The Surprising Origins of the Wedding Bouquet Toss

Origins of the Wedding Bouquet Toss

One of the highlights of a wedding is the bouquet toss. Just like the cake cutting, the first dance, and the best man’s speech, it has become a staple in a wedding programme. The bouquet toss makes for some great wedding photos, but it has an interesting story behind it as well!

Is the Bouquet Toss Still Popular?

The bouquet toss tradition remains a cherished part of many weddings, though its popularity has evolved over time. Traditionally symbolising luck and love, the bouquet toss at weddings is now often seen as a playful moment that adds energy to the celebration and delivers some unforgettable photos.

That said, not every couple includes it. Some feel it may not suit their guest list or style, while others prefer to offer modern alternatives, such as gifting the bouquet to someone meaningful or creating smaller toss bouquets to share.

At SvenStudios, we’ve seen couples embrace the bouquet toss in creative ways that reflect their personalities. Whether you choose to keep the tradition or do something unique, it’s all about capturing those joyful, unscripted moments that make your day truly yours.

Meaning Behind the Bouquet Toss

The wedding bouquet toss is more than just a fun photo opportunity. It carries symbolic meaning rooted in centuries-old traditions. Historically, the bouquet toss was believed to bring good luck, with the single woman who caught it thought to be the next to marry. It also represented the bride sharing a piece of her happiness and fortune with others.

Today, while the superstition may not hold the same weight, many couples still include the bouquet toss as a playful nod to tradition. It creates a joyful moment filled with excitement and laughter, especially among close friends and guests.

At SvenStudios, we love capturing these spontaneous celebrations. They reveal genuine reactions and meaningful interactions, helping to tell the full story of your day with warmth and authenticity.

Why do weddings have a bouquet toss today?

The origins of the wedding bouquet toss dates back quite a way, and like many wedding traditions tends to hide some of the more ‘sultry’ parts of what a wedding represents.

In Medieval Europe, people considered bridal dresses lucky. Once a ceremony is over, the bride gets to keep the dress and never wears it again. Before this happens, some women who wanted to share in the good luck would chase the bride and try to tear pieces from the dress. By the time the bride manages to get away and join the groom, there would be barely anything left of her attire!

Naturally, weddings that took place in a church, (as most were) tended to view this tradition of deflocking a bride as she exited the church as a little repugnant, so eventually, brides started throwing other things, like her garter and bouquet.

Flowers became a popular bouquet toss item, symbolising fertility, love, and good fortune in weddings. The recipient of the bouquet is supposed to have romantic good luck from catching the item—they inherit the bride’s fortune in finding someone to wed.

It’s turned out well that the custom developed this way; wedding dresses tend to be expensive, and few women would want to see theirs destroyed. Also, many brides choose to keep their wedding dresses as keepsakes or heirlooms to their children.

Hanging Thorngrove Manor wedding dress

Bouquet Toss in Weddings Today: How It’s Done

Today, the bouquet toss at weddings is a fun, photo-worthy tradition. It tends to be a distracting end to more tearjerking or sentimental formalities to lead into the party! It involves the bride gathering the single ladies in attendance, who will gather a few paces behind her and try to catch the bouquet she throws. It’s an opportunity for the wedding photographer to take dynamic shots. In some weddings, the single men get in on the fun as well with the garter toss.

Sometimes, the bride requests one of her bridesmaids’ bouquet for the toss so she can preserve the flowers in hers, or have a specially made ‘toss bouquet’ for the occasion. Occasionally, brides might throw one made of artificial flowers, or paper so that everyone can keep their bouquets as mementos. Some bouquets can be heavy too, so throwing one into a drunken mass of people can be a recipie for disaster.

Bouquet toss

Are you ready to throw your bouquet?

If you want to keep this tradition in your programme, make sure you tell your wedding planner or maid of honour. They should inform the MC when to announce bouquet toss, and time it for when people are no longer eating or milling about outside after the meal. Furthermore, it’s vital to keep your wedding photographer aware of the flow of activities so that they can prepare their equipment for each part.

