Braided wedding wreaths date back to the times of the Slavs. For many years, abandoned in favor of veils, they decorate the heads of brides again and again. What is the history of wedding wreaths? Will it be better with live or artificial flowers? How to choose the right one for you? Let's check. 

The history of the wedding wreath 

We associate wreaths with sometimes Slavs and Kupala Night. At a time when the tradition of exchanging rings by the Bride and Groom had not yet reached the lands of today's Poland, the future spouses exchanged wreaths during the wedding ceremony. They were a symbol of purity and readiness for marriage.  

After this ceremony, the bride dropped her wreath, her braid was cut off and the headgear of married women - a bonnet - was put on. To this day, everyone knows the name oczepiny, which comes from this Slavic tradition. Hence on Polish weddings Brides throw their veils or wreaths behind them. 

Types of wedding wreaths

If the bride wants to decorate her head with flowers, she really has a lot to choose from. The multitude of types of wreaths can surprise ladies getting ready for the wedding. What kind of wedding wreaths can you consider?

• wreath full, densely built-up: made of natural or artificial flowers, densely braided from plants of various sizes;
• half-wreath: a wreath of flowers that extends only to the line of the ears. Then it is tied with a ribbon or pinned on pins and clips;
• asymmetric wreath: extended on one side only. Perfectly masks imperfections or enhances facial features;
• crown: an ornament whose task is to emphasize the hairstyle. Also used as a floral decoration, falling towards the neck.
• band: ornament on a metal frame, which is decorated with flowers and other decorative elements.

Which wreath to choose? 

A bride who decides to wear a wreath instead of a veil should think about its appearance. Wedding wreaths can be very different. The choice between very abundant flowers or those made of smaller flowers is not the only dilemma. Wedding wreaths can be braided in boho or vintage style. Braided from live or artificial flowers. So what should you pay attention to so that it matches the beauty of its owner? 

The principle is simple. Tall and petite brides can afford a more impressive wreath. Made of bigger flowers. Shorter or curvy ladies should opt for an ornament made of smaller flowers. Delicate wedding wreaths will add lightness and will not overwhelm the whole creation. 

When choosing the perfect wreath, it is worth remembering the atmosphere of the entire wedding. Thanks to the decor ballroom it will fit perfectly and create a background for the bride. However, the point is not necessarily to use the same flowers, but only to maintain the established style of the wedding. The most popular in recent years are boho style wedding wreaths. This is because this style still reigns in Polish wedding halls. Along with them, vintage-style ornaments are very popular. If the Bride and Groom are planning a glamorous wedding, the Bride does not have to give up such a head ornament, but choose one with pearls or created entirely by a jeweler.

Wedding wreaths real or artificial?

Traditional wedding wreaths are woven from live flowers. Their advantages are certainly a beautiful fragrance and naturalness. Beautiful, fresh flowers look phenomenal, but it is worth noting that during hot summer days, even the most durable plants can wither before the last wedding guest leaves the dance floor.  

In the case of decorations made of live flowers, it is important to take photos at the beginning of the ceremony. There is then a good chance of immortalizing a beautiful hair ornament in all its glory - before the flower petals stop looking fresh.  

On the other hand, wedding wreaths made of artificial flowers, despite the fact that they do not smell, will last a long time. This is their main advantage. That is why so many brides choose this type of decoration. In addition to the fact that it will last until the end of the wedding, it will also be a wonderful souvenir of this important day.
Let's remember that today artificial flowers look very realistic. Often you have to think for a moment whether a given decoration is made of artificial flowers or real ones. That is why well-made wedding wreaths made of artificial flowers do not differ in appearance from those made of live flowers.

Wreath or veil - that is the question?

Although wreaths have accompanied brides for centuries, veils have become part of the wedding tradition. What if the bride can't decide or wants to combine both? Nothing lost. Composing a wreath and a veil can create a stunning and matching whole.  

The wedding day is the most important day for the bride and groom. Therefore, such a combination, as well as the rest of the bride's appearance, is her individual decision. On this day, nothing is impossible for the young couple. You just need to skillfully combine everything. Wedding wreaths entwined with a veil look good in two basic combinations.  

If the veil has delicate decorations, the wreath should be woven from delicate, preferably bright flowers. In this way, we will avoid the effect of heavy decoration. Another idea is a spacious, large wreath of colorful flowers, to which a delicate and smooth veil should be matched. It will then complement the floral element of the outfit.  

In recent years, there has been a noticeable trend of decorating hair and veils with delicate gold or silver ornaments, which are supposed to resemble wreaths. Such glamor style wreaths, combined with a veil, add a unique charm to every woman.

How to match bouquets and wreaths for a wedding?

A wedding bouquet, combined with a matching wreath, creates a coherent whole. Therefore, it is worth trying to ensure that both have common elements. They do not have to be created by identical plant species. It is enough that they are color-matched and, above all, created in one style.  

Moreover, wedding wreaths do not have to be made of flowers at all. The bride can put more emphasis on an impressive wedding bouquet, and create a wreath of leaves. Preferably the same as those filling the bouquet. Wedding wreaths are an invaluable decoration of every bride. Weaving flowers into a wedding hairstyle adds lightness and innocence to it. Flowers suit every woman. Especially on her wedding day.