Why?

[mrs.chappie]

Why do brides traditionally carry a bouquet? I wonder if anyone knows the answer without Googling it!

[Ice.Maiden]

So she can throw it for someone else to catch??? : )

[snappysback]

Well I can't answer

[dot.hawkes]

to represent a blossoming future, fertility etc etc

[mrs.chappie]

Sorry Ice, that's the wrong answer.

[:o)

[terambulan]

purity & virginity? ha ha ha those were the days!

[dot.hawkes]

did you know that red and white flowers in a weeding spray means blood and tears?

[Nannyjill]

cos they didn't used to wash and it kept the smell away

[Schutzengel]

Traditionally after the ceremony the bride throws the bouquet backwards over her head to the waiting bridesmaids and other young women, and whoever catches it is said to be the next bride. But why it is carried by the bride, I don't know.

[Panic Button]

Is it to provide a pleasant aroma, to cover up the smell of the appalling man she is marrying?

[standian]

I seem to remember being told at school that it was something about warding off things - ill thoughts, wishes, etc, and that originally bouquets included herbs and the like. Also probably helped with the smells!

[mrs.chappie]

That sounds very likely Dot.

Mind you, the answer I have copied off t'internet and pasted below is quite ineresting. It made me laugh, anyhoo.

Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May and still smelled pretty good by June.

However, they were starting to smell so brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odour. Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the children - last of all the babies.

By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it - hence the saying, 'Don't throw the baby out with the bath water.'

[Ice.Maiden]

Lol - I was joking chappie - but no, I didn't know the real reason!
Eeeewwww...the stinkers!

[mrs.chappie]

Well done everyone. Sorry it looked like my last post was to Dot only, and ignoring the rest. Not intentional - there was only Dot's post there when I started typing.

BTW, evening all!

[Ice.Maiden]

Evening chappie! Well what about those who go onto successive marriages? Wouldn't you think they would've learnt from the first time?
Holds nose.