Brides Who Says You Have to Carry Flowers?

You''re planning your wedding, and you want every detail to reflect your personal taste and style. A great way to infuse your creative flair into the ceremony is to carry something other than flowers down the aisle.

Brides haven''t always carried flowers. In the Greek and Roman days, brides would wear strongly scented herbs in their hair. The purpose was to ward off any evil spirits that may try to invade their ceremony. Carrying flowers didn''t become popular until many years later, and Queen Victoria helped to cement the tradition by carrying a graceful bouquet on her wedding day.

Unless you''re a fan of the Queen or are afraid that evil spirits will ruin your special day, there is no reason that you can''t be more creative as far as what you carry down the aisle. Depending on the statement you want to make ? fun, flirty, naughty, elegant, sentimental ? there are endless possibilities. Below are a few ideas to help get your creative juices flowing, but you can easily add your own ideas if none of these suit you.

Honoring Their Memories

A great way to honor a very special person who could not be at your wedding is to carry an item belonging to that person down the aisle. If someone you dearly loved has passed away, you can include them in the ceremony in this very special way. You could carry your grandfather''s medals from his military service, a favorite handbag that belonged to your mother or a wedding photo of your parents or grandparents, or perhaps their Bible or prayer book.

Think about items that hold a special place in your heart, and you should be able to come up with some good options.

A Dog-Gone Good Idea

Some people love their pets so much that they want to include them in their wedding. If you have a small dog, why not dress him up and carry him down the aisle in place of flowers? Obviously, this idea isn''t going to work for every bride, but if your dog is of the right size and temperament, this makes a fun and very memorable way to include your precious pet in your special day.

Light Your Way

Consider carrying a single candle down the aisle. This will work especially well for an evening wedding where the lights are a little dim. The bride will appear to glow as she walks down the aisle. If carrying a real candle makes you nervous, there are battery operated electric candles that will have much the same effect. Tie a long ribbon in your wedding colors around the base of the candle, and you''re ready to make your entrance.

Briefcases or Basketballs

Are you a work-a-holic? A sports fanatic? Does everyone know it? Then why not go for a laugh by carrying an item that represents your passion? If you are often told you work way too much, carry your briefcase. If you planned your wedding around your favorite sports teams'' schedule, carry a basketball. Whatever it is, you will be able to come up with an idea that will bring a smile to the faces of your guests.

This is a good option for those who are having a "lighter" wedding where the couple really wants their fun personality to shine through.

Show Him How Much You Love Him

One bride saved the first flowers that her husband-to-be had ever given her. She dried them and carried them down the aisle on her wedding day. Yes, they were flowers, but they were not your ordinary bridal bouquet.

Perhaps you have a favorite stuffed animal or other gift that your beloved gave to you while you were dating. Maybe one of those items would work for you to carry down the aisle. It will thrill him to know that you treasure a gift that he gave you enough to carry it on your wedding day.

The possibilities are truly endless. Hopefully, the above ideas will help you find an alternative to flowers that will match your personality, and make your wedding day even more special.

Reni Vasileva writes gift articles for My Gift Baskets Mart - an online gift baskets store that specializes in unique gifts and stylish wedding gift baskets