One of the most practiced wedding traditions ever is tossing the bouquet. But what does it mean when you catch the bouquet at a wedding? Most cultures believe whoever catches the bouquet will be blessed with love and marriage, defining their romantic future. Explore the real meaning behind it, including its history and origin, through this article.
History of the Wedding Bouquet Toss
Photo: Blooms by the Box
The tradition of tossing the bouquet dates back to Ancient Europe. During the medieval era, wedding guests would attempt to tear pieces from the bride's wedding dress or her bridal flowers, believing it would bring good luck. To distract the crowd and escape this chaotic practice, brides began throwing their flowers. Over time, this evolved into a more organized tradition where the bride tosses her bouquet to a group of unmarried women. The woman who catches the bouquet is believed to be the next to marry, as this tradition is associated with good fortune, success, and luck in love.
In the Victorian era, flowers became symbols, with each type holding different meanings. The flowers chosen for weddings typically signify love, joy, and commitment. Consequently, the bouquet toss continues to spread positivity, primarily through the themes of romance and luck.
Read more: What Is the Meaning of Bridal Bouquets?
What Is The Meaning of Catching a Wedding Bouquet?
Photo: Ball Event Center
The “catching of the bouquet” tradition has many interpretations. The most famous one is that whoever catches the bouquet will be the next one to walk down the aisle. It is believed to be a predictor of who will be the next to get married. However, as modernity took place, the meaning of this tradition also shifted.
Nowadays, people see this tradition as a mere fun activity rather than the traditional serious omen of getting married. Some cultures associate this with good luck, romantic success, and positive energy in love, but it does not necessarily mean marriage is on the way.
Read more: How to Hold a Bridal Bouquet Properly
What Happens If You Catch the Bouquet at a Wedding?
Photo: Jennifer Cole Florals
So what happened after you caught the bouquet at a wedding? Do you keep it? Typically, yes. You can keep it as a remembrance of a very memorable moment. You may choose to preserve it rather than throw it away and make it into a decorative piece in your home. There are various methods for how to preserve a bridal bouquet, including pressing, drying, and using resin to maintain its beauty for as long as possible.
What does catching the bouquet mean? Although the traditional meaning of catching the bouquet means you will be the next to marry, in the modern day, this is just a friendly and fun way of competing with the other guests. Although this belief is still alive today, it isn’t taken as seriously today compared to before.
Bouquet Toss Meaning in Modern Weddings
Photo: Zola
As time continues to evolve, traditional meanings do, too. Some couples choose to make a new fun activity rather than the traditional bouquet toss, such as giving a separate bouquet to a special guest, like a grandmother or a long-married couple, as a sign of their admiration towards them. Some weddings recreate the traditional bouquet toss by including all guests, not just single women, in the activity.
Despite all these modern interpretations, it is undeniable that traditions still live and continue to be a part of occasions such as weddings. No matter what this tradition means, what is important is that it brings a touch of joy and togetherness to the wedding crowd
While traditions add charm to weddings, planning the perfect celebration also involves budgeting for key elements like floral arrangements. If you're curious about the expenses involved, explore our breakdown of wedding floral costs to help you make the best choices for your big day.
Conclusion
In the end, these traditions rely deeply on how we act on them, but one thing is certain– the bride's bouquet surely plays an important role in the wedding. If you are looking for the perfect bridal bouquet to toss on your wedding day, talk to our wedding florist to create your ideal bouquet, perfect for the bouquet toss!
Summary
While the traditional bouquet toss is a practice that holds significance in history, its meaning has significantly shifted to this day. Now, weddings recreate the bouquet toss tradition and even put a new meaning behind it. However, whether you decide to keep your wedding bouquet or decide to pass it on, your bridal bouquet will always be a memorable part of your wedding.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does catching the bouquet mean I will get married soon?
Not necessarily. While tradition suggests that the person who catches the bouquet will be the next to marry, modern interpretations view it as a fun wedding activity rather than a serious predictor of marriage.
2. What should I do with the bouquet if I catch it?
If you catch the bouquet, you can keep it as a memento, preserve it, or display it as a decorative piece. Some choose to pass it on to someone special or creatively use the flowers.
3. Can men participate in the bouquet toss?
Traditionally, the bouquet toss is for unmarried women, but modern weddings sometimes include all guests. Some weddings also feature a "garter toss" for men, or couples may choose inclusive alternatives.
