The origin of traditions, the pleasure to know it - THE BOUQUET

We continue our journey through the marriage customs talking about the floral bouquet.
It is traditionally the last gift boyfriend gives his future bride.
The etiquette wants it is chosen and bought by the groom after receiving indications of  the color of the floral preferences of the bride... oh, my husband still does not remember them after 25 years.
You can choose to have it delivered to bride’s home before the ceremony or receive it at the church entrance.
Honestly, being a very important detail for the look of the bride that shall have it with her throughout the whole wedding day, it will have to be matched to the colors and proportions of the wedding dress to create a general harmony, I think it should be evaluated with the floral designer as part of the choice of flowers for the wedding day.
This does not necessarily have to be identical to the rest of the floral decorations.
It is also important that it is not too heavy and that the flowers do not stain and do not wither.
The shape of the bouquet can be varied: round and compact, beam shaped, waterfall shaped but, I repeat, in the style of the bride.
Before saying  few words about the meaning of flowers generally used let us go back in time to get an inspiration ...
In pre-Christian times it was customary that the bride would hold the branches of myrtle or rosemary as omen of fertility, around the year 1000 made their appearance lilies, a symbol of purity, while at the time of the Crusaders, who brought the tradition from the Saracens the orange blossom associated with innocence and purity, made their appearance in the wedding world.
The choice of flowers will vary according to individual taste, the wedding theme, the location and in my opinion, also it depends on the season of the ceremony, because if it is true that now there is everything in each period of the year, seasonal flowers can help in creating the right atmosphere .... I believe, for example, that in winter marriages  a touch of pine is a must ... and, why not, it helps the budget too.
 
Let us spend now some words about the meaning of flowers generally used for the bouquet:
-Rose:  in all its nuances it is the passion flower.
-Hydrangea: I did not find much information about its meaning, I personally find it extremely simple but chic.
 -Peony: in the East it is the flower most revered as the bearer of good fortune and a happy marriage, I find it perfect for a round and compact bouquet.
-Calle: in the Victorian age it was chosen as a symbol of refinement and it is the perfect flower for a beam shaped bouquet.
-Gypsofila: better known as bridal veil was used as ornamental flower. Now it is having a  redemption by becoming the protagonist of compositions from its fascinating lightness.
-Thrush: the ancient Romans were used to gift it to their beloved therefore they are a symbol of faithful love.

Another tradition related to the bouquet is the famous throwing and  there are about some alternative choices:
- In doubt if keeping the bouquet as a memory of the wedding day or respecting the tradition of its throwing, just make a smaller one ready to be used for the throwing. The Bride could decide otherwise to donate it to a unmarried friend or to divide it into smaller ones and donate them in bunches to every unmarried girl.
​
As suggested talking on the wedding rings, even in this case get an eye on the manicure.

​Cris, translated by Anna