Bouquet of the bride: all traditionsand rules, history and modern perspective
People surround important life events with many rituals, traditions, and superstitions. One such significant event — the creation of a new family, and one of the central symbols of the celebration — the wedding bouquet. Whether to believe in the superstitions associated with the bride's bouquet is something each girl decides for herself. But if you believe even a little, it's better to observe them, so as to enter married life with confidence in future happiness.
Where the tradition came from
The tradition of going to the altar with a bouquet did not appear so long ago. Its birth date can be considered February 10, 1840. On that day, British Queen Victoria was marrying Prince Albert. In the queen's hands was a bouquet of fresh flowers — even a photo of the ceremonial moment has survived. This idea was quickly picked up by English fashionistas, and then it spread throughout the world.
Well, the British royal family is still a trendsetter today — people all over the world pay close attention to their relationships, mistakes, and successful ideas.
Of course, flowers were present in brides' attire even before Queen Victoria, since they symbolized the innocence of girls and protected against evil spirits. But they were woven into hair or made into wreaths, which were then placed on the head. The appearance of the wedding bouquet allowed brides to be freer in choosing their hairstyle and even to complement their attire with coquettish hats.
Bride's bouquet: superstitions
Naturally, such a symbolic accessory immediately became overgrown with many superstitions, prejudices, and beautiful rituals. Brides consider everything important: from the symbolic meaning of the flowers, shape, size, and color palette to who touches the symbol of their maiden innocence.
Who should buy the bouquet for the bride
The groom should be responsible for buying flowers for the bride. You can entrust the responsible task to your father or another close relative, but only to a man.
According to superstitions, any woman who touches the wedding bouquet steals the future wife's happiness. If a girl does not want her husband to cheat on her in the future, having received the little bouquet from a man's hands, she must hold it tightly all day and not let go (in any case, not let another woman hold it) until the very moment when she throws it over her shoulder to her girlfriends.
Throwing the bouquet
This tradition did not arise out of nowhere. Since ancient times, the young wife would give something to her unmarried girlfriends, as if sharing her personal happiness, attracting a quick wedding for them too.
In our days, this tradition has turned into a game of "lucky prize." The superstition says: whoever catches the bride's bouquet, thrown blindly, will get married in the near future.
Some brides prefer to give the symbol of female happiness directly into the hands of one of their girlfriends. That is also possible, and it does not cancel the pleasant consequences.
The double
There is another interesting question: which bouquet should the bride throw? Many believe that since outsider women must not touch this accessory, giving away your "happiness" into someone else's hands is even less worthwhile. Therefore, girlfriends are often thrown a double bouquet, while they try to hide the real one.
But in various national traditions, wedding rites show a clear boundary, the moment when a girl transitions from the status of bride to the status of wife. The bouquet is thrown after crossing this line, when the woman no longer needs to fear for her happiness.
Unless you really want to keep your little bouquet as a keepsake: then you can throw the double.
What flowers the bride's bouquet should be made of
This seems like the most important thing, but in fact, in this matter you can trust your own taste and intuition.
Types of flowers
If you entrust the choice of wedding flowers to a man, he will most likely settle on the classic win-win option — white roses. If you are hoping for something more interesting and modern, it's better to look through flower catalogs together first, and only then send your beloved to make the purchase.
Today, lush floral compositions in pastel shades with peonies, peony-shaped roses, hydrangeas, carnations, and cotton are popular. Florists choose well-opened buds that create a feeling of airiness, lightness, and tenderness.
And individuality is also in fashion. If you love cornflowers or bird cherry more than all the flowers in the world — go for it! Such a choice will not cause disapproval, only delight at your spontaneity.
Colors
The same can be said about colors. White — has long ceased to be the only possible color for a wedding dress and bouquet. Choose according to your own taste and imagination.
Fresh or artificial?
There is an opinion that the bride's bouquet should be made of fresh flowers. This is correct if you follow the tradition. Flowers drive away evil spirits, share living energy, and their fragrance delights those around them.
But for supporters of modern views and defenders of nature, there are also many interesting options: made of dried flowers, paper, fabrics, satin ribbons, even candies and polymer clay.
Such a little bouquet will help create an unusual, memorable image. And it can also be kept as a memory of the happiest day.
