Bright and beautiful bouquets are an integral part of any celebration. We give them on the occasion of the birth of a child, administrative holidays, birthdays, wanting to thank someone for a service and as an apology for the inconvenience caused. And of course, flowers are certainly present at a wedding as a congratulation to the newlyweds. They are given after the bride and groom leave the church or registry office after the wedding ceremony and the guests say good wishes to the young spouses. This is a good habit and an old tradition. After all, the vast majority of us experience true pleasure when receiving a bouquet as a gift.
Wedding gift
However, cut flowers, despite all their beauty and charm, unfortunately have a very big drawback - they are extremely short-lived. At best, they can stand for seven days, which happens extremely rarely. Especially if the wedding falls on a hot summer day. In such a situation, bouquets given to newlyweds may fade within a few hours. Considering that prices for wedding bouquets purchased by guests usually cost from 500 to 1,500 rubles, you can offer to bring something else instead of flowers as a congratulation. Below is a list of gifts that guests can give to the couple instead of flowers.
Toys as a gift
Toys and school supplies
Newlyweds often want to share their happiness with the whole world, and not just with their guests. Therefore, in recent years, the idea of refusing to receive flowers in “exchange” for basic necessities for the needy and low-income has become popular. In the wedding invitation, newlyweds ask to bring toys, teddy bears, children's books and even school supplies instead of flowers. After the wedding, all the things that were donated instead of flowers will be taken by the newlyweds to an orphanage, hospital, or community center to help orphans, needy or sick children.
Toys are a great joy for a child
It must be said that if you decide to receive toys and school supplies instead of flowers, then you should visit the chosen institution before the wedding. Why? There are two reasons for this. Firstly, the fact that, unfortunately, accepting donations from individuals can be a problem for some institutions due to certain legal reasons. Therefore, make sure that the orphanage or hospital is ready to accept your donations. Secondly, it sometimes happens that one hospital or orphanage receives a lot of toys and other gifts from sponsors and does not really need them. So in this situation, it makes sense to choose a less affluent institution and its patients, for whom your gifts will be a joy.
Indoor flowers as a gift
Photo
Everyone knows that at a wedding the bride throws a bouquet to her friends. As a rule, it is the understudy bouquet that takes part in this mission. For example, like the one in the photo below:
Indoor flowers
If you really love flowers and don't want to watch them wilt, you can skip the cut bouquets and ask your guests to give you indoor potted flowers. They can be just as beautiful as bouquets, but they certainly outshine them in durability as they can last for many years.
This option, however, has its drawbacks. Firstly, indoor flowers need constant care and attention so that they grow well and do not dry out. Secondly, if you receive a large number of flowers, it is not necessary that all of them will fit into the interior of your home.
Popular flowers in pots that can be given to newlyweds instead of cut flowers: orchid, dracaena, alocasia, gardenia, vriesia, hyacinth, hibiscus, camellia, monstera, violet and many others.
Luxurious flowers in a ceramic pot
What materials can you use to make an unusual bouquet?
Original bouquets not made from flowers can be made from almost any material. Also, a lot depends on the design and tools for wrapping.
Today, in addition to plastic film or craft paper, they use:
- burlap;
- hard fabrics;
- carton boxes;
- knitted details;
- souvenirs;
- shells;
- buttons.
To create bouquets, you can use different materials and decor.
To create a harmonious composition, an important role is played by the color and pattern available on the future packaging, for example:
- white color will give the bouquet special tenderness;
- red - will create an atmosphere of passion;
- yellow – will give joy and warmth.
In addition to products, various accessories, equipment, jewelry, and decorative elements are used in bouquets.
For men this is most often:
- beautiful belts;
- various gadgets;
- alcohol;
- items of clothing.
For women, experts advise choosing:
- small soft toys;
- banknotes;
- silk and satin ribbons;
- beads or beads;
- fruits and berries;
- candies and chocolate.
