Flowers for Our Lady @ Weddings?

Photo of my silk-bouquets!

Father Z had an interesting post today that got the cogs in my little brain churning today.

Someone had asked him about the tradition of giving the Blessed Mother a bouquet of flowers during a wedding ceremony / Mass. 

He basically answered, "I have no idea how it started, but since it's not in the rubrics, it shouldn't be done during a Nuptial Mass."

I'm neither here nor there with his answer, especially since he opened the combox for others to chime in since he wasn't sure of these traditions.  I'd say that's fair.

However, I'd have to say I disagree with his assessment that it "shouldn't be done" at the Mass.  As many of the commentators posted, this could easily be something as simple as a bride wishing to pray before a saint after Communion.  So what if instead of just prayer offerings, she's got a little fistful of flowers? 

For my own wedding, this was my most cherished moment.  Considering I had planned my whole wedding around the Blessed Mother (month of May, my colors were "Blessed Mother Blue" and I got married at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, etc, etc, etc), I wanted to be SURE to pay her this respect during the Ave Maria reflection after Communion. 

I know - 110% KNOW - she interceded for John and I.  I know it.  She's still doing it.  So when I got down on my knees before her with my bouquet of flowers (the only real ones I used the entire day as my sister is allergic to them), I sobbed like a little baby in gratitude.  It was the only time I cried that whole day.  I was so elated, so thankful, so touched by her maternal love that I couldn't contain myself and needed SOME way to express my gratitude.  My flowers, prayers, and tears were all I had to offer.  I also entrusted my marriage to her then, too. 

So there is, in my opinion, a beauty to that gesture.  I can't speak for other brides, but that moment wasn't about me - it was about Our Lady and the knowledge that she interceded for our marriage at the Throne of God before we had even met.  I really do believe that. 

***BTW, I'd love to claim that I created those gorgeous bouquets, but I did not.  My best friend, Mary, and her mother spent hours hand-crafting those beauties.  They're silk flowers, believe it or not, because my one sister is allergic to the real thing!  So they created 7 smaller bouquets, my larger, cascading one, 10+ boutineers, several corsages, and probably several pew arrangements, too!***

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