When considering whether to do a bridal bouquet toss at your wedding, keep in mind that there are options to the traditional toss. It is becoming more and more common for brides to question whether or not they want to do a bridal bouquet toss. For some brides, many of their friends are already married and they feel there won't be enough people to catch the bouquet. Others just don't see the point in embarrassing their friends that way. Whatever the reason, consider these bridal bouquet toss alternatives.

Bridal Bouquet Toss Alternative #1 - Honor Thy Mother

This is really one of my favorites. Consider presenting your mother with the bouquet as a gift of thanks for...whatever - raising you and putting up with you during the teenage years! Either have the DJ make an announcement or take the microphone yourself - bringing up your mom in front of the guests and thanking her for all her love and support over the years. It's sure to be one of the best moments of the day for mom!

Bridal Bouquet Toss Alternative #2 - Don't Play Favorites

Have your florist design your toss bouquet so that it breaks apart into indvidual stems when thrown. Instead of one friend catching the bouquet, several will be included in the tradition. Just be sure to take off the ribbon holding the bouquet together! I've seen brides forget and have to re-toss the bouquet!

Bridal Bouquet Toss Alternative #3 - Fortune Toss

A variation of alternative #2 only attach little strips of paper around the stems. Each piece of paper has clever sayings or words or encouragement written on them.

Bridal Bouquet Toss Alternative #4 - Last Man Standing (Anniversary Dance)

Another one of my favorites is the anniversary dance. The DJ invites all the married couples to the dance floor. One by one they are slowly eliminated as he says, "If you've been married less than 2 hours, please leave the dance floor." Everyone chuckles as the bride and groom sit down. "If you've been married less than 5 years (10 years, 20 years and so on) please leave the dance floor". When done, you are left with the couple that has been married the longest. Present that 'bride' with your bouquet and have the DJ ask them for any words of advice. Nine times out of the ten the husband will tell how the secret to a long, happy marriage is knowing that his wife is always right! Smart man!

Don't feel chained to a tradition. In today's wedding world, just about anything can work. There are several bridal bouquet toss alternatives. Feel free to personalize your wedding by choosing what works best for you!