Farewell To The Bride and Groom

The party’s over. It’s been a wonderful day, but it’s time for you to go. Farewelling your family and friends as you leave your reception can be an emotional time – so don’t be surprised by a few tears (yours probably and almost certainly your mum’s) and arm yourself with a handful of tissues.

However, the festivities aren’t quite over yet. There are a few fun formalities to observe before you’re whisked away by your new hubbie.

Next step: tossing your bouquet. But stop right there! It’s not your bridal bouquet you’re throwing. You’ll want to preserve that mass of fragrant blooms, so what you toss is the beautiful little posy you asked your florist to make especially for this fun occasion.

The fascinating bouquet throwing tradition started many years ago. A bride’s bouquet then consisted of a variety of herbs believed to ward off any evil spirits that might attempt to spoil her happiness. Some garlic was generally added for good measure. Thankfully the therapeutic (and aromatic) qualities of garlic have been replaced by sweeter scented blossoms.

Your MC will announce the event and when all the single women are gathered together, you can either play fair and turn your back before throwing the posy over your shoulder, or cheat wickedly by aiming it at a single friend or sister. Either method is permissible – and of course according to tradition, the girl catching the bouquet will also catch some of the bride’s good fortune and be the next in line to marry.

If you’re wearing a garter, your groom now has the pleasure of removing it - with his teeth if you’re both comfortable with that. He then tosses it to the gathered group of single men. And yes, he who catches it will be next to wed! You can prolong the fun by asking the garter catcher to place his prize on the leg of the woman who caught your bouquet.

Some brides choose to enjoy the pleasure of wearing their fairytale gown until their groom has carried them over the threshold of the honeymoon suite. Others change into a going-away outfit before they leave the reception - so if changing’s your plan, now’s the time. Ask your bridesmaids or your mother to help you. It’ll be an opportunity for you to share a quiet moment together.

Saying a final farewell to your guests and family involves everyone forming a large circle. Starting at your parents, you and your groom make your way around the circle in opposite directions, saying a personal goodbye to every guest. When you meet up again in front of your parents, take the time to thank them and say goodbye properly (this is the tissue moment we mentioned earlier).

Now it’s time for you to leave. But before you go, from all of us here at The Bride’s Diary, congratulations! We wish you love, joy and a wonderful life together.

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