The Surprising Bridal Tradition You’ve NEVER Heard Of!
March 12, 2024
I love weddings! I have never been married myself, but not gonna lie, going to weddings is so much fun. There’s something about the union of two people, the joy, the tears, and let’s not forget the dancing, that just gets me every time. I’m a sucker for traditions too—the older, the quirkier, the better. But despite my self-proclaimed status as a wedding enthusiast, I stumbled upon a tradition I had never heard of before. It’s called the “ribbon bouquet tradition,” and it caught my eye at one of my colleague’s weddings. Naturally, my curiosity was piqued, and I just had to dive deeper into this quaint custom.
Here’s the deal: at bridal showers, it’s a tradition to save the bows and ribbons from the gifts received. But not just to stash them away in a memory box or use them for future gift-wrapping endeavors. No, these bows and ribbons are repurposed into a bouquet that the bride carries during her wedding rehearsal. Fascinating, right?
I first witnessed this at my colleague’s wedding. As she walked down the aisle during the rehearsal, clutching a bouquet made entirely of ribbons and bows, I remember thinking, “That’s peculiar, but also incredibly sweet.” After the rehearsal, my curiosity got the better of me, and I asked her about it. She explained that it was a tradition in her family, passed down through generations, and that it symbolized bringing all the love and good wishes from her bridal shower into her marriage. I was touched by the sentimentality of it all.
Delving deeper into this tradition, I discovered that it’s not just about recycling or reusing these decorative pieces. It’s a symbolic act, one that encapsulates love, community, and the support system surrounding the bride as she embarks on this new journey. Each bow, each ribbon, represents a friend, a family member, a loved one who’s there to support her, not just at the wedding but in her married life as well.
Admittedly, I’ve become somewhat obsessed with this tradition. It’s a beautiful way to visually represent the love and support a bride receives, and it adds a personal touch to the rehearsal. Plus, it’s eco-friendly, which is always a bonus in my book.
So, the next time you’re at a bridal shower, and you see the hostess diligently saving the bows and ribbons, you’ll know the reason behind it. And perhaps, like me, you’ll find a new appreciation for the small traditions that make weddings so incredibly special.
