Why do we have the bridal bouquet?

In  thinking about the strawberry bridal bouquet (which I would eat in a heartbeat!) I began to wonder why we always have bridal bouquets. They are so pretty, so surely they must have just been added to the wedding tradition to enhance the beauty of the day??

Well, no, apparently. 

A dill bouquet - pretty unspectacular.

Rumour has it that traditionally brides walked down the aisle carrying a bouquet of herbs, such as dill and garlic. It is thought that this began in the time of the plague, when people needed the semll of the herbs to hide the stench of their surroundings. They also belived that the herbs would protect them from illness. The carrying of the bouquet continued after the plague ended, and gradually brides added nicer smelling and vastly prettier flowers to the bouquet, leading to the bouquets we have today. 

A Different Kind of Bridal Bouquet.

I saw this on Facebook the other day, and thought it was quite fascinating. The use of strawberries as a wedding bouquet? I actually quite like it. I wonder if it would have to be made up on the morning of the wedding? I guess dessert is covered then, you could have a snack whilst the wedding photos were being taken, a great accompaniment for the glass of bubbly? 

The Surprise Wedding That Was A Huge Surprise!!

Last weekend we had our surprise wedding, and it was just such a lovely day. The bride is my friend Kate, with whom I work, and her gorgeous partner Mark. The ruse for the day was their daughter's first birthday and her grandmother's 80th birthday. I went as a guest, and spent a few hours getting to meet their lovely families, and just after we had both celebratory cakes, they announced their impending wedding (just thinking of that now gives me goosebumps and a misty flood of tears, as their parent's reactions were utterly priceless: huge joy, many tears and just pure happiness). I am so honoured to have witnessed that incredible family moment. 

The fabulous bride, Kate, myself, and a very cool groom, Mark.

Kate, Mark and their children, who were so well behaved and helpful during the ceremony.

What I am so impressed with is the NO-ONE knew about the wedding plans. Kate and Mark did an incredible job on their own and I think their wedding will become one of the great moments in the history of their family. Congratulations on such a great achievement you two x