The wedding bouquet forms one of the most prominent features of a bride’s outfit on the big day, however many brides prefer various alternatives to wedding bouquets like carrying a shell for a bech wedding, a candle for an evening wedding or a fan for a spring wedding. There are a number of reasons for the bride to choose alternatives instead of the traditional wedding bouquet.

One of the most important reasons for a bride to choose alternatives to  bridal bouquet is allergies. Even though the bride may not be allergic to flowers herself, the groom, close attendants, or family members or the guests may be prone to allergies. Sneezes, watery eyes and sniffles may turn your joyous day into a bad experience. The bride may avoid all this by making a choice of gorgeous alternatives which are as lovely as a cascading bouquet of flowers.
Some other reasons for the bride prefering alternatives to  floral bouquets include:
Cost: The high cost of wedding flowers may cause the wedding budget to rise steeply. The price of the bridal bouquet depends on the size, flowers and design of the bouquet. A budget conscious bride may choose an alternative instead of the costly flowers.

Limited use: The perishable nature of flowers may deter many brides from choosing floral bouquets. According to a number of brides, wedding flowers can be used only during the wedding ceremony or for a day or two after the wedding thereafter it will wither and die. However alternatives to floral bouquets can be utilized for years and kept as a momento of your dream day when you walked down the aisle carrying your precious bouquet.

Matter of personal choice: Every bride has their own personal preferences. They may not like to include flowers in their wedding decor and choose an alternative instead of the wedding bouquet made of real flowers.

Unique choice: Though the traditional flowers are used in almost all wedding decor some brides love to have something unique
for their table centerpieces, accents and decorations instead of the floral decor. An alternative to floral decor can make the wedding celebrations more unique. No matter what reason you have for choosing alternatives instead of the flowers, these days brides have myriad options to choose from.

Faux Floral Alternatives
Some brides prefer unreal flowers made from a variety of different materials that can be folded, molded, and sewn into floral arrangements.The choices include:

Silk wedding flowers
Origami floral bouquets
Crystal or glass flowers
Carved wood flowers
Leather or suede bouquets
Ribbon flower arrangements
Candy or cookie bouquets
Non-Floral Bouquets
 
There are some brides who want a classic bouquet made of green plants  without using flowers. Unique plants and greenery can be used to design a stunning and beautiful bouquet without a single bloom. Popular green plant choices include:

Ferns
Ivy
Herbs
Grains
Fall leaves
Pussy willows

Unique Alternatives to Wedding Bouquets
There are varied unique alternatives to bouquets that gives the bride a more personal look to their wedding details. Such alternatives can be made to match the wedding themes, venue and formalities.

Alternatives may include the following ideas:
A rich fur muff for a winter wedding 
A jack-o-lantern can be carried for an autumn or Halloween wedding
An open prayer book or Bible for a religious ceremony
A jeweled rosary, perhaps matched with the wedding colors for a Catholic wedding
A lit candle with a glass shield for an evening affair
A personalized bridal purse can make an unusual and practical choice
A lace or painted fan for a spring or summer wedding
A delicate parasol for a vintage wedding 
A lit lantern for a wedding in a barn or other rustic destinations
A horseshoe as a symbol of good luck for the couple as they recite their vows
A conch shell or any lovely shell for a beach wedding

Regardless of what the brides prefers to carry in thier hand when they walk down the aisle, the alternative can be made to match the wedding colors and decoration by adding subtle accents to blend with the overall décor and theme of the wedding. 

Some brides may not wish to carry anything in their hand while they walk down the aisle. The brides lovely and elegant gloves may draw the attention of the guests to their hands without requiring any accessories.   An elaborate brooch on the neckline of her wedding gown, an intricate hairpiece or stunning bridal jewelry enhances beauty and can be used as the center of attraction without the need to hold anything in the hand.