The Symbolical Meaning of Your Bridal Bouquet
A bridal bouquet is simply a group of flowers held aloft by the bride while she walks down the aisle during her wedding ceremony. It is intended to be an additional complement to the style of her gown and the general theme of the ceremony. It may not contain other flowers, depending on the formality of the particular wedding and the preferences of the bride.
Traditionally, the bride holds in her right hand a bunch of roses called the bridal bouquet which is held in her left hand by a member of the bridal party. Roses symbolize passion and love and therefore are considered appropriate choices for this most auspicious of events. The tradition is that if there is no rose or any other type of flower readily available, a box of flower seeds may be filled with just such a flower selection. In some weddings, the actual wedding bouquet, or a replica made ahead of time, is actually hidden under the wedding cake.
Many brides carry flowers in their bridal bouquet
Bridal bouquets have another tradition attached to them. Many brides carry flowers in their bridal bouquet even though they are not going to use them. This is due to the superstition that evil spirits might bring bad luck to the newly married couple. Therefore, the evil spirits are supposed to be repelled by the scent of these flowers. Of course, the bridal bouquet itself also carries the scent of the flowers, whether they are fresh or dried, but this is the source of the superstition.
In some traditions, the bridal bouquet contains white calla lilies. Interestingly enough, white calla lily flowers are not actually lilies at all, but Callas, a Latin word for calla. Calla lilies are used by brides to decorate their wedding bouquets, and they are an excellent choice because they look very stylish. As a result, many calla lilies also end up in bridal bouquets corsage!
The tradition associated with wedding bouquets
Another tradition associated with wedding bouquets is the custom for the bride's right hand to be adorned with fresh flowers before the groom gets to take the ring away from his bride. The tradition is supposed to symbolize her role as a family head. This is the old-fashioned practice, and while it is still somewhat practiced today, many brides these days choose to wear their wedding bouquets with their engagement rings. However, the custom is not strictly accurate, and in some cultures, the hands are simply adorned with flowers and not the engagement ring. If you are choosing to wear your bridal bouquet with your engagement ring, make sure you ask your local jeweler or shopkeeper what the tradition is.
The bridal bouquet tradition at Jewish weddings goes back to the time of Abraham. The Talmud forbids a man from touching the woman on the face, excepting the reason for performing the ceremony: to recite the ceremony vows together. So the custom became to hold the bridal bouquet on the left side of the bride, to symbolize that the couple is now formally bound as husband and wife. In some traditional Jewish cultures, the bride carries the bridal bouquet through the aisle and down the aisle during the wedding ceremony. It is believed that when the bride carries the bouquet down the aisle that her good luck will lead her to a long and prosperous marriage.
The symbolic meaning of their wedding bouquets
For other brides, the symbolic meaning of their wedding bouquets can vary. Some choose flowers that have a medicinal value, such as thistle for terminal illness or horsetail for flatulence. Other brides choose flowers with a special significance for their heritage, such as a wildflower for their native turf and mums for the young daughter of their tribe. Others may choose non-floral symbols, such as the lily of the valley, for their new home or the black-eyed Susan for the evil eye. Regardless of the symbolic meaning of their wedding bouquets, most brides find that choosing fresh flowers and carefully choosing the colors of their bridal bouquet makes the ceremony even more memorable.
Traditional wedding bouquet
Even those who choose not to have a traditional wedding bouquet, find the significance of the flowers in other ways. Flowers represent the past, present, and future of a bride, and are often very special gifts that the bride receives. While bouquets are traditional at Jewish weddings, it is not uncommon to see brides select non-floral blooms, such as fresh greens or even roses, to line the aisle or windows at the reception. The symbolic meaning of bridal bouquets also makes them very meaningful to other brides.