Bridal Bouquet History: Everything You Need To Know - Brides

When it comes to planning your wedding, there are a variety of different elements to consider. In addition to purchasing your dress, booking your venue, and sending our your invitations, you'll also need to select the flowers and décor for the big day. Yet, such a task can often feel overwhelming. How many blooms do you really need for the space? Do you want your bridesmaids to carry bouquets–or would you rather than hold something else in their walk down the aisle? Amidst all of these decisions, you may also find yourself curious about the history behind the bridal bouquet.

For modern brides, the bouquet serves as a gorgeous accessory to your dress, highlighting the décor and florals that appear throughout your ceremony space. However, the origins of this arrangement have less to do with stunning visuals—and more to do with practical applications. In the Middle Ages, this bundle of blooms was used to mask body odor—and was thought to hold the power to ward off evil spirits and demons. While that's not the case today, understanding the meaning behind this tradition over the course of history can help bring greater significance to your bridal blooms.

Here, Maxine Owens, a wedding florist and the founder of Max Owens Design, explains why brides carry flowers and the history behind the bridal bouquet tradition. Read on for more.

30 Gorgeous Spring Wedding Bouquets That Will Inspire Your Own

The History of the Bridal Bouquet: A Comprehensive Timeline

Curious about the history behind this common arrangement? Here, we break down how this custom has shifted over time.

Antiquity

"The practice of brides carrying bouquets dates to antiquity," Owens says. "Ancient Greeks and Romans, even Egyptians, carried fragrant herbs and spices to ward off bad luck during weddings." However, these floral bundles were much smaller than the arrangements we see at modern celebrations. The blooms ultimately symbolized a new beginning and brought hopes of fertility, happiness, and fidelity.

Middle Ages

Centuries ago, bridal bouquets also served another purpose: to mask body odor or the surrounding smell of death during the plague. If bodily odors weren't a factor, pungent additions like garlic and spices were often added to arrangements to ward off evil spirits and keep bad luck away from the newlyweds. During this time, brides also start participating in the bouquet toss tradition. Touching the bride or even running off with a piece of her wedding dress was considered to bring good luck and an impending proposal to the recipient. As a result, the bouquet toss was invented as an escape strategy, satisfying the frenzied mobs of young ladies so that the bride could leave her ceremony safely.

Elizabethan Era

During the Elizabethan era, bouquets cemented their place as décor. Small arrangements became a bridal must-have and posies were created to give as favors to guests. Fashionable brides began wearing flowers nestled in their hair for additional flair.

Victorian Times

"It wasn’t until the Victorian age that we see the birth of the wedding bouquet as we know it today," Owens says. "While flower symbolism was hugely popular then, and brides were able to communicate their romantic sentiments through their specific floral choices, that practice has faded a bit, with modern couples choosing their flowers based more on beauty and color."

Modern Day

Rather than serving to hide an unpleasant smell or keep evil spirits and frenzied mobs at bay, the modern bouquet's purpose is as a beautiful accessory, amplify the rest of the wedding décor. However, the symbolism and meaning of certain flowers still exists, guiding some brides in their floral choices.

The Modern Bridal Bouquet: 3 Key Factors to Consider

When it comes to the modern bridal bouquet, there are some key elements to consider—both before ordering your arrangement and after walking down the aisle with it. Here, Owens breaks down what to think about when choosing the florals for your big day.

The Type of Flowers

Choosing the flowers to include in your bouquet can feel overwhelming. Ultimately, the type of blooms you select will depend on your personal preference, your wedding's color scheme, and the time of year your nuptials are taking place.

The Style of the Bouquet

"There are no 'wrong' bouquet styles," Owens says. "Whether it’s traditional, loose and organic, minimal, or even non-floral, our advice is to choose what feels comfortable and what reflects a couple." Owens says the final design of the bouquet revolves around the chosen gown. "A sleek, clean-lined gown perhaps calls for a more minimal bouquet, so as not to overpower the dress," she says. "Likewise, a larger ball gown might be able to handle a larger, more elaborate bouquet."

Preserving Your Bouquet

If you love your bouquet, look into options for having it preserved. You can press a few of the blooms in a book, dry the flowers and place them in a shadow box, or have a professional do it for you.

100 Bouquet Toss Songs to Consider for Your Wedding Reception