What Could Bridesmaids Carry Lower The Aisle Besides Flowers?

Friday, March 22, 2013

What Could Bridesmaids Carry Lower The Aisle Besides Flowers?

A painted fan offers an alternative to bridesmaids bouquets.

Flowers are traditional at weddings across the world. From altar and aisle decorations to boutonnieres and bridal bouquets, flowers are often a major part of weddings. Traditionally, bridesmaids carry bouquets that coordinate with the rest of the flowers in the wedding, but many brides want to find alternatives to bridesmaid bouquets to give their weddings a unique, modern feel.

Themed Accessories

Theme weddings can give you ideas for alternatives to flowers for your bridesmaids. For example, if you have a Southern belle-themed wedding, your bridesmaids could carry lace parasols. Beach-themed bridesmaids can carry a conch shell or starfish. A lasso makes an interesting accessory for a ranch- or cowboy-themed wedding. When choosing an accessory for a themed wedding, be sure it doesn't detract from the bride's look and that the accessory doesn't outshine the bridesmaids. The wedding is about the bride and groom, not what the bridesmaids are carrying down the aisle.

Baskets

Small baskets decorated with ribbon can be a pretty alternative to bridesmaid flowers. They also give bridesmaids a place to stash tissues and lipstick. They can be filled with flowers or greenery, covered with tulle or simply left empty. Decorating the baskets is an activity the bridesmaids can help with prior to the wedding. Baskets can be found at craft and hobby stores in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors.

Purses

Many bridal boutiques can dye purses to match the bridesmaids' dresses. Carrying a small clutch or wristlet purse gives bridesmaids a place to stash their necessities, and they are sure to match the wedding color scheme. For a look that's not completely matching, bridesmaids can choose their own purses that coordinate with the color scheme. This will give them some input into their overall looks, and the purses are likely to reflect the personalities of the bridesmaids.

Greenery or Leaves

If you want to bring a bit of nature to your wedding processional without flowers, consider giving your bridesmaids greenery to carry. For example, they can carry a small amount of ivy for a cascading look. If your wedding is in the fall, you can make bouquets out of silk leaves in fall colors. Bouquets of green leaves are an option for weddings during the spring or summer as well. Sprigs of pine or holly can bring beautiful greenery to winter weddings.

Feathers

Decorative feathers can be found in nearly any color at craft and hobby stores, as well as home décor stores. Bridesmaids can carry a single large feather in a color that matches the wedding color scheme. Two or three feathers can be tied together with a ribbon to simulate a long-stemmed bouquet. The stems of the feathers may need to be trimmed so the feathers are not too large for the bridesmaids.

Fans

Hand-held fans can make a lovely alternative to carrying flowers for your bridesmaids. Painted folding fans can match the wedding décor. Lace fans can be found in colors to match the bridesmaids' dresses. Bridesmaids will also appreciate having a fan if your venue is warm.

Nothing

There's no rule stating that bridesmaids have to carry anything down the aisle. Consider letting the bridesmaids' shine on their own and not giving them an accessory at all. By not giving them anything, you don't have to worry about keeping track of the accessories, making sure they're all the same or that they look appropriate for the wedding and with the individual bridesmaids.

Century bird cages

Friday, March 22, 2013