Confetti: To Toss or not to Toss

Many of our brides question whether to partake in the age-old tradition of the bouquet toss at their wedding receptions.  Most of our brides this year are deciding to forego this tradition and consider alternatives. 

The history of the bouquet toss goes back to fourteenth century France, where guests viewed a bride as especially lucky on her wedding day, and would clamour to tear off pieces of her dress for their own good fortune.  Eventually, brides began to rebel against this practice and tossed their garters to guests, and later, their bouquets.

While there is something to be said for tradition, some people prefer not to call out all their single friends to catch the bouquet in the hopes that the one who catches it will be the next to marry.  Here are some alternatives to consider:

1.  The Anniversary Dance - This is a dance for all married couples at the wedding.  During the song, the emcee asks people who have been married less than a certain number of years to leave the dance floor.  The couple who has been married the longest remains and is given the bride's bouquet.

2.  Have a "dance off" for the bouquet - invite males & females to the dance floor for a dance off.  Form a circle in the middle of the dance floor where guests dance one by one in the middle.  The dancer who wins the most admiration from the crowd or from the bride & groom gets the bouquet.

3.  Give the bouquet to a special female in your life to honor them.

4.  Do the bouquet toss, but open it up to anyone (single or in a relationship) who wants to participate.  As a fun extra incentive, offer a prize such as cash, a restaurant gift certificate or a spa package!

5.  Keep it!