Quick Answers
Instead of a traditional bouquet, brides can carry:
- Her pet dog
- Lanterns or candles
- A parasol or umbrella
- A fan
- A prayer book or bible
- Family photos or heirlooms
- A handmade paper flower bouquet
- Greenery like eucalyptus
- Feathers
- Balloons
For many brides, carrying a beautiful bouquet down the aisle is an integral part of the wedding day. Fresh flowers add beauty, fragrance, and tradition to the ceremony. However, some brides are looking for alternative items to carry instead of or in addition to flowers. Whether for personal meaning, environmental reasons, cost savings, or simply for a unique touch, brides today have many options besides typical floral bouquets.
Reasons to Consider Alternatives to a Flower Bouquet
There are several motivations brides may have for foregoing real flowers on their wedding day:
- They may have allergies or sensitivities to certain fresh flowers
- They may want to save money by not buying expensive floral arrangements
- They may want to avoid cutting and killing flowers just for decorative purposes
- They may want to honor their cultural traditions which don’t include flower bouquets
- They may simply want something completely unique or non-traditional for their aisle walk
Of course, there are also many excellent reasons to stick with real wedding flowers. However, for brides interested in creative alternatives, there are so many possibilities to explore.
Non-Floral Items for the Bride to Carry
If a bride wants to forego the traditional bouquet, what are some options? Here are over a dozen ideas for what a bride can carry instead of or in addition to cut flowers:
1. Her Pet Dog
For animal-loving brides, walking down the aisle with the family pet dog on a ribbon leash can add a heartwarming touch. Some brides forego fresh flowers entirely and just carry their pup. Others attach a small flower arrangement to the dog’s collar and have the pup walk alongside the bride. This is best for smaller dogs who are well-behaved and comfortable with crowds.
2. Lanterns or Candles
Lanterns and candles can create a romantic glowing ambiance. Brides can carry elegant lanterns housing candles, battery-powered candles, or flowers. Candlelit ceremonies will especially benefit from the bride carrying her own glowing light. Just be sure to take fire safety precautions.
3. A Parasol or Umbrella
Parasols and umbrellas can make stunning fashion accessories with their vibrant colors and delicate designs. Lace and paper parasols are popular for a romantic vibe. Boldly patterned parasols or umbrellas make a fun fashion statement. This is a great option for outdoor weddings where shade from the sun may be needed.
4. A Fan
In hot weather, a fancy fan can provide a functionally beautiful accessory. Adorned with lace, flowers, feathers or pearls, fans can rival bouquets with their visual appeal and delicate movement. Fans symbolize prosperity and joy in some cultures, adding meaningful symbolism.
5. A Prayer Book or Bible
For religious weddings, the bride may want to carry her bible, prayer book, hymnal or other spiritual text instead of a bouquet. This is especially meaningful if the book has been passed down as a family heirloom. Walking down the aisle while physically embracing one’s faith can be very powerful.
6. Family Photos or Heirlooms
Another way to symbolize faith in one’s family is to carry framed photos of parents, grandparents or other loved ones who cannot physically attend the wedding. This pays tribute to the bride’s family traditions. Alternatively, brides can display a family heirloom like a vintage jewelry piece or handkerchief belonging to a beloved relative. This connects the past lineage to the couple’s future.
Unique Bouquet Alternatives
Rather than typical fresh flower centerpiece bouquets, brides can get creative with unique decorative items as their main carryall. Here are some ideas:
7. A Handmade Paper Flower Bouquet
For the crafty bride, make a bouquet out of paper flowers, origami, folded book pages, sheet music, maps, or other paper materials. While not scented like real blooms, paper flowers can be preserved as keepsakes. DIY paper bouquets have become a huge trend for their creative appeal.
8. Greenery
Ferns, vines, palms, and other lush greenery can make stunning botanical bouquets without flowers. Greens like eucalyptus, ivy, dusty miller, and herbs last longer than delicate blooms. This nature-inspired look perfectly fits woodland, garden, and boho-style weddings.
9. Feathers
For a dramatic and whimsical look, brides can carry bouquets of feathers in bold colors and shapes. Ostrich, pheasant, peacock and turkey feathers create texture and movement. Adorn feathers with ribbons, beads or flowers for more ornamentation. A feather bouquet channels vintage 1920s style.
