Bridesmaids- What Else Can They Carry?

They carry flowers, that`s all. Bouquets.

Well they could carry candles, but that`s kind of dangerous to walk with. I can just picture a bridesmaid tripping over her long gown and catching herself on fire.
Or they could carry one long stemmed flower instead of a bouquet, but I always thought that was kind of insulting. I mean afterall, they buy the dress and the shoes and probably throw you a shower and pay for their travel expenses. The least the bride could do is give them a pretty bouquet to walk with at the wedding. Plus the one flower thing always looks to me like the bride was being stingy.
Different flowers are different prices. I would suggest that you speak to the florist and pick bouquets for them with less expensive flowers for them. I`m sure with the hundreds of varieties of flowers that you will find something that is pretty that you can afford.

Thanks for the advice. I agree with you about the one flower thing- seems stingy and tacky. I may go with the small, inexpensive bouquet thing, both for theirs and mine, but the thing is it`s in a flower garden with TONS of flowers, so additional flower seem unnecesary. I thought maybe they could carry something pretty that they could then give to the family members as part of the ceremony, but I have no idea what. I don`t think they feel they need a bouquet as a symbol of appreciation, I`m asking them to forego gifts as their presence is more than enough and of course I will give them a nice gift, something that won`t wilt and die. Any other ideas? Thanks again for your response!

What about beautiful old fashioned looking fans? I think this would look stunning for a garden wedding, especially since you will already have tons of flowers.

That`s a nice idea. They could then place them on the buffet table as decoration which could be pretty. My finance`s sister will also be a groomsmaid. Do you think she should carry one too?

Yes, I think all the female attendants should get one. I don`t know about putting them on a buffet table though. With spills they could get ruined. They may want to keep them as a pretty keepsake from your wedding. At least you should ask them first before you take them for a buffet table (or to use as decoration for your reception) because they will belong to them and not you.

I am getting married in August and my girls are going to carry tube vases from the crafts store Michaels. The vases have colored beads in them and a tealight candle 3/4 the way to the top. The candle is down far enough that the candle will not blow out and it should not burn anyone or anything either. I have put some silk ivy around the vase with a few blue flowers twisted in with it, but you could always just use the vases without the flowers. Everyone who has seen them thinks it is a cool and different idea.
Just a though.

The first things that come to mind are candles, fans or bibles or prayers books tied with ribbon. Any of these would be lovely.

What about small sculptures surrounded by ribbon or centered on pillows, doves would be charming or butterflies. Anything that say love to you.

You could also use baskets, think flower girl but grown up. Willow lined with silk or satin, maybe filled with silk petals?

If they carry baskets, you can lay a few long stemmed flowers across there and have it still look nice without paying for too many flowers. You might also want to look into those things where there is a ball shape of flowers on the end of a ribbon (what are those called?) Or have them all act as flowergirls and toss petals, so by the time you come out there is a carpet of petals for you to walk on. You can also just get a large bunch of nothing but baby`s breath and surround it with greenery...when you put enough of it together it looks great, and is still a full bouquet. You can see a picture of this on weddingchannel.com.

Another idea might be to have them carry parasols...it gives them shade from the sun, looks elegant, and adds a little southern charm.

Or you could get your florsit to design their bouquets in such a way that the double as centerpieces for your tables....so when you are done with the ceremony, they can stick them into vases and they can act as centerpieces during the reception (they won`t want to hold them all night anyway) and then they can grab them before they head home for the evening. My bridesmaids will all lay their bouquets on the head table right on the front edge of the table facing outword, so I don`t have to decorate that table, and then my bouquet, being a different color and slightly larger, sits in the middle with me, which is kind of a nice effect.

Good luck!!

You can work with purses, scarves, gloves.

My bridesmaids are carrying formal purses. I am having my florist create little corsage type things that will be tied or pinned to the handles. They can also carry their necessities this way...car keys, lipstick,...whatever

I did a wedding that they carried lace fans decorated with lace and ribbons. Put a pretty bow in the middle. Any questions please email me...Customwedding4u@aol.com

I seem to disagree with the comment on a single long stem fresh flower. You could tie a ribbon around it to match the bridesmaid`s dress. I attended a wedding with such, and found it very very elegent. But it is your day....

I like this discussion topic because I want my bridesmaids to carry something other than flowers as well. I really am not a green thumb and could do without flowers through the whole wedding. My theme is a Black and White wedding can anyone think of alternative items that can be carried during a Black and White wedding?

You can get Battery operated candles and paint the base of them in the color of the wedding and add riddon to it. I have done that for alot of weddings. Or they could carry baskets, or just a single rose.

For the black and white wedding - what if you put the girls in black dresses and then found a white wrap that they could drape across their backs and over their arms - that could be very dramatic and elegant

I was thinking about having my bridesmaids carry parasols instead of boquets. Parasols are lace umbrellas like southern belles carry. They are very elligant looking and they are usually pretty cheap compared to flowers.

I`m having the same problem, but I think I may stick with candles. In a pretty vase with ribbons streaming down and the lights dimed I think it will be very intimate. If anyone has had a bad experience with this please tell.......

I really liked the idea of parasols. You don`t have to use a lacey, southern belle looking one, there are also beautiful, decorated asian ones out there made from bamboo and usually handpainted and gorgeous. If it will go with the rest of your scheme I would suggest that. I`ve seen it on tv and it looked really nice. Best of luck.

I am getting married in November and I love the idea of bridesmaids carrying parasols. Can anyone tell me where online I can order them?

I`m getting married in May, 07 and I have a large bridal party. I`m looking to cut down on expenses and thought to have the bridesmaids to carry either sandlewood or lace fans or parasols. Our ceremony is outdoors on the lake of a golf course. My gown is lace and they would compliment me as well as add character and charm to the day. Don`t be afraid to set different trends! Before you know it, the whole bouquet thing will be a thing of the past. Think outside of the box! They also look great on pictures.