Background to the Bridal Bouquet

My Floral Friday tribute today is for the beautiful bridal bouquet. Ever thought why brides traditionally carry them & then throw them away?

The origins are likely to date back to medieval times. Back then, deodorant, showers & running hot water had not been invented. You were lucky if people bathed more than once a year. Consequently, people were a bit pungent, especially in the hot summer months, a popular time for weddings.

Brides & bridesmaids would therefore carry bouquets of fragrant flowers & herbs as nose gays to fill their nostrils with nice smells, especially if their groom was a bit sweaty!

Like most traditions, it would blend with other folklore, so often certain herbs & plants would be carried as well as pretty local flowers to ward off bad spirits & to bring good fortune.

As brides were deemed to be lucky, it is said that enthusiastic villagers would clamour to try & tear off a strip from the bride’s dress as a token of good fortune. To prevent this, the bride would throw her bouquet for the villagers to catch in order to distract them. This allowed the bride & groom an opportunity to escape. I’m personally not convinced by the validity of this last story. Instead, I love the Victorian trend to use the “language of flowers” to communicate romantic messages within the flower bouquet.

Dahlias represent the lasting bond & commitment between two people, for example. Freesias represent innocence & thoughtfulness. Roses, of course, represent passion, love & friendship.

I love to know what flowers & foliage is being used in a bridal bouquet, I can then weave the bouquet’s symbolism into a couple’s personal, romantic & meaningful wedding ceremony.

Feel free to get in touch to find out more or see my website for more details.
www.acorn2oakceremonies.co.uk/weddings

📸 @carinaconradphoto