Hey everyone! I've been looking for different ideas on what to do instead of the traditional garter and bouquet tosses. Since this is my second wedding I really didn't want to do things the same way I did my first. I remember doing the garter toss and hating the fact that he had to go up my dress to get it out. It's mortifying and embarrassing. As it is I hate being the center of attention (yes, I know I will be that day) and try to find anyway I can to stay out of it!
Here are some alternatives that you can use on your wedding day!
1) A breakaway bouquet!
For a while now brides have been having two bouquets made- one to keep and one to throw- but a "breakaway" bouquet is a little different. The trick with the breakaway is that it looks like a solid bouquet, but will separate out once it's thrown, allowing everyone to get a piece. Some brides have it arranged so that it breaks into a number of smaller bouquets, or just turns into a free-for-all of individual flowers. Either way, everyone has a better chance to snag a flower or two. Some brides have even been adding little messages on the stems of each bouquet!
Breakaway bouquet idea
2) Have a girls-only dance
Instead of doing a bouquet toss, invite all the ladies in the room, whether single, taken, or married, and have a girls-only dance party. Pick a fun, female positive song like Beyonce's "Who Run the World (Girls)," or the Spice Girl's "If You Wanna Be My Lover." That way, you're celebrating all of the women in your life. And if you're forgoing the garter toss as well, have your hubby host a guys-only dance next!
3) The Anniversary dance (my favourite)
Instead of singling out all of your single friends, turn the spotlight on the couples. Ask that anyone in a relationship (some people do just married couples, it's up to you) join the bride and groom on the dance floor for a couples dance. Pick a fun or sentimental song, and have the DJ/MC start counting up after a while, asking any couples who have been together for two years, five years, 10 years, and so on to stay on the floor until only a single couple remains. Give your bouquet to that couple — it will most likely be your adorable grandparents or grandparents-in-law! At our wedding (depending on if his relatives from the states come down) it will likely end up being his parents which will be incredibly heartfelt and amazing to give them the bouquet as they have been there for us through everything and helped with the planning.
Anniversary dance
4) Have a flower ceremony
If you're having a small intimate wedding you could have a flower ceremony instead of a bouquet toss. Have the DJ or MC call all of your friends and family to the floor and proceed to hand each one of them a flower from your bouquet. You can tell them things you love about them, your favourite story involving them, or just thank them for coming. Everyone will walk away with a flower and a smile.
What are you and your fiancé doing if you're not doing the "traditional" garter/bouquet toss? I'd love to hear your ideas!
