On your wedding day, you’ll be
the center of attention. As you walk down the aisle on the most important walk
of your life, all eyes will be fixed upon you. Of course you want to be an
elegant bride who makes a smooth entrance and gracefully glides down the aisle
without looking uncomfortable, feeling awkward, or dropping your bouquet.
To feel confident and self-assured, you’ll want to make sure you
are holding and carrying your bouquet appropriately. Not every bouquet is
carried the same way. Typically, the type of bouquet and features of your gown
will determine the way your bouquet should be carried.
Round, heart, cascade, and crescent bouquets are normally held
and carried in front. These types of bouquets should be low enough to reveal
the details on the neckline and bodice of your gown and are held with both hands
as if your arms are resting on your hips. Although the natural tendency when
excited or nervous is to bring the bouquet to your waist, chest, or even higher,
try to avoid this so your arms are not held in an awkward, uncomfortably
position and so everyone can see the beautiful details of your gown.
Small, lightweight and delicate bouquets, such as nosegays,
clutch bouquets or single blossoms, can be carried to your side with one hand
and are generally held at the same level as a bouquet held in front. If your
nosegay is mounted in an elaborate or family heirloom tussy mussy (a small,
Victorian style, metal or glass, cone-shaped holder), you may choose to proudly
display it by holding and carrying your bouquet in the front instead of the
side. If you choose a tussy mussy holder for your bouquet, you’ll notice that
there is generally only enough room to hold it securely with one hand. For
proper positioning, carry the tussy mussy upwards in your hand with your forearm
bent slightly so it is horizontal (parallel to the floor) while your elbow rests
comfortably on your hip.
Floral pomanders (bloom-covered balls or cones suspended from a
ribbon) can be carried to the side in the same manner as a nosegay or in front
in the same manner as a round bouquet. Typically, adult attendants carry
pomanders to the side with one hand while children carry them in the front with
both hands.
Arm bouquets feature long floral stems and should rest naturally
and comfortably across the inner bend of your elbow so that the bouquet is
cradled in your arms with the blossom end of the flowers facing away from your
body. This holding and carrying technique is not only comfortable, but it also
allows guests on one side to see the open blossoms as you walk down the aisle
and guests on the other side to see the open blossoms as you walk back up the
aisle.
Specialty bouquets such as fans, baskets, and prayer books should
be carried according to their size and proportion. Smaller specialty bouquets
can be carried to either your front or side, while larger baskets should be
carried down and to your side.
Officiant - Officiate - Reverend -
Reverand - Minister - Celebrant
-
Pastor - New Jersey Wedding Officiant - Presiding over New Jersey
Wedding Ceremonies
*Please note that New Jersey
no longer has a "Justice of the Peace" position. The position was
eliminated many years ago.
