Boston Brides Ditching the Bouquet?
A bride on Cape Cod holds a traditional bouquet - Halcyon Farm Wedding by Ryan Richardson Photography, Boston Wedding Photographer
Couples are looking for more unique and creative touches for their weddings - one simple way to make a big statement is to change out your bouquet.
A traditional wedding bouquet does a lot of work beyond just being a prop for the bride to hold. Some brides use it to make a splash of vibrant color on the canvas of their wedding. Some brides like to use it as a focal point that ties in all their work on design and decor. It’s certainly something that will draw focus as you make your way to the ceremony and in your pictures, so it’s a little change that can make a big impact.
So what are some bouquet alternatives?
Paper Flowers: Origami flowers are popular as centerpieces, they can be either something colorful or made from something meaningful (like maps of the places you’ve been, or passages from books that have been meaningful in your life). A bouquet is the perfect place to go overboard with this idea while not straying too far from the traditional. Paper (or silk) butterfly bouquets can also add their own quirky charm to your wedding ensemble.
Brooch Bouquets: For Boston brides looking to add a vintage touch to a wedding brooch bouquets can help to create a unique impression. A brooch bouquet can incorporate items that have a special meaning for your (borrowed items from different people in your life) or you can find something that’s on-theme for your wedding through sites like Etsy. If you’re doing a brooch bouquet, you also don’t have to do anything special to preserve it if you’re looking to hold onto it as an heirloom. Pearl and bead bouquets have a similar feel to brooch bouquets.
Hand Fans: Fans used to be a popular fashion accessory known for both the beauty of the object and the expressive ways it could be deployed. Fans can be made with a variety of materials and in dozens of styles to match the mood of your wedding day or create something truly extraordinary.
Balloons: Some people just can’t imagine a party without balloons and some couples are experimenting with balloon bouquets to add a touch of whimsy to their weddings. While they can make a dramatic statement, they’re not as versatile as other alternatives and tend to draw attention up and away from the couple.
Candy Bouquets: If you’re looking to create a sense of whimsy or wonder in your wedding, consider the candy bouquet. There are plenty of rock and sugar candies that can look like crystals and gems if you want something that’s a little more elegant, but you can also make something that’s vibrant and full of life for a Disney or Circus theme. You just have to be a little more careful if it rains, but it’s great if you get really hungry during your portraits and might need something to nibble on until you can get to the reception.
Lanterns: Lanterns of all kinds have been popular additions to centerpieces for a long time, and they can be a great bouquet alternative either on their own or with a bit of additional decoration. Symbolically, a lantern is something that lights the way and helps to guide you through the darkness - it can be a point in the night to guide you home, and that story is beautiful. Lit up it can also make for some interesting and unique portraits, especially at night or indoors where there’s opportunity to play with lighting. Many lanterns also some with handles so that they’re easier to carry.
What alternative bouquet ideas for Boston weddings did we miss? Are you planning on doing something different for your wedding?
Want someone to creatively capture your wedding day? Book Ryan Richardson Photography today.
Ryan Richardson is a wedding and engagement photographer serving Boston and beyond; including Cape Cod Weddings, New England Weddings, Massachusetts Weddings and Rhode Island Weddings.