After the bouquet toss, consider organising fun games or opening the dance floor to keep the energy flowing. it will look awkward to move abruptly from the bouquet toss into something else! Since the bridesmaids and single ladies are already front and centre, perhaps you could have them participate in a game, to extend the fun. You could also open the dance floor at this point so everyone can end the evening on a high note.

Bouquet toss

The bouquet toss tradition remains a cherished part of weddings, adding excitement and symbolic meaning to the celebration. Be sure to incorporate this activity into the ceremony by prepping the DJ, master of ceremonies, and the photographer properly. Finally, make sure you get a photographer who can capture the event and give you something to look back on fondly.

Everything at a wedding has a tradition steeped in history, and the origins of the wedding bouquet toss is no exception. It can be a bit of fun researching this kind of thing if you’ve ever wondered why we do certain things at times like a wedding!

bouquet

Weddings are among the most memorable events in a person’s life, and SvenStudios can help you immortalise yours. We work out of Adelaide, specialising in wedding photography all around Australia! Get on an obligation-free video or in-person meeting to discuss your wedding today!

May 5, 2021

ideas, Interesting, Wedding

5 Typical Wedding Themes to Explore

Typical Wedding Themes

Your wedding is the most memorable day of your love story and there’s a way for you to make it even more unforgettable—by selecting a charming theme.

You should know that choosing a theme for your wedding day is not as straightforward as it seems. First, you need to find one that reflects both yours and your partner’s personalities. Aside from that, you must find one that suits your chosen venue and the time of the year you are holding the wedding.

Long story short—it’s going to be quite challenging!

Nevertheless, if you’re stuck in this stage of your wedding preparations, we’re here to help you out! Below you will find five of the many typical wedding themes you may want to explore, and perhaps improve apon that would better uniquely suit your own wedding!

5 Typical Wedding Themes

Romantic

This is perhaps the most commonly used theme in ceremonies. This does not mean that going with this motif will make your big day any less special!

With this concept, your venue will be decorated with flowers in pastel colours. Usually, there will also be lighting fixtures hanging overhead that give off a soft glow to set the atmosphere. To top it off, the whole place is filled with candles emitting low light—just the right amount to create the perfect mood for romance!

Paxton Winery wedding ceremony

Alternative

If the first motif doesn’t appeal to you and your partner, taking the unconventional route with an alternative wedding is worth exploring.

Weddings with this concept feature moody colours and distinctive decorations. They allow you to get creative with the scene you want to achieve and the elements you want to include. The best part is that it can let you show your family and friends how cool you are as a couple!

Cutting the Harry Potter wedding cake

Bohemian

Boho style has been the talk of the town recently, thanks to its natural fabrics, retro patterns, warm shades and statement accessories. If you’re an avid fan of this style, you’ll never go wrong with a bohemian wedding.

In this theme, you’ll enjoy a distinct soft and romantic feel that is heavily inspired by the beautiful outdoors. It’s a great way to make your big day look like it came straight from a mythical woodland book!

Sinclairs Gully Wedding

Vintage

If you and your partner are a big fan of all things retro, a vintage wedding is definitely worth looking into.

In this concept, your venue will be furnished with antique decorations here and there. Your wedding entourage will be dressed in classic vintage attire, and you get to wear your favourite period wedding dress or suit as well. The best part? You may even hire a vintage car for your transportation or your wedding photoshoot!

Homemade decorations

Classic

This is your best bet if you want to keep things formal and traditional for your special day. A classic wedding features grand floral arrangements in your venue and even a small orchestra playing classical music.

On top of that, your guests will be dressed formally, too—ladies will be wearing evening dresses, while the men will be wearing ties. Ultimately, there will be posh seating and complete table settings.

Inside St Laurence’s Church

These are just five of the many typical wedding themes you can consider for your big day. I hope that our list gave you some inspiration as to what feel and atmosphere you want to achieve for your wedding. As you decide, it helps to remember that there are no hard rules as to what theme you can use. As long as you come up with your own dream wedding theme, you’ll surely make the ceremony a truly memorable one!

