should i carry a bouquet? i am torn on this. i think they are super pretty and look great in pictures. i also think it is silly to pay money for something you carry down the aisle (awkwardly in my case, as both my parents will be walking me down the aisle). then hand to some one else to hold. then take back at the end and then it usually becomes a centerpiece. wait. i hadn’t thought of it that way before. it is multi-functional….hm. this sheds a whole new light on things.
when kelly and i were doing some shopping when i was in kc we got to talking about bouquets and vails and the tradition behind them. i thought i remembered reading in committed a skeptic’s guide to marriage that the tradition behind the bouquet was that in the days of yore, ya know- pre running water, brides would carry flowers so they would smell nice for their groom. anyone else? kelly let me spew it and then when i googled “why brides carry bouquets” later, i was totally wrong.
apparently bouquets, at their inception, were made of herbs that were then used to season the feast after the wedding. apparently garlic was common, as was dill. different herbs signified different things. then the flowers started coming in, presumably with the marigold first, as it is an edible flower.
le sigh. i liked my explanation better.
BUT WAIT! i just googled “brides bouquets body odor” and the huffington post came in with this gem. she kinda lost me after the wedding part, but whatever. there are actually lost of posts from my team. i am right. and my story is so better.
i guess the overriding question here and the feeling i was expressing to to kelly is that i am not sure where i stand with the traditions of marriage. i feel like so often traditions are carried out with no thought of what that event, action or thing signifies. i don’t want to be a bra-burner, but i also want to know that what happens that day is a reflection of us. sounds like i have some research to do.
so, blah blah blah…..bouquet or no?
ahoyfriend. 
I love bouquet… mostly for photo opps. You could be arm in arm with dad, bouquet in that hand (specially if it’s something delicate), and hold your mom’s hand in the other…? I def don’t think it has to be a big heavy ball of stuff right in front of your chest.
I like the idea of a bouquet.. though something small and dainty. I really love the idea of adding herbs in it! Not sure what your thoughts are on a wrist corsage but when done right they are quite beautiful and you wouldn’t have to hand it off. Check this out: http://www.weddingobsession.com/2008/12/31/bouquet-alternative-bracelet-corsages/
I think if you are concerned about the cost of purpose, then forget it. In 20 years from now, what are you and your loved ones going to remember about the wedding? Whether you had a bouquet or not? Who knows?
So late in this reply. I like your story and the herbs for the feast. I’m surprised you don’t like that version. You and B cook for people more than anyone I know, you love to share food. It only seems fitting that at your wedding full of people you love that you would have a bouquet of spices for the meal you are about to have with everyone who shared in that moment with you. Man, do I sound cheesy? I doubt you want to have garlic in your bouquet, but I do have some suggestions–though but now, maybe you have made a decision. Suggestion 1: I saw this at a wedding once and loved it…the men wore herbs as their boutonnieres–masculine, but pretty and smelled great (sage, rosemary, etc…). Suggestion 2: i think you should carry a bouquet, but i think it should be composed of flowers that dry well. when it’s all over you can make some sort of craft out them. Handmade paper or something with your bouquet petals in it. You could use the paper to matte a photograph of you and Bryce.
good point. i guess i just wanted it to be because people are stinky. i think i am going with a bouquet, but maybe not something so traditional.
you also make a good point about the cooking, but we are having fried chicken at the reception, so no herbs needed. i always think of you when i think of fried chicken.