A bride’s bouquet is every bit as special to the wedding as her dress. It’s something she holds down the aisle with her father, it’s something that can match her personality, and it’s something the color scheme of the entire wedding can be based around if the bride loves her bouquet that much.

Then, midway through the reception, she just throws it backwards for someone else to have. What’s up with that?

The ritual is a little impractical, but it’s been a tradition that dates back for as long as people have been getting married.

Back in the day, the bride is seen as good luck — a woman lucky enough to marry such a handsome man, or even a prince. Every woman wants to get married, and those who aren’t married assume the bride is lucky, so they want a piece of her. But the women at the wedding can’t literally have a piece of her, so the bride throws her bouquet and woman who catches the bouquet has a piece of her and is considered lucky, or next to get married.

It’s a fun tradition that takes place at almost every wedding. All the single women are behind the bride, reaching for the bouquet the bride blindly throws over her head.

What about the bouquet, though? Some people want to cherish their wedding flowers forever and not just give up something as special as their wedding bouquet.

Alternatives to throwing the bouquet

If you don’t want to throw your real bouquet, see if your wedding florist will create a replica or some silk flowers to throw. You don’t HAVE to throw your real bouquet, or do the traditional bouquet toss, but having a something other than your real bouquet is perfectly acceptable.

Some brides even personally give their bouquet to their single friend as a sign of support, letting them know their time is soon.

So whatever happens, whether the bride throws her beautiful bouquet or swings back a fake one, it’s her day, be happy to go up and catch it. Nothing wrong with a little good luck.

Setting a beautiful table, whether it’s for a wedding, special event or just for your own home, can look great and be a topic of conversation. It might seem intimidating when you research beautiful floral table designs, but with so many options you can bring the look of any season to your table without difficulty.

A floral table runner is a long, decorative piece of woven flowers and fabric that is laid lengthwise or horizontally across the table. The purpose is to create a visually appealing design that will tempt any diner to sit and stay a while!

Pick a theme or color scheme because you are creating a floral table runner, you will want to design something that captures the season in which the table is being set. For instance, if it is a summertime event, choose flowers and colors that are fresh and blooming. Roses of all colors can be blended or woven to create a billowing, overflowing runner that dips down over the sides of the table. Another summer option is snipping bright flowers off their stems and laying them across the table or scattering them on decorative paper or linen.  Using checkered or gingham patterns on fabric can really bring out the feeling of summer and can be a neat contrast to the floral arrangement.

Some table runners may not even touch the table, but are instead created out of long boxes or repeating vases filled with wheat grass, stones or sand. To make these, cut flowers slightly above the grass line and mix them into the grass sporadically to create a visually and aromatically appealing floral box.

A well scented floral runner can also be created during winter months and can be themed for the holidays or for an event such as a wedding or ball. This can be achieved by blending sprays of pine branches and pinecones which are odiferous and bountiful. Mixing in red ribbons or holly berries can really make the runner pop. For a more layered look, lay down a white or green tablecloth to ensure the enhancement of the floral runner.

Center the table runner down the length of the table. For a more modern look, lay two table runners next to each other and mix in taller centerpieces with matching flowers as the runner. Tall candle arrangements can also bring appeal to the table. Complete the table with placemats or napkins that blend in with the color scheme.