Way back in medieval Europe, weddings were hands-on. Literally. Guests would try to grab a piece of the bride’s dress, veil… even hair, for good luck. To make a quick (and safe!) getaway, brides started tossing their bouquets at the crowd as a distraction.
By the 1800s the tradition had mellowed into something sweeter: single ladies chased the bride for the bouquet, and an organised toss of the flowers offered a graceful alternative to the frenzy. The act transformed superstition into celebration—whoever caught the bouquet was said to be the next in line to marry.
Today’s Bouquet Toss – Still Fun, Sometimes Awkward
Fast forward a century or two, and the bouquet toss is usually a playful ritual reception moment, scheduled just after dinner to get the dance floor buzzing. But let’s be honest, it’s not a very modern day vibe to single out the single ladies… And on the flip side sometimes the playful tradition can sometimes get unfortunately competitive. We’ve all seen the social media posts of guests shoving each other to grab it… Ugh.
So, if the idea makes you cringe—or if you simply want to shake things up—there are plenty of ways to keep the spirit of the tradition while making it more fun, inclusive, and you.
Here are some of the most popular choices:
Co-Ed Toss – everyone single is invited to participate, injecting inclusivity into the ritual.
Special Presentation – gift the bouquet to the next couple set to marry.
Anniversary Dance – invite married couples to the dance floor. Get the DJ on board to whittle down the dancers until the longest married remains, and honor them with the bouquet.
At We Do Weddings we know that every couple wants a day that reflects their values, personalities, and spirit. So if the tradition makes you cringe and you nix it, you reimagine it or you embrace it’s nostalgia completely, what matters is creating a moment that feels authentic to you and comfortable and celebratory for you guests.
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Think on it, and then you do you!