As your bridesmaids march down the aisle in your wedding, the chances are that they will be holding something pretty in their hands. Customarily, this was a bouquet of flowers, but there are actually tons of other options. These are some suggestions for creative bouquet alternatives for bridesmaids.



What you give your bridesmaids to carry in your wedding should reflect the style of your wedding. If you keep that in mind, it will open your eyes to all sorts of non-traditional possibilities. Think about the message you wish to convey, as well as what will look the best with the bridesmaid dresses, your bridal gown, and the ceremony location. Some bouquet alternatives would be perfect in one place, but seem odd in another. Everything should flow together.

If your wedding is going to be outdoors, this will give you some wonderful non-bouquet options. On a warm summer afternoon, beautiful handpainted paper or silk fans would be lovely. Better yet, they will be cool. You can choose a floral design or an Asian inspired pattern, whichever would best suit the other decorations in your ceremony.

Another pretty thing that bridesmaids can carry are parasols. This old-fashioned accessory has actually made quite a comeback at weddings in the last year, especially in the South. Parasols are feminine and pretty, making them a natural choice. They also make a terrific prop for photographs of the bridal party. Just be careful not to pair them with frilly dresses, as the end result could look too much like a costume from "Gone With the Wind".

Some of the other hot ideas for bouquet alternatives go in the polar opposite direction. At an urban loft wedding, one of the hippest trends for bridesmaids is to have each one carry a chic clutch bag rather than flowers. This looks incredible with ultra-modern bridesmaid dresses like minis. Best of all, the clutches are also very practical. Each girl can carry a different one, as long as they all look good with their bridesmaid dresses. Some of the best choices are patterned silk, or metallic lizard bags.

For very opulent weddings, the bridesmaids should look truly fabulous. Imagine the bridal party dressed to the nines in silk bridesmaid dresses in a rich jewel tone with sparkling crystal bridesmaid jewelry. Instead of floral bouquets, they are carrying bouquets created from colorful and dramatic peacock feathers. The colors of the feathers will tie in beautifully with jewel tones in the bridesmaid dresses and crystal jewelry. The look is pure drama, and utterly unforgettable.

Brides who love old-fashioned romance have another fantastic bouquet alternative to consider for their bridesmaids: pomanders. Pomanders are round balls of greenery suspended from pretty ribbons. This would be especially gorgeous for a Christmas wedding. Make the pomanders from pine boughs and decorate with holly leaves and red berries. The result will be unique and festive.

Once you begin to think about it, there are a myriad of creative alternatives to the typical bridesmaid bouquets. Choosing an unconventional item for your attendants to carry is a wonderful way to put a personal stamp on your wedding, so let your imagination take over and design something truly special.