Bouquets made from socks as gifts for men look original.
Bouquets made from socks and ties look unusual and ambiguous: both can be folded in the form of flower buds. Food options containing sausage, cheese, and fish are appreciated. Such contents can be placed on the table if desired.
Money
Many newlyweds hesitate to ask guests to give them money instead of flowers. They fear it will be too inappropriate. In fact, this is not true at all. Guests will still have to part with cash when purchasing bouquets. So why don't they, instead of spending money in a flower shop, give it to a young couple. And if you convey your request to the guests in the appropriate way, for example, as a witty poem included in the wedding invitation , everyone will react to this request with understanding.
By the way, you can make a very nice bouquet from banknotes and present it to the bride and groom.
Sports lotto tickets
Who among us does not dream of guessing the coveted number in the lottery and winning the main prize? Obviously, the more tickets purchased, the greater the chances of winning. Therefore, gambling newlyweds can ask wedding guests to buy tickets for an amount equivalent to what they planned to spend on buying a bouquet. Such a request is always fulfilled with favor, because everyone wants to help the newlyweds increase their chances of getting start-up capital and thereby make their common future more prosperous.
Books as a gift
Books
Books are always a welcome gift for literature lovers. In addition, for a young couple who would like to receive something else instead of flowers, books will become an original and unique surprise. If the bride and groom would like to avoid receiving a standard bouquet of flowers, then they may well consider this option. You can ask guests to give books by their favorite authors that are not in the home library.
After your wedding, you may have your own wine collection.
Seating rules
— How to properly organize seating at the table?
— A wedding is the only formal reception when the newlyweds are seated next to each other. In all other cases, if people are aware of the intricacies of etiquette, the couple is separated so that the guests communicate with each other, maintain their social duties, and make new acquaintances. For a month after the wedding, the newlyweds still sit together, and after this period - separately.
It is best for men and women at such events to be seated in a checkerboard pattern: man, woman, man, woman, etc. This is done so that the gentleman will court the lady who is sitting at the table to his right. Accordingly, the bride will be on the right hand of the groom. According to this principle, parents can be seated next to them.
It is also a good option when the rest of the guests are seated at separate tables of several people. This is done so that those present can meet at least a small number of new relatives. In this case, when seating, a simple principle is taken into account - people should have common topics for conversation.
— Is it better to do the seating by name?
— It all depends on the banquet organizers. If the newlyweds decide to assign seats at the table at their own discretion, then cards should be placed. When there are a lot of guests, it is better to post a seating chart in the foyer. Someone must meet the invitees at the door (relatives, host, special person), greet them, offer aperitifs, and help them navigate the seating arrangement. If there are few guests and there is one table for everyone, you can do without a diagram.
— Is it acceptable to be late for a wedding?
— You can be late by a maximum of 15 minutes, but you shouldn’t arrive very early either. According to the rules of etiquette, you have the right to arrive only 10 minutes before the stated start of the evening. Otherwise, your appearance will interfere and distract the organizers. Even if you arrived very early, go for a walk, mind your business, but do not come to the banquet.
How not to ruin a wedding. Tips to help newlyweds
More details
Guilt
A glass of wine drunk during dinner in good company can significantly improve your mood even after the hardest day. So if you want a more practical gift on your wedding day instead of flowers, and if you love wine, ask your guests to give you a bottle of liquor. But remember that, most likely, among your loved ones there are hardly any clairvoyants, and not everyone knows your taste preferences. So when you write on invitations that you prefer to receive wine instead of flowers, specify what kind of wine you like. White, red, or maybe pink? Sweet or dry? Russian, French or Georgian?
This way you can create your own small collection of wines. And every time you open another bottle, you will remember your special day and the person who gave this wine.
