Photo by Lauren Fair Photography
The months of preparation for a bride’s big day can leave her wanting to preserve every little detail. One way is by choosing a non-conventional bouquet! While peonies are a beautiful option, what will she have to hold onto after the vows? Have a look at how these local brides incorporated atypical bouquets into their weddings, creating inspiring, lasting options for the modern day bride!
Literary Love
Bride: Piera Moyer,Wyomissing
Piera’s love for reading and her BA in English and Professional Writing guided her to incorporate literature into her and Justin’s June 22, 2012, wedding day. As an alternative to flowers, her bridesmaids carried her and her grandmother’s favorite classic titles, Pride and Prejudice and Little Women, while the ring bearer carried the rings inside a Harry Potter novel carved down to a chapter entitled “The Unbreakable Vow.” Their invitations were book chapters, vintage card catalogs held guests’ place cards, and the favors were thimbles to symbolize the kiss in Peter Pan. A distinctive way to integrate a passion, serving as an alternative to the traditional!
Photo by Celebrations Disc Jockey & Photography
A Brooch Build
Bride: Ashley Wolfgang, Reading
Ashley and her husband, Brian, were married on Jan. 31, 2015, with a reception to follow on April 16 of that same year. She knew she wanted something that would last beyond the life of flowers and decided a brooch bouquet was the choice for her. “I wanted something I could look at all the time,” she explains. To make it happen, her decorator, Mickey of Majestic Flowers, Shillington, helped make the vision a reality. Ashley collected almost 300 brooches, some purchased and some given to her by close family members, adding a special touch. It took almost five hours to create, but the efforts were well worth it!
Photo by Lisa Gilbert Photography
Shells by the Seashore
Bride: Tiffany Schwartz, Shillington
Tiffany and Lael’s big day was celebrated on July 21 of 2016. Knowing the cost of flowers, Tiffany was looking for a way to save and decided on a non-floral wedding. After a friend’s mother came across sea shells in bloom at a craft show, Tiffany fell in love and knew a seashell bouquet that emulated the look of traditional flowers would do the trick. It was the perfect option, considering the couple’s wedding was held on the beach at her in-laws' home in Hull, MA. “It looked gorgeous and I could funnel the flower money into items that were more important to me,” says Tiffany.
Photo by Carrie Kizuka Photography
Perfect Paper Crafts
Bride: Alyssa Rio, Morgantown
When Christopher proposed to Alyssa and the wedding planning began for their Jan. 16, 2016, wedding, she immediately knew she did not want traditional bouquets. “I tend to be someone who likes different, unique things with character,” Alyssa says. She was brainstorming with a co-worker who helped spark the idea of paper flowers. Alyssa’s interest in history and reading led her to use her college history books as source materials. With the help of her co-worker, her dream became a reality. Along with the textbooks, different shades of blue and neutral scrapbook paper were bound together by silver ribbon, with touches of blue gems to give a little sparkle.
