowed the bride to preserve her dress while sharing her luck with the guests.
Over time, the tradition evolved, and the focus shifted from grabbing the bride's dress to catching her bouquet. The act of catching the flowers was considered fortunate, as the bouquet symbolised fertility, stemming from the belief that it was passed on from a married woman. The tradition also took on a new meaning, suggesting that the single woman who caught the bouquet would be the next to marry.
Today, the bouquet toss is primarily seen as a fun and light-hearted way to share the bride's happiness and luck with her friends. It is not compulsory, and some brides may choose to omit it or include all guests, regardless of marital status, to make the event more inclusive. The tradition adds excitement and cheer to the wedding festivities, making it a memorable part of the reception.
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The importance of flower colour
The colour of flowers in a wedding bouquet is of great importance. The colour of the flowers chosen by the bride is often influenced by the wedding's colour scheme. However, the colour of the flowers also carries symbolic meaning and significance. For example, in the past, orange and purple flowers were chosen as signs of happiness and fertility, while white flowers symbolised purity.
Roses, which have been the top choice of brides for centuries, signify love. Meanwhile, peonies represent happiness and ambition. The colour of the flowers chosen may also be influenced by the time of year the wedding is taking place, with in-season flowers being more cost-effective and readily available.
The bouquet is often considered just as important as the wedding dress in creating a bridal look. The design of the bouquet should echo the style and formality of the outfit. For instance, a wildflower bouquet would generally look out of place alongside a ball gown. The size of the bouquet is also important, as it should not overpower the bride's attire.
The bouquet toss is another wedding tradition that involves flowers. This custom originated in medieval Europe when women would rip fabric from the bride's dress for good luck. The bride would toss her bouquet to distract the guests and prevent them from tearing her gown. Today, the superstition is that whoever catches the bouquet will be the next person to get married.
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Bouquets as a fashion accessory
Bouquets are an essential part of a bride's wedding attire, with many brides considering their bouquet to be just as important as their wedding dress. The bouquet is a fashion accessory that completes the bridal look.
The bouquet's design should complement the style and formality of the wedding outfit. For example, a wildflower bouquet would generally look out of place alongside a ball gown. The size of the bouquet is also important, as it should not overpower the bride's attire. For slim-fitting wedding gowns, the bouquet should be slightly smaller than the width of the body so that the dress can still be seen when the bride holds the bouquet in front of her.
The flowers chosen for the bouquet are also significant. Brides may select flowers based on their colour, fragrance, shape, and symbolism. For instance, roses signify love, and peonies represent happiness and ambition. The colour of the flowers is also important, with white symbolising purity, and orange and purple signifying happiness and fertility.
The bouquet toss is another tradition associated with the bridal bouquet. This tradition originated in medieval Europe when women would rip fabric from the bride's dress for good luck. The bouquet toss was a distraction that allowed the bride to escape with her dress intact. Today, the superstition is that whoever catches the bouquet will be the next person to get married.
In addition to its aesthetic and symbolic value, the bridal bouquet also has a practical purpose. In ancient times, brides would carry herbs and spices in their bouquets to ward off evil spirits and create lust and fertility. The bouquet was also used to mask body odour before modern bathing routines.
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Frequently asked questions
Bouquets are used in weddings for aesthetic, traditional, and symbolic reasons.
Brides use bouquets as a gorgeous accessory to complement their dress, highlight the décor, and express their individual style.
The bouquet toss is a historic tradition that continues to be embraced by many brides. It is believed that the tradition started in medieval Europe when women would rip fabric from the bride's dress for good luck. To prevent her dress from being torn to shreds, the bride would toss her bouquet as a distraction, allowing her to escape.
The type of flowers used in a wedding bouquet is often chosen based on their symbolic meanings. For example, roses signify love, and peonies represent happiness and ambition. In ancient times, brides would carry strong herbs and spices to ward off evil spirits and create lust and fertility.