From wedding photography in Adelaide to destination weddings and around Australia, you can count on SvenStudios to capture your special moments! Since 2011, we have travelled all over Australia and the world to cover weddings in various themes. Let us do the same for you—get in touch with us today!

May 2, 2021

Wedding, ideas, Interesting

Planning an Unplugged Wedding? What You Need to Know

Steps to Plan a Beautiful Unplugged Wedding Ceremony

Weddings have rapidly changed in the last few decades. With the advent of powerful smartphones, guests are often snapping away at the festivities, and are sometimes caught spending more time scrolling through their feeds than participating in the celebration. Smartphone addiction has become such a pressing problem that many celebrities have been known to ban these devices entirely from parties and weddings!

With so many guests carrying tiny yet impressive phones that can take high-quality photos, you may be second-guessing your decision to hire a wedding photographer. However, there’s no better way to relive your special day than by working with professional photographers, who know the best ways to capture the memorable moments. When taking all of this into account, you may be wondering if you should plan an unplugged wedding instead.

wedding sign

What You Need to Know about an unplugged wedding

An unplugged wedding is a ceremony where guests are asked to switch off their phones and cameras. It encourages everyone to be fully present, letting the professionals capture the moment while guests simply enjoy it.

It encourages your guests to be present

While others welcome having their wedding plastered all over social media, some prefer keeping it more intimate. They feel uncomfortable at the prospect of total strangers seeing all the details about their special day, from the décor, catering, to your wedding dress. Most couples agree that they’d rather have a wedding in which all their guests were mentally present instead of staring down at their smartphone screens. It also ensures that guests thoroughly enjoy the special event and celebrate your love with your other friends and family.

It is almost instinctual for guests to pull out their phone and permanently capture the marvels of your wedding day. Still, they also forget everything else with it, like the fact that you’ve hired a professional wedding photographer. If your guests put down their phones, they can sit back and enjoy the occasion with the full assurance that someone is taking great photos of the scene.

Mobile phone

Banning Phones: Is It a Good Idea?

You may be considering a total smartphone ban on your wedding day with all of the issues above, but a ban isn’t necessary to enjoy your dream wedding. Most people nowadays rely heavily on their phones for communication, so if they don’t have these lifelines with them during your wedding, they may be worried about emergencies. Instead, you can discourage photo-taking with their smartphones and ask them to tuck these devices away—at least, while you make your way down the aisle.

Another option you can consider is to speak with your wedding photographer and ask if there are a few photos you can share with your guests soon after the wedding. That way, your guests can access some photos and videos that allow them to relive an unforgettable day.

Mobile phone video misconceptions about wedding videorgaphy

Mobile phone photo 2

How to Ask Your Wedding Guests to Put their Phones Away

Even though you can’t completely control your guests’ behaviour, you can make a polite request for them to keep their phones away as much as possible during the wedding and reception. Many people worry about getting good enough photos to post on their social media. Still, couples want them to have fun and join the festivities instead, letting the wedding photographer do the worrying.

An unplugged wedding is possible by including a short note on the invitation that asks guests to switch off their devices, including phones and cameras, to make sure nothing interrupts the event. Waving phones around can also be distracting, so keeping them away will help make a more memorable day. You can remind them during the program, especially during your first dance, which you don’t want to be spoilt by random bright lights from camera flashes. Another option is to put some signs around the area to enforce the ‘no phones’ rule.

Bride and groom exiting wedding cermeony at Seppeltsfield winery

The rise of smartphones has also led to an increase of unplugged weddings. Modern couples want to celebrate their union with their nearest and dearest, and they seek an intimate setting away from the standard technologies. A mostly smartphone-free wedding will ensure that your guests can focus on the events unfolding before them while ensuring you get perfectly-lit wedding photos!

