Carried Away: Wedding Bouquet Alternatives

Everybody loves lush and colorful bridesmaid bouquets, but there’s no hard-and-fast rule that says your attendants are required to carry bunched blooms at your wedding. Creative alternatives include glowing glass lanterns, a colorful Shan (Chinese fan) or ever-chic floral hoops. Here, we’ve gathered our top five alternatives to the traditional wedding bouquet.

BLOOMING SHOULDER BAG

Ditch the handheld bouquet for a cheery clutch embellished with live florals—like this beauty created by Robert Upwall with Salt Lake City’s Every Blooming Thing.

Wedding Bouquet Alternatives
Photo by Adam Finkle

FLOWER HOOP

Azalea Flower Company drew inspiration from freshly-picked summertime peaches when arranging this modern hoop arrangement. The arrangements are bursting with garden roses, essential spring tulips, and texture from delicate Japanese Andromeda and hanging amaranthus.

Wedding Bouquet Alternatives
Photo by Clarity Lane

COLORFUL PARASOL

Vividly patterned parasols make a statement for any summer wedding. The artful accessories serve a dual purpose of protecting your bridesmaids from Utah’s powerful rays, and who doesn’t love a little added whimsy?

Wedding Bouquet Alternatives
Photo by Branson Maxwell

FLORAL DREAMCATCHER

A struggle that every Utah florist knows all too well is the battle to keep bridal bouquets from wilting in the hot and arid climate. This stunning bride totes a dream-catcher inspired, macrame-dripping ring of cherry-branch florals in lieu of a traditional bouquet, because unsavory weather should never limit celebration of Utah’s natural beauty.

Photography by Magnolia + Ember. Floral by Bloomers Flower & Decor

FLICKERING LANTERNS

Ditch bright and bouncy blooms for something a bit bolder. Flickering lanterns add a dose of drama to your wedding, especially if your ceremony takes place at dusk. Just imagine your bridesmaids lighting up the aisle with romantic lanterns in hand. Just be sure to swap out the item with something a little softer for the bridal toss.

Wedding Bouquet Alternatives
Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock

Of course, we love a blooming bouquet as much as the next girl. Check out these desert-inspired arrangements for your big day!

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Avrey Evans
Avrey is the Associate Editor for Utah Bride & Groom Magazine, and the Digital Editor for our affiliate magazine Utah Style & Design. She enjoys documenting unique love stories, offering fashion inspiration and indulging her affinity for alliteration.