Bouquet or no bouquet?

[Xanahtas]

After looking up the huge prices for wedding flowers (which i cannot afford) it got me thinking of alternatives. After searching the net i found very few pictures of brides with anything other than flowers!
I was thinking maybe a fan or a parasol. But tbh, im still clueless. I know that one of the members here, Zephii, used a book. I did also consider that after seeing hers!

I even thought of getting a horseshoe and using that with ribbon to hold on to.

So, Would it be strange if i didnt use flowers? What do people think about it? Anyone think of any alternatives? Are you/Did you not use flowers and did it all look ok and feel right?

Thought this would be an interesting thread ;D

[snow_girl]

A friend of mine used silk flowers, still looked really pretty but cost a fraction of the price.

[lyonsgirl]

A friend of mine used silk flowers, still looked really pretty but cost a fraction of the price.

and, bonus, you don't have to worry about preserving them!

i'm thinking about making my own, or asking my sister to help me. i honestly haven't thought about it-but that's one of the details that i refuse to think about since i'm not engaged yet, lol.

[kirbycat]

This blog has a great list of bouquet alternatives:

https://offbeatbride.com/2009/03/wedding-bouquets

I particularly love the seashell idea, especially since I've always dreamed of a beach wedding.


Or if you really want to have the real thing, maybe you could find a way to (legally) gather some wildflowers?

[lucybelle]

I like alternative bouquets. I think they're funky and unique. But for me, I love love flowers. I'd be disappointed if I didn't get to carry any. Cuts can be made in other places

[elina]

Would be kinda cool to make an origami bouquet of some sorts.. I might consider that, I'd love to keep the bouquet I carry, and I can't do that with a real flower!

Or.. I've also been thinking about carrying just one flower, mostly a gerbera.. I just loooove gerberas

And no.. I don't think it'd be strange to not use flowers, I loved Zephii's book idea for instance! Brilliant and original.

[Zephii]

*Appreciates the book love* hehe

I went to a wedding once and they all carried candles instead, very effective. It was a night wedding though!

But at my wedding, if anyone actually noticed I didn't have a bouquet or had a problem with it, they kept it to themselves I really don't think people care!

One idea I was really tempted to go with (my back-up idea) was teddy bears. Weird I know, but I have this bear that my sister gave me years back, with my starsign on it's foot. I'd have found the others in the series for my bridesmaids so theirs matched.

If you want to do a bouquet toss though, you still need a bouquet, because some of the other options are not toss-able (or like my book, I could throw it, but I wanted to keep it so, no!) I bought plastic flowers for mine and arranged them myself, set me back about $30. Lemme see if I have a picture. Obviously, they aren't the best, and they got a little crushed in my suitcase coming back from Canada, but for ten seconds of fun? Worth it.

[kat4301]

I would vote for doing something original. Flowers are nice but when you walk down the aisle most people aren't staring at your flowers and saying "oh wow what a nice bouquet she is holding." I can't remember bouquets from weddings I have been to but I remember what the bride looked like.

[Haley53]

This blog has a great list of bouquet alternatives:

https://offbeatbride.com/2009/03/wedding-bouquets

I particularly love the seashell idea, especially since I've always dreamed of a beach wedding.


Or if you really want to have the real thing, maybe you could find a way to (legally) gather some wildflowers?

Love the seashells. <3 I plan on a beach wedding as well!

@Xanahtas - It's your wedding, so I'd go with what pulls the hardest at your heartstrings! I can't imagine people would think ill-ly if you didn't have flowers. The point of a wedding is for everyone, including the guests, to be tearful and happy! That said, it's your wedding so you should have complete creative freedom as far as where you go with it!

[lademoiselle]

Hmm, I adore flowers so I think I'd have to go with a bouquet I do like some of the alternative ideas though, and as Eclaire said, it's your big day so your decisions!

[nicole]

I've seen people use bouquets made from brooches- I assume they get very pricey though, even if you make it yourself.

another option, on offbeatbride I saw a bride who used kusudama flowers, not just for her bouquet, but for her entire wedding and it looked AMAZING! just google "kusudama wedding" there are plenty of ideas! they are cheap, but they are time consuming to make. I think I would totally go for these if my wedding was in the same country I live in- to think of making all those and them getting destroyed on the way over =/

[floridaellen]

I love the idea of carrying a Bible or other important book.

However, my SO comes from a family of florists so I will most likely have a flower bouquet if we get married. I like the tradition of it too.

It's all about what you want and what makes you happy :]

[Xanahtas]

Seen some good ideas here

another option, on offbeatbride I saw a bride who used kusudama flowers, not just for her bouquet, but for her entire wedding and it looked AMAZING! just google "kusudama wedding" there are plenty of ideas!

I look it up, they are actually so cool! Very good idea, and im very arty too, could be a problem getting them to Canada though which is a shame.

I've actually been looking into horseshoes, and im actually in love with the idea I found this picture, and its given me some good ideas. I've even found someone on Ebay who does actual horseshoes, cleans then and makes them look all pretty and makes them ready to decorate. Only about £10. I think i have found my alternative bouquet!

Thats a good idea Zephii, and if used a horseshoe i definitely couldnt throw that without killing someone!! XD Did you buy the flowers in Canada? Im having great difficulties finding things over there because i dont know the area at all lol!

[lucybelle]

You can get plastic flowers or silk flowers ANYWHERE.

[floridaellen]

You can get plastic flowers or silk flowers ANYWHERE.

Very true. Even dollar stores sometimes have beautiful ones.