"Toss the Bouquet"
Then and Now Traditions
Photo Courtesy of Voir Photography
The Wedding Tradition “Toss the Bouquet” has been around for centuries. Instead of carrying flowers down the aisle, brides originally carried bunches of garlic, grains, herbs and fruit blossoms. This bouquet was intended to drive away evil spirits and symbolize prosperity. But over the years flowers replaced the herbs and grains. The bouquet became a symbol of happiness representing fertility and everlasting love. Traditionally, guests wanted a piece of that good fortune and would tear a fragment off the brides wedding dress. Sometimes so many guests would take a fragment that the dress would be completely torn to pieces before the bride could leave the wedding. Out of self-defense, brides started a new tradition, “Tossing the Bouquet”. When the bride tossed her bouquet into the crowd, it gave her a chance to escape with the groom before anyone could touch her wedding dress. Today catching the bouquet is considered lucky and it’s customarily believed that the girl who catches it will be the next to wed. The bouquet toss celebrates the good fortune of the happy couple.
