Flowers And Weddings: Why Do Brides Carry Bouquets?

The bridal bouquet has been a significant part of weddings for centuries, believed to have originated from the Ancient Greeks and Romans. Bridesmaids' bouquets, on the other hand, have an unknown origin, but are thought to be based on the same reasons brides carry flowers. The bridal bouquet is meant to complement the bride's look and is considered by many to be just as important as the wedding dress. The bouquet is also meant to tie the wedding's design and decor together, acting as an accessory and a focal point.

To symbolise new beginnings, love, and purity

Carrying flowers at weddings is a longstanding tradition that is believed to have originated from the Ancient Greeks and Romans. The bridal bouquet is often seen as a symbol of new beginnings, love, and purity.

In ancient Rome, brides carried fragrant herbs, such as rosemary and thyme, for their pleasant scent and their protective qualities. These aromatic bouquets were thought to ward off evil spirits and ensure a prosperous future for the newlyweds. Similarly, in ancient Greece, brides carried flowers and herbs to symbolise fidelity, happiness, and fertility—all essential elements for a successful marriage.

The practice of carrying flowers continued through the medieval era, where the bouquets served a more practical purpose of masking body odour. These bouquets often included strong-smelling herbs and spices, such as dill, which was also known as the herb of lust, stimulating sexual desire as the newlyweds consummated their marriage.

During the Victorian era, the language of flowers, or floriography, became popular, and brides chose specific blooms to convey emotions and messages. Roses, for example, symbolised love, while lilies represented purity, and violets stood for loyalty.

Today, the bridal bouquet continues to be a cherished element of wedding ceremonies, symbolising the bride's individuality, style, and personal taste. The choice of flowers often carries deep symbolism, with roses, lilies, and peonies commonly representing love, purity, and prosperity. The bouquet is also a way for brides to express their feelings towards their partner and their hopes for the future.

To ward off evil spirits and bad luck

The bridal bouquet is believed to have originated from the Ancient Greeks and Romans. Brides would carry flowers, herbs, and spices to ward off evil spirits and bad luck. The Ancient Greeks believed that certain types of garlic, herbs, and spices could ward off evil spirits, so brides would carry them for protection on their wedding day. Over time, flowers were added to the bouquet to cover the smell of the herbs.

The Ancient Romans also believed that evil spirits were attracted to happy brides, so they used the veil to cover the bride's face during the ceremony. The bridal bouquet served a similar purpose, with strong-smelling herbs and spices to repel evil spirits.

In addition to flowers, Ancient Greeks and Romans, and even Egyptians, carried fragrant herbs and spices to ward off bad luck during weddings. Pungent additions like garlic were used in the bouquets, as it was believed to protect the bride from bad luck or evil spirits.

During the Elizabethan era, bouquets began to take on a more decorative purpose, with small bouquets becoming a bridal must-have. However, the strong-smelling herbs and spices remained an important part of the bouquet to ward off evil spirits and bad luck.

Today, the bridal bouquet is mainly chosen for its beauty and to complement the bride's dress and the wedding decor. However, the symbolism and meaning of certain flowers still exist, and some brides may choose their bouquet based on these traditional meanings.

To complement the bride's look

Carrying flowers is a significant part of weddings and has been for centuries. The bridal bouquet is meant to complement the bride's look and is a statement piece that reflects her personality and taste. The bouquet's design should echo the style and formality of the wedding outfit. For instance, a "whimsical wildflower bouquet would generally look out of place alongside a Cinderella-esque ball gown".

The bouquet is also meant to complement the wedding theme, dress, and personal style of the bride. It is an accessory that ties all of a wedding's design and decor together. The bouquet is one of the first things guests will notice at a wedding celebration. Bridesmaids' bouquets are usually designed to complement the bride's bouquet, with a similar style but smaller in scale.

The bouquet's colour, shape, and size are all important factors to consider when creating a bridal look. The bouquet should be proportionate to the bride's body and wedding dress. For example, a "sleek, clean-lined gown perhaps calls for a more minimal bouquet, so as not to overpower the dress". Likewise, a larger ball gown might be able to handle a larger, more elaborate bouquet.

The bouquet is also an opportunity for the bride to express her individuality and creativity. Brides can choose unconventional bouquet styles, such as cascading bouquets, asymmetrical arrangements, or bouquets with exotic blooms or non-floral elements like feathers, fruits, or succulents. The bouquet can be a bold statement that reflects the bride's unique personality and taste.

To mask body odour

Carrying flowers down the aisle is a longstanding tradition for brides and is believed to have originated with the Ancient Greeks and Romans. While the flowers are undoubtedly beautiful, they also serve a practical purpose: to mask body odour.

In ancient Rome, brides carried bouquets of fragrant herbs, such as rosemary and thyme, for their pleasant scent. These herbs were also believed to have protective qualities, warding off evil spirits and bringing good fortune to the newlyweds. Similarly, in ancient Greece, brides carried flowers and herbs to symbolise fidelity, happiness, and fertility.

In medieval Europe, personal hygiene was less than optimal, and strong-smelling herbs and spices were added to bridal bouquets to mask unpleasant body odours. Pungent herbs like dill were especially common, as they were thought to drive away evil spirits and stimulate sexual desire.

The bridal bouquet as we know it today, featuring a small clutch of flowers, originated in the 19th century with Queen Victoria, who carried a bouquet at her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. This also marked the beginning of wedding flower symbolism, as brides began to choose blooms based on their meanings. For example, roses signify love, lilies symbolise purity, and peonies represent happiness and ambition.

Today, the bouquet is a key aesthetic and symbolic element of a bride's ensemble, expressing her personal style and taste. While the practical reasons for carrying a bouquet have largely faded, the symbolic role remains strong, with brides choosing flowers that hold personal significance.

To calm nerves and steady hands

Walking down the aisle can be nerve-wracking, and holding a bouquet can help calm a bride's nerves and steady her hands. It gives her something to focus on and do with her hands during the ceremony.

The bouquet can also serve as a distraction from the stress of the big day. It can be a source of comfort and a way to channel nervous energy. The bouquet is also a beautiful accessory that can complement the bride's dress and the overall wedding theme.

In addition, the bouquet can be a symbol of the bride's individuality, style, and personal taste. It can represent the unique journey that has led her to her partner and the commitment she is about to make.

The bouquet's flowers and arrangement can be carefully chosen to reflect the bride's personality and taste. The bouquet can also be a way for the bride to express her creativity and make a statement as she walks down the aisle.

For bridesmaids, their bouquets are also an important part of their attire. They should complement the bride's arrangement, their dresses, and the overall vibe of the wedding.

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