26 Alternative Wedding Bouquet Ideas (2024)

Because blooms aren't the only option!

By

Molly Allen

26 Alternative Wedding Bouquet Ideas (1)

Molly Allen

Molly Allen is a previous bakery owner with expertise in wedding orders, as well as a former event planner. She is now a freelance writer focused on lifestyle, travel, and food and beverage.

Brides's Editorial Guidelines

Published on 08/30/21 11:47AM

26 Alternative Wedding Bouquet Ideas (2)

From lush peony bouquets in spring to dahlias, hydrangeas, and cosmos in summer, the choices for wedding blooms are incredible. With so many flower possibilities, you can truly find a perfect match for any aesthetic. But what if flowers aren’t your thing?

While it may follow tradition to carry a beautiful bouquet down the aisle on your way to say "I do," that doesn’t mean it’s your only option. It’s totally fine to ditch the traditional floral bouquet and opt for something more unique, or better yet, something that will last longer and serve as a memento for years to come.

Wondering what your options are? Read on for 26 of our favorite alternative wedding bouquet ideas to get the creativity flowing.

01of 26

Opt for a Hoop

26 Alternative Wedding Bouquet Ideas (3)

Hoop bouquets are the perfect way to still showcase florals while ditching the traditional bouquet shape. Choose a gold, silver, or even wooden hoop with plenty of blooms for a unique look.

02of 26

Carry Cotton

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Who would have thought cotton could look so pretty! If you're in an area that grows cotton, or you simply just love the pillowy look of it, consider celebrating this crop with an entire bouquet of branches. Add a few leaves of greenery to add even more interest.

03of 26

Show Off Silk

What if we told you this bouquet would last forever? It's true! This stunning bouquet features pretty hues of pink, coral, and white, and it's made up of entirely silk flowers. That way, you can carry a bouquet that will truly last a lifetime.

04of 26

Celebrate With Citrus

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Overflowing citrus? Why not! We love the idea of a lush bundle of greenery featuring kumquats to add a bold pop of color.

05of 26

Fall for Ferns

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Ferns are one of the most interesting green plants. They provide so much texture, along with a bold hue. Consider carrying a large bundle of ferns on their own, or pair them with a few other sprigs of greenery to play with texture and color.

06of 26

Feature Feathers

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We love the way this bouquet alternative exudes a vintage-meets-boho vibe, and the bride put it together on her own! Grab a variety of feathers to create an interesting, artistic option.

07of 26

Hold a Hanging Bouquet

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Want to still incorporate flowers without the typical bouquet shape? Switch it up! This hanging bouquet is such a unique and beautiful take, providing gorgeous trails of blooms to capture light.

08of 26

Fall for Autumn Leaves

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A fall wedding is the perfect opportunity to switch up the typical floral bouquet. Consider incorporating plenty of textured greenery paired with a few autumn leaves for a beautiful pop of color.

09of 26

Combine Lavender and Greenery

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If you're planning a rustic and farm-style wedding, bright, bold flowers may not fit the aesthetic. We love the way this couple chose to create interesting bouquets with sprigs of fragrant lavender, sage, and wheat.

10of 26

Opt for Olive Branches

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Olive branches hold a meaning of peace, and they're the perfect piece of greenery to carry down the aisle. Put together a bunch of olive branches tied with a gorgeous ribbon for a uniquely textured choice.

11of 26

Carry a Clutch

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Want to still feature lush blooms? No problem! But to add something unique into the mix, consider a clutch. We love the idea of adding your bouquet to a neutral clutch for the most charming look.

12of 26

Embrace Ikebana

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Ikebana is the Japanese art of utilizing branches, leaves, and blossoms to create arrangements that showcase the nature and beauty of the materials. One real wedding bride, who doesn't love flowers, opted to explore this art form to achieve a uniquely textured look.

13of 26

Showcase a Sweet Heart

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We think pulling inspiration from this sweet flower girl would make for the most charming alternative. Why not consider carrying a beautiful heart-shaped hoop of greenery down the aisle? How lovely!

14of 26

Don a Floral Crown

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Not interested in carrying a traditional bouquet at all? Don't! Ditch the idea and opt for a flower crown instead. We love the option of incorporating pretty blooms in this way, without having to worry about holding something in your hands.

15of 26

Choose Dried and Textured

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Rustic wedding? Boho vibe? Dried flowers are the perfect fit! Select a variety of dried blooms, along with dried greenery and branches, to create the most intriguing bouquet. Plus, it'll last way longer than fresh flowers!

16of 26

Pick a Pretty Posy

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A traditional, lush bouquet is certainly not the only option if you want to incorporate flowers. Choose a simpler route. We love the idea of carrying a single statement bloom such as a lily paired with dainty baby's breath for the prettiest posy.

17of 26

Showcase Winter Greens

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Planning a winter wedding? A bold bouquet of greenery provides the perfect contrast against a white dress. This bouquet showcased a mixture of mint leaves, ferns, and Andromeda vines.

18of 26

Take It to the Tropics

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A tropical wedding? Embrace plants! Consider the idea of carrying a single monstera leaf, or even a palm frond, to really stand out.

19of 26

Choose Bold Color

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Celosia is one of the most intriguing plants to grow in the garden, with its incredibly bold color and flame-like shape. Bright magenta, orange, red, and yellow are all available to make a bouquet that truly pops.

20of 26

Use a Good Read

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Obsessed with books? Consider carrying your favorite book down the aisle, or one that you and your partner both love. Another great option? Track down a handmade clutch that resembles a book cover to celebrate your love for literature.

