Weddings have always been important days. They used to be considered among the luckiest of days, for the bride and groom were entering a more socially acceptable, and therefore more profitable, stage in life. The wedding day was particularly lucky for the bride, and she was considered the most lucky participant in the wedding. Guests who wished to appropriate some of that luck would attack the bride and tear off pieces of her dress, veil, or flowers as she and her new husband attempted to leave the ceremony. These objects supposedly transferred some of the bride’s luck to their new owners.
The tradition of tossing the bridal bouquet came first from self-defense: the bride would surrender her flowers to the pressing crowd in order to save her person. Later, the bride attempted to throw the bouquet to one of her friends or favorites, with the hope that this maiden would catch her flowers and become lucky enough to wed soon.
Modern brides no longer expect to be thronged at their weddings, and many unmarried friends wish to remain so and do not wish to be singled out at a wedding. Many brides forego the bouquet toss altogether, or vary the tradition. Some present the bouquet to their parents as a symbol of gratitude. Others present the flowers to the couple who has been married the longest, or to an engaged couple as a glimpse of things to come. Some brides even split the bouquet among the attendants as a memento of the ceremony. Even the brides who choose to continue the bouquet toss tradition will often have the florist provide a smaller, “toss bouquet” that can be more easily caught. The bride will then preserve the original bouquet in her own home. Whatever the approach, modern brides strive to make the bouquet toss (or bestowal) a fun and meaningful time.
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