Is It True That US Brides Have Small Bouquets Walking Down The Aisle?
By Janey1966
@Janey1966 (24170)
Carlisle, England
March 31, 2010 9:11am CST
This question has been troubling me for some time. Now, in my Avatar it shows me and hubby just after we got married in the Planet Hollywood Hotel, Las Vegas, USA, in April 2008.
Unbelievably, it was cheaper in the long run to get married there than have a huge "do" here in the UK. Unfortunately, due to financial restraints we could not afford a lavish wedding, just something basic, which is (actually) something we wanted.
I was asked about flowers and told the Wedding Planner that I would leave it up to her to arrange as I am hopeless at these things. So, on my wedding day I was given the smallest bouquet you can imagine. Don't get me wrong, it was gorgeous (and real, thankfully) but I was expecting something bigger but did not have the heart to moan as - like I said, I left it to the Wedding Planner to sort out.
When my Mum mentioned it at work someone told her that it's a known fact that bouquets are smaller in the US than over here. Is this true?
Can someone enlighten me about this please as I don't actually believe her lol.
Unbelievably, it was cheaper in the long run to get married there than have a huge "do" here in the UK. Unfortunately, due to financial restraints we could not afford a lavish wedding, just something basic, which is (actually) something we wanted.
I was asked about flowers and told the Wedding Planner that I would leave it up to her to arrange as I am hopeless at these things. So, on my wedding day I was given the smallest bouquet you can imagine. Don't get me wrong, it was gorgeous (and real, thankfully) but I was expecting something bigger but did not have the heart to moan as - like I said, I left it to the Wedding Planner to sort out.
When my Mum mentioned it at work someone told her that it's a known fact that bouquets are smaller in the US than over here. Is this true?
Can someone enlighten me about this please as I don't actually believe her lol.1 person likes this
7 responses
@scarlet_woman (23465)
• United States
31 Mar 10
some do..it's really bride's choice.
i think the main reason is when they toss it to the single women,they don't clock someone with a huge bouquet.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
31 Mar 10
The thing is, mine was a small "family" wedding anyway so I wouldn't have thrown the bouquet to anybody. I wonder what Princess Di did with hers, it was huge!
1 person likes this
@scarlet_woman (23465)
• United States
3 Apr 10
hmm..good question.i remember watching that on tv,it was huge.
shame how that all turned out,it was a beautiful wedding.she looked so happy then.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
19 Apr 10
She sure did. I'm not too sure about her being buried on an island by her brother. He didn't even get along with her but was allowed to get his own way because no-one could be bothered arguing with him at the time. Princess Di..alone on an island in the middle of a little lake..er, no I don't think so.
I don't even think he lives here anymore. T*sser! LOL.
I don't even think he lives here anymore. T*sser! LOL.1 person likes this
@udayrao2 (781)
• India
1 Apr 10
Hi Janey
I wouldn't know the response for couple of reasons - I am based in India not in USA, secondly here Christian marriages are held in churches but really though I have attended many I have never noticed the bouquet size!! And then for the marriages in other religions or according to other religious rituals there are garlands rather than bouquets and they come in all sizes/lengths, many varieties with various flowers of choice, and to suit the individual budget & preference - and YES they keep you hands-free!!!
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
1 Apr 10
Oh wow, garlands! I bet they were lovely! Are the colours of them significant or do the people please themselves?
@udayrao2 (781)
• India
2 Apr 10
Yes they are lovely and smell nice too around the neck- works like a whole body perfume and the surrounding. Yes for different rituals & functions there are different types or colours, but then there are so many varieties that one can be choosy and pick what they want either a single colour/type or many of them together, and of course you can add different colours & types of leaves in between or as you want too just to keep it looking very natural.
Then you have garlands for adorning the main & other doors that hangs over the entrance like you do with your mistletoe, and then for home taps, household/kitchen vessels, farm tools/machines, cars and important machines/gadgets - but that is normally done during religious functions and festival/new year days.
@ElicBxn (63252)
• United States
1 Apr 10
Well, Janey, I've never been to a wedding in Britain, and haven't been to one lately here in the States either.
I do know that cost has something to do with it.
After all, you are paying for flowers for the church, on both of the mother's dresses, probably to be carried by the maids (or matrons) of honor and the flowers on the groom and groom's men (and often on the ushers too) then the father's often have a flower on their lapels too.
And what's going to become of them? They die.
And the bride's going to toss that bouquet too.
Now, I've been in the single women group a few times and managed to dodge that flying flowers (and I'm still single) but it seems to me to be a bit of a waste to spend too much on the darn things.
Now, my brother's wedding had a pretty good sized bunch of flowers, but hardly 10 lbs. still, I don't know if its because she wanted it or because her family could afford it...
Oh, I will say, that I've seen them take a few blooms out for the bride before the flowers a tossed.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
1 Apr 10
You've made me feel much better about not having a large bouquet now! I'd not thought about the bride throwing the flowers before (as I didn't do it myself of course) and you are right, it's a bit of a waste isn't it?
1 person likes this
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
2 Apr 10
I guess it depends on the wedding. Weddings are traditional to a certain point but then there have been variences over the years too. There are a lot of different traditions that are not honored by everyone here. I think the bouquet became smaller so that it would pose more of a challenge to the ladies trying to catch it..lol..that can be quite the show.
@sleepylittlerose (1648)
• United States
31 Mar 10
Many of the bouquets used in weddings that I have been in or even my own have been smaller. But I think this all depends on the bride. Due to cost issue and things I have even know a few just to carry single lillies. If you think about it a smaller bouquet would leave money to be spent on other things that you would want more and once the wedding is over and you toss the bouquet you don't have the flowers anyway.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
31 Mar 10
That's true, I never thought about the "throwing the bouquet at the end" bit! Not that I did with mine as it was only parents and my nephew there anyway. I had a little black cat as well from my MIL that managed to get on most of the photographs (not a real one you understand) so I suppose if the bouquet had been large the cat wouldn't have got a look in!
@jenrose930 (119)
• United States
31 Mar 10
Flowers are very expensive, and I think brides are downsizing bouquets to make it so that the attention is on themselves, not the 10 lb bouquet that they're carrying. Simplicity and grace are some important things that brides may worry about. Many young brides want to look more natural and graceful, and think that carrying a small bouquet will help convey that. Plus, I'm sure that flowers are expensive in Las Vegas since the stores may have to pay more to make the greenhouse conditions more desirable. Las Vegas is a city in the middle of the desert!
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
31 Mar 10
Yes, I realise that my friend and it does make sense to have a smaller bouquet as possible in those kind of conditions. Also, you are right in that the attention was drawn towards me and the dress (as it had beads on the front and around the back) so if I'd had a large bouquet it would've covered up a jolly expensive dress lol.
A great day was had by all; bouquets aren't that important, I was just wondering if the lady who spoke to my Mum was right, that was all.
A great day was had by all; bouquets aren't that important, I was just wondering if the lady who spoke to my Mum was right, that was all.
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
1 Apr 10
My bouquet was not small. I chose it myself. It was white roses with a blue ribbon...
