Alternatives to Fresh Flower Bridal Bouquets Part 2

In Part One of Alternatives to Fresh Flower Bridal Bouquets, reasons why some brides may want an alternative to a fresh flower bridal bouquet was discussed. Edible bridal bouquet options were discussed as alternatives to fresh flowers. Part Two of Alternatives to Fresh Flower Bridal Bouquets discusses crystal bouquets, feather bouquets, and porcelain flower bouquets as options for brides who want an alternative to fresh flowers in their bridal bouquets.

Crystal Bouquets
Many contemporary brides who desire an alternative to carrying fresh flowers down the aisle are opting to carry a crystal bouquet on their wedding day. Crystal bouquets are most often made up of small individual crystals that are wired. The strands of wired crystals are typically twisted together artistically to make a hand-held bouquet. Crystal bouquets are becoming easier to find (especially from on-line vendors) as they become more popular alternatives to fresh flower bouquets. Wired crystal stems can be shaped into many different bouquet shapes although the hand-held dome bouquet seems to be the most popular at the moment.

More expensive crystal bouquets feature crystals with high-lead content. Crystals with high-lead content are highly desirable because the higher the lead content of the crystals, the more sparkle the bouquet will have. The most popular manufacturer of leaded crystals used in crystal bouquets is Swarovski. If a bride's budget prohibits her from carrying a crystal bouquet made up entirely of high-lead crystals like Swarovski crystals, an alternative is for her to supplement her lower lead crystal bouquet with sprigs of higher lead crystals. This enables the bride to have the look of the crystal bouquet and the sparkle of higher leaded crystals without the expense of a crystal bouquet composed entirely of high-lead crystals. Wired crystal strands can also be mixed with wired faux-pearls for a less expensive alternative to fresh flower bouquets. Brides should be sure to check out specifically what kind of crystals or the lead content of the crystals are being used in the bouquet so apples are being compared to apples as she shops for her crystal bouquet. One caution to be observed with leaded crystal bouquets is to be careful to keep children and pets from ingesting leaded crystals as they can be harmful to their health.

Brides can choose different colored wire for crystal bouquets to personalize their bouquets. The two colors most frequently seen and that are widely available in crystal bouquets are silver and gold toned wire studded with crystals. If the desired wire-color is unavailable for the crystal bouquet, brides can also try applying a patina to the wires to alter the color of the wire.

Crystals are available in a multitude of colors for bridal bouquets. Many vendors will make crystal bouquets as custom orders so brides can personally design their crystal bouquet as they would a fresh flower bouquet. To personalize their crystal bouquets, brides can use crystals that coordinate with their wedding colors, the bride or groom's birthstone colors or anniversary month's gemstone color. The bride could also use several different colored crystals for each member of the wedding party or the bridesmaids' birthdays.

Feather Bouquets
Feather bouquets are especially popular alternatives to fresh flower bouquets in the United Kingdom. Many of the on-line father bouquet vendors are headquartered in the United Kingdom. Feather bouquets are starting to become more popular in the United States as more brides look for additional ways to personalize their wedding bridal bouquets and want alternatives to fresh flower bouquets.

Feather bouquets are available in a variety of shapes just as traditional fresh flower bouquets come in a variety of shapes and styles. Full and fluffy feathers can give a soft dreamy quality to the feather bouquet. Brides can also go with individual feather plumes like peacock feathers for a long, lean style as an alternative to the hand-tied fresh flower bouquet shape. While feather bouquets alone can be quite lovely, feathers are often used in conjunction with other materials like silk flowers and wired crystals. Feathers can add a lovely textural element to any bouquet, not just a feathers-only bouquet.

An advantage of using feathers for the wedding bouquet is that feathers are available in a huge variety of colors. There are solid and multi-colored feathers. Multi-colored feathers offer richness to the feather bouquet that single-color feathers may lack. Brides can also combine multiple shades or colors of feathers to achieve a richer look for their feather bouquet. Some vendors offer custom-dyed feathers as options for brides seeking a specific shade.

Another trend with feather bouquets is some brides are skipping wearing a veil and are opting to wear a coordinating feather headpiece to go with their feather bouquet. If the bride wants a veil for the ceremony, she can always remove it for the reception and then wear a feather headpiece to coordinate with her feather bouquet. This is an elegant vintage-look that evokes a Jane Austen style to the wedding day. It also allows the bride to further personalize her attire for her special day.

Porcelain Flower Bouquets
A realistic-looking alternative to fresh flowers are porcelain flowers. Porcelain flower bouquets are usually made up of individually hand-crafted and painted porcelain flowers that are arranged to make a bouquet.

Porcelain flower bouquets are an excellent alternative to fresh flowers if the bride wishes to be able to display her bouquet after the wedding as a keepsake or use it as an heirloom object. Porcelain flowers are wilt and fade-proof and can be dusted easily. Like fresh flower bouquets, porcelain flower bouquets can be fragile so brides should handle them gently. Most brides will want to make other arrangements if they want to toss their bouquet on their wedding day because of the delicate nature of porcelain flowers.

Depending on the kind of arrangement the bride chooses for her bridal bouquet, porcelain flower bouquets can be a heavier alternative to fresh flower bouquets. Keep this in mind when selecting the size of the porcelain flowers arrangement and the duration of time the bride will be carrying it around.

Resources for Fresh Flower Bouquet Alternatives for Brides:
- Shelly Sheek Design Boutique -- bouquets and bridal accessories vendor and photograph accompanying article: http://www.shellysheek.com/
- Headpiece Heaven and Vintage Bridal Jewelry -- bridal headpieces and accessories vendor and photograph accompanying article: http://www.headpieceheaven.com/CrystalBouquets.html
- Twigs and Bows -- bridal accessories and hand-painted flower vendor and photograph accompanying article: http://www.twigsandbows.co.uk

Part 3 in this article series will discuss balloon, seashell, and fabric bouquets.