A forever fresh alternative to flowers
Up until today, I’d never really considered the plight of brides with hay fever or pollen allergies. What bride wants to walk down the aisle with watering eyes and a runny nose? Sure, there are always silk flowers and greens, but a lot of the silk bouquets out there look cheap. Reader Deena pointed out a fabulous and funky alternative: the crystal bouquet!
Like flowers and floral arrangements, crystal bouquets come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and, of course, prices. You can buy them pre-made or you can try making your own with a kit. A crystal bouquet featuring large Swarovski crystals can cost as much as $1,000 while less luxurious bouquets go for about $100. A kit from Wedding Day Originals will set a future bride back about $50 but I’m not sure wire weaving is for everyone.
Unlike flowers and flower arrangements, a crystal bouquet won’t wilt in the heat, doesn’t need to be preserved, and can be tossed about a bit without losing any of its beauty. The stunning bouquet above is sold by Advantage Bridal and features over 150 large Swarovski crystals on beautifully woven silvery stems.
Can you imagine that thing flying through the air, over the heads of assembled bridesmaids and single weddinggoers? LOOK OUT, EVERYONE, HERE IT COOOOOMES!
….and heaven forbid if it hits the floor first….
Another possibility – if you know someone who knows how to do it and have plenty of time! – is a lace bouquet. I’ve got some pretty lace flowers in a vase I got as a favor at a lacemaker’s convention about ten years ago, and they’re still gorgeous.
I also saw some pictures somewhere (was it on this blog?) from the wedding of a keen knitter whose knitting group made the gown, the bouquet, the groom’s top hat, and a bunch of other goodies. It looked a little Dr. Seussish to me, but it was fun and meaningful to the couple in question.
There’s also the classic alternative of carrying a fan or a prayer book, instead of flowers.
I do agree that one might to have a backup bouquet to toss during the traditional throwing of the bouquet – by “toss about” I meant set down and wave around without any danger of squishing it or bits of it falling off. Could you imagine getting beaned by a bouquet of large crystals? Eep!
Ooh, a fan would be so fantastically elegant…and useful for those hot summer weddings
These crystals would be lovely in candlelight. I’m afraid , though, that I’d feel like Glinda the Good Witch if I carried this particular arrangement around. I do feel a bit as though the tips should start flashing rainbow colors, a la fiber optic holiday decor, at any moment.
How about a lovely bouquet of ribbon and velvet flowers? You know—the kind of flowers you always picture belonging in a milliner’s shop, circa 1900.
Or you could do crepe-paper roses! As long as it doesn’t rain…
I had a bouquet in autumn colours framed with long gold ostrich plumes; my bridesmaids carried carnations with long white ostrich plumes, both suitable for trimming hats afterwards (which is why I went the plume route). And I agree that fans are excellent choices, both for the bride to carry, and as bibelots. I’ve been in more than one sultry church where I’ve used the folding fan I always carry with me, and the looks I get from the female guests are unmistakeable: “Boy, I wish I’d thought of that!”
My dad always talks about the women in church when he was young, flapping away with fans with the name of the local mortuary or drugstore or feed store printed on them when the weather got too hot.
You’re brilliant, LaBellaDonna. There’s nothing worse than being in a long church meeting when it’s so hot that you’re fighting to keep your eyes propped open! It’s in moments like that that I think of the mortuary fans with great longing…
Very nice bouquet. Here in Peru this kind of bouquet is the hottest trend in the weddings.
You’ve a nice blog.
Best regards
Melissa
i;m looking 4 a wirework bouquet do u know of a place with a selection at reasonable prices
I’m loving this idea! I found it awhile ago on another site and decided i wanted to do that. I have been not loving the real flower idea at all.
however, my one concern is my dear future husband who thinks my swarovski bracelet that i made is “little girlish”
of course, he’s not carrying flowers so i dont know why he’d care. but then again, if you use these as bouquets what on earth do you do for boutinerres? *scratches head*
hmm
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