Alternatives to Tossing a Bouquet

Tossing of the bride's bouquet is a long honored tradition. It is believed that this practice came about as a self-defense technique. Getting married was considered to be one of the luckiest things that could ever happen to a woman. Because of this belief, wedding guests wanted to take home a piece of the bride with them to share in this "luck". Bridal gowns and the veil were ripped and shredded by the guests. Flowers from the bouquet were often grabbed. As a form of distraction, brides began to throw their bouquets and quickly run away.

Centuries passed and treatment of the bride became much more civil. However, it is still believed that whomever receives the bride's bouquet and garter, shall marry. Some brides prefer to follow tradition and have the tossing of the bouquet as part of their wedding reception. Other brides choose to keep their wedding bouquets or schedule one of the many alternatives to tossing a bouquet as part of their wedding reception.

Should you choose not to follow the traditional bouquet toss, these are some loving and creative ways to replace the ritual.

- The bride stands blindfolded. A circle forms consisting of unmarried women and single girls, holding hands. The circle moves slowly in one direction, while the bride moves slowly in the opposite direction. When the bride stops, whomever is directly in front of her is handed the bouquet.

- The bride and groom ask all the married couples onto the floor. The DJ then starts the music and the couples begin dancing. Numbers are then called out in increments of 5, signifying the number of years the couple has been married. When the number is called, those couples that have been married less than those years, must leave the floor. The last remaining couple is then given the bouquet.

- Some brides choose to split their bouquet in half and hand one half to their mother and the other half to their mother-in-law. One could take this idea a step further and divide the bouquet to be presented to grandparents, sisters, the maid of honor, all the women in the bridal party, or an engaged friend. The possibilities are endless.

- If you have lost a special loved one, honor them with your bouquet. You can place your bouquet on the guest book table next to a lighted candle and a photograph of your deceased loved one.

- One game that can be played instead of musical chairs, is musical salt shakers. Each table is given a salt shaker. While the music plays, the salt shaker is passed between all the ladies and girls. When the music stops, whomever is left holding the salt shaker, gets to take home the table centerpiece. Should a child be left holding the salt shaker, a special kid-friendly wedding favor can be given as a prize.

You can use these ideas or create your own alternatives to tossing a bouquet. The possibilities are endless.