Gift packaging for CDs
Music CDs and DVD movies
CDs and DVDs are another alternative for newlyweds who, instead of flowers, would like to receive something else that directly relates to their tastes and preferences. This is a very practical and durable gift that can bring a lot of pleasure. Therefore, if the bride and groom do not want to receive dozens of bouquets of flowers, they can ask for CDs with good music or interesting films. You can note what kind of music you prefer and what films of what decade, country, specific directors or actors would like to see.
Gift Certificate
How to choose the best option
You cannot allow a replacement wedding bouquet to not match the style and dress. For example:
- eco-style, rustic and rustic suggest an edible composition or accessory made from plants;
- A huge flower and a sweet alternative are suitable for a European or American holiday;
- Exquisite hand-made compositions are combined with vintage and retro themes;
- For a wedding in a nautical style, compositions made of shells are suitable.
The same can be said about the image of the bride, with whom this or that bouquet will look good. For princess-style dresses, you should choose neat hand-made compositions and clutches with umbrellas. And with light summer outfits they combine edible accessories and living plants.
Vouchers
Today, many stores offer gift vouchers, which have become very popular recently. Mainly because for half the price (sometimes even less) you can buy interesting products and services that you would never be able to afford at the standard price. Likewise, newlyweds can ask their guests to buy such vouchers instead of flowers. It's best if it's a gift certificate so they can make their first purchases together.
Thus, as a gift you can receive a voucher for a massage for two, a voucher for a parachute jump, a visit to a rope park, bungee jumping, hot air balloon flights, theater tickets, an invitation to a restaurant, a dance class. Some couples can thus compensate for the lack of a honeymoon.
Animal lovers may want to take care of the “little brothers”
Romantic gifts for a girl
First dates are filled with the spirit of romance and serve as an ideal occasion for romantic gifts that speak of the seriousness of the young man’s feelings and his attention.
“Love is...” A block of the legendary chewing gum, symbolizing love and romance, will be a very iconic gift for your loved one. As a more substantial gift, you can present a painting made in the same style.
Headphones for two. This gift will allow you to become a little closer by listening to music and watching movies together.
Heart castle. You should give such a souvenir only when there is unshakable confidence in your feelings. You can hang it on a special lovers' bridge or leave it at home as a symbol of strong love.
Mitten for lovers. The mitten is very useful in the cold season. Thanks to its special cut and two holes for hands, it allows you to hold hands even in the most severe frosts.
Declaration of love on a billboard. The best place to place a confession would be a billboard located under the windows of your beloved, or located on her way to work or school.
Overnight at the hotel. When ordering a room, you should make sure that it contains your chosen one’s favorite flowers, fruits and wine. Also, do not ignore candles - they will help create the right atmosphere and set the mood for a romantic mood.
A star named after a girl. Any representative of the fair sex will be happy with such a chic and creative gift. The awareness of the presence of a “personal” celestial body will give pleasant impressions throughout your life.
Night walk on the rooftops. Such walks are classics of the genre, allowing you to return to your youth and experience the purest emotions.
Love meter. This comic device will note the most insignificant changes in the internal state and show the level of cordiality and love of everyone.
Pet food
Many people are very concerned about the fate of homeless animals. They may not be able to help all the dogs and cats in need every day, but they are not at all opposed to providing all possible assistance on the occasion of their own wedding day. Therefore, they happily refuse short-lived flowers in bouquets in favor of food and medicine for homeless animals.
For this reason, fans of the “little brothers” ask in their wedding invitations, instead of flowers, to bring food for dogs and cats, bowls, warm blankets and other necessary things, which will then be donated to an animal shelter.
Delicious sweets
Sweets
If a young couple has a sweet tooth, gift baskets with all kinds of sweets will delight them much more than a short-lived bouquet of flowers. If you know the tastes of the bride and groom well enough, you can buy or prepare yourself exactly those confectionery products that they like the most. If not, just buy quality sweets from a good confectionery shop. Believe me, for lovers of sweets such a gift is always welcome.
The candies have a fairly long shelf life, so there is no risk that they will spoil quickly.