10. Balloons
Masses of balloons in the bride’s favorite colors can create a playful, festive aisle walk. Foil balloons with uplifting phrases or shapes work well. Just be cautious of potential popping and have extras on hand just in case. Balloons convey a sense of joyful celebration for the occasion.
Supplementary Non-Floral Items
Rather than abandoning flowers altogether, some brides choose to carry a small flower bouquet accented by non-floral items for added personalization. Ideas for supplemental items include:
- Net or tulle pouches holding keepsakes like old coins, love letters, or a locket of grandmother’s hair
- Long flowing ribbons or fabric tied to the bouquet
- Cages housing tiny live birds or butterflies
- Jewelry pieces like necklaces, brooches, or bracelets adorning the flowers
- Photographs or charms tied to the bouquet with ribbon
- Skewers of fruit adding pops of color and natural fragrance
- Strings of bells or chimes to create sound while walking down the aisle
Adding personal trinkets or embellishments makes a bridal bouquet all the more meaningful. The flowers become a supporting backdrop highlighting the sentimental additions.
Tips for Carrying Non-Floral Wedding Items
When opting for alternative bridal carryalls, keep these tips in mind:
- If items are heavy or unwieldy, hand them off after the processional for the ceremony.
- Practice walking with the item to get used to its size, weight and maneuverability.
- Secure pieces carefully and tightly so nothing falls off or blows away.
- Consider providing a basket or special place reserved for the non-floral item to reside during the ceremony if the bride won’t need it in her hands the entire time.
- For outdoor weddings, consider weather factors like rain or wind which could impact delicate items.
- If worried about manageability, have a flower girl helper carry the alternative item down the aisle alongside the bride.
With smart planning, unique bridal carryalls can make for unforgettable aisle moments without mishap.
Picking Items with Personal Meaning
Perhaps the best part of choosing alternative bridal carryalls is the ability to pick items with deep personal meaning. While generic flower arrangements are undoubtedly beautiful, they lack individual symbolism. When brides select items holding significance to their families, faiths, values and cultural backgrounds, the bridal procession takes on potent new dimensions.
Honoring Heritage
For brides wanting to honor their ethnic heritage, bridal carry items can reflect important traditions. For example:
- Filipina brides may carry rosaries, prayer books, or coins from elders.
- Irish brides can carry shamrocks, harps, or claddaghs.
- Jewish brides can smash a glass wrapped in cloth.
- Hindu brides can carry a prayer coconut.
- Chinese brides can carry embroidered red fans or parasols.
By incorporating pieces from ancestral cultures, brides allow heritage to take an active role in the occasion.
Weaving in Family Keepsakes
Heirlooms and objects belonging to beloved relatives can adorn bouquets and processionals. Ideas include:
- Tying a grandmother’s handkerchief around the bouquet stem
- Pinning a locket with a photo of deceased parents to the bridal dress or bouquet
- Carrying the bride’s parents’ wedding album
- Displaying unique jewelry passed down from great-grandparents
- Incorporating a brooch from the groom’s mother into the bouquet as the bride’s “something borrowed”
This act symbolically unites past matriarchs with the bride’s own marriage journey.
Showcasing Talents and Interests
DIY paper bouquets, hand-painted parasols and other homemade carryall items allow brides to exhibit their own skills and passions. A bouquet made of sheet music bonded to instruments symbolizes the bride’s musical talents. Fabrics sewn into a bridal purse could reflect skills learned from a beloved aunt. Bouquets decorated with beads, buttons and trinkets demonstrate the bride’s quirky style.
Conclusion
Wedding flowers will likely never go out of style. But more brides are seeking imaginative new ways to make their procession down the aisle more personally meaningful. By understanding motivations, considering logistics, and selecting deeply personal carryall items, they craft an unforgettable entry to the ceremony. While a fragrant rose bouquet is always a timeless choice, a parade of hand-selected treasures makes an even more powerful symbolic statement about what matters most. With so many diverse options now available, couples can shape aisle traditions to truly resonate.
