Not all brides love flowers, and those who want to make an individual statement on their wedding days are opting to carry something down the aisle other than a floral bouquet. If you’re looking for elegant ways to balance your personal tastes with the classic bridal look, these alternatives may be the best choice for your wedding ensemble.

Living Succulent Bouquet

Some brides love the look of flowers but want something they can enjoy beyond the wedding day. If you prefer plants that can keep on living after your big day is over, make a bouquet from succulents rather than cut flowers. Succulents are available in a wide variety of shapes, colors and sizes, and some of them even look like little rosettes, making them the perfect choice for a bouquet that’s inspired by tradition but is fully rooted in the present moment.

Lacy Parasol

Sweet spring and summer weddings are the ideal setting for a vintage-inspired lace parasol to accompany a bride’s gown. In fact, a parasol can stand in for both a bouquet and a veil, giving you something dramatic to shade your face as you approach your beloved. Just as with a bouquet, you can carry your parasol for photos and down the aisle before handing it off to your maid of honor. The added bonus is that you’ll be able to keep your wedding accessory forever; you can even use it as part of the decor in your home!

Chic Clutch Purse

If you love fashion and want your look to be more runway-ready than aisle approachable, a high-fashion clutch could be just the solution you’re looking for. A clutch is the perfect compromise—it gives you something to do with your hands and adds a little extra pizzaz to your look while also allowing the freedom to stay true to your personal style. 

From opulently detailed minaudieres to simple vintage wristlets, there are plenty of options to consider in this bridal accessory category. You can choose from metallics, detailed leathers, straw, fabric and more with details ranging from sequins to tassels and charms. This is a particularly inspired idea if you plan a modern ceremony that you and your spouse-to-be design yourselves.

Feathers

Some brides opt to use feathers in their floral bouquets, but you can take it a step further by dispensing with the flowers entirely and going for an all-feather bouquet instead. There are so many beautiful feathers available, and you’ll have no problem finding a collection of plumes to match your wedding colors and add elegant flair to your wedding day style. Your feather bouquet will flutter beautifully as you walk, too, and like the other suggestions on this list, it’ll be much easier to preserve your alternative bouquet than it would be if you went for traditional cut flowers. Feathers make an excellent wedding decor motif, too, and you can carry the theme through your invites, table decorations and wedding party corsages as well.