Weddingbee Blog

“All single ladies, please report to the dance floor immediately! It’s time for the bouquet toss,” the DJ belts out.

“Come on, single gals, you know who you are. Don’t make us call you out by name.”

A few uncomfortable moments pass. No one is moving.

The bride takes the mic in her hands. She begins pointing at her single girlfriends and calling them out one by one. I sit coyly in the corner thinking I’ve got this one in the bag. I’m engaged after all. I’ve redeemed myself from participating in this long-standing tradition once and for all. At this particular moment, my self-confidence is soaring. But then I hear, “Miss Glitter!! I see you back there hiding. Just because you are ENGAGED doesn’t mean you CAN’T participate. Single is single. Get out here NOW!!”

Drats! What good is being engaged if it can’t get me out of a simple bouquet toss?!

The bride may have been technically correct. I may still have been “single” despite my engaged status. But, come on. There is a reason I didn’t run out and claim my spot center stage. I didn’t want to. And I would guess some women might agree with me. That’s usually why they hide behind the centerpieces or are conveniently in the bathroom when this sacred event takes place.

It’s one thing if you have a ton of friends that are about college-aged or a lot of young family members. They can all stand in a group and have a blast with it. But it is different when you start to get older. This clip kinda sums up my lack of enthusiasm about the whole thing. I’m like that girl closest to the camera that can’t wait to get back to her seat!

I hate to trample on or mock tradition. But, I am wondering if there is a way to neutralize the whole process to make it more tolerable for all involved parties. I wouldn’t mind throwing my bouquet into a sea of guests mixed by age, gender, and relationship status and giving everyone a chance to catch it. I think that might be fun! No one gets called out. No single teenage cousins have to stand by themselves while everyone else scatters to the wind.

Are any of you thinking about nixing the bouquet toss/garter toss? Or are you thinking of putting a fun twist on the old tradition?