Bouquet Purses Are the Newest Wedding Trend—Here’s What You Need to Know
When it’s time to start planning the wedding, floral design is a huge part of establishing the atmosphere and look of the day. From centerpieces and ceremony arches to cocktail tables and even getaway cars, flowers are everywhere. But even though grand installations may dominate the scene, smaller floral details, and specifically the bouquet, are getting a refresh. The latest trend? Bouquet purses. Instead of holding an age-old bouquet of blooms, many contemporary wedding parties — and occasionally the married-to-be themselves — are heading down the aisle with flowers stuffed inside chic little bags.
“A bouquet purse is an unexpected and personal touch to add to your overall wedding look,” says Lily Hawthorne, senior event stylist for Avalon Bloom Studio. “It’s a little bit softer, a little more fashion forward and modern take on the old bouquet.” To make it work, though, the trick is choosing a bag to complement your wedding theme. So, perhaps a boho bash may need a beautiful woven basket, while a vintage-inspired soiree may be in need of a age-old-style clutch filled with flowers.
The bag should be a partner, not a competitor, for those blooms and for the outfit, says Hawthorne. Ahead, we break down why the bouquet purses are hot, what sets them apart for better or for worse and some inspiration on how to incorporate the trendy floral concept into your own nuptials.
Why Bouquet Purses Are Popular
“In the luxury wedding world, there is a growing appetite for creative accessory pieces that combine fashion with florals,” says Ava Linwood, creative director at Florique Events. “Bouquet purses are a great means of expressing that. They are modern, editorial and very personal.”
This concept resonates with couples who desire to pay homage to wedding traditions in a unique and modern way.” The purse bouquet maintains the symbolic flower motif, and it adds a “couture edge” (I hate that phrase) that somehow feels in-the-moment.
Why You Should Pick Bouquet Clutch Bag
They’re Easier to Carry
Let’s face it — most people don’t carry a bouquet around with some regularity. A purse, by contrast, feels instinctive. “Something about carrying a purse belies an effortless grace that often comes across quite well in photos,” says Hawthorne. And also attendants frequently appear more composed and at ease when they have a bouquet purse in hand.
They Just Look So Damn Cool And that’s Good Enough
“Choose a simple and a bouquet purse is a stylish way to make your own statement and reflect your own personality,” says Linwood. “It does immediately establish that this is a curated, meaningful celebration.”
They Add a Personal Touch
Need a way that you can honor a loved one or add a special keepsake? The purse, itself, can give a home to a photo charm, vintage brooch, or an heirloom pin— even the whole bag could be a gift or a family heirloom.
They Can Be Reused
Bouquet purses are a little different, the best part being that you can reuse them. They can be used as centerpieces, bar décor, even sent home for use or kept for a household. Your straw tote, after all, will serve just as well on the beach as it does at the office, and your beaded clutch will be the most enjoyed evening accessory in your closet.
What to Consider Before Committing
They May Cost More
A classic bouquet contains flowers, ribbon and labor, while bouquet purses contain an extra ingredient: the bag. Depending on your style preferences — particularly if you have a taste for special or antique items — costs can easily mount.
They Require Coordination
A flower bag that simply doesn’t match the rest of the outfit could ruin the overall image. Prevent this with your florist by sharing your attendants’ dress styles early in the design process. This makes sure that the blooms and the bags match cleanly to the rest of the color palette and theme.
With bouquet purses redefining what wedding flowers can look like — fashionably bridging the divide between sartorial and traditional — the result is fresh, stylish and unexpected. Whimsical, minimalist or bold editorial vibe, there’s a purse and flowers combo for that. Just don’t forget: as with any good trend, the key is to make it your own.