21of 26

Make a Statement

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It's not uncommon to see one King Protea stem in a bouquet with other blooms, but what if that was all you featured? These large flowering plants certainly command attention with their beautiful hues.

22of 26

Go for Paper

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Paper flowers not only look entirely unique, but they'll last forever. Consider putting together a lovely bouquet with a few sprigs of real greenery for added interest.

23of 26

Incorporate a Bible

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If your faith is important to you, you may want to carry it with you. Consider opting for a bundle of overflowing, lush greenery with your bible tied in the front or back with a ribbon. Or, ditch the greenery altogether to really let your faith stand out.

24of 26

Play With Vegetables

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Vegetables? In a bouquet? You bet! Vegetables such as asparagus, purple broccoli, and radishes add such a playful and colorful touch to a fall wedding.

25of 26

Paint Baby's Breath

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Baby's breath is definitely not your typical go-to for wedding bouquets, but it can be so beautiful. This bride opted for a ribbon-tied bouquet made up of baby's breath that had been painted pink to perfectly match the rest of the wedding's aesthetic.

26of 26

Showcase Succulents

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Obsessed with succulents? Include them in your bouquet! Showcase a variety of these interesting plants with other neutral stems for a romantic boho vibe.

14 Hoop Bouquet Ideas for Brides and Bridesmaids

26 Alternative Wedding Bouquet Ideas (2024)

FAQs

How many different types of flowers should be in a wedding bouquet? ›

Firstly there are no set rules however there are a few considerations . The size and season , the occasion and colour schemes. It is very acceptable to have 3 or 4 types of flowers with lots of greenery . Foliage comes in many forms.

What is similar to a bouquet? ›

There are many options to floral bouquets. A brooch bouquet. A bouquet of fabric flowers or paper flowers. Non-flower bouquets such as feathers, strands of crystals, or origami birds. A pretty fan.

What is equivalent to bouquet toss? ›

The Anniversary Dance, or Bouquet Dance, is the most popular alternative to the bouquet toss. It is a great way to celebrate marriage and for the newlyweds to share a dance with their married friends. Your wedding DJ will ask all the married couples to the dance floor with you and the groom.

What flowers should not be in a wedding bouquet? ›

Additionally, there are a few other flowers you might want to avoid: Hydrangeas and gardenias if you're having a summer wedding (they don't like the heat), tulips for bouquets (they don't live very long outside of soil), daffodils if you have sensitive skin (they can cause an unsightly rash or skin irritation), ...

Is it necessary to have a bridal bouquet? ›

Bouquets, and bouquet alternatives, are traditionally what couples select for brides, those who are getting married, and anyone in the wedding party who identifies as a woman. I'm a big believer in “there are no rules,” so if anyone wants a bouquet, I vote to give them one!

What is the most popular flower for bridal bouquet? ›

Rose. Roses are often associated with love and romance. So, it's no surprise that they're one of the most popular flowers for weddings. Hybrid tea, spray, and garden are the main types of roses featured in wedding bouquets and floral landscapes.

What does 5 flowers in a bouquet mean? ›

5 flowers: Happiness, goodness, and luck. There is even a saying, “Five blessings on your doorstep!” in some cultures that accompanies giving a five-flower bouquet.

What determines how the bridal bouquet should look? ›

Decide on the Best Shape

When choosing the shape of your bouquet, you want to consider the shape of your wedding dress. This is because you want your wedding bouquet to complement the silhouette and details of your dress – not attract attention away from it.

What does a bride carry down the aisle? ›

Carrying a bridal bouquet dates back to ancient times when brides would carry bouquets of herbs and spices to ward off evil spirits and any bad luck. Later, in the Victorian era, these traditions developed to reflect flower color meanings.

Can you do a wedding without flowers? ›

For couples looking to feature non-floral wedding centerpieces, there are still plenty of stunning possibilities. Some of our favorite non-floral centerpieces incorporate greenery, branches, candles, and more. You can also find more unique ideas in our article 26 Unique Wedding Centerpieces.

What is a traditional bridal bouquet? ›

The bridal bouquet are flowers the bride holds as she walks down the aisle, and this is believed to have originated from the Ancient Greeks and Romans. "Carrying flowers has been a part of Western weddings for centuries, with the traditional bridal bouquet coming into popularity during the Victorian Era.

What is a non traditional wedding bouquet toss? ›

Ribbon Cutting. The ribbon cutting is a fun twist on the traditional tossing of the bridal bouquet! All you must do is tie a bunch of ribbons to your bridal bouquet, and ask all of the single ladies to take one. You will then cut one ribbon at a time, and whoever is left holding the last ribbon “catches” the bouquet!

Do people still do a bouquet toss? ›

Of course, the original meaning behind the bouquet toss has become obsolete, but many couples still incorporate the activity today. In fact, Shannon Leahy Rosenbaum, a planner and designer at Shannon Leahy Events in San Francisco, says it occurs at about around half of the weddings she plans.

Do people still do bouquet and garter toss? ›

In the last five years, we have noted a decline in these long-standing traditions and estimate the frequency of bouquet and garter tosses to be approximately 50 percent. Whether you choose to include these traditions or “toss” them is completely up to you.

What can your flower girl carry down the aisle instead of flowers? ›

Balloons: Go for a completely different look, by having your flower girls carry balloons down the aisle. Depending on the theme of your wedding, use color, all white, or different shape balloons.

Is it OK to use artificial flowers for wedding bouquet? ›

There are so many benefits to using artificial flowers for your artificial wedding floral arrangements. You'll be able to save money, reuse your flowers, and get the perfect floral aesthetic that you have always dreamed of having at your wedding.

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