Wednesday, July 18, 2012

history | The Bouquet Toss


The bouquet toss – just one of the many wedding traditions people go crazy over. All the single women in the reception, scratch, bicker, and sometimes fight just to be the next woman holding the bouquet. In fact, I have recently heard a story of a woman losing her wig while diving for the bride's bouquet. So I guess you can say the bouquet toss is an extremely serious part of the wedding tradition.

Everyone knows that the single gal to catch the bridal bouquet is supposed to be the next one to marry. However, very few know why this tradition has become so popular.

Dating back to the 14th century brides traditionally carried bunches of garlic, fruit, blossoms, grains, and herbs down the aisle to drive away evil spirits and embrace prosperity. As the years progressed, the bunches of garlic and fruit were replaced by flowers, which represented fertility and everlasting love. Since brides were considered to be lucky people, the wedding guests hoped such luck would rub off on others.

Wedding guests would try to tear pieces of the brides dress before she left the celebration. Naturally, any bride would be opposed to getting chased down for her dress after her wedding. Thus, brides thought of the alternative to toss their bouquet instead. Such a keepsake would bring good luck in love.

Ever since, the idea of the bridal bouquet toss is wrapped around the concept of love and good fortune. Whichever unmarried woman catches the bridal bouquet, so the story goes, will be the next to marry.

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