Photographer’s Perspective on Unplugged Weddings

From a photographer’s point of view, an unplugged wedding ceremony offers a clear, natural setting to capture genuine moments. With phones and cameras tucked away, there are fewer distractions in the background and no missed shots caused by guests stepping into the aisle.

Many couples ask, what is an unplugged wedding, and is it worth it? The answer often becomes clear when they see how much more relaxed and present their guests are. Without screens in the way, it’s easier to focus on the couple, the expressions, and the real reactions happening all around.

An unplugged wedding allows your photographer to do what they do best: capture the emotion and energy of your ceremony, just as it unfolds. It creates a space where the experience comes first, and the memories are preserved professionally, without interference.

How to Handle Guests Who Resist an Unplugged Wedding

Not everyone will immediately understand the idea of an unplugged wedding, and that’s okay. Here are a few simple ways to handle it with care and keep the focus on your celebration.

Explain the purpose early
Let your guests know what an unplugged wedding is and why you’ve chosen it. Include a short, polite note on your invites or wedding website.
Keep the tone friendly
Use warm, welcoming language like “We’d love for you to be fully present during our ceremony” instead of strict rules.
Make an announcement
Ask your celebrant to gently remind everyone before the ceremony begins. A calm, respectful reminder helps set the mood.
Offer reassurance
Let guests know that a professional photographer is capturing all the special moments, so no one misses out.
Stay flexible if needed
If someone still takes a photo, try not to stress. Focus on the experience rather than perfection. Most guests will understand and support your choice once it’s explained clearly.

Sven Studios offers professional wedding photography in Hobart, Adelaide, Darwin and Canberra providing couples with uniquely captured moments that create memories they can treasure forever. We also offer wedding videography, family photography, and photo booth hire. Contact us today to find out what we can do for you on your special day!

April 26, 2021

Interesting, ideas, Support

Camera Shy? 5 Tips to Achieve Great Wedding Photos

Bride and groom sitting on bench together

Are you Camera Shy?

Not all couples who are about to get married are comfortable being in front of the camera. It’s only natural to feel anxious and camera shy – particularly as it’s not rerally something you do very often. However, you need to work through it; otherwise, you won’t have good wedding photos you can look back on.

Don’t worry; we will share with you some tips to have beautiful wedding photos. Let’s begin!

Some tips on how to get over being camera shy

Get Some Inspiration

Go on Pinterest, browse through wedding magazines and blogs, and check out real weddings. Do these things and more to get inspired. You can get a lot of wedding photography inspiration as well that will help you feel more motivated to strut your stuff in front of the camera. Moreover, this will help you know about the style of photography you want for your wedding.

When you’re inspired, the motivation can take over, which will help you overcome being camera shy more easily.

What I like to do with new couples is run them through a similar wedding – hopefully at the same wedding venue as they are planning to hold their own wedding at. This way you’re better able to picture yourself doing the same things that couple did – and may also give you some ideas for your own wedding!

Mollydooker Winery wedding photo

Work With a Professional

You need to hire a good wedding photographer to have beautiful wedding photos. And it’s not only that. A professional photographer knows how to work with camera shy couples or are anxious in front of the cameras. Additionally, the photographer can provide you with tips on how you can be more comfortable in front of the camera.

That is why you need to prioritise finding the best wedding photographer you can to ensure you get the best wedding photos and at the same time, feel comfortable in front of the cameras.

Find someone with many years of experience in producing good wedding photography as this can guarantee you that he or she knows exactly how to capture stunning photos on your wedding day.

intimate First Dance Photo

Have an Engagement Shoot

When you have found the perfect wedding photographer you’re really comfortable with and confident in their abilities, consider having an engagement shoot. An engagement shoot is an excellent way to overcome your camera shyness, and this will help you feel more relaxed with having your photos taken. Also, this is a great chance for you to get to know your photographer better.

Lifting her up silhouette

Trust Your Photographer

You didn’t choose your wedding photographer for nothing, right? So, trust them. When you trust your photographer, you will feel more at ease behind the lens. Let their creativity flow and go with it. By doing so, you will have stunning photos, and you will feel more relaxed while you and your spouse pose in front of the camera on your wedding day.

Couple walking together in gum teres

Communicate Clearly

There will be certain events you need your photographer to pay closer attention to on your wedding day. For example, if you have a fireworks display after the reception, or releasing butterflys – then you would want your photographer to be prepared and ready to capture the moment.

It’s crucial you maintain clear communication. This way, you will feel more at ease that your photographer will be there at the right times on your wedding day. In turn, you will feel more relaxed in front of the camera; plus, you already expect them to be there, which will give some time to prepare and get yourself together.

remember – your photographer should have experience at weddings, but there is only so much they know about you and your personal familiarity with your own family politics. A shot list may help here when it comes to group photos.

Laughing bridal couple under veil

Cheers to Beautiful Wedding Photos

Posing in front of the camera for almost the whole day can be nerve-wracking for some. Unless you don’t want photos on your wedding day, then you just need to work your way through this. The tips we mentioned above can help you be more comfortable in front of the camera and have amazing photos you can look back on.

For the best wedding photography in Adelaide and around Australia, Sven Studios is here for you. You don’t need to be camera shy with us because our professional photographers will help you be comfortable behind the lens. Let us take the best wedding photos for you. Contact us today!

April 23, 2021

Wedding preview, Wedding

Botanic Park Wedding – Naz & Peter

Bride and groom walking under the trees after their Botanic Park Wedding

Botanic Park Wedding – Naz & Peter

Peter and Naziera opted to hold a very small, intimate Adelaide Botanic Park wedding in front of their 3 sons, their celebrant and myself which made for a cozy little atmosphere under the stunning moreton bay fig trees on a stunningly sunny day!

Although their Botanic Park wedding ceremony was flanked by no fewer than 3 engagement celebrations and other users of the public space, their wedding ceremony felt beautifully personal regardless!

Adelaide Botanic Park Wedding Ceremony

Peter and Naz’s tiny little ceremony – which could also be called an elopement took place on one of the larger moreton bay fig trees on parade along the Botanic Park, just north of the Adelaide Botanic Garden‘s Friendship gates.

We attempted to have as little as possible behind Peter and Naziera during their cermeony so that their photos did not have anything but the stunning beauty of the park in the background. Wasn’t always possible of course, but we tried our best!

Their ceremony was short and sweet, with two of their three sons acting as witnesses on their marriage certificate.

Three sons standing under stree

hugs before the wedding ceremony

bride looking pretty before her Botanic Park Wedding

bride and groom using the lovely tree before their wedding ceremony

Smiling groom before his Botanic Park Wedding Ceremony

Wedding celebrant arrives

Smiling bride ready to start wedding ceremony

bride and groom standing under tree during their wedding ceremony

Celebrant talking during ceremony

Botanic Park Wedding Ceremony

Smiling groom during his wedding ceremony

Adelaide Botanic Park Wedding Ceremony

Wedding cceremony under Moreton Bay Fig Tree

Shot of bride though shoulders of Sons

Sun gleaming through the foliage

Wedding ceremony in the Adelaide Botanic Park

Exchanging wedding rings on bent arm

Groom kissing hand of his bride

Married now!

Glamour Photos

For glamour photos, we made good use of the Botanic park’s trees, going for a little walk and trying to get the midday sun to shine through the foliage before heading into the Botanic Gardens to make use of some different backdrops.

The Moreton bay fig trees in Botanic park make for some stunning backdrops for wedding photography – I just love walking through them – particularly on sunny days such as this, the atmosphere is one of such joy and happiness when the sun plays nice!

The Adelaide Botanic Gardens as always turned it on for us, walking through we managed to make use of quite a few little spots I had grwon fond of after my many weddings I have shot through here. That being said though, the middle of the day is possibly the wost time of day to take photos through here – so I attempted to head to shadier spots to make use of the shade rather than direct sunlight.