History & Meaning of Bridal Bouquets

The history of bridal bouquets dates back over thousands of years. In Ancient Rome, brides carried or wore flower garlands, as they believed that flowers represented new beginnings, fidelity, and hope of fertility[5]. In the Middle Ages, strong-smelling herbs and spices were thought to ward off and drive away evil spirits, bad luck, ill health, and help mask the smell of body odour[5].

The bridal bouquet is a collection of flowers held by the bride as she walks down the aisle and is meant to be a complementary addition to the overall theme of the wedding and the style of her dress[1]. The bouquet toss is a floral tradition that started in England, where it was believed that getting a piece of the bridal bouquet or the bride’s dress brought good luck and fortune[2]. This superstition led to a mad dash to grab parts of the bride’s blooms or garments, resulting in the bouquet toss, which helped the bride get away from the chaos[2].

Today, the bridal bouquet is an iconic part of the wedding ceremony, and carrying one to the altar is a beloved tradition that dates back thousands of years[3]. Traditionally, catching the bouquet means that the unmarried lady who catches it is the next to be wedded[4].

bridal bouquet

Sources:

  1. https://www.modernwedding.com.au/wedding-traditions-why-brides-carry-a-bouquet/
  2. https://www.brides.com/story/wedding-bouquet-etiquette
  3. https://www.theknot.com/content/bridal-bouquet-history
  4. https://www.1800flowers.com/blog/wedding-flowers/history-of-wedding-bouquets/
  5. https://www.weddingbee.com/article/wedding-planning/ceremony-reception/a-brief-history-of-throwing-the-bridal-bouquet/