The Bouquet Toss has origins in 14th Century Europe.  Brides were considered lucky, and thus guests used to rip off pieces of the bride’s gown and bouquet.  Out of self defense, the bride started throwing her bouquet at them to keep them away.  Also, brides used to wear virginity girdles which were removed during the wedding to symbolize the bride giving over her virginity.  Drunken men would try to take them off the bride ahead of time and so the bride would use her bouquet to protect herself again.  Eventually, the bouquet toss stemmed out of this, and the lucky single lady who caught the bouquet was said to be the next person to get married.

Today, a lot of couples feel it’s embarrassing to their single friends to make them try to catch the bouquet.  A lot of couples have eliminated it from their wedding all together, but here are some great alternatives for those of you who want to hang onto the tradition.

• Presentation of the bouquet- brides present the bouquet to their mother, mother in-law, grandmother, or close female friend.  This is just a way to make them feel special.  A lot of times they will have two smaller bouquets, to present to two special ladies.

• Anniversary Dance- this is by far the most popular option as of late.  Here the band or DJ plays a slow song, and brings all married couples on the dance floor.  Then, as the song progresses they call of couples married less than 1 year, 2 years, 5 years, 50 years, and so on.  The bouquet is then presented to the wife of the longest married couple.

Are you doing a bouquet toss at your wedding?  Or a fun alternative? Let us know in our